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 die-cast metal 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.

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 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.

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.

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 really a ban on incandescent – Its a requirement that by certain dates, certain types of bulbs need to meet certain energy efficiency standards. January 2010 will be 100 watt bulbs and other to follow after that.

The edison base incandescent may soon become a piece of history.

Listen to the podcast as The Handyguys discuss the alternatives, pros and cons as well as discuss personal freedoms and its relationship to community stewardship.

Bottom line – CFLs can save you money in the long run and the newest breed of CFL bulbs have nice color, turn on to full brightness much faster and may also last longer. You can find every type, size and style of the CFL bulbs over at your local True Value hardware store.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 up any dirt around the area. Brian’s fathers project (front patio, walkway, side walkway and rear patio slab) came in at about $3500 for plain concrete.

Image thanks to http://www.landbergconcrete.com

Stamped Concrete and Hardscaping Help

Stamped concrete is the process where a texture is places in the concrete to emulate the look of stone or brick. Stamped concrete also is typically colored. It’s a less expensive option than pavers, installs quickly and has a nice look. Brian’s fathers project (front patio, walkway, side walkway and rear patio slab) came in at about $4500 for plain concrete.

Thanks to http://www.morrisonscustomconcrete.com/ for the image.

Pavers or Stamped Concrete

Pavers are bricks made from concrete. They come in many different shapes and colors that can be mixed and matched to come up with an interesting and unique look. They are usually more costly than concrete. Pavers also require much more attention to detail in terms of preparation and they are more labor intensive to install. The entire job takes longer than concrete. Brian’s fathers project (front patio, walkway, side walkway and rear patio slab) came in at about $9000 for pavers.

Image thanks to http://www.ephenry.com/

Listen to the podcast for a full discussion on each of the options.

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 off, they also can devastate certain crops.

Stink Bugs are yet another invasive species that are currently impacting 33 states in the US.

Stink Bug invasion in the USA. Thanks to http://www.rescue.com for letting us use their info-graphic.

Preventing, Controlling and Eliminating Stink Bugs

Stink Bug traps can be effective inside or outside the house to control and eliminate infestations. Prevention is another good approach to keep them out of the house.  A Key preventative measure for keeping Stink Bugs out of the house is to caulk and seal up cracks around your doors and windows. Leave your porch lights off so when you come inside you wont let as many Stink Bugs in with you.

Bottom line for Stink Bug Control – Trap them before they get inside, Trap them if they do get inside and seal up the house so ones that the traps don’t get can’t get inside.

In this audio podcast The Handyguys discuss the Stink Bug and how to eliminate them from your home. We discuss the Rescue! trap that is available at True Value.

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.

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 wire
• Using a boulder for a landing
• Use of hidden Ipe fasteners
• Use of Ipe Plugs

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 such as on my deck or front porch. While two of my children were stung last year, the wasps are generally not aggressive and stay out of our way. They are also supposed to eat other insects which is a good thing.

This is a dead wasp that fell from the roof onto this flower

Perhaps my permissive “live and let live” policy went a little  far. These creatures began building more nests around the home and bothering my wife and kids who were trying to enjoy the outdoors. It was time to address the  problem and eliminate the  nests.

First, I used binoculars to observed the swarming wasps during the day when they are most active so I could see them flying in of out of their disguised homes. I then crept out one of our second story windows during the evening to get a closer look and access to their nests. This method can be very dangerous if you have a steep roof. You can either slip off the roof on your own or with the aid of angry wasps.

While on the roof, I used an Ortho Home Defense product which I purchased at True Value Hardware.  It works great and does not seem to stain the siding. It has the ability to spray at areas that are 12-15 feet away and its foam prevents the wasps from making a counter attack.

I identified nests in many areas including those shown here:

The largest nest was in the rain downspout. I could not believe Wasps could survive the water runoff but the nest was cleverly built on the inside of the spout away from the water which washes down the outside of the spout. If you look closely you can see the nest in the down spout:

When I was at the True Value store I picked up a Rescue WHY trap for wasps, hornets and yellow jackets. I was a little nervous about using the chemical spray in first floor areas outside where people like to hang out so I hung up this trap above the porch. After about a week of it being ignored, the Wasps finally started climbing in (perhaps because they no longer had other homes to return to…). I am going to keep using the Rescue trap and see if it continues to eliminate the remaining Wasps.

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.

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 yourself from dust, consider these strategies:

• Take into account the dust created by a tool before you use it.
• Purchase tools which incorporate dust collection as part of the tool design.
• Install a dedicated dust collector and an air cleaner.
• Work outside
• Wear respirator

The Handyguys discuss these tips and their own dust collection and mitigation strategies in this episode.

Residential Sprinkler Systems

The Handyguys discuss a somewhat controversial issue regarding residential fire suppression systems or sprinkler systems. The controversy isnt regarding the benefits of such a system, yes, they do save lives and property. The controversy is if governments should require them to be installed in new construction or major remodels.

Handyguy Brian thinks it should be an individuals choice and such an expensive option should not be mandated. Pennsylvania recently repealed the requirement after only a few months in effect. In times when builders are hurting for business and customers are trying to save every dollar they can, it’s not wise to put additional costs on the industry. Listen to the discussion.

Typical utility room configuration from a residential sprinkler system install

Oh, and please no nasty emails if you don’t agree with us. Disagreeing comments are welcome if they are respectful and tasteful.

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 specialty outdoor products.

Husqvarna provided the proper safety gear for our in-the-field testing. Brian is seen here adjusting  his protective mask with integrated ear protection.  Those are chainsaw chaps covering his Handyguys work pants.  They protect his legs from an out-of-control chainsaw blade. As you can see from the video above, both Brian and Paul have full control of those saws.

The Husqvarna R&D facility was full of outdoor power equipment.  We were fortunate to have the opportunity to see it both in the showroom

and on the field.

Did you know that Husqvarna also makes Poulan, Weedeater and Dixon? You have several colors to choose from!  We did not get a chance to play with these brands in the field…outside everything was Husqvarna orange.

We came away impressed at the power and design of both the residential and commercial product line of Husqvarna. Paul had a blast giving this hover trimmer a workout on the corporate park turf. The hover trimmer does not float like you may expect; it requires some force to move it around. However, it does work on steep hills which is much safer then using a push mower. It is probably not for the typical home owner but rather for the large landscaper or greens keeper.

The hedge trimmers were so powerful, they could cut right through a fence!  Great for escaping from prison…

We plan to share some more information about our favorite Husqvarna tools in a future podcast.  Also, look for the short video we have produced of this visit.

Note: This is a text, photo and youtube only post from the Handyguys. There is no audio podcast.

DISCLOSURE: Husqvarna provided  all travel expenses so that  The Handyguys could give these tools a workout. Please use proper safety gear and follow all instructions when operating any dangerous power or non-powered tools.

Also, we got this cool hat.  Don’t you like the Husqvarna hats?

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.

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 drawers or craft them yourself. You benefit from a DIY build because you get to select the materials and joint methods. However, expect this phase of the project to take the bulk of your customedesign closet building time. Here are some pros and cons of constructing drawers for a custom closet:

Pros

• You can use 3/4″ thick material.  When you buy drawers as part of a custom solution at your local home center, the wood used is often 1/2″ or less!  A 3/4″ drawer is much stronger.
• You decide on the joint methods.  The factory made drawers for assembly break down hardware which does not always hold up to rugged use.  You can often find failed drawers on display at the home center (drawers out of alignment, falling apart, etc.).
• You can custom size your drawers.

Cons

• Building your own drawers requires a lot of time
• If you decide to build drawers using melamine, there are design challenges.

Alternative Strategies:

One strategy is to build your own boxes but mail order false drawer fronts on the internet.  If you are making drawers for a melamine based closet, you can purchase thermofoil drawer fronts in the style you prefer.

In a future post I will discuss how I made the drawers pictured in this post.

Note: This is a text only post from the Handyguys. There is no audio.

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.

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast we honor Home Inspection Month by talking home inspections and discussing our DIY Home Inspection Checklist, we also talk about selecting plywood.

Home inspection month

April was Home Inspection Month. See http://www.ashi.org/media/psalist.asp

Click to download the .pdf of our DIY Home Inspection Checklist

That reminded us to discuss our DIY Home Inspection Checklist. It’s easy to do and will help you reduce repair costs by identifying potential problems early. You can download the checklist by clicking on the picture to the right.

Also, you may want to listen to a previous show where we discuss most of the items on our checklist.

Plywood

Lots of project use plywood, from construction to fine furniture. learn how to spot decent plywood and how to avoid junk.

The Handyguys discuss:

• projects: furniture vs garage shelving
• what makes one type better than others
• Types: including Baltic birch
• Where to locate good plywood (home center, lumberyard, specialties supply houses)
• How to transport plywood

On this audio podcast the Handyguys discuss Brian’s free-standing deck and Paul’s Vole problems.

How to Build Freestanding Decks

A freestanding deck will have an additional beam near the house and no ledger board. Free-standing was chosen here due to only a small area next to the deck with no cantilever.

There are several advantages to building a deck freestanding, not attached to your house, and few disadvantages. In the podcast we discuss a few points to consider when deciding to build freestanding or not.

Potential for deck failure

The most common point of failure of a deck is the connection to your house. Building a freestanding deck eliminates this potential problem connection.

Deck water damage

When building a deck attached to your house a board, called a ledger board, is attached to the the house to hold up one side of the deck. This board needs to be flashed properly to prevent water from entering the house

House structure

A ledger board cant be attached to some types of house construction. You shouldn’t attach a ledger board to a section of house that is not supported by foundation (called a cantilever). This includes bay windows, bump-outs, fireplace or chimney chases. Deck ledger boards shouldn’t be attached to some types of building materials like stucco, SIPs, i-joists or veneers without special considerations. Sometimes you just want you deck somewhere away from your house, such as next to an above ground pool or spa.

Deck Fasteners When Building a Freestanding Deck

Some types of fasteners, nails, lags, bolts, hardware, hangars, etc will react poorly with some types of pressure treated lumber. The hardware can fail in just a few years. When building freestanding you are not relying on hardware to hold up one end of the deck.

Access

Some codes may require the ledger to be bolted through the house’s rim joist. Sometimes its not possible to gain access to this area due to a finished basement or tight crawl space.

Deck Costs

The cost of building a freestanding may be a wash, or only slightly more expensive. A freestanding deck will require additional footings, an additional beam and additional bracing. When attaching to the house you will need the ledger board, joist hangers and flashing materials. In Handyguy Brian’s case four additional footers and posts were needed and one additional beam.

Deck Codes

When building any deck you should check with your code enforcement officials to determine if a freestanding deck is allowed. Most jurisdictions it is allowed but you should check first.

Deck Performance

“doesn’t it wiggle?” Handyguy Brian’s freestanding deck is still under construction. The framing inspection passed, the deck boards are going down and the cross bracing is installed. There is virtually zero movement of the deck which is about 16′x27′. When the deck boards are installed it will be even more solid.

Check out Brian’s completed freestanding Deck here:

Voles

Paul had a pesky lawn problem this winter. When the snow cover thawed one winter day, Paul noticed that he had a maze of tunnels all over his yard. It look like he had a mole problem. Or was it a vole? Listen to the podcast for details.

Voles in the Yard or Lawn?

If your lawn looked like this after the winter thaw, you may have a vole problem. The Handyguys will discuss this pest on our next podcast.

Voles are rodents that spend most of their time under ground. They venture from their tunnels under the cover of snow and do the sort of damage you see here. I was able to take care of my vole with a snap mouse trap and a shovel. The mole did damage to about a 8′ x 8′ section of my lawn. I repaired the damage in the spring with some soil and grass seed.

Note: This is a text only post from the Handyguys. There is no audio.

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast, Paul continues his discussion about his leaky hot water heater and Brian reveals what material he chose for his deck project.

Temperature and Pressure T&P valves and Expansion tanks

Water Heater, T&P Valve, Expansion Tank

Water heaters all have Temperature and Pressure (T&P) valves, many also have expansion tanks. When a T&P valve leaks, there is a good chance that the expansion tank has failed. Paul presents a simple method for checking your expansion tank to prevent future water leakage. Your expansion tank may not need to be replaced, just recharged. Paul tells us how he recharged his in the podcast.

Ipe Decking

Ipe decking ready to be installed

Brian discusses why he chose Ipe for his deck material, including costs and installation considerations. Ipe is a premium, natural, renewable deck material that is harvested mostly in Brazil and other tropical regions of South America. If you decide to go with Ipe make sure it is responsibly harvested (FSC Certified). Ipe can last, by some reports, 40 years without treatment and 100 years with some maintenance. It is fire resistant, rot resistant, termite resistant and mold resistant! Listen to the podcast for discussion about why Brian chose it.

Check out podcast for further details.

Custom Handyman Closet

There are many custom closet companies eager to install a quick and easy (if not expensive) closet system for storing all of your belongings. I decided to save some money by building a closet using the modern marvel called melamine. This is the same material that most custom closet manufacturers use and it is available at your local home center. Be sure to look for the 15 3/4″ wide variety with pre-drilled holes. I will provide more pictures of the finished project when it is complete. For a basic DIY design of a custom closet, check out Gary Katz ‘s article.

Note: This is a text only post from the Handyguys. There is no audio.

Water Heater Leaky T&P – Temperature and Pressure valve

Leaks coming from the hot water heater’s T&P valve are very common.  Some folks just overlook the problem but water leaking from a water heater can create mold problems or other water related damage.  Address the issue as soon as you see it.  Paul and Brian begin a two-part series on repairing this problem.

Planning for a deck project

Brian also discusses the challenges of designing a deck and getting plans approved with the local building inspector.  Issues discussed include deck design software and when to solicit outside help.

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast Brian and Paul discuss a listeners question about recessed lighting.

How to Install Recessed lighting

We got the following question from Rob:

I recently discovered your podcast and I love it. I’m working my way through the archives, but I don’t see an episode on adding recessed lighting to a room. I know that there are many ways to go about this, but my home does not have an attic. It does have crawl space for the lights, but not one that I can access from above. I would need to cut holes into the ceiling and place the lights in the ceiling from below. I know that there are different types of lights based on new construction versus not, and I know that I would need to run wires, which could prove difficult since I don’t have access to the crawl space. I will be having my roof replaced shortly. Would it make sense to cut the holes and then as soon as the room is off, drop a lot of wire? Also, what are the appropriate types of lights, how many, and how far apart should they be in the room, etc. It’s a family room, so there will be tv watching, reading, kids playing, etc.

Thank you again for a great podcast. Rob

The Handyguys initially responded via email to Rob but decided to dedicate a show to the topic. Listen to the show!

Retrofitting recessed lights

The hardest part of retrofitting lighting is running the wires. You typically would cut into the drywall at every point where you needed to drill through a joist to enable fishing the wires back to your electrical panel. In the podcast we discuss some other options.

Lights per circuit

As for the number of lights, pick up a good electrical book to help determine how many lights per circuit is possible (it will depend on the light used, other loading on the circuit, the wire and codes).

Placement

Try and pick areas where they wont glare on the TV or in your eyes and provide the light where you need it. Dedicated lighting stores sometimes have lighting designers that can help you.

True value stores will have everything you need to do this project. Check them out, they are a great resource for local advice and supplies.

Types of Recessed lighting

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.

Images in this post Copyright © 2000-2010 Cooper Industries, Inc., used with permission.

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast tiny houses are discussed as well as the announcement of office hours on Facebook.

Tiny Houses

Handy guy Brian read an article about small houses which prompted the discussion. The original article is here.  The article talks about how the market for tiny houses is thriving due to people concerns about sustainability, job security and the housing market bust.

The Handyguys discuss the pros and cons of living in a smaller house. Brian isn’t willing to give up his garage shop. It sure would make you re-think all the ‘stuff’ that has accumulated. Listen to the podcast for the lively discussion.

If you are interested in learning more about tiny houses you may want to check out the Tiny House Blog that we mention in the podcast.

Facebook Office Hours

Announcement - The Handyguys will be holding “Office Hours” all next week on Facebook. Make sure you visit the True Value Facebook page where The Handyguys will be fielding questions from anyone who happens by.

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.

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.

In this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast we start by discussing a question about ice makers not making ice and then get into some recent projects in our “What are ya doing lately” segment.

Ice maker machine not making ice

We received this question from a fan named Mary

Do you have any recommendations on getting the ice machine on our Kenmore side-by-side working again?

Well, when we recorded this episode we didn’t have any more details.

Mary – The problem is often that the defrost cycle doesn’t defrost enough to sufficiently melt ice buildup in the water inlet tube. I have heard some people recommend to put all your stuff from the refrigerator and freezer, put it into coolers, unplug the appliance, and then let it warm up, above freezing, for a couple of hours or over night. This thawing process will fix your ice maker IF the problem is a frozen supply line. Some others will use a hair dryer to warm up just the frozen spot. The problem with the hair dryer is you need to figure out where the freeze is! The manual defrost process is pretty simple and it doesn’t cost you anything to try. If everything mechanically and electrically seems sound then give it a shot.

What else could it be? There is an arm that shuts the ice maker on and off. That arm could be stuck in the off position, push it down and you may be in business. Other problems may be more involved such as bad motors or circuitry.

Mary – send us some more information on your problem (comment on this post) and we will try to help you troubleshoot further.

This project involved "building a box" around some pipes for a radiator on the floor above. A traditional 2x wall was built, drywall and then trim.

What are you doing lately?

Brian

Brian recently completed an aeration project. Renting an aerator is a great way to improve the health of your lawn. When done in conjunction with over seeding you give your lawn a great jump on a healthy next growing season.

Paul

Paul also did some aeration and over seeding. The Handyguys then discussed a project they did for a local pre-school. It involved boxing in unsightly pipes and matching new trim to old in a 100-year-old Victorian.

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.

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.