DIY Home Repairs

As host of HGTV Canada’s Disaster DIY and the upcoming House of Bryan, Bryan Baeumler has seen it all when it comes to home repairs. “With our hectic lifestyles and endless distractions, many people ignore those little chores around the house until it’s too late,” says the dad of two. We asked Baeumler to share a couple of DIY repairs that will help maintain your biggest investment.

SCREEN SAVER “If you have a battered or ripped screen door, replacing it is a relatively simple project,” says Baeumler. Start by removing the existing door by unscrewing the metal frame from the exterior doorframe. It is also a good time to scrape old paint, fill holes and refinish the doorframe. Measure the height and width of the existing screen doorframe and purchase a replacement. Install it by mounting the pre-hung metal frame on the existing wood frame of the exterior door. “With about an hour of free time and a few screws, you’re ready to enjoy a cool breeze,” he says.

SWAB THE DECK “If your deck is looking a little worse for wear but the structure and deck boards are free from rot, bring it back to life with a good cleaning,” says Baeumler. “A pressure washer can make short work of cleaning a deck; however too much pressure or holding the tip too close to the deck can destroy wood fibres and leave your deck boards ‘fuzzy’,” he advises. Loose, rotten, cracked or splintering deck boards should be replaced. “Consider using 5×4 cedar deck boards as a great looking, long-lasting, chemical- free replacement. Use existing boards as a