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Chris Deziel

Chris Deziel is a contractor, builder and general fix-it pro who has been active in the construction trades for 40 years. He has degrees in science and humanities and years of teaching experience. An avid craftsman and musician, Deziel began writing on home improvement topics in 2010. He worked as an expert consultant with eHow Now and Pro Referral -- a Home Depot site. A DIYer by nature, Deziel regularly shares tips and tricks for a better home and garden at Hunker and Family Handyman.

Publications

  • Family Handyman
    122 articles
  • Apartment Therapy
    2 articles

Writes Most On

HomeImprovementHomeMaintenanceDIYEnergyEfficiencyHVACHomeSafetyPlumbingHomeRenovationSafetyElectriciansEcoFriendlyAutomotivePlumberConstructionSustainabilityDiyProjectsGardeningClimateControlElectricianSustainableLivingCarMaintenanceCarCareRenovationHeatingHouseholdTipsElectricalsafetyToolsVehicleSafetyHomeRepairLandscapingEngineeringHomeHeatingHomeSecurityInteriorDesignCleaningTipsPlumbersSurveillanceVehicleMaintenancePestControlPropertyManagementBuildingcodesSafetyTipsArchitectureFireSafetyCoolingHomeProtectionContractorsHorticultureIndoorAirQualityMaintenance
  • What happens if you flush it
    28 Apr—Family Handyman
    If you’re wondering what not to flush down a septic tank, think of the tank as a digestive system like your own stomach. Most of the things you wouldn’t eat yourself are also bad for your septic system, but even things you would eat can cause a septic upset. A septic system has digestive enzymes, but it lacks the strong acids (specifically hydrochloric acid) that you have in your body. Gastric juices can dissolve things like razor blades, according to a study published at PubMed, but septic...
  • Do you really need a phone case to protect your phone screen?
    5 May—Family Handyman
    You're buying a new cell phone, and you're on a budget, so you're thinking about skipping the protective case. Our experts say "Don't." Now Trending Cell phones wear out, become obsolete or both, so you’ll need a new one at some point, and they aren’t cheap. When shelling out hundreds of dollars for the latest iPhone or Android device, it makes sense to wonder: Do you need a phone case too? That just adds to the financial burden of upgrading your device, and it’s tempting to skip it if it...
  • Planned Blackouts: Why Utilities Cut Power on Purpose
    16 Apr—Family Handyman
    Planned blackouts help prevent wildfires caused by downed power lines and malfunctioning electrical equipment. Here's how to get ready for one. Now Trending The wind provides welcome relief from summer heat, but in California and other states, high summer winds can be deadly. They can fan errant sparks into flames and then spread the resultant fires over large areas, resulting in widespread forest destruction, property damage, injuries and deaths. Power companies like Pacific Gas & Electric...
  • How to Siphon Fluids
    23 Apr—Family Handyman
    Home Outdoors Yard & Garden Structures Waterfalls The Dos and Don’ts of Siphoning Fluids Family Handyman's Editorial Process Published on Apr. 23, 2025 Transferring fluids by siphoning seems straightforward, but you can definitely do it wrong. Here are expert tips for doing it the right way. Now Trending I used to own a lightweight hot tub that you could just roll into position and fill with a garden hose, but to use it, I needed to know how to siphon fluids — specifically water. That’s...
  • —Family Handyman