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 our  explanation of why these items belong on your Christmas list.  And Merry Christmas!

• Alan wrench set
• Leatherman
• LED Christmas lights
• Porter Cable Oscillating Multitool
• Frost King electric heat cable
• Grill/Smoker/Fryer
• Lodge Cookware
• screwdrivers/all in one screw driver
• Fire pit
• Mouse traps
• Carbon-monoxide  detector

Listen to the podcast for all the discussion and why we selected these items.

We were one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. We have been compensated for our time commitment to the program as well as our writing about our experience. We have also been compensated for the materials needed for our DIY project. However, our opinions are entirely our own and we have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Related shows:

1. LED Christmas Lights for Energy Savings
2. Merry Christmas
3. Does a 5 minute fan take 5 minutes to install?

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! Do the Handyguys dare to disagree with Fox New reporting? In the name of fair and balanced the Handyguys discuss the energy savings of LED Christmas lights.

Yes – LED Christmas lights save energy. According to the article you will save about 71.4 cents per 100 light string per season.

How about return on investment? You Decide. Handyguy Brian went by the True Value and picked up a 300 light set for $39. That is a projected savings of $2.14 per season. Assuming Brian needed to buy new incandescent strings every 3 years due to failure, assuming $15 each time, and assuming that the LEDs lasted the advertised 20,000 hours (129 years at 155 hours per season), the ROI would 5 years. If ROI was calculated only on energy savings the ROI would be more like 18 years!

Bottom line, buy quality, name brand, LED lights with a warranty. Save the info about how to file a warranty claim for your LEDs.

The Colored and the Whites

What about white lights versus colored lights? The Handyguys discuss an old article by a radio talk show host Michael Smerconish. Michael has said

White lights are boring.
White lights are sedate.
White lights are pretentious.
White lights are for fakers
White lights are un-Christmas.

Wow Michael, tell us how you really feel! Read Micheal’s articles Enough with the white Christmas, already! and The Coloreds and The Whites

Also discussed are the older style C9 and C7 lights.

Listen to the podcast for all the lively discussion.

We were one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. We have been compensated for our time commitment to the program as well as our writing about our experience. We have also been compensated for the materials needed for our DIY project. However, our opinions are entirely our own and we have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Related shows:

1. Last Minute Christmas List ideas
2. Energy Audits
3. Energy Star Fraud And Basement Egress Requirements

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. You can find a detailed report of his trip here. Also discussed is Brian’s installation of a new Delta Kitchen faucet he picked up at True Value. Oh, and Paul, Handyguy Brian’s wife loves it!

Listen to the Handyguys discuss the Delta line of faucets on this podcast!

We were one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. We have been compensated for our time commitment to the program as well as our writing about our experience. We have also been compensated for the materials needed for our DIY project. However, our opinions are entirely our own and we have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Related shows:

1. Foamy faucets, cloudy dishes, frog tape giveaway, toilet troubles and bad gas cans
2. Installing Wood Floors On Concrete, Dripping Faucets And Finding Stains
3. Tween Painting Party And Foamy Faucet Trouble

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 this week. We get asked a lot questions like these:

• What kind of microphones do you use?
• What do you use to record the show?
• Where did you get the booms for your mics?
• Do you use a mixer?

In this show we try to answer the questions and now we will have a post we can refer people to whom want to know.

Here is a list of the gear:

• Alesis MultiMix 8 USB 2.0 Mixer
• Heil Pro 40 Broadcast Microphone
• Heil Sound SM-2 Shockmount for PR-30 AND PR-40 (Black)
• AKG Acoustics K-240 Semi Open Studio Headphones
• cheap boom stands
• Samson C Que 8 Four Channel Headphone Amplifier
• XLR Cables
• Laptop with SSD (SSD drive not required)
• Adobe Audition

In the podcast you can hear use discuss why we chose what we did.

Blog Squad

We will be participating in the True Value Blog Squad again this year. We will be joined by several other great bloggers, make sure you check them out.

“Veteran” Blog Squad Members

• Katie with All Bower Power: http://www.bowerpowerblog.com/
• Josh with Bungalow 23: http://bungalow23.com
• Kate with Centsational Girl: http://www.centsationalgirl.com/
• Brian & Paul with Handyguys Podcast: www.handyguyspodcast.com
• Layla & Kevin with Lettered Cottage: www.theletteredcottage.net
• Roeshel with The DIY Show Off: http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/
• Sarah with ThriftyDecorChick: http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/

“New” Blog Squad Members

• Bruno with ManMade DIY: http://manmadediy.com/
• Taylor with Mary Janes and Galoshes: http://www.maryjanesandgaloshes.com/
• Marian with Miss Mustard Seed: http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/

We look forward to this years activities as well as seeing what the other bloggers have in store.

Related shows:

1. Installing A Co Detector
2. Listener Questions – The Steven Show
3. Episode #1 – The Handyguys Kickoff show

In this audio episode The Handyguys address a listener question about how to rejuvenate the hardwood floors in his new old house.

The question from Jeremy:

Hi guys, just found your podcast and I love it. working through the archives right now. I’m planning to refinish the original hardwood floors in the 1950s ranch house that I just bought as my first home. I will be pulling all the base trim off and want to go to a dark color to help hide any flaws in the flooring as well as future dirt. Can you please give me any advise regarding: proper prep work, proper tools, recommend a good stain (from what I read product quality can vary significantly), as well as any tips to make the job go smoothly. Lastly, could you please go over any basic wood repair techniques that would be helpful. i.e. filling gaps with stainable wood filler, patching gouges, etc. There are many projects I’m planning and I’m sure I’ll get some great tips in the archives! Thanks Guys.

The Handyguys respond:

Changing hardwood floors to a dark color

I wouldn’t go dark for the reasons you mentioned. Go dark if you like the look. Flaws can usually be fixed, dirt can be cleaned and dark stained hardwood may actually look dirtier faster than a neutral color.

Preparation of hardwood floors

Prep work will vary depending on the current condition of the floor. If they are in bad shape then all the old finish is usually sanded off, the floors repaired and cleaned before staining and finishing.

Tools for hardwood floor finishing

Again, this will vary based upon what the condition is. Sometimes a floor only needs a light sanding and then a fresh coat of poly. In a case like that a vibrating sander is ideal. If many heavy coats of old finish and some wood need to be removed then a drum sander is called for. Drum sanders can do a lot of damage if not used properly. You may want to hire that part out unless you are super careful and maybe have an inconspicuous place to practice. Your True Value may have a rental store attached that can guide you on sanders.

Hardwood Floor Stains

Tips for hardwood floor finishing

Jeremy sent us this picture in a follow-up email

Floor rejuvenation steps

The Handyguys recommend the following steps to Jeremy and anyone else who wants to rejuvenate their floors without completely removing the old finish.

Jeremy – Those floors do not look like they are in that bad of shape. As you do your other projects take care to not damage them.

1. Sand lightly with  a vibrating type floor sander. Don’t expect this to remove all the old finish. You are just touching up scuffs in the existing finish.
2. Do not apply a stain – You cant stain without completely removing the old finish.
3. Clean, clean, clean. You want to remove any dust. Use a damp rag or a tack cloth to make sure you do not leave any dust on the floor.
4. Apply 3 or 4 coats of water based poly floor finish. Sand with a fine grit paper between coats. Follow the manufactures recommendations here. You could sand in one day and if your water based poly drys fast enough you could get your 3 or 4 coats on in another day.

As always, listen to the podcast for all the discussion.

We were one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. We have been compensated for our time commitment to the program as well as our writing and productions about our experience. We have also been compensated for the materials needed for our DIY project. However, as always, our opinions are entirely our own and we have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Related shows:

1. Installing Wood Floors On Concrete, Dripping Faucets And Finding Stains
2. Hardwood Flooring Tips
3. Fixing a Kenmore Elite Dishwasher that is not Cleaning Dishes

The Handyguys revisit some old issues and discuss some new ones – foamy faucets, cloudy dishes, frog tape giveaway, toilet troubles and bad gas caps on this audio episode.

Topic 1:  The Moen Faucet with foamy smelly water.

Paul discusses his Moen faucet with the pull out braided hose and how it still produces smelly foamy water when not used for several hours.  Moen’s customer service was great but they don’t offer any explanation of what causes the odor or foam. Several listeners contacted the Handyguys with the same issue.  Perhaps they can respond to this post with their experience and offer a work-around to this problem. For now, Paul has not taken Moen up on their offer to replace the faucet with a non pullout head as his wife is hooked on the feature.  They are living with the problem for now.

Topic 2:  The Kenmore Elite Dishwasher revisited (i.e. Whirlpool, Kitchenaid, Kenmore)

Paul’s video of the Kenmore Elite dishwasher where he cleans out the basin has solved a lot of folks problems with frustrating modern dishwashers that don’t do the job.  However, he began having problems with a white film building up on dishes.  The problem is now solved.  Cleaning out the basin fixed the problem of grit and being left on the dishes.  This new solution eliminates the cloudy problems with glasses.

Topic 3:  Frog Tape Giveaway.

We have two frog tape sets to giveaway. Each set has two rolls of frog tape, a t-shirt and a bag. Just make a comment on this post to enter. Listen to the podcast for details.

Topic 4: Incomplete toilet flushes

We followed up on a listener question regarding a toilet that does not flush completely. Like the sewage in question, this is a problem that does not easily go away.  Listen to the Handyguys speculate on possible solutions.

Topic 5:  End of season mower care

Paul discusses his frustration trying to prepare his mower for the winter and confuses airplanes with the spinning things on mowers.

Topic 6:  Gas Caps

Check out the new style gas caps at your local True Value and let us know what you think. They are supposed to be better than some of the older “safe” designs. Brian thinks they are an improvement but still a bit awkward. Some of the newest types may be best.

We were one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. We have been compensated for our time commitment to the program as well as our writing and productions about our experience. We have also been compensated for the materials needed for our DIY project. However, as always, our opinions are entirely our own and we have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Related shows:

1. Fixing a Kenmore Elite Dishwasher that is not Cleaning Dishes
2. Tween Painting Party And Foamy Faucet Trouble
3. Top 10 Essential Tools For DIY And Duct Tape Uses

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast we answer a listener question about wallpaper removal and discuss our own experiences with wallpaper removal.

The question:

…we recently moved into my wife’s grandmothers house. And well it was grandma’s in every way. Wallpaper: now some of the wall paper was put up very well, would it be possible to paint over these? And some of the wall paper, not so well, best ideas for removal, and would I then have to replace the drywall underneath?

Painting Wallpaper

Don’t do it! It rarely looks right, the paper can peel, you can see the seams. Its best to remove the paper. The next homeowner will thank you.

Get wallpaper stripper to the glue

The key to wallpaper removal is to loosen the glue. The glue can be softened by using products such a DIF® Wallpaper Stripper (available at True Value). You can also use warm water with some vinegar.  The commercial products are more effective and comes in a gel which clings to the wall better.

The issue is how to get the stripper to the glue. Some wallpaper is vinyl. Vinyl wallpaper is great in that its easy to clean, that also makes it harder to remove.

First try to just peel it off. You may find that the paper or vinyl facing comes off. That’s fine. Once that is off the stripper can do its job.

Wallpaper can add a touch of class to any room. This is a picture of Handyguy Brian's powder room with mahogany wainscoting and wallpaper above.

If the vinyl facing does not peel off you will need to score it with a wallpaper stripping tool. These tools perforate the wallpaper face yet leave the wall board or plaster undamaged.

Wallpaper steamer versus stripper

If you have a large area you may want to consider buying, or renting, a wall paper steamer. Wagner has one at True Value that is effective and doesn’t cost much more than a weekends rental.

Once all the paper is off and the walls have been cleaned of any glue residue you are then ready for painting or new wallpaper.

We were one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. We have been compensated for our time commitment to the program as well as our writing and productions about our experience. We have also been compensated for the materials needed for our DIY project. However, as always, our opinions are entirely our own and we have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Related shows:

1. Basement Systems Continued and How To Remove Paint
2. Repair, cleaning and refinishing old hardwood floors
3. Avoiding Poison Ivy And Plumbing Tips

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast we discuss  solar and low voltage landscape lighting.

Pros and Cons of Solar versus Low Voltage landscape lighting

Solar Pros

• Easy to install
• You don’t need an outlet or transformer
• Long lasting bulbs
• Safe

Solar Cons

• Price can be higher than low voltage
• Limited selection of light styles
• Limited brightness
• May not illuminate all night

Low Voltage Pros

• Safe
• Large selection of light fixtures
• High output illumination possible
• Easy to install

Low Voltage Cons

• Requires a transformer and a place to connect it
• Bulbs can burn out more quickly
• Uses more energy than solar

Lighting a Flag

Handyguy Brian wanted to light a flag attached to his front porch. He has used a porch light to comply with the code but wanted to do something a bit nicer.

US Flag Code, Title 4, § 6., (a)
…when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

The solution was a set of solar spotlights from True Value. The set Brian chose had three spots that are connected to a remote solar panel.

Remote Solar panel advantages

1. You can position it in a location that gets the most direct sunlight
2. The lights are not encumbered with an awkward looking panel on top
3. The photovoltaic panel is larger than what a single light can accommodate

Line Voltage or AC landscape lighting

Some landscape lighting uses regular house current. The requirements for this are beyond the scope of what can be discussed safely in a podcast and is not generally a DIY endeavor.

Listen to the podcast for discussion of this topic.

We were one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. We have been compensated for our time commitment to the program as well as our writing and productions about our experience. We have also been compensated for the materials needed for our DIY project. However, as always, our opinions are entirely our own and we have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Thanks to Atlanta Landscape Lighting for allowing us to use some images of their landscape lighting designs.

Related shows:

1. Installing Recessed Lighting
2. Freestanding Ipe deck features and best practices
3. Phased Remodeling, Vinyl Siding Installation And Landscape Grading

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast The Handyguys discuss granite care and granite counter-top maintenance

Granite Care

The Handyguys discuss:

1. Granite generally requires re-sealing every 1-3 yrs. Check with your installer to see what they recommend.
2. Topical vs Penetrating granite sealers (stripping/re-sealing/permanent/etc).
3. Granite should only be washed with dishwasher soap/water. No harsh cleansers. Exception is something like the Dupont product which is safe.
4. There are various tests you can perform to determine whether your current granite counter-top has been properly sealed.

Dupont Site FAQ

How can I tell if my granite or stone has already been sealed?

Apply a drop of water at least ½-inch in diameter to the top of the stone and let stand for at least 15 minutes. Cover with a glass to inhibit evaporation. If the stone did not darken then your stone is probably sealed against water-based stains. Testing for oil repellency is not as simple because if your stone is not sealed, you will have an oil stain.

Sealed Versus Unsealed Granite

1. You should avoid products with ingredients that include lemon, vinegar or other acids which can damage your counters.
2. The Handyguys try out a couple different granite sealers including DuPont™ Granite & Marble Countertop Sealer

We were one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. We have been compensated for our time commitment to the program as well as our writing and productions about our experience. We have also been compensated for the materials needed for our DIY project. However, as always, our opinions are entirely our own and we have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Related shows:

1. DIY Drama, Old Tractors And New Counters
2. Labor Day Lawn Care Do’s and Don’ts
3. Installing A Co Detector

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast we discuss if giving a pre-teen free rein on painting her room with her friends is a good idea, we then discuss a vexing issue with Paul’s kitchen sink faucet.

Pre-teen Painting

She is 12, she wanted her room painted. She wanted to DIY. It was her birthday. Handyguy Brian decided to let his daughter pick her own room color and let her have her friends come over for a painting party. In the podcast Brian and Paul discuss how things went.

The girls didn’t get too far before running out of paint. Maybe that was because a lot got on the ceiling. Maybe it was due to three rollers getting soaked in paint. Maybe it was due to spills. Regardless the painting party only got so far which left half of the room for Handyguy Brian and his Handygirl wife to finish.

Preparation

Handyguy Brian’s daughter used some Jig-a-patch from True Value where we also got the EZ Care paint. She patch up holes and defects caused by posters and picture hooks. The key to using jig-a-patch is to not spray too much filler. A little goes a long way. We then liberally masked everything off with Frog Tape. We discovered Frog Tape last year and love it. It does a better job than traditional masking tape. The line left behind is perfect.

Painting

Handyguy Brian attempted to educate the gaggle of teens on proper painting techniques. Oh well.

Finished Product

Handyguy Brian and his wife finished up the painting and here are the results.

After thoughts

One of the side effects of having 5 girls with paint rollers and brushes!

Would I let my kids paint their room again? Yes. It was a fun time, a learning experience for the girls (I hope) and I think it came out pretty nice. The color wouldn’t have been my first choice but I don’t need to look at it too much. Were there mishaps? Yes – paint on the ceiling, paint on the carpet (despite many tarps), paint on the trim and lots and lots of paint on themselves. Fortunately it was water-based paint and cleaned up easily.

What do you think? Would you let a bunch of 12 year olds paint a room? Share your experiences and feedback in the comments.

The Kitchen Sink faucet

Handyguy Paul has had a weird problem with his new kitchen faucet. He has mentioned it a few times on the show and he may have a solution which will be discussed in an upcoming video. The faucet has a built-in pull-out sprayer. The entire faucet pulls out, not a separate sprayer. When the faucet hasn’t been used in a while the initial water looks foamy. Paul describes it “it’s like the foam when you pour a beer” and it has an oily smell. No other faucets in the house exhibit this behavior. Does anyone know what the problem may be?

We were one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. We have been compensated for our time commitment to the program as well as our writing and productions about our experience. We have also been compensated for the materials needed for our DIY project. However, as always, our opinions are entirely our own and we have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Related shows:

1. How To Paint Like A Pro
2. Foamy faucets, cloudy dishes, frog tape giveaway, toilet troubles and bad gas cans
3. How To Remove Wallpaper and Wallpaper Border Removal Tips

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast we introduce our participation on the 2010 True Value DIY Blog Squad and then discuss Carbon Monoxide detectors.

True Value DIY Blog Squad

First up – The Handyguys Brian and Paul would like to announce we have again been selected for the True Value DIY Blog Squad. We are excited to increase our hardware store visits and get started on some new projects we can share with our viewers and listeners.

The 2010 True Value Blog Squad is an excellent team. Make sure you check out all the other bloggers as they have some great content. The entire True Value Blog Squad is on Facebook and some are on Twitter. While you are there, make sure you follow True Value, and The Handyguys of course, on Facebook and Twitter.

Veteran Blog Squad Team

• Katie with All Bower Power
• Josh with Bungalow 23
• Layla & Kevin with Lettered Cottage

New Blog Squad Members

• Kate with Centsational Girl
• Gabrielle with DesignMom
• Kit with DIY Diva
• Joey and Lana with Joey and Lana Make a House a Home
• Roeshel with The DIY Show Off
• Sarah with ThriftyDecorChick

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors

Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and tasteless, but highly toxic. On average, 170 people in the United States die every year from carbon monoxide produced by non-automotive consumer products. These products include malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, ranges, water heaters and room heaters; engine-powered equipment such as portable generators; fireplaces; and charcoal that is burned in homes and other enclosed areas. (CPSC Document #466)

The Handyguys discuss potential new rules coming to your area regarding CO detectors. Many updated building codes are requiring them. Where should you put a CO detector? Will you need one when you remodel or sell your house? Why would you want one if you have no sources of CO in your house? These are some of the questions The Handyguys discuss in this show.

Addendum

We would like to amend some of the comments we made during the show regarding CO and CO detectors.

Sources of CO

We said “Carbon monoxide comes, “as a result of burning fossil fuels.” – In actuality CO can come from ANY incomplete combustion. Most commonly, CO, if found in elevated levels in your home, would come from things like fossil fuel burning appliances or other burning sources like wood fires.

Molar Mass

We said “Carbon monoxide is lighter than air.” Yes, its lighter but not by a significant amount. Carbon monoxide has a molar mass of 28.0, which makes it slightly lighter than air whose average molar mass is 28.8. (wikipedia). Because its similar to air in is molar mass it will not easily rise to higher portions in your house.

First Response

We said “The first thing I would do, if I had a CO detector going off, is I’d open some windows.” This isn’t the best advice if you are getting the fire department involved. Best would be to evacuate the residence, but keep the windows closed and turn off the HVAC equipment. Why? Because it can help first responders more easily trace the source of the CO. If you have only one appliance, or other piece of equipment, that burns fuel, then the source of the CO is pretty obvious. If, however, you have multiple appliances that burn fuel, such as a gas-fed hot water heater, a gas-fed stove, and a gas-fed dryer, and a gas-fed heater, then it can be very difficult, if not impossible to trace the source of the alarm and differentiate a true alarm from a faulty detector. If the house is kept sealed, then fire department personnel can make entry (utilizing proper personal protective equipment) and take a gas-meter in with them that is equipped for CO monitoring. If the CO concentration level is far greater around the hot-water heater than anywhere else in the house, then they probably found the source. If the house is opened up and vented, then you lose that ability.

Hard Wired and Batteries

We said “You have hard-wired all of your smoke detectors, right? Why is that? So that if, um, you know, the biggest problem with smoke detectors is that the battery dies, so you want to have AC electricity to it, in case that battery is dead.” We meant to say that the battery is a backup for the smoke detector in the case of a loss of electricity. Those batteries should be changed regularly, the general recommendation is to change the batteries twice a year, each time you change your clocks.

Thanks

Thanks to an avid listener and firefighter for pointing out some of our mis-speaks. We always value input from listeners and strive to be as accurate as possible.

Related shows:

1. Installing Cabinet Veneer And Fireplace Conversions
2. Installing A Tile Back-splash For Your Kitchen
3. Installing Recessed Lighting

The Handyguys discuss doing a tile back-splash.

Preparations

You need to make sure your wall is smooth and clean. Measure and decide what areas of your back-splash you want to cover. When buying tile make sure you account for waste and bad cuts.

Layout

Decide on your layout. If you go horizontal you will have significantly fewer cuts. If you have a complicated pattern you should lay out each piece of tile on the floor so you can see how it will go on the wall.

Tile options

Decorative tiles can add a nice look to your project but can really add to the cost. When selecting a tile ensure that any bull-nose, inside corners, outside corners, etc are available. Some patterns and layouts wont need the pieces. They can add significantly to your budget depending on your tile choices.

Tools and Materials

Handyguy Paul set up an area in his garage to cut the tiles. He borrowed the saw. The plastic curtain kepts the mess contained.

Handyguy Paul found all the tools he needed at the local True Value. First decide on mastic or thinset. The Handyguys discuss the pros and cons of each choice and what applications are best for each.  You will need a trowel, a grout float, a tile saw (rent, borrow or buy one), spacers, grout, caulk, a bucket and a large sponge.

Application Techniques

Paul wraps up the show with some tips and encouragement for anyone considering doing a tile back-splash.

Looks great! Still needs grouting in this picture but the whole project turned out nicely. The design committee aproved.

Thanks

The Handyguys would like to Thank True Value for sponsoring several segments of The Handyguys Podcast over the past few months. Its supporters like True Value that make it possible for us to stay on the air.

Disclosure

Related shows:

1. Installing Cabinet Veneer And Fireplace Conversions
2. Installing A Co Detector
3. DIY Drama, Old Tractors And New Counters

In this episode The Handyguys discuss painting. Planning your painting project, materials and tools are discussed in this podcast.

Planning

Handyguy Brian originally intended to paint the entryway and foyer of his house. The foyer has 17 foot ceilings, a hall leading to the family room downstairs and a hallway upstairs connecting the bedrooms and hall bath. The current color is the builders choice called ‘linen’.  In Episode #2 of The Handyguys Podcast the Handyguys discussed the importance of putting some sample colors on the walls. The reason is the paint color never looks how you expect. The lighting in the store is different than in your home. Also, by putting up some test samples you can see how well, or how poorly, the color relates to colors in adjacent areas.

Well, Handyguy Brian didn’t follow his own advice! The Design Committee wanted the area painted on Saturday and Brian went to the True Value on Friday night to get the paint. Several shades of a taupe color were picked out on sample chips. Brian picked one, bought 3 gallons, and headed home. No samples, how hard is it to pick a shade of taupe? The color bought wasn’t really what was wanted. Yes, its what was picked out and mixed. It just didn’t look right in the space, it had too much of a pink hue to it.

Handyguy Brian's master bathroom ready for paint.

After deliberating with the design committee and also trying the color in the master bedroom it was decided to put the ‘pink’ paint in the master bathroom. Okay, move the painting operation out of the foyer and into the master bath! Don’t make the same mistake. Try out some samples. Fortunately our local True Value sells The Handyguys favorite paint, Benjamin Moore, and also the sample colors.

Materials

Here is a picture of Handyguy Brian's master bath. The new Benjamin Moore paint from True Value looks great. We will add a picture of the bathroom after cleanup and decorating soon.

There aren’t many different kinds of materials needed for painting. Of course paint is one of the most critical component of a quality job (after neatness). The Handyguys are very particular about their paint. Using a quality paint will make your job easier, faster, neater and, believe it or not, cheaper. Quality paint goes on smoother, levels out better, and doesn’t drip as much. This makes using quality paint easier. When you don’t have to do multiple coats and clean up drips and spatters your job progresses faster. Lastly, when your paint covers better and doesn’t take 3, 4 or even 5 coats to cover you use less paint, this saves you money.

Tools

The Handyguys are all about their tools. We love using power tools when we can. Unfortunately, a painting project is not an area where you have many practical choices for power tools. The Handyguys recently received a question about paint sprayers.

Gary wrote:

I’d really like your guidance on what paint sprayer you would suggest for an 1800 sq ft home where I need to paint exterior and interior walls, fences and even concrete.

The Handyguys discuss weather a sprayer is the right tool for the job and the conclusion is no. Sprayers require a lot of work just to clean. Also, for a decent job you will need to roll the paint out after spraying anyway. Masking off areas where you don’t want over-spray can be a considerable undertaking.

Frog Tape

Speaking of masking – In preparing for painting Handyguy Brian discovered an awesome new (new to The Handyguys) product at the True Value. Its called Frog Tape.  Frog Tape is a painters masking tape with one very special feature. It actually works! The frustration that everyone has with painters tape is that the edge it leaves is ragged and uneven. The Frog Tape fixes this problem. It has something to do with the same technology in baby diapers but you will have to research that yourself. Frog Tape is ideal for painting up against tile, cabinets, doors and windows. Anywhere you need to cut in when you don’t have a steady hand and want it to look perfect.

Other Tools

The Handyguys discuss other tools as well in the podcast. Brian, in his master bath, use a paint stick. Its a tool where you can store the paint in the handle and squeeze it out as you progress. It does speed up the process when you are doing a large area with one color. The problem with it is cleanup can take a half hour. Paul would just rather use a roller and tray. Brian likes the paint stick but will only use it sometimes. Essentially they agree that you want a decent brush, roller and paint. If you take your time and use quality materials your project will turn out great.

Related shows:

1. How To Pick Paint Colors
2. Wet Paint – painting tips
3. Tween Painting Party And Foamy Faucet Trouble

The Handyguys will be taking this week off to spend time with our families but we wanted to get a post up to let everyone know whats coming up.

Our contest – There is still time to enter our contest to win a great toolkit. We will pick and announce the winner on December 3rd. Check out episode 87 for details on the contest.

Future shows – In December we will have some information on tiling a kitchen back splash, some painting tips, and a few new gadgets just in time for Christmas. In 2010 we will be doing more videos as well as continuing to answer your questions in our regular podcast.

We would like to take time to thank our listeners and subscribers, those that have patronized our store, and those companies that have sponsored various episodes and parts of the site. Without all of us working together his site would not be possible. Thanks!

We will take this opportunity to provide a few tips for getting the most out of our site

Listener questions – The Handyguys Paul and Brian always respond as quickly as possible to listener questions. We may not use your question in an upcoming show but we will help you out regardless.

Call in number – You always have the ability to call in a question. Please leave your email address on the voicemail if you want a follow-up. We may use your voicemail on the air but we will keep your contact info private. You can click the call me link at the top of the home page and we pay for the call.

Our store – Purchases through our store help off-set the costs associated with producing this podcast. Many posts have links directly to the store or to Amazon. Amazon handles all of the billing and fulfillment for us.

Subscribing – At the top right of the page are links for you to subscribe. If you are an ipod user you click on the “via iTunes” button. If you use any other mp3 player you can subscribe with the “via RSS” button. You also have the option of supplying your email address so you can be emailed when we have a new show. Oh, and you can also follow us on Twitter if you are into that.

Images – When we have a thumbnail image, you can usually click on it to see a full sized version.

Sharing – At the bottom of each post are a series of buttons you can use to ’share’ the content. We appreciate it when you click these buttons. If you like a post, please click on your preferred site:  Digg, StumbleUpon, Mixx, Redit and/or others.

Comments - We welcome comments on our posts. Join the conversation by clicking on the comments link at the bottom of each show’s post.

Search – You can use the search box in the upper right part of the page to search for a show that may be of interest.

Sponsorships – If you have a company or product you would like featured at The Handyguys Podcast please let us know. We can be reached via email or with our contact form. For the benefit of our subscribers we are selective about what sponsorships we will accept where.

Thanks again and have a great Thanksgiving

Related shows:

1. Happy Thanksgiving
2. Using Leaf Blowers Vs Rakes And Repairing Leaky Showers
3. Fall Home Improvement Checklist

Leaf blowers, rakes and a question about leaky showers

The Handyguys discuss the contest to giveaway a great toolkit, some possible problems with a leaky shower valve and weather a rake or a leaf blower is the correct tool for collecting leaves. To enter the contest you just need to leave a comment on Episode 87 and let us know what you think a valid use of duct tape is. We will announce a winner during our first show in December. We will take Thanksgiving off so this show is the last show we will discuss the contest. Our next show will come out on December 3rd.

Leaky Shower Valves

Don't let a leaky shower drive you crazy. Listen to the podcast as Brian & Paul discuss some possible fixes for Albert's shower. Note - the picture is NOT Albert, its not Brian or Paul either!

We then address a question about a leaky shower valve. Albert called in and asked us about his leaky valve. He gets water leaking out the shower head all the time. He said it was replaced recently. How could this be? The Handyguys discuss what some of the issues could be. Albert – we have a question for you. Does it leak from the shower head when you are filling the tub or all the time, even when water is off? We discuss both scenarios in the podcast. Likely it drips all the time. If that’s the case the the washer(s) are likely bad. If the valve is new the washers could have been damaged during installation.

If it is new, contact the guy who installed it for you. He could come back and make it right. If you installed it then just replace the washers and you should be good to go.

How do you replace the washers? That will depend on what you have. We recommend you shut off the water and take the parts to your local True Value and they will help match up what you need.

Rakes versus Leaf Blowers

The Handyguys love their power tools. We found this video on YouTube and found it interesting. Is a leaf blower the best tool for the job of clearing leaves? Watch this video and listen to the podcast to get our thoughts.

This video clearly shows the rake beating the leaf blower. If this is true then why is the leaf blower so popular? We think both tools have their place depending on circumstances. Listen to the show for discussion of when you may want to use a rake versus when you want a leaf blower. You can get both rakes and leaf blowers at True Value.

Enter the contest to win this toolkit!

Win this toolkit. Click on the picture to learn how! Hint: Valid use of duct tape wins

Disclosure

Related shows:

1. Fall Home Improvement Checklist
2. Top 10 Essential Tools For DIY And Duct Tape Uses
3. Furnace Filters

Furnace filters are a critical component of your heating and cooling system.

Make sure they are changed regularly. We discuss the myriad of choices in furnace filters in this podcast.

The Handyguys group filters into three different categories, good, better and best. Whats best for one person may not be the best for another. The standard filters are good for most people. They permit the furnace to operate as it was designed. When selecting a filter you would typically replace with one equal in size and type to the filter already install on your furnace. This may be a a non-pleated fiber type filter. This type is also the least expensive, costing about $1.50 or $2.00 at the local True Value hardware store.

If you desire a replacement filter that has a higher MERV or MPR rating (see below for definitions) there are several choices at True Value. Go into the store with your measurements and pick one out. A higher rated filter will catch and filter more particulates from the air.

The high end filters will have electrostatic capabilities and can actually filter microscopic bacterias, smoke or other fine particulates from the air.

The industry provides ratings for filters.

MERV, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, is a number from 1 to 16 that is relative to an air filter’s efficiency. The higher the MERV, the more efficient the air filter is at removing particles. At the lower end of the efficiency spectrum a fiberglass panel filter may have a MERV of 4 or 5. At the higher end, a MERV 14 filter is available.

MPR is a term used by 3M and stands for Microparticle Performance Rating. It is actually part of the MERV rating, and measures how efficient an air filter is at capturing particles between 0.3 and 1 micron in size, which make up 99% of the air’s particulate matter. Smoke, bacteria, and smog particles fall within this size range, so if filtering these out of the air is important to you, MPR is a good standard to examine. MPR is used to compare furnace filters to one another, and cannot accurately predict how a furnace filter will actually perform in your particular home environment. The higher the MPR, the more efficient the filter is at capturing these small particles.

Lastly – Don’t forget about our contest. We are giving away this awesome toolkit. Check out the details on how you can win by listening to Episode 87 of The Handyguys Podcast.

Win this tool kit!

Disclosure

Related shows:

1. Fall Home Improvement Checklist
2. Using Leaf Blowers Vs Rakes And Repairing Leaky Showers
3. DIY Drama, Old Tractors And New Counters

In this show The Handyguys discuss their top 10 starter tools and announce a contest to win this toolkit!

Win this tool kit!

What is included in a first time home buyers tool kit? Screwdrivers of course!  But what else? The Handyguys went shopping at True Value to assemble a quality starter set of essential tools for the typical home owner.

Our Kit Includes:

The Handyguys will take your questions via the phone at (818) 804-TOOL. Leave an email address if you want an immediate and direct response.

• Tool Bag
• Carpenter’s Pencil
• Speed Square, Orange
• Pliers Set
• Screwdriver Set
• Pry Bar
• 16-Ounce Claw Hammer
• Tape Measure
• Safety Glasses
• Hearing Protection
• Utility Knife

In the podcast we discuss our rationale for each of the tools and why we picked them. There are certainly other tools that could be added to this list, but this would make a great starter kit.

How to win this toolkit!

To win this toolkit you must Listen to the podcast for details. Essentially all you need to do it help us come up with a LEGITIMATE use for duct tape. Give us your duct tape idea by commenting on this show post. In this podcast, we discuss some not so legitimate uses of this ubiquitous tape. We want our listeners to provide us with some valid users of duct tape and we will award the tool kit our favorite suggestion.

The winner will be announced December 3rd, 2009. Suggestions after December 3rd are still welcome of course but you will not be in the running for the toolkit.  So leave a comment below and be sure to provide an email address so we can contact you if your duct tape suggestion is our winner.

An illegitimate use of duct tape!

Photo Submitted by DJ Goodfellow

Disclosure

Related shows:

1. Using Leaf Blowers Vs Rakes And Repairing Leaky Showers
2. Fall Home Improvement Checklist
3. Furnace Filters

DIY Drama, Old Tractors and New Counters

You need to listen to the podcast to hear Paul's story about what happened to his nice laptop. Does this picture give you a clue? Click on the pic to see it bigger.

We start off by talking about the True Value DIY Drama contest. You can win $5000 if your story is chosen as a winner. Brian and Paul have both had some drama but Paul most recently. You MUST listen to Paul tell his drama story in the podcast. It was a very expensive story.

What are you working on lately?

Brian and Paul both discuss what recent projects they have been working on. First up, Brian.

Busted up old tractor

Brian was able to find an old tractor on freecycle. Well, nothing is ever free. The tractor needed a battery, a new fuel line and a fuel filter.  For good measure, Brian changed the oil filter and spark plug and sharpened the blades. After adding some fresh gas, the tractor started right up.  Not too shabby.

Over the past year and a half, Brian used this tractor for some pretty heavy duty mowing. Overgrown fields and campground trails were the typical terrain. In this time, the mower has required countless replacement belts plus a few hundred dollars worth of repairs for other busted parts due to its heavy abuse.

Brian and Paul discuss when is it time to cut the losses. Is it worth another $40 for a pulley assembly and another $25 for another belt?  A tractor that is designed and built for the uses Brian is putting this old thing through is just not in the cards at the moment.

New Counters

Paul’s project was new counter tops. The design committee (his wife) did all the legwork. In the podcast we discuss some of the options and considerations. The decision was made to go with Granite. Granite is a professional installation but there is still some work for the Handyguy. Paul removed the old laminate counters, installed the plumbing under the new sink and has the back splash to tile. Doing these chores yourself can save money even when you are having granite professionally installed.

Paul makes reference to a Fine Home building article on drain hookups.

Related shows:

1. Installing A Tile Back-splash For Your Kitchen
2. ZTR Mower Versus Tractor
3. Happy Thanksgiving

Cabinet Veneer and Fireplace Conversions

In this episode of The Handyguys Podcast we address two listener questions, one from voicemail about changing the look of a bathroom vanity and one through our contact form about converting a fireplace from gas to wood burning.

Refinishing a bathroom vanity

This question was left on our voicemail, listen to the podcast to hear the question in full. Essentially the caller, Susie, has a pine bathroom vanity with a whitewashed finish. She would like the look of a cherry vanity and wants to know her options short of replacing the vanity.

The Handyguys think that replacement would be the best option. We discuss some other options such as

• Refacing
• Refinishing
• Using a spray toner

Susie doesn’t want the mess of refinishing and doesn’t want to put a final finish on as required by using a refacing veneer. We don’t know of a pre-finished veneer. Contact paper comes to mind but that would look bad. That leaves a relatively simple and inexpensive option of using a spray toner. A spray toner is a top coat finish but with color built in. Its often used in furniture repairs. This would add the cherry color yet let the wood grain show through. We recommend to try it on some scrap wood first to see if she would like the look. Worst case Susie could try it and if it doesn’t look good then replace the cabinet.

Fireplace conversions

We received this question from Tyler:

I am wanting to put a wood burning stove into my gas fireplace. I am having a difficult time finding out what all is needed to be done so that the insert is installed and the flue is set up correctly. I have two chimney tubes one from the basement and the other from the upstairs, if it is practical doing both would be more beneficial than just one. If there is any information or help you can provide to assist me in this, it will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time, Tyler

This is an interesting question. It is fairly common to convert a wood burning fireplace into a gas burning setup. Its not so common to go from gas to wood. If the fireplace was originally wood then it would be simple to convert back to wood. Regardless, Tyler, its time to consult an expert. There are many great local fireplace shops that can help you assess the situation and provide you with the right product for your conversion. This is no place to take chances, bring in a pro.

An announcement

We will be participating in a new venture with True Value and some really great bloggers. True Value is calling this the Blog Squad. Us, along with four other bloggers, will be combing the isles of our local True Value stores (on True Value’s dime) to find some great projects we can showcase. We already have some great ideas. Do any of our listeners have ideas? How about a segment on setback thermostats and energy savings? Fall lawn care? Garage organization? We may also revisit the essential tool kit for every homeowner. We might even have a giveaway so make sure you subscribe if you haven’t already.

Who is the True Value DIY Blog Squad?

• John & Sherry with Young House Love
• Katie with All Bower Power
• Josh with Bungalow 23
• Layla & Kevin with Lettered Cottage

What else? True Value is also giving away a prize worth $5,000 to one lucky homeowner in their DIY Drama Contest! The contest is open to any homeowner who has gone through any type of home improvement drama- whether it’s a DIY project gone awry or a stressful project you just can’t seem to ever mark off your “Honey-Do” list.
To enter, visit StartRightStartHere.com for a chance to win $5,000 to use at a local True Value store and an in-person project consultation with a knowledgeable True Value employee.

“I was one of five bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program and my DIY project as well as my posts about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.”

Related shows:

1. Installing A Co Detector
2. Installing A Tile Back-splash For Your Kitchen
3. Installing Wood Floors On Concrete, Dripping Faucets And Finding Stains