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The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
ROUTINE CARE FOR AIR CONDITIONERS
During the summer, the ideal room temperature is between 22 and 26°C.
4 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
HOW TO ARC WELD
A step-by-step guide (for beginners).
3 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
SIKAWALL -165
The Wall Putty your customers will Demand
1 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
DIY hacks
Quiet a squeaky door
1 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
BILTONG KERWER
Few tools in a South African kitchen are as iconic as the wooden biltong kerwer.
3 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
The Home Handyman
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 min |
January/February 2026
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 |