True North DIY is a practical guide to looking after a home in Canada’s cold climate. We focus on the parts of a house that take the most punishment from our winters: foundations and basements, concrete, moisture and drainage, insulation, and getting a home ready for freeze-thaw season.
Who’s behind True North DIY
True North DIY is written by Kris, who runs an ICF (insulated concrete form) and concrete construction business in Ontario. That means spending a lot of time around footings, foundation walls, backfill, drainage and the problems that show up when water and frost get the upper hand. The goal of this site is to share that practical, job-site perspective in plain language, so homeowners can understand what’s going on with their house, handle the jobs they safely can, and know when to call a professional.
How we write our guides
- We check rules, programs and safety guidance against official sources, such as the Government of Canada, provincial and municipal websites, and recognized industry organizations, and we link to them.
- Each guide shows the date it was last checked. Building codes, bylaws and rebate programs change, so we update articles when they do.
- We don’t publish cost figures we can’t back up. Where prices depend on your home and region, we say so and suggest getting written quotes.
- Spot an error or have a question? Let us know through our contact page.
Affiliate links and advice
Some pages contain affiliate links, including Amazon.ca links. See our Affiliate Disclosure. Our guides are general information, not professional advice. Always check your local building code and permit requirements, and hire licensed professionals where the work calls for it. See our Disclaimer.