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The Home Handyman
KEEP YOUR HOUSE CRITTER FREE
With winter fast approaching, outdoor critters seeking to regulate their temperature are trying their best to get inside. Ants, spiders, moths, mosquitoes, fruit flies, stink bugs, termites, silverfish, and ladybugs, to name a few, can easily make their way into homes, and once they've settled in, it's often hard to get them out.
6 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
SECRET HIDEOUTS
We all have things we would prefer to keep out of plain sight - family heirlooms, wedding rings, expensive jewellery, medicines or even weapons. Sometimes we just want to keep household items hidden in order to declutter a space. Whether you want to hide items for safety or financial reasons, or simply want to keep your bedroom tidy, there are a few clever storage ideas that could help you out.
2 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
ABRASIVES DEMYSTIFIED
Abrasive materials are indispensable in countless industries, from woodworking and metal fabrication to automotive repair and electronics manufacturing.
3 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
THINNERS VS. TURPENTINE
If you've ever finished a painting or staining job and been left wondering how best to clean your brushes, you're not alone. One of the most common DIY questions is: Should I use thinners or turpentine to clean my brushes? The answer depends on the type of paint or coating you've used. Using the wrong solvent can damage your brushes, or worse, make the cleaning job even harder.
2 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
KEEP THE COLD OUT
Did you know that homes in South Africa are either insulated to a poor standard, compared to European nations, or have no form of insulation at all. In 2011 our National Building Regulations made it compulsory to fit thermal insulation in new buildings and additions to building structures.
5 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
ANGLE GRINDERS — MASTERING THIS VERSATILE TOOL
When it comes to versatile tools in a DIYer's arsenal, few can match the power and practicality of the angle grinder.
2 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
KITCHEN CARE – MAINTENANCE TIPS FOR KEY AREAS
The kitchen is the heart of the home where meals are made, memories are shared, and chaos sometimes reigns. But like any hardworking space, your kitchen needs regular maintenance to keep it functional, safe, and looking great.
2 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
Separating Fact from Fiction
Maintaining your home can be a daunting task, especially with the plethora of DIY tips and tricks floating around the internet.
2 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
SEALANTS SIMPLIFIED: WHAT TO USE AND WHERE
Whether you’re tackling a weekend DIY fix, remodelling your home, or involved in large-scale construction, sealants are a silent hero that play a vital role in creating watertight, airtight, and secure finishes.
3 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
COMMON FRIDGE/FREEZER FAULTS
Your fridge freezer is one of the hardest-working appliances in your home, so when it stops performing as it should, it can cause major inconvenience. The good news? Not every fault means an expensive call-out or a trip to the shops for a new one. In many cases, you can fix the issue yourself with a little know-how and a few basic tools.
3 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
WOODOC 10
Maintaining your home can be a daunting task, especially with the plethora of DIY tips and tricks floating around the internet.
1 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
WHEN TO CALL AN EXPERT
When it comes to electrical work, safety should always come first. While some small tasks are safe to tackle yourself, many electrical jobs require the knowledge and skills of a qualified electrician. According to a recent survey commissioned, 29% of homeowners have tried to do their own electrical work, despite 89% agreeing it’s better to call in a professional.
5 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
PAINTING TIPS - INDOOR AND OUTDOOR GUIDANCE
Painting is one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to transform any space - whether it’s a tired bedroom, a sun-damaged exterior wall, or a new fence. But without the right preparation and technique, it’s just as easy to end up with streaks, peeling paint, or premature fading. This step-by-step guide walks you through how to paint both indoor and outdoor surfaces like a pro, while avoiding the most common DIY mistakes.
3 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
WATERPROOFING BASICS
As the seasons change, your home may be exposed to heavy spring rains. While rain is natural and often welcome, too much of it, especially when water starts seeping into your home, can lead to serious structural and health issues. That's where waterproofing becomes essential.
4 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
ANGLE GRINDERS CHASING INTO BRICK WALLS
Using an angle grinder to cut (chase) channels in a brick wall can be efficient, but it also comes with significant risks if not handled properly.
2 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
HOW TO BUILD A ROCKET STOVE
Most of our household energy requirements come in the form of space heating, water heating or cooking, with these making up a large percentage of our monthly bill. Rocket stoves are an example of appropriate technology which can cover all of those needs, cost you next to nothing to build, and just a few twigs to run.
4 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
MAKE A WOODEN PUSH CART
This type of lumber cart is by no means new. In fact, the basic design has been around for many years, which is really a testament to the usefulness of such a toy; a toy that has helped many a child to take their first step to evolve from crawler to toddler. Apart from helping children to learn to walk, it also is a transporter for your child to move toys to and fro around the room. The pushcart is probably the most practical and entertaining toy a crawler or toddler can have!
4 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
DON'T GO HIGH WIRE
In electrical work, it’s not just about connecting circuits, it’s also about picking the correct wires for the job. Wire gauges might seem complicated, but using the wrong sizes can cause serious problems, like poor performance or even dangerous situations. In this issue, we'll explain wire gauge charts and how to use them safely.
2 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
SEAL THE DEAL
Property Market experts agree that 2025 presents a more positive outlook for the property market in South Africa than in recent years, with stabilising interest rates and renewed buyer confidence driving a stronger demand.
2 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
DRYWALL REPAIRS & IDEAS - ACHIEVING A FLAWLESS FINISH
Whether it's a door handle ding, a hairline crack, or a gaping hole left by a plumbing repair, drywall damage is almost unavoidable in a lived-in home. The good news? You don't need to be a professional to fix it. With a few basic tools, a little patience, and this step-by-step guide, you can make your walls look like new again - smooth, seamless, and paint-ready.
4 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
WATERPROOFING BRICK WALLS
Water damage to brick walls can lead to crumbling mortar, efflorescence (white salt deposits), mould, and even structural instability if ignored. Here's how to fix it properly.
2 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
SECRET HIDEOUTS
We all have things we would prefer to keep out of plain sight - family heirlooms, wedding rings, expensive jewellery, medicines or even weapons. Sometimes we just want to keep household items hidden in order to declutter a space. Whether you want to hide items for safety or financial reasons, or simply want to keep your bedroom tidy, there are a few clever storage ideas that could help you out.
3 min |
Jul/Aug'25
The Home Handyman
WINTER WARMTH
Insulation and energy- saving tips: Stay cosy while reducing energy costs.
5 min |
May/June 2025
The Home Handyman
TURNING SCRAP INTO ART
Discover how to make a twisted segmented bowl.
5 min |
May/June 2025
The Home Handyman
PIN IT, POST IT, PLAN IT
My son wanted a bulletin board to help organise his room, but I couldn't bring myself to buy a cheap, generic one from the shop.
5 min |
May/June 2025
The Home Handyman
UNDERFOOT PERFECTION
Flooring is one of the most important parts of any home improvement project, yet it’s often overlooked when people consider DIY renovations.
10+ min |
May/June 2025
The Home Handyman
Local design stars shine in Manchester
Pieces by top South African designers, part of the Nando's Hot Young Designer (HYD) programme, were recently showcased in Manchester, UK, at the Nando's UK Indaba - a knowledge-sharing event for the group.
1 min |
May/June 2025
The Home Handyman
THE DAILY GRIND
Learn how to achieve smooth finishes with the right abrasives.
8 min |
May/June 2025
The Home Handyman
PLUMBING BASICS
Learn how to fix common plumbing issues like leaks, clogs, and pressure problems.
9 min |
May/June 2025
The Home Handyman
TOP PRIORITY
Maintaining your home's first line of defence - Inspecting and repairing roofing issues.
4 min |