Bryan Baeumler

“A backsplash is actually one of those projects that can really change the look of a kitchen. It's a really great project for someone just dipping their toe into renovations.”

“No house exists in a vacuum. External factors affect them, whether it's the climate or time.”

“Everyone knows you can't get an exotic car for the price of a compact, yet many still expect skilled trades to work for $15 an hour and deliver flawless results almost instantly.”

“No matter how much insulation you add to the attic, if you don't have a proper vapour barrier you'll still lose heat and run into condensation issues.”

“I foamed my house and we spend less than $50 a month heating in the winter, and we stay nice and cool in the summer.”

“Bathrooms are an area where you get a high concentration of moisture, which can lead to mould, mildew, failing grout, rotting walls - you name it.”

“Typically, when you flush the toilet, you shouldn't hear it gurgling in the shower.”

“Brick is very porous - when you paint it, the paint actually gets into those pores, as well as in between the grains of sand in mortar, and into the brick itself.”

“I own and operate a busy construction and renovation company and, of course, there are the occasional hiccups on site - more great learning experiences in the pursuit of elusive perfection.”

“When we get into winter, there's less moisture in the air. It sucks the moisture out of the wood, making it shrink. In the summer, the humidity is higher, so that wood is going to absorb some moisture and grow.”

“You shouldn't have to rely on the grout and caulking to waterproof your shower.”

“If your basement isn't insulated properly, your furnace has to warm up cold air to pump through the house - it'll have to work harder and won't be as efficient.”

“Remember that the larger the renovation, the more options you have, which also means the more decisions you'll have to make. Laying out your plans well in advance will help you avoid becoming overwhelmed, and will also give you the opportunity to shop prices and stretch your budget.”

“Despite the fact that I spend most of my time on interior renovations, my favourite place to be is outside - especially in the summer.”

“A poor tiling job is usually the result of being in a rush.”

“If a door is installed properly and the frame is square, plumb, level and not twisted, then the door shouldn't swing open or close. The door should just stay where it is, no matter whether you've opened it halfway or a couple of inches.”

“In order to battle gravity and keep a house standing, there must be solid support from the top of the roof, all the way down to the foundation.”

“As far as stucco repairs, it's definitely more of an art than a science.”

“Generally, if there's nine square feet or less of surface mould, you can remove that yourself with a bleach and water mixture or just straight soap and water. You want to make sure you wear gloves and a particulate mask. Also make sure you spray the area down, clean it properly and let it dry.”

“It's almost impossible to turn on the TV, surf the Internet, pick up a book, or just simply exist without being bitten by the home reno bug.”