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The Home Handyman Magazine - January/February 2026

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In this issue

Welcome to a fresh, practical, and inspiration-packed issue created for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts who know a well-loved home is always a work in progress. As summer gives way to autumn, we’ve filled these pages with ideas, projects and expert advice to help you get more from your indoor and outdoor spaces.

Our main feature celebrates a true South African favourite: Backyard Entertaining – The Perfect Braai. From planning your first built-in braai to upgrading an existing setup, we explore smart design choices, layouts and finishing touches that turn a braai area into the heart of family life, complete with step-by-step DIY guidance.

Tool users will appreciate our Cordless Drill Torque Settings guide, clearing up a common source of frustration, while our air-conditioner maintenance tips show how simple care can improve performance and longevity.

Gardeners can ease into the new season with our Summer-to-Autumn Garden Guide, irrigation installation advice and water-wise solutions. In the workshop, we cover practical projects like building a biltong kerwer, reinforcing a security gate and installing solar LED pathway lights.

We also continue our DIY learning series with beginner-friendly Arc Welding, quick DIY tips for women, handmade gift ideas and easy Valentine’s Day projects, rounded off with industry news and fun 5-minute DIY hacks.

Happy building, braaing and creating!

THE PERFECT BRAAI AREA

Few things in life bring South Africans together quite like a braai. Whether it's a quick weekday chop, a Saturday rugby get-together, or a full weekend kuier, the braai area is where stories are shared, meals are made and memories live.

3 mins

SIKAWALL -165

The Wall Putty your customers will Demand

1 mins

UNDERSTANDING CORDLESS DRILL TORQUE SETTINGS

Acordless drill is one of the most versatile tools in any DIYer's toolbox. It drills holes, drives screws, mixes paint, stirs mortar, tightens bolts and even sands with the right attachment. But many homeowners still feel confused by one particular feature: torque settings.

5 mins

YOUR SUMMER-TO-AUTUMN GARDEN GUIDE

The first three months of the year bring long days, warm evenings and a rhythm of rain, humidity and occasional heatwaves. It is a rewarding time for gardeners: vegetables grow fast, flowers burst with colour and there is still plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors before the crispness of autumn arrives.

3 mins

YOUR SUMMER GARDEN GAME PLAN

Rapid growth. Soaring temperatures. Rain-soaked soil. For most, summer brings a surge of garden activity - and with it, the need for consistent upkeep. From compact gardens to large outdoor areas, staying on top of seasonal growth keeps green spaces thriving and manageable. And, with the right equipment, like Husqvarna's range of power tools, maintenance routines become easier, more efficient, and even enjoyable.

3 mins

LIGHT UP YOUR PATH

A well-lit pathway isn't just about aesthetics, it's about safety, security, and welcoming guests to your home.

2 mins

ROUTINE CARE FOR AIR CONDITIONERS

During the summer, the ideal room temperature is between 22 and 26°C.

4 mins

HOMEOWNERS URGED TO BUILD SMART

Home renovations, solar installations, and water-saving projects are on the rise. However, the MBAWC warns that homeowners who enter building agreements without fully understanding both their and the appointed contractor's rights, responsibilities, or the importance of clear contracts and insurance, risk costly disputes. Highlighting the scale of the problem, Sihle Zikalala, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, noted at the 2025 International Construction Law Association Conference that South Africa is spending considerable amounts of money due to disputes within the construction sector.

4 mins

SECRETS TO A CLEANER, SAFER KITCHEN

It starts before the first dish is served. Before the final checks - straightening a chair or adjusting a table setting - before the doors open, and the first guest walks in. It starts with clean counters, gleaming floors, and the quiet confidence that every surface has been properly sanitised. Food safety and kitchen cleanliness aren't just afterthoughts or tasks to be hurried through at closing time. They're the foundation of everything that happens in a successful restaurant.

3 mins

BAKE, DECORATE AND CELEBRATE

Few things capture the spirit of the holidays quite like the aroma of freshly baked biscuits wafting through the house.

2 mins

CHECK YOUR VEHICLE'S BRAKE PADS AND PARKING BRAKE

Your vehicle's brakes are some of the most hardworking safety components on the road. They operate every time you stop at a traffic light, slow down at an intersection or descend a steep hill. Yet many drivers only think about their brakes when something goes wrong. Regularly checking your brake pads and parking brake doesn't just keep you safe, it can save you money by catching wear before it becomes a major repair.

4 mins

DIY hacks

Quiet a squeaky door

1 mins

HEAVY-DUTY SECURITY GATE

By now, your gate posts are solidly set in concrete, and your rectangular frame is cut, tacked, and checked for alignment.

5 mins

MAINTENANCE NEGLECT

South Africans take home security seriously. Investing in retractable gates, burglar bars, security shutters, and alarm systems, all to safeguard the people and possessions we care about most. Yet, one of the most overlooked risks to that safety isn't external. It's the slow decline of the very barriers we trust to keep danger out.

4 mins

HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT BUILT-IN BRAAI

A builtin braai is more than just a cooking appliance, it's a lifestyle statement. Whether you're hosting a Saturday rugby braai, a relaxed Sunday potjie, or a festive family gathering, the right builtin braai becomes the heart of your entertainment area. With so many options available in South Africa, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming, but with a little guidance you can confidently select a braai that suits your home, your cooking style, and the local climate.

3 mins

QUICK, CLEVER AND BUDGET-FRIENDLY DIY

Between work deadlines, school runs, and trying to balance life as a go-getting woman, finding a moment during the day for self-care sounds like a luxury.

4 mins

INSTALLING AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM

A well-designed irrigation system can transform your garden from a thirsty, unpredictable space into a lush, thriving landscape that practically looks after itself.

4 mins

HOW TO ARC WELD

A step-by-step guide (for beginners).

3 mins

BILTONG KERWER

Few tools in a South African kitchen are as iconic as the wooden biltong kerwer.

3 mins

HOW TO INSTALL A BUILT-IN BRAAI

A builtin braai is more than just a place to cook, it becomes the heart of the patio, the centre of weekend gatherings, and a long-lasting home feature that adds both beauty and value.

5 mins

PROTECTING YOUR HOME FROM SEVERE WEATHER

When it comes to climate risk, the stakes could not be higher. Climate risk affects almost every aspect of our professional and personal lives and is affecting decisions such as where to buy your home and how to adapt to future climate trends.

3 mins

DIY VALENTINE'S DAY

Valentine's Day has a way of sneaking up on us; one moment you're packing away the festive season décor, and the next you're wondering what meaningful gift you can create without resorting to last-minute shopping.

2 mins

Read all Stories from The Home Handyman

The Home Handyman Magazine Description:

Publisher: BB-Publications-(Pty)-Ltd

Category: Home

Language: English

Frequency: Bi-Monthly

The Home Handyman magazine is a specialized D.I.Y. publication and caters for a well-defined niche market since November 1993. Editorial includes new products for D.I.Y.’ers, along with projects, home improvement ideas and expert advice. Expert advice from various fields (such as adhesives, abrasives, power tools, welding, plumbing, paint, lighting, waterproofing, wood and metalworking), provides readers with simple, cost effective solutions and methods in a series of practical, step-by-step features that are comprehensively illustrated. All projects feature local products and metric measurements, making the ideas easy to implement.