DIY Home Improvement audio and video podcasts by The Handyguys

The Handyguys Podcast - Working Together on that Honey Do List Home Energy Savings Tool tests

Mower maintenance and tips for a better lawn

Mower maintenance includes blade sharpening

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 [...]

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Generator Transfer Switches Interlock Devices

Generac Automatic Generator Transfer Switch

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. [...]

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Renting a Lawn Aerator and avoiding weeds

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 [...]

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GE Refrigerator Not Cooling Troubleshooting and Repair

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 [...]

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Replacing water tank and lines on GE side by side refrigerator

In this video episode of The Handyguys Podcast Handyguy Paul replaces the water tank on his GE Side By Side refrigerator. His tank was leaking so he found the part and replaced it. This repair will be similar for many different makes and models of refrigerators.

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Selecting a Portable Generator

Portable Generator Selection Checklist The Handyguys do not own generators but with all the power outages in the news they are certainly thinking about adding this “power tool” to their arsenal. Portable generators are easy to pick up at your local True Value store and you can be up and running quickly with some limitations. [...]

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Lightbulb bans, government intervention and personal choice

The Handyguys discuss the government involvement in banning traditional light bulbs. Yup – The government has ‘outlawed’ the tried and true light bulb. Even after this podcast was recorded some representatives in congress have attempted to delay the enforcement of the ban. Despite their efforts it seems the ‘ban’ will be move forward. Its not [...]

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Last Minute Christmas List ideas

The Handyguys did a bit of virtual perusing of the isles of our local True Value. Each of us made a Christmas shopping list and then compared our choices in this entertaining podcast. We selected some excellent practical gift ideas for the handyguy, handygirl or anyone else. You must listen to the full podcast for [...]

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LED Christmas Lights for Energy Savings

Can you save some money using LED Christmas Lights? The Handyguys discuss LED, mini-incandescent and C9 and C7 Christmas lights. LED Energy Savings This podcast was inspired by an article Handyguy Brian read on the Fox News Website entitled Good Return on Investment: LED Holiday Lights. Are they really a good investment? Perhaps, perhaps not! [...]

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Does a 5 minute fan take 5 minutes to install?

Does a 5 minute fan take 5 minutes to install? The Handyguys find out. Watch this video to see if Handyguy Brian can beat the clock while installing a Hunter 5 minute fan. We picked up the ceiling fan and everything needed to install it at our local True Value. We were one of the [...]

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Hardscaping Options – Concrete, pavers or stamped concrete

Hardscaping options The Handyguys discuss some hardscaping options under consideration for Brian’s fathers house – concrete, stamped concrete and pavers. Concrete Ideas and Tips Plain old concrete is the cheapest and fastest option for a front stoop. A small stoop can be done in a day with the following day to remove forms and clean [...]

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Handyguys Visit Spooky Abandoned Railroad Tunnel

The Spooky Abandoned Railroad Tunnel The Handyguys took a day off to discover a long lost Railroad tunnel. The big reason that few people have found the tunnel is due to the rough terrain. Brian and Paul fight through the thickets and make it to the tunnel. We had a lot of fun on our [...]

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Stink Bug Prevention, Control, Removal and Elimination

Stink Bugs! Perhaps we wouldn’t hate them sooooo much if they had a better name. Perhaps if Stink Bugs were called Smiley Bugs, Fun Bugs, Sweet Bugs or something else it would make them a bit more likeable. Unfortunately, Stink Bugs are a real issue. Stink bugs come into our houses when the weather cools [...]

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Freestanding Ipe deck features and best practices

Use of Ipe plugs for concealed fasteners on your Ipe deck

In this video episode of The Handyguys Podcast we showcase some of the features of a freestanding Ipe deck such as lighting, hidden fasteners, Ipe plugs and aluminum balusters. Some of the things show in this video are Ipe Deck completed construction Use of beam and joist flashing Use of low voltage lighting with concealed [...]

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Wasp Killer

How to kill wasps around the home Our neighborhood has a lot of wasps. They build small nests and find their way into all the protective hideouts provided by vinyl siding, drip edges, gutters and flashing. I don’t usually pay a lot of attention to the wasps unless they are building a nest very close to people [...]

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East Coast Earthquake Safety Tips

Earthquake Safety Tips There was an earthquake on the east coast today (8-23-2011) which prevented the Handyguys from delivering their weekly audio webcast. It is not completely uncommon for earthquakes to hit the mid-atlantic states*, including our own Pennsylvania, so we decided to feature important east cost earthquake safety tips: When building shakes, run immediately for exits. Scream if able. Panic. Drive [...]

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Repairing Plaster Walls and Attaching Things to Plaster Walls

Repairing plaster walls and attaching things to plaster walls are discussed in this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast. The Handyguys received this question from a listener: Would you please talk in detail about homes with plaster walls? I have never lived in a home with plaster walls until now and have only heard horror [...]

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Dust Collection and Resiential Sprinkler Systems

How should the do-it-yourselfer handle dust? When the handyman moves inside to cut and sand wood, a major hazard exists with all the dust that is accumulated in the air and potentially in your lungs. The Handyguys talk about how to control dust from ruining your day and potentially your life. In order to protect [...]

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Husqvarna’s North American R&D Facility in Charlotte, NC part 1

The Handyguys Test Husqvarna Tools at their North American R&D facility. We just got back from visiting Husqvarna and had an adventure playing with power tools and riding the rapids at the U.S. National Whitewater Center. We hacked away at trees (already dead), brush and grass with Husqvarna chain saws, mowers, trimmers and other [...]

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The True Value experience and Delta Faucets 2011

In this audio episode The Handyguys discuss the advantages of a local True Value store and the latest line of Delta faucets. Not Your Grandmother’s Faucet. Handyguy Fan correspondent visits Delta Faucet Mike from “thediygeek” went on a media tour of Delta Faucet in Indianapolis, IN. He reports in on this episode of the Podcast. [...]

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Should You Build Your Own Drawers for a Custom Closet?

Custom Closet Drawers This is part of an ongoing series on building your own custom closet shelving. A custom closet does not require drawers. You can simply design adjustable shelving using plywood, mdf, melamine or wire shelving. If you want a closet with more functionality and a sophisticated look, you will either need to purchase [...]

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Preventing and repairing thatch and those purple triangle thingys in trees

In this audio episode The Handyguys discuss thatch in your lawn as well as discuss those purple kite looking things that are showing up in trees around many states in the Midwest and Northeast. Thatch The Handyguys discuss thatch in your lawn and dispel many myths regarding thatch. What causes it and what doesn’t cause [...]

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Audio podcasting gear we use (to do the show) and True Value Blog Squad

True Value DIY Blog Squad and The Handyguys

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast we answer a question we get a lot – What gear do we use to make our show? We also announce our participation in the True Value Blog Squad. Sponsor: Protect your Home with ADT Security Services! Call 1-866-778-3127 Podcasting Audio Gear Sorry, no home improvement topics [...]

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Battery String Trimmer opinions and a Contest

Black & Decker LST220 Cordless String Trimmer

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast we discuss our impressions of a battery-powered string trimmer and announce a contest to give one away! Sponsor: Protect your Home with ADT Security Services! Call 1-866-778-3127 Battery Operated String Trimmer Paul and Brian were a bit skeptical when they were presented with the opportunity to evaluate [...]

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Eye and Ear Protection

In this audio episode The Handyguys talk about eye and ear protection and interview the inventor of Combo Glasses. Sponsor: Protect your Home with ADT Security Services! Call 1-866-778-3127 Eyes and Ears Safety and Protection We all know how important eye and ear protection is. Most of us own ear muffs or plugs as well [...]

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Gas can Safety and Square foot gardening

The Handyguys discuss the dangers of an empty can of fuel. In addition, we discuss how easy it is to create a square foot garden. Sponsor: Protect your Home with ADT Security Services! Call 1-866-778-3127 Handyguy Fact – Gas can safety Did you know an empty or near empty gas can is more dangerous than [...]

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