Dan's Hands Helping Homeowners

04/09/2026

When is the last time you had your hot water tank serviced? If you own your own tank, replacing your anode rod should be done regularly. They aren't hard to replace, or expensive to buy, but, replacing this component will add years to the lifespan of your tank, and give you peace of mind that you won't come home one day to a burst tank and flood in your basement. Replacing your hot water tank can be very costly, protect what you own, and get this inspected or replaced if you haven't done so in the last 4years.

04/01/2026

Have you bought a new home in the last 10 - 15 yrs? Are you considering buying a new construction home? Do you own a new home and have concerns about why it already needs to be repaired. Im only posting this on my own page, but if any of the above applies to you or someone you know, this video is worth your time.

Reposted to fix link

Why do so many brand-new homes in Canada feel cheap, poorly built, and already showing problems after just a few years? In this video, we uncover the truth b...

02/19/2026

With the warmer weather on the way, now is a good time to check and make sure your sump pump is working correctly.

Here are two, less then two minute videos that each show how to test a different kind of sump pump.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9qZWXAJ-Z4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9qZWXAJ-Z4

Checking your sump pump today, may prevent a soggy spring basement.

01/29/2026

We all know that we need to clean the lint trap in our dryers, but did you know that the chemicals in dryer sheets can accumulate over time on your screen, to the point the air cannot travel through it, costing you time and money? If you cant see through your lint screen as easily as you can in this picture, its time to clean your screen. Grab the dishsoap, or vinegar, and start gently scrubbing with your fingers, or a very soft brush, until you can see through it clearly! This will save you time, money, and future appliance repairs.

10/14/2025

Clean grout the easy way
With toilet bowl cleaner.

You can use any gel toilet bowl cleaner for this. Apply the gel directly to the grout, let it sit for 10–30 minutes, scrub with a stiff brush, and rinse thoroughly. Always ventilate the area well to avoid inhaling fumes, and never mix toilet bowl cleaner with other cleaning products.

Your grout lines will be good a new, no need to buy expensive products or scrub for hours!

08/16/2025

Simple picture frame, shelf hanging help.

When you're mounting something on the wall with keyhole slots, lay paper over the slots and make a template by rubbing with a pencil. Then level your template on the wall and you'll know precisely where to position the screws

And if you have picture frames that are always "on the move" and your tired of straightening them out every time the kids come bouncing down the stairs, use a little mounting putty, to tack the corners to the wall, it won't stain or leave a mark, and you won't have to adjust your pictures everytime someone slams a door shut!

06/09/2025

Cost saving tip!

No need to buy special polish to clean your stainless steel appliances, just use olive oil, it has the benefit of resisting fingerprints too!

Dab a few drops of olive oil onto a microfiber cloth.
Wipe down the stainless steel, in small circular motions
Use the same cloth to buff the surface, removing excess oil
For stubborn stains or a more thorough clean, you can also use a mixture of olive oil and white vinegar.
Remember to wipe in the direction of the stainless steel's grain

If you've done it right the appliance will be clean, shiny, and resist fingerprints!

05/14/2025

Save Money, Prevent early appliance failure and fire!

As an appliance repair technician I see this all the time, customers just never think to look outside for the trouble with their dryer. A dryer that seems to take forever to dry your clothes, likely isnt suffering from old age, its suffereing from a lack of ventilation.

A plugged outside vent isn't just costing you money in longer drying cycles, and burning out your dryer faster, its also a fire hazard. At the bare minimum I suggest in early spring, and just before snowfall go outside and check to see if your outside vent is clogged, and if it is, pull as much lint out as you can. You'll save money, time, and just maybe prevent a fire in your home!

05/08/2025

Another cost cutting tip!

DIY Gel Packs

Instead of buying those expensive gel ice packs, take a large zip lock freezer bag, fill it to about 1/3 to 2/3 full of 3 parts water to one part rubbing alcohol, then seal it, being careful to work the air out of it. Then put that bag inside another bag. The bag will freeze to a super cold slush that never solidifies. Add food colouring or dishsoap for colour. Great for keeping lunchbags and cooloers cold without spending the extra $$$ The more alcohol you use the more watery the end result, the less alcohol you use the more solid the end result.

05/01/2025

Hate that musty smell towels seem to pick up after a while, and can never seem to get rid of it, I found the solution.

To get the old musty smell out of towels wash them with hot water and a cup of vinegar. Then immediately rewash them usually with regular laundry detergent.

For really stubborn towels, instead of washing them with your detergent the second time was them with half a cup of baking soda and nothing else.

Stinky old towels be gone!

04/24/2025

Spring is here, time to let the house air out after a long winter. Trouble is, after a rough winter, the outdoors always finds its way indoors! If you find you have small tears and holes in your screen, and don't want the outside inside, you can follow this simple trick!

Clear nail polish can be used to patch small holes or tears in window screens,

How to use nail polish for screen repair:
Clean the area: Ensure the area around the hole is clean and free of debris. Use a lint roller!
Press fibers back into place: If the hole is a rip, try to smooth the fibers back into position as flat as possible.
Apply nail polish: Dab or apply a thin layer of clear nail polish over the damaged area, making sure to cover the hole and surrounding fibers.
Reapply if needed: You may need to reapply layers of nail polish to effectively seal the hole, especially if it's larger or has frayed edges.

The outdoors will now stay, outdoors!