Handyguy Brian saw an interesting DIY Soil pH Test (pH is a measure of acidity) test described on Facebook. We try it out and also try a commercially available DIY Soil pH Test kit on this episode of The Handyguys Podcast.

Here is the graphic from Homesteading / Survivalism on Facebook.

You can also just purchase a home soil pH est kit. They aren’t very expensive and also test for nutrients.

The post Soil pH Test video appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

LED bulbs are the next generation of “green” lighting technology. The Handyguys talk about how LED Bulbs compare to CFLs and whether they are really friendly to the environment.

What is an LED bulb?

LED stands for Light Emitting Diode. LEDs have been around for a long time but only recently have become effective in lightbulbs. They use little electricity and can last a very long time. LEDs (the diodes) are very small elements that must be combined to produce one bulb that has an equivalent light output needed for a bulb. In addition to the diodes there must be electronic circuitry to control them.

Advantages of LED Bulbs

Energy Consumption – The energy consumption is similar to that of CFL bulbs and much better than incandescent bulbs.

Dimmable – This is awesome, See a demonstration in the video. This is a huge advantage over a CFL.

Instant on - Truly instant on unlike a CFL. Its just like the real thing

Long life – between three and ten times the life of a CFL.

Color – Great color temperature that matches perfectly with the old incandescent bulbs.

Safer - No mercury. Did you know CFLs have hazardous materials in them?

Disadvantages of LED Bulbs

High initial cost – Prices vary. $30 and up is typical. Some home centers have some for $40 and $50 depending on the style and light output.

Shape/style – The initial LEDs have odd shapes and look a bit weird. We expect things to look more conventional as time progresses.

Reliability – We do not know much about longterm reliability yet.

Is there a cost savings? Lets do some math

Conclusions

There are a lot of ifs and assumptions to consider such as whether an LED will last its rated hours, will their price decrease and prices for energy. If energy prices stay stable then eventually an LED will pay for itself. Right now its not a compelling case. Saving $20 over 11 years is just too hard to justify for such a big initial cash layout.

Watch the show to see the discussion and more conclusions.

The post Led Bulbs appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

In the latest episode The Handyguys discuss several ways to unclog a toilet.

Yes, you can use a typical plunger if you have a clogged toilet. It works most of the time. What do you do if the plunger fails? Don’t despair, try one of the other techniques discussed in this video.

Plungers

A plunger is the most common method.

Toilet Augers

A toilet auger can assist when you have a really tough load.

Other Methods

Well… just watch the video.

The post How to Unclog a Toilet appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

The Handyguys talk about ethanol mandates with Institute for Energy Research expert Daniel Simmons. We discuss the negative impacts of ethanol on our vehicles, small engines, the environment and food supplies.

Background on Ethanol Mandate

Daniel Simmons is IER’s Director of Regulatory and State Affairs.

AAA Says

“It is clear that millions of Americans are unfamiliar with E15, which means there is a strong possibility that many motorists may improperly fill up using this gasoline and damage their vehicle,” said AAA President & CEO Robert Darbelnet. “Bringing E15 to the market without adequate safeguards does not responsibly meet the needs of consumers.”

Consumers Unions Says, in regard to E15′s cousin, E85, in FFVs.

When running on E85 there was no significant change in acceleration. Fuel economy, however, dropped across the board. In highway driving, gas mileage decreased from 21 to 15 mpg; in city driving, it dropped from 9 to 7 mpg.

Ethanol Mandate on cars

One major concern with E15 is its effect on older cars. Testing has indicated that damage can occur in vehicles designed before the wide use of ethanol. If you car was built before 2001, avoid E15.

Ethanol Mandate on small engines

The Handyguys discuss the devastation that ethanol wreaks on small engines. Ethanol attracts water, deteriorates parts and gums up carburetors. If you can’t start your mower, chain saw, string trimmer or other small engine, the cause is likely ethanol in the fuel. When you buy gas with ethanol, it is best to treat it with Sta-bil and never use gas more that a few weeks old in the small engine. Stale gas can be be disposed of in the tank of your car without issue.

One great alternative mentioned during the interview is to look for a product called TruFuel. TruFuel is a premixed gas/oil with no Ethanol. It’s perfect for engines that required a gas/oil fuel mix. Just make sure you buy the correct blend for your needs.

Ethanol Mandate on Food Prices

Discussions regarding ethanol would not be complete without pointing out that the use of what is normally considered food for people or livestock (other foods) causes food prices to rise. This is natural supply and demand. When the government diverts food into fuel (by use of subsidies for farmers) then there is less food. When there is less food, food prices rise. World poverty organization, Oxfam has said “We must stop the obscene waste of food including burning it as biodiesel in our trucks and cars.”

Listen or watch the interview for all the details.

Thanks to Daniel Simmons from IER for the interview.

The post E15 Ethanol Mandate appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

A Hammer drill, when equipped with a masonry bit, are designed for drilling into stone, concrete, brick or mortar. When a hammer drill operates it rotates like a normal drill as well as has a forward, hammering, type action. Watch or Listen to The Handyguys discuss when and why to use them.

Types of hammer drills

You can buy a dedicated hammer drill such as the big rig Hilti Rotary Hammer that Handyguy Paul shows on the video. More commonly people will use a drill that has a hammer setting. These multi purpose drills are available corded and cordless.

Dedicated hammer drill

A dedicated hammer drill, sometimes called a rotary hammer, is a specialty tool that is used when you have a lot of masonry drilling to do. It sometimes makes sense to rent these as the expense is often hard to justify for the average DIYer.

Corded drill with hammer option

A corded drill with a hammer setting is useful when you have electricity nearby and you do not want to worry about having charged batteries. They also tend to have higher RPM and more power.

Cordless drill with hammer option

Cordless hammer drills are very handy when you do not have electricity nearby. The newest 18+ volt models have power that approaches corded tools. If you are not drilling hundreds of holes at one time these cordless wonders are the way to go.

What a hammer drill is NOT

The hammer drill setting is NOT for driving screws and should never be used when driving screws. Many people confuse hammer drills with a completely different tool called an impact driver. An impact driver uses an impact type action to increase rotational drive. Rotational impact excels at driving screws, lags and nuts but does nothing with regards to drilling. Don’t use an impact driver for drilling of any kind. Impact drivers are only for screws, nags, bolts and nuts.

After watching this video, make sure you check out one of The Handyguys earliest audio only show where we discuss drills.

The post Hammer Drills: When to use them and why? appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

In this episode of The Handyguys podcast The Handyguys discuss Ipe Deck Maintenance, how to clean it and keep it looking awesome.

Ipe Deck Maintenance

Brian’s Ipe deck looked great when it was complete. Eighteen months later is was looking a bit dirty. The wood was still in perfect condition, no checking, no splits or splinters, it was just a bit dingy. After a bit of maintenance it looked great again.

To keep the deck looking new it will take some annual maintenance.

The Handyguys recommend the following maintenance procedure for all decks:

1. Hose off any spills, mud, etc as needed.
2. Don’t allow any items that rust to sit on the deck (propane tanks, metal furniture, etc).
3. Sweep off any leaves

As needed thoroughly clean and re-oil the Ipe deck. This may be once a year or every other year depending on how much sun you get. over time the re-oil step will not be needed as often.

Ipe deck cleaning solution:

• One Gallon warm water
• 1 cup TSP
• One Quart bleach (if you do not have mold or algae you can reduce the amount of bleach)

Use a scrub brush on a long handle and thoroughly wash the deck with the cleaning solution. Rinse thoroughly and let dry completely.

After cleaning the deck you can sand any problem areas.

When the ipe deck is dry (at least a day) then re-oil it.  Use either Ipe Oil or Penofin Hardwood Oil

Thanks for watching or listening. Make sure you subscribe so you do not miss any of our upcoming shows.

The post Ipe Deck Maintenance appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

There are hundreds of toolbox choices on the market. The Handyguys discuss the big and small, soft and hard, tool specific or generic toolbox choices in this video.

Toolbox Choices

Small Portable toolboxes

These types of toolboxes are very common when you only need to carry around a few small tools. The Handyguys like their Bucket Boss system for carry tools to the job but also find use for a ‘normal’ small toolbox.

Tool Specific toolboxes

Blow-mold tool specific tool cases are loved or hated. Many people will discard them, others can’t live without them. Both Handyguy Brian and Handyguy Paul keep these tool specific tool cases around for when they need to protect the tool during transport.

Soft toolbox choices

Some tools come with soft cases but you can also buy soft sides toolboxes. Soft sided toolboxes are lighter and easier to pack in the trunk of a car. There are tons of sizes, styles, colors and features. Click on the picture to see a bunch of them.

Large toolbox choices

As your tool collection grows or as the complexity of the project dictates a more varied tool collection it may be nice to have one large, rolling, tool kit that contains all the tools needed for the job. Just be careful. Some rolling toolboxes can be TOO big. Make sure it fits in the trunk of your car if needed or that you can actually lift it when its full.

Thanks for reading, listening and watching. If you like our content please do not forget to subscribe  You can sign up for our email list and be notified of new shows, you can subscribe in YouTube, iTunes and many other places. If you have a question for The Handyguys then drop us a line. All our contact information can be found on our contact page.

The post Toolbox Choices appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

It doesn’t happen too often but it CAN happen – smoke alarm no smoke. Yes, your smoke alarm can go off when there is no smoke. One possibility is dust.

Smoke alarm no smoke

The Handyguys discuss how to deal with a Smoke alarm no smoke situation cause by dust.

The post Smoke alarm no smoke – What to do appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

Installing a faucet and water filter doesn’t need to be hard, in this new video from The Handyguys we show you the basic steps to installing a faucet and water filter.

Installing a new kitchen Faucet

In this video The Handyguys install the new Pfister Pasadena Kitchen faucet featuring:

• Install Tool included
• two-function spray-head
• integrated flexible supply lines

Installing a water filter

The Handyguys also add The Filtrete High Performance Drinking Water System with Maximum Filtration Plus featuring:

• Mounts under your kitchen sink
• A dedicated faucet
• Reduces contaminants from water including select VOCs, select pharmaceuticals, microbial cysts and lead
• No tools required for filter changes

Installing a faucet and water filter required only basic tools and the ability to read directions. If you take your time you can upgrade the look of your kitchen and also have filtered water when you want it.

The products used in this production have been provided by their respective vendors. However, the opinions of The Handyguys are entirely our own and we have not been paid to make positive comments.

The post Installing a faucet and water filter appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

Garage Organization

Handyguy Brian’s garage a disaster, he has a mix of recycled cabinets, home-made shelving, pegboard and cheap, rusty metal shelves. In this episode The Handyguys discuss garage organization and show off their new set.

Redline Garage Organization offerings

Here are a few of the advantages of using Redline’s Garage Organization offerings discussed in this video:

• These cabinets are not just closet systems repurposed. Paul discuss redline versus your easyclosets.
• Custom Cabinet options are available  11 colors, rolling work benches, slatwall, everything you would need for getting completely organized.  These features insure a very customized system to insure you have a place for everything which is the key to keeping the garage organized.

Buying Process – Easy for customer

• Redline sells through a dealer network, if there is not a dealer in their area they will assign one of their project managers at Redline Garagegear to their project.
• The first step is thorough discusion of what your needs are and what the space is we have to work with.
• 

  Redline drew The Handyguys a digital mock-up of what we discussed. We used this concept to approve the final design.

  A cabinet layout is drawn based on your needs are and the space you have

• Modifications to the layout can be made

After the order is placed

• Redline Garage Gear will then manufacture the cabinets in 3-5 days and ship them.
• Typically if a customer buys from a dealer it is a “turn key” solution meaning they will install the system. If the customer does not have a dealer in their area and they work with Redline directly who can provide an installation DVD to show how to install. Many times people will hire a handyman / carpenter to install rather than doing it themselves

Depth of offerings

• Over 500 different cabinets
• Custom sized cabinets
• 11 colors

Quality & construction

• Top of workbench has a heavy-duty impact coating
• Powder coated paint finish holds up well
• Drawer slides are full extension allowing easy access to the contents
• Hinges are heavy-duty euro style hinges

Basic installation overview

• Wall hanger – The cabinets install easily by hanging on a wall mounted rail.
• Cam lock devices hold the cabinet carcases together
• Hinges install into pre-drilled recesses and doors attach easily
• Drawers com pre-assembled, just attach the slides.

Go to http://www.redlinegaragegear.com/ and click on “Win a custom workbench”

The post Garage Cabinets & Garage Organization appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

In this episode The Handyguys try out electric snowblowers, discuss advantages of electric versus gas snowblowers, and why they may be the right tool for a homeowner and why they might not be the right tool for some people.

Electric Snowblowers – Advantages

• Always start
• No need to store gas
• Lightweight
• Easy to store

Electric Snowblowers – Disadvantages

• Limited by cord length
• Limited to light snows
• Narrower path

If you want to try one of these Toro Power Curve electric snowblowers for your self then head on over to Amazon and pick one up.

Toro has provided The Handyguys products used in this evaluation. However, the opinions of The Handyguys are entirely our own and we have not been paid to make positive comments.

The post Electric Snowblowers appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

The Handyguys discuss inexpensive home improvement stocking stuffers, for the handyguy or handygal in your life, in this new video.

Brian Suggests these home improvement stocking stuffers

6-in-1 screwdriver – Not the 11 in 1 or 32 in 1 or 945973495 in 1 screwdrivers. Keep it simple and get the 6 in 1 screwdriver that has 1/4″ & 5/16″ Nut Setter, 2 PHILLIPS & 2 SLOTTED bits.

Driver bits – A pack of driver bits to use with your drill or impact driver is also very handy.

Mini MagLight - These are handy to have around, get one for each glove box and a kitchen drawer.

Paul Recommends these home improvement stocking stuffers

A paint brush cover – Handyguy Brian hasn’t tried this cool new tool but Paul says it’s a must have.

Utility Knife – Another handy tool, despite Brian’s claim its one of the most dangerous tools in a Handyguys arsenal.

Dog bone wrench - Multiple sizes in one for this wrench!

Lastly, CLOTHES

Yeah, the Handyguys want to look stylish on and off the set. The Handyguys wardrobe is provided by Duluth Trading Company. They have lots of hard-wearing cloths and lots of great gifts. Check them out.

The post Stocking Stuffers appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

Wired networking has been around a long time and has progressed through many topologies and technologies. The Handyguys discuss the advantages of wired networking, when to use wired networking and what the pieces of a complete solution look like.

Components of a wired networking solution

Hub or switch

The hub or switch is the central component of a wired networking solution. It acts a traffic cop for all networking in a home. Typically a switch is used. Get one with enough ports for your needs plus a few for future use. An 8 port switch is relatively inexpensive. You do not need a super fast switch if your only use is for your device to access the Internet. For example, if you have a 5 MB internet connection then a 10MB, 100MB and 1000MB switch will give you the same performance for internet browsing because the bottle neck is your Internet connection. If you are moving files or streaming video between devices inside your home network then you can benefit from 100MB or 1000MB (1GB) networking.

Plates and jacks

By using plates and jacks you make for a much more streamlined and professional install. If you are wiring up a house put a plate and jack in each home office location as well as any areas where you have multimedia (behind the TV).

Punchdown block

A punchdown block is used where all the wires run from the plates and jacks connect. From the punch down block you run a short cable to your switch.

Cable

You will likely use cat-5 ethernet cable. There is also cat-5e, cat-6 and someday cat-4783 (kidding). Use a cable that is rated for the switch you have. Match that to the jacks you use. If you have cat-5e jacks use cat-5e cable.

Standards

When you hard wire things in your house you have many standards to consider. Pick one and stay consistent. For example, jacks can be wired up in different ways. A common configuration is called T568B another is called T568A. Read up on it if you want.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TIA/EIA-568 When buying jacks and punchdown blocks just make sue you are consistent, pick one and stick with it. The Handyguys both have wired networking with the T568B standard.

Tools

You will want a few tools for your wired networking project:

Punchdown tool for making connections to the punchdown block and the jacks.

A crimp tool if you make your own cables.

The post Wired Networking appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

In this show The Handyguys discuss selecting pneumatic nailers also known as nail guns.

Nail Gun Choices

Below is a listing of different nail guns from small to large to specialty, this list will help you in Selecting Pneumatic Nailers.

Pin Nailers

23 gauge pin nailers are the smallest of the lot. They are used when you need to nail small, delicate, parts and want the smallest nail hole possible. This type of nailer is usually used in furniture building. An Uffy Tools TH-T-CZ10 is shown in the video.

Brad nailers

18 gauge brad nailers are usually used for small moldings and small trim pieces. Nailing things like shoe moulding and screen moulding are best done with an 18g brad nailer, larger nails will cause splits.

Finish nailers

Finish nailers come in two sized. 16g and 15g. Both will do the job for most trim work like window and door trim and some crown moulding. The 15g nailer is angled and the 16g nailer is straight. The angle of the 15g nailer makes it easier to get into corners but the 16g makes a slightly smaller hole.

Framing nailers

These are the ‘big boys’. They are, obviously, used for framing. What many people don’t realize is framing nailers can accommodate many other style nails as well. Things like ring shank nails, decking nails and more. You can use a framing nailer (with the correct nails) for putting down subfloor, roof sheathing, some siding and other building tasks.

Specialty nailers

There are specialty nailers for specific purposes as well. Selecting pneumatic nailers specific to the task at hand will help your project go faster. Roofing nailers make fast work of installing shingles. Flooring nailers are made for installing hardwood floors. There are ‘cap nailers‘ made for installing felt paper and house wrap. There are various pneumatic staplers for upholstery, wire fence installation and other tasks.

Selecting Pneumatic Nailers

How do you select your first nailer? It depends on the task at hand. If you are finishing a basement then you may want to consider a kit that includes a framing nailer, finish nailer and maybe a brad nailer. If you are installing crown moulding then go with a 15g finish nailer. The bottom line, let your project dictate the nailer choice. The nailer choice will drive your air compressor choice (a future topic).

Watch the video to learn about selecting pneumatic nailers for your project. You can also listen to our older audio podcast on the subject of nailers here or watch a video of The Handyguys using a nail gun for target practice!

The post Selecting Pneumatic Nailers appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

Moving to Home Improvement Videos and Youtube

Then Handyguys Podcast is now moving primarily to a video format. To get all of our latest content and to see our home improvement videos, please subscribe to our youtube channel.  We will begin uploading new content in the next week or so and have already filmed 5 new episodes in the updated Handyguys Productions studio.

Why the Change?

We moved to home improvement videos because our content benefits from our ability to visually demonstrate our topic at hand. We tried to make the move to video a couple of years ago but we did not have the resources or organization necessary at the time to make the leap. We now have a production crew, a wardrobe, set, lights and access to multiple cameras. Of course that requires significant capital investment. We hope to recoup some of that cost through youtube’s monetization system but also through other video production ventures.  We think that our new-found ability to help out both our regular listeners and occasional visitors through short, targeted home improvement videos will benefit the DIY community. Get ready for shows on pneumatic nailers, garage shelving and cabinets, Ipe Decking, cutting the cable and more!  As always, we encourage our listeners to provide feedback for our content. If you have questions or would like us to cover a specific topic, please use the contact form. As always…thank you for listening viewing the Handyguys Podacast and enjoy the show.

The post Announcing Handyguys 2012/13 Season with Home Improvement Videos appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

Handyguy Videos

Over the past year the Handyguys have been busy making videos for Frost King . You can find all of those videos on their site where all of them are listed.  One video Handyguy Paul really likes is posted below. In the video, Handyguy Brian is working hard to get a new threshold installed on a home in our neighborhood.  It is not a difficult job and the Frost King threshold products work well.  In addition to the installation video below, you can see our video on how to pick out a threshold here.

The Handyguys are now busy working on more great content and you can expect to see a new announcement about our new video format in the coming days. We promise it…it won’t be long!

The post Where have The Handyguys been? appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

In this video podcast Handyguy Paul tackles building a custom closet shelf system. This system is from easyclosets.com and it worked out great in this walk-in closet.

What does Paul’s wife think about the custom closet? Read her thoughts and watch HER video on her blog, Musings of a Housewife.

Make sure you subscribe, there will be more videos coming soon.

easyclosets.com has provided the products used in this evaluation. However, the opinions of The Handyguys are entirely our own and we have not been paid to make positive comments.

The post How to install a custom closet shelf system appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

Over 70% of the country has been classified as abnormally dry, or worse. What about the oasis in your own backyard?

Lawn Care Do’s and Don’ts During a Drought

DON’T Water your lawn at night.

Grass left wet overnight, or for long periods of time, can encourage fungal diseases that cause discoloration. Water in the early morning so your lawn isn’t damp for long periods, but the sun isn’t high enough to evaporate the water before it penetrates the soil.

DO Raise your mower deck.

Cut at the maximum height to enhance stress tolerance. Mowing on the high side encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, absorbing water from the insulated soil. As a rule of thumb, remove only about 1/3 of the grass blade each time you mow. If you cut too much at one time, the long clippings can cause stress on the grass, inhibiting healthy growth.

DON’T Water a little bit every day.

The water will not be able to penetrate deep enough into the soil to maintain moisture and promote greater root depth. This will also encourage weed growth and spread of disease. Instead, water infrequently, but deeply, to encourage a strong root system. Aim to apply about an inch of water to the soil each week – but always be mindful of local watering restrictions if in place.

DO Let it go dormant.

During drought, always follow local water restrictions when applicable. It is ok to let your lawn go dormant, as most turf species can tolerate some periods oftime without water from rainfall or irrigation. Most species will recover relatively quickly when water is applied from rain or irrigation. During any period of dormancy caused by drought, monitor the turf to ensure that it shows some sign of green color, though it may be faint. During this period, waterless frequently for longer periods of time, as possible and as allowed by any local watering restrictions. If you have questions about your type of grass or its drought tolerance, the local university extension service or landscaper are great resources.

DON’T Fertilize your grass.

Though it may seem like it needs more nutrients at this time of year, putting fertilizer down on dry soil can actually burn the grass. Improper fertilization can also help promote disease, so always follow proper fertilization practices for your area and the time of year.

DO Plan for next year.

In the fall however, one of the best practices to follow is proper fertilization. If you have a cool season lawn that is breaking dormancy from the summer stress, fall is a great time to prepare it for the potential stresses of next summer. Similarly, early fall is also a good time for a final fertilizer application on warm season grasses for the same reason. Regardless of your turf type, be sure to follow recommended fertilization practices for your specific grass and climate to provide the best possible benefit. If needed, your local garden center can be a good source of advice on how fall fertilization can promote root growth and dense turf coverage to help it withstand any potential stress in the coming year.

The post Drought Lawn Care appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

In this audio podcast The Handyguys discuss Building an Azek Cellular PVC Deck. The Handyguys discuss when to DIY and when not to DIY, design considerations, choosing a contractor and materials selection.

To DIY or not to DIY a Cellular PVC Deck

Handyguy Paul decided not to DIY this Cellular PVC Deck. Listen to the podcast for why.

Design Considerations

Think about how you will use your new deck. Plan for the space. Think about furniture and traffic flow. Materials such as Cellular PVC are a great, low maintenance choice.

Choosing a contractor for a Cellular PVC Deck

Handyguy Paul picked a contractor that was highly respected in his area. He was able to inspect several decks built by his contractor up close. When he met with the designer he was able to see pictures of almost exactly what he had in mind. Listen to the podcast for more on the contractor, Decks-R-Us, and what set them apart from other builders.

Materials Selection

Handyguy Paul went with an Azek Cellular PVC Deck. The material is low maintenance and was also what his contractor was most familiar with.

The post Building an Azek Cellular PVC Deck appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

A Primer on When to Prime

Much of the cost of a paint job actually comes from the labor, that is why it is important to know when to prime. When having a repainting job done, it involves scraping the old paint, priming – spot priming or priming the entire surface – and then painting. So, when a contractor specifies re-priming the entire house for a painting job, that also means having to double your budget.

In this audio podcast, Handyguys Paul and Brian respond to a question sent in by one of their listeners via e-mail about the importance of priming, what and how much you prime and when to prime the entire house.

Mike writes:

I have a question about painting and when to prime. I’m having the exterior of our house painted. The house is already painted (11 years ago) and it doesn’t have any real paint issues, like cracking and peeling (some but not much). I’ve gotten a couple of bids and each contractor has a different approach to painting. One will scrape and spot prime, then paint the house. The other says they will scrape and prime the whole house, then paint.

The question is do you need need to prime the whole house, if the existing paint is still in “good” shape?

Peeling paint, in this case, was cause by improper preparation and lack of primer. The person painting this wall should have removed any joint compound dust and then applied a primer before painting.

When to prime is a great question Mike.

The Handyguys share these tips on when to prime when repainting your home:

When you are doing a major color change

Basically, a primer helps you get the correct color that you want, especially if you are shifting from one “wild” color to another. Handyguy Brian explains that the old color can bleed through to the new paint if not first primed.

Changing from one kind of paint to another

Handyguy Paul suggests against changing from a latex-based paint to a oil paint as this can ruin the quality of the finished paint job. Doing it the other way around, from oil to latex-based paint, should be okay, but it does require you to prime the surface you’re going to paint.

Painting over a glossy paint

To help the new paint adhere to the surface well, Handyguy Brian advises to prime when painting over a glossy paint. Although the traditional way is to de-gloss by sanding priming is an easy way to put down a low gloss base before you paint.

Bare wood

You always prime bare wood, new wood and areas where old paint has been scraped off.

If you have additional questions about when to prime or anything else for The Handyguys, simply go to the Contact Us tab of www.handyguyspodcast.com. Additionally, you can view some of our videos in our YouTube channel and subscribe to the show in iTunes.

The post When to prime before painting appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

Handyguys Brian and Paul bring in HVAC (Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning) expert and the co-owner of Interstate Air Conditioning and Heating, Raymond Kishk, to talk about energy efficient air conditioning systems. As a leading New York City air conditioning installation company, we at Interstate Air Conditioning & Heating can show you how this rating can save you some big-time cash each month.

This information will help you choose an energy efficient air conditioning system and keep your current unit running efficiently.

Invest in Energy Efficient Air Conditioning with Higher SEER Rating

SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) simply indicates how much energy is required to run the unit. Many appliances like air conditioners and refrigerators have SEER ratings. The higher the SEER rating the more efficiently your appliance runs. According to Raymond, the lowest SEER rating is about 8; but some states require a SEER rating of at least 12 or 13.

He adds that although two different brands may have the same SEER rating, you may want to compare the features that each has to offer. An air conditioner with a timer, for example, also contributes in saving energy.

Consider an Energy Efficient Air Conditioning unit with VRV system

Air condition units with VRV (Variable Refrigerant Volume) system are especially advantageous if you’re looking to provide air conditioning to several rooms in one house or building.

Raymond explains that this system has one condensing unit and allows you to set up 10 to 15 blowers for different rooms, which lets you adjust the temperature individually. Plus, if one blower breaks down, the air conditioning in the other rooms will not be affected.

Maintain, maintain, maintain for Energy Efficient Air Conditioning

No matter how high the SEER rating of your air conditioning unit, failing to perform proper maintenance will still add expenses. Raymond mentions that a dirty filter adds at least five dollars a month to your bills. A dirty coil makes your air condition work 30% harder.

The good news about the new energy efficient air conditions we have today is that maintenance is not any more difficult than old units despite the new technology that it has. With proper maintenance, you can keep your costs at a minimum.

Hopefully Raymond  has shown you that it is cost-effective to purchase an air conditioner with a high SEER rating. If you are in NYC and need an AC expert visit http://www.interstateair.com

The post Energy Efficient Air Conditioning appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

The Handyguys discuss chainsaw safety in this audio podcast.

If you rent, borrow or buy a chainsaw you will still need to be aware of proper chainsaw safety. In the summer many areas are effected by thunderstorms, in the late summer and fall some contend with hurricanes, others tornadoes and may need to put a chainsaw to use for cleanup of debris. Others people may be cutting and splitting wood for heat, some people are clearing their property. Regardless of how and when you use a chainsaw safety must always come first.

We can’t cover every aspect of chainsaw safety in this show. Please read, understand and follow all the safety precautions outlined by the manufacturer of your chainsaw. Use common sense. Do not push yourself or your chainsaw beyond what you can handle.

Here are the basics of chainsaw safety:

Common sense

• It is not possible to cover every conceivable chainsaw safety situation you can face when using a chain saw.
• Always exercise care and use your common sense.
• Avoid all situations which you consider to be beyond your capability.

Personal protective equipment for chainsaw safety

• Approved protective helmet
• Hearing protection
• Protective goggles or a visor
• Gloves with saw protection
• Trousers with saw protection
• Boots with saw protection, steel toe-cap and non-slip sole
• Always have a first aid kit nearby

Machine’s chainsaw safety equipment

Your saw will have several chainsaw safety devices built into the design. These will vary by manufacturer. Ensure they are properly attached and operational.

• Anti-kickback features, bar tip, safety chain
• Throttle lockout
• Chain catcher
• Hand guards

 Fuel handling

• Do not smoke and do not place any hot objects in the vicinity of fuel.
• Never refuel the machine while the engine is running
• Always stop the engine and let it cool for a few minutes before refuelling.
• When refuelling, open the fuel cap slowly so that any excess pressure is released gently.
• Tighten the fuel cap carefully after refuelling.
• Always move the machine away from the refuelling area before starting.

Starting and stopping a chainsaw safely

• Never start a chain saw unless the bar, chain and all covers are fitted correctly
• The chain brake should be activated when starting
• Never start the machine indoors
• Observe your surroundings and make sure that there is no risk of people or animals coming into contact with the cutting equipment.
• Always hold the saw with both hands.
• Start the saw on the ground. Grip the front handle with your left hand. Hold the chain saw on the ground by placing your right foot through the rear handle. Pull the starter handle

Chainsaw safety working techniques

• Look around you, and above you. Ensure nothing in the area will affect your control of the saw.
• Do not use the saw in bad weather
• Make sure you can move and stand safely
• Take great care when cutting a tree that is under tension
• Understand the causes of kickback so you can avoid it
• Two hands, always
• Never use the saw above your shoulders
• Always cut with a sharp blade, properly fitted for your particular saw

Here are some helpful links to manuals containing chainsaw safety information.

Most manufacturers will have their manuals online. If you do not have a manual you should find one.

Husqvarna

http://www.husqvarna.com/us/forest/support/download-manuals/
http://www.husqvarna.com/us/support/how-to-videos/chain-saw-videos-how-to-use/

Stihl

http://www.stihlusa.com/manuals/product-instruction-manuals/

Craftsman

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/ (good luck, I had trouble finding manuals online)

Echo

http://www.echo-usa.com/Support-Help/Technical-Documents?sm=true

The post Chainsaw Safety appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

While planting and growing grass is not difficult–I once heard that it could be planted on concrete–there are strategies for successfully planting grass seed to ensure the most success. Listen to this audio podcast to hear the discussion about all these topics.

When planting grass, you have several decisions to make:

When is the best time for planting grass seed?

Fall – The best time for planting grass seed is fall. Early enough so it becomes established before the first frost bot not too early that the heat will hinder growth.

What variety to seed to plant?

Plant what grows best for your part of the country and the site conditions. Your local seed supplier will carry what you need. Companies like Pennington Seed ship different varieties to different parts of the country.

What brand of seed to plant?

Yes, brand does matter. You want a quality seed that will have a deep root system and look nice.

Do grass mixtures matter when planting grass seed?

Yes, a blend of varieties will offer multiple benefits. Some grasses take a long time to germinate, others germinate quickly. Some spread and some are bunch grasses. Using a blend when planting grass seed gives you benefits of multiple varieties.

How much fertilizer do you need?

As little as possible. Deep roots from quality seed will lower the need for fertilizers.

How often to water when planting grass seed?

As needed, follow the instructions for the variety you plant and keep well watered until the grass seed is established.

Handyguy Brian discussed some of the things he learned about Pennington Grass. He visited Pennington’s R&D facility in Oregon earlier this year and has some interesting insight into seed varieties.

Pennington® Smart Seed™ Hands-On Experiment

At Pennington’s “Seed for Yourself” Summit, Handyguy Brian was given the opportunity to try planting grass seed in a small plot using Pennington® Smart Seed™ to learn about the benefits of using a high-quality, pure seed product. Seed products are most appropriate for use when planting grass seed for a new lawn or re-seeding large areas.

Every bag of Pennington® Smart Seed™ contains pure seed and no filler. The seed varieties used in Pennington® Smart Seed™ are some of the most advanced varieties available and have been developed for their drought tolerance. At least 60 percent of the seed in every bag of Pennington® Smart Seed™ has been qualified by the Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) for its drought tolerance. Pennington Seed is one of the three founding members of the TWCA, which works with state university systems and private research enterprises to develop turfgrasses that use less water.

In addition to using only the most advanced varieties, each seed is further enhanced with Pennington’s exclusive MYCO Advantage™ seed technology, which helps to introduce beneficial micro-organisms that attach themselves to the emerging seed roots for a denser, deeper root system.

After minimal soil tilling, Brian evenly spread fertilizer and Pennington® Smart Seed™ across his plots. Over the next several weeks, each plot received regular watering as appropriate.*

DAY 1

 DAY 14 AND DAY 28

During the first days of planting grass seed , the seed absorbs water but has not swelled to the point of bursting open. Depending on the variety of grass, germination is not typically visible until at least 8 days, with some varieties taking well over 14 days.

At 14 days, germination is visible with a number of seeds having sprouted. Germination progresses over the next few weeks.

DAY 35 AND DAY 49

Through day 35-49, the grass continues to thicken across the seeded area. While full establishment for Pennington® Smart Seed™ takes longer than Pennington® 1-Step Complete™, the grass grows beautiful and thick.

Pennington offers specialized variety blends or mixes of Pennington® Smart Seed™. Pennington® Smart Seed™ comes in both traditional variety blends/mixes (Perennial Ryegrass, Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue and Fescue/Bluegrass), as well as specialized mixes that are customized to specific regional climates – taking the guesswork out of selection. Varieties include: Sun & Shade, Dense Shade, Northeast, Midwest, Pacific Northwest and Pennsylvania State.

The post Planting Grass Seed, Strategies for Success appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

On this episode, Handyguy Paul brings two topics to the podcast pertaining preventing wood rot and to wood and ground contact.

Preventing Wood Rot on Door Jambs

Paul asks Handyguy Brian about the best way to deal with rotting door jambs and in particular the garage door jambs.  Brian discusses this problem in general as it relates to any exterior door. Exterior jams should be primed and painted on their end grain before installing to help prevent the absorption of moisture. The wood end grain acts as straws, soaking up moisture  over time. Once rot sets in, the best repair is normally a replacement of the entire jam. Paul talks about the complications of having the garage door track structurally attached to the jam.

This door jamb is in the beginning stages of wood rot. The paint is peeling but the wood is still stable. To repair this and prevent damage to the jamb, scrape all loose paint, sand smooth, caulk, prime and paint.

This deck post is on a concrete footer using a post base to prevent the post from touching the concrete. The pressure treated post is rated for ground contact and the cut end was treated with preservative during installation.

 

This post was set in the ground, it is unknown if the cut end was treated, it is unknown if the pressure treatment is rated for ground contact. This pressure treated post is showing signs of deterioration after 6 years.

Thanks for checking us out. If you enjoyed this audio podcast don’t forget to subscribe. You can listen to these shows on your smartphone, iPod, iPhone or other media player.

The post Preventing wood rot on door jambs and deck posts appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

When I joined forces with Brian to create the Handyguys Podcast I had no idea that so many subjects for future posts existed in my kitchen. The newest is a water and ice dispenser problem with my GE side by side.  My dishwasher problems (and fixes!) keep this site busy. My GE side-by-side refrigerator is now in a competition with the Kenmore elite (Whirlpool made) dishwasher as the worst appliance ever owned by Handyguy Paul. Last night I fixed one more water and ice dispenser problem that has driven the kids crazy.

Let’s review previous problems with this unit.

Model: GE side by side stainless steel gss25tsre.SS. Purchased 10/2005:

1. Shelves too small in freezer causing them to crash to bottom of freezer.  GE sent replacements.

2. Water tank leak.  Fixed 10/2011.

3. Defrost problems causing the freezer coils to freeze up which makes freezer and refrigerator compartments too warm.  Temporary solution was to remove back wall panel of freezer and melt ice on coils with hair dryer.  That solution lasted for about a month.  The permanent required replacement of the control board.  Fixed 12/2011.

4. The water and ice dispenser problem began intermittently on 3/2012. The original solution was to wait overnight and hope my water and ice dispenser problems went away.  It did begin working again for a few days at a time.  A few weeks later it only worked for a few hours at a time.  After 4 weeks from when the dispenser stopped working, the dispenser went dead for good.  I finally grew tired of the problem and fixed it.

There are several potential causes of the water and ice dispenser problem.

Water and Ice Dispenser Problem - Water not dispensing but Ice is….

First identify what exactly is not working.  Does any aspect of the dispenser work such as the water, ice, light, etc.?  If only the water flow is broken, you may have a bad water valve on the back of the unit.  Or, more likely, the water line is frozen or clogged.  If the water is not working, wait a day or two and see if the problem self-corrects. In some cases, the defrost cycle can cause=e the line to freeze because it does not have adequate insulation in the door.  If the problem persists, investigate proper water flow on the line . You can open up the kick plate at the bottom of your unit and look for the coupler under the freezer door where the water line is routed from the back of the freezer up to the dispenser. Disconnect this coupler and see if you have water coming out. You should only get a trickle.  Then depress your water dispenser switch and see if water begins shooting out. If the water does begin flowing, then your clog is in the section of tube in your freezer door. You can try putting all your food in an ice chest and thawing out the freezer to see if you can get the tube working or you can just replace the tube.

Water and Ice Dispenser Problem - Water and Ice not working

If neither your ice or water are working from your dispenser you could have the following problems:

1.  Bad dispenser switch. You will have to investigate this by removing the button panel and getting access to the switch. You can usually hear whether the switch is trying to activate.

2. Bad electrical connection to the dispenser.  This was my problem! I removed the kick plate at the base of the unit and looked for the electrical connection under the freezer hing.  There is a coupler there which connects the electrical wires that run to the switch.  In my case I could see that there was corrosion on the wires.  I cut out the coupler and reconnected the wires using appropriate crimpers and electrical tape.  Problem solved.  See Video for more details.

3.  Bad control board.  The other cause of this problem is when the main control board located on the back of the refrigerator stops working correctly. This is a common problem. If you have checked 1 and 2 above, you can order a new control board at repairclinic.com (no affiliation to Handyguys Podcast). They have a 365 day return policy in the event that this does not solve your problem.

Water and Ice Dispenser Problem – Only Ice Not Dispensing

Assuming the chute from the ice box to the dispenser is not clogged, there could be an issue with the ice auger mechanism.  There are various posts around the internet dealing with this issue so consult google.  But still check out our video!

Check out the video I made for more details on the water and ice dispenser problem and see the revenge I take on my refrigerator unit.

Thanks to http://www.youtube.com/user/R0bCB for the visual effects!

The post GE Side by Side Refrigerator Water and Ice Dispenser Problem appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

The Handyguys, Paul and Brian, discuss your mailbox post options in this podcast. Before you dig a hole in your lawn, or get a chinook helicopter to remove your old post (as Handyguy Paul playfully suggests), it’s best to know what choices you have when it comes to choosing a Mailbox Posts.

Basically, you want to match your mailbox post to the style of house that you have. In some cases, a neighborhood has the same type of posts and you want to blend in by building one that looks the same as your neighbors’. But if you don’t have any limits to the kind of post you’re building, here are some of your choices:

Wood mailbox posts

You can choose from a variety of woods when creating a mailbox. The most common are cedar and redwood. You can also opt for pressure treated lumber. Take note that one disadvantage of wood is it rots easily. This means you may have to replace your mailbox post often.

Cast Iron mailbox posts

From your mailbox post options, cast iron posts are probably the most durable. The only problem is it can easily develop rust, which will then cause damage to your post. Make sure you keep it painted if you’re choosing an iron cast mailbox post. Powder coated posts are also available in the market, which lengthens the life of your cast iron post.

Plastic mailbox posts

One advantage of using plastic is it doesn’t rust or rot. Plus, today’s plastic posts come in different molds. Some are made to look like stones, which can be perfect for the style of house that you have.

Spindigger mailbox posts

Spindigger is a new product that your Handyguys have recently tried out and is a good addition to your mailbox post options. Spindigger’s mailbox posts are made of rust proof cast aluminum and require no digging. Handyguy Brian says that it basically has an auger-type device, which screws your post to the ground. To find out more about Spindigger’s mailbox posts, go to www.spindigger.com You can also check out this brief video The Handyguys made installing a SpinDigger. Listen to the podcast for the full discussion.

The post Mailbox post choices appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

The Handyguys interview Mike Ballou,  product Manager for John Deere, and discuss Mower maintenance and the best way to care for your lawn.

Mower maintenance

Proper mower maintenance is critical for having a healthy green  lawn.  Do not begin this new mowing season without changing the oil, sharpening your blades, lubing the joints and checking filters and spark plugs.  Your mower manual will provide all the details you need for proper mower maintenance.

Mike provides detailed instructions on:

• Mowing height
• blade sharpening and extra blades
• removing a deck from your lawn tractor
• Mulching vs bagging
• mulching blades vs bagging blades vs all-purpose blades
• adjusting the mower deck wheels on your riding mower deck for best cut (this is very interesting)

There is some good material here that the Handyguys have not covered previously. Check out the full podcast and start your lawn off on the right track this mowing season.

Mowing height

Mike’s suggestion to mow your grass is a good one. Set the height to one of the highest settings. This will help prevent disease, crowd out weeds, reduce watering and your lawn will look fuller all season long.

Blade sharpening and extra blades

We have been longtime advocates of using sharp blades. Mike provides another great tip. Buy an extra set of blades. If you have your blades professionally sharpened you can just swap on your sharp blades while you wait for your dealer to sharpened the dull ones.

Mulching vs bagging

Mulching is always preferable to bagging. The clippings add water and nutrients back into your lawn. The only time you shouldn’t mulch is if you have waited too long between mows and have extra tall grass.

When to mow

You should only remove about 1/3 of your blade height at one time. This will allow the mulching to work properly and will not stress your grass too much.

Blade Sharpening Video

You may also want to check out the video we did a while back on how to sharpen and balance your mower blade.

The post Mower maintenance and tips for a better lawn appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

The Handyguys continued a discussion from an earlier episode on generators. Paul wanted to followup with the methods for connecting a generator to your electrical system. Generator Transfer Switches and manual generator interlock devices are discussed on the show.

Generator Transfer Switches

Manual transfer switches

Manual generator transfer switches are best suited for use with portable generators. Essentially you just throw the switch, plug in your generator and start it up.

Automatic transfer switches

An automatic generator transfer switch is usually used for stand by generators that switch on automatically. They are also the most expensive type of transfer switch and the most complicated to install. They are usually installed by the electrician who installs the standby generator.

Interlock devices

A manual Interlock is the cheapest method of switching over from the utility grid to your generator power. This Interlock from http://www.interlockkit.com is available in many states and they have versions that fit the most common electrical panels.

There is discussion of the pros and cons of using the cheaper interlock method instead of the more typical generator transfer switches. Listen to the podcast for details.

Brian’s paint color dilemma

The Handyguys wrap up by changing the subject to discussing picking paint colors. Brian asks listeners to send @handyguys a tweet with a color for his master bedroom. The first color suggested on twitter may be used when Brian paints his bedroom. Yikes!

The post Generator Transfer Switches Interlock Devices appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

Okay – here is a quick tip, not a full show.

Lawn Aerating

Fall and Spring are a great time to aerate your lawn. An aerator will break up hard compacted soil and allow water and nutrients to better reach the roots of your grass. We all know that, that’s not the quick tip. The tip has to do with when you rent an Aerator.

Lawn Aerating Problems

When you rent an aerator there is often the previous users bits of dirt and grass embedded in the plugs inside tines. Those plugs can contain weeds, weed seeds, other varieties of grass, etc. When you run the aerator over your lawn you essentially will plant whatever the previous user had in their lawn in your lawn. Not good.

Lawn Aerating Best Practice

Avoid spreading of weeds and take a moment to hose off the tines before you begin aerating your lawn.

The post Renting a Lawn Aerator and avoiding weeds appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.

The Handyguys discuss modern refrigerator troubleshooting. Many of these tips apply regardless of who makes your refrigerator.

Paul’s GE side by side refrigerator is not cooling correctly (model gss25tsre.ss). In this audio podcast The Handyguys discuss how to track down the issues.

Some common problems with modern refrigerators include:

• Ice maker does not work
• Water line for ice dispenser freezes up
• Water line or water tank leaks
• Water valve unit on back of refrigerator can go bad
• The main control board can go bad or just do dumb things.

Paul’s Ge refrigerator stopped cooling correctly. His freezer temperature rose a little above freezing and his refrigerator was not keeping the milk cool. Paul looked to the back inside wall of his freezer for a solution. A panel can be removed to expose the evaporator coil. When his refrigerator was not working well he noticed that these coils were frozen which prevents the fan properly cooling the freezer (and therefore the refrigerator as well).

The initial fix was to melt the ice on the evaporator coil to allow the unit to operate. This fix lasted about a month before it froze up again. The reason the defrost unit fails is usually the result of a bad defrost heater, defrost thermostat or thermistor. Some older models also have a defrost timer but this feature is handled by the main control board on his model (at least he thinks it is…he’s just a handyguy!).

Paul tested the heater for continuity and it appeared to be working fine. He also tested and replaced his thermistor. He has a new thermostat if needed but could not wait for this problem to occur again so he just went ahead and replaced the entire control board. Time will tell if this fix worked (it has been about 3 weeks).

Paul highly recommends the forums at http://www.applianceblog.com/mainforums/ for advice and feedback on your appliance repairs.

Listen to the podcast for all the gory details.

The post GE Refrigerator Not Cooling Troubleshooting and Repair appeared first on The Handyguys Podcast.