There are dangers lurking around around your home!

The Handyguys guys discuss some safety precautions that every homeowner and every Handyguy should consider when working around the home. We can’t cover every aspect of home safety in this podcast but we can provide a quick overview. If you are new homeowner or a handyguy, please pay attention to this podcast.

Fire Protection

In general, every home is required to have smoke alarms and many homes will be required to have sprinkler systems as well (this is being added to future building codes). However you should also have fire extinguishers in key locations like the kitchen and garage (or other work areas). Many people have fire extinguishers but don’t know how to use them or even forget where they are. Find your fire extinguisher and read the instructions.

Electrical Safety

Use voltage testers! Make sure you are not working on hot wires. Stop and Think before doing anything dumb.

Plumbing Safety

Watch out for fires when you are soldering copper.

General Carpentry Safety

Every tool is a safety hazard, especially power tools. Don’t wear loose clothing around them and be sure that you spend time reading the manual on those shiny new tools.

Lawn Work Safety

Eye and ear protection is a must and watch out for flying debris from the mower and other lawn tools.

Furniture Finishing Work Safely

You always hear about how you need “good ventilation” when you are working with solvents, but another danger is spontaneous combustion. When you dip rags into a solvent such as linseed oil, they can spontaneously catch on fire when they are crumpled up and disposed into a trash can.

Blood in the garage???

There are so many dangers around the home. The Handyguys should film a “blood in the Garage” video to convey those dangers. Anyone know a special effects guru?

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Basement Toilet Installs, Water Saving Flush Valves and Dryer Vent Cleaning

Saniflow Saniplus Toilet and pump system

First off – The Handyguys begin by addressing a listener question.

Julianne asks:

Hi! I am considering purchasing a bi-level home. When you walk in the door, you have the choice of going upstairs where there is a kitchen, bathroom and 2 bedrooms… Or you have the choice of going downstairs, which is partially in the ground. It has a living room, laundry room and two bedrooms.
My question is this:
The downstairs portion does not have a bathroom. The only bathroom in the home is upstairs. Is it possible to add a bathroom to the downstairs portion of a bi-level home…or is this impossible since it is “underground” and you would have to find a way to flush the “sewage” upward?

Thanks for your help.  I look forward to hearing from you soon!
Julianne

Short answer – yes!

Listen to the podcast for Handyguy Brian & Paul discussing some issues to consider.

1. Does this house have a city sewer drain or is it a septic system?
2. Where does your sewer pipe enter the house?
   1. On some houses it enters at the floor (or under the floor) of the lower or basement level.  On other houses it enters about 4 feet high in the basement.  If it is above the basement floor, you will need to have an ejector/grinder pump installed.  This is typically best installed in a pit under the floor.  Concrete will have to be removed and you will have to determine where this can be located.  There is also a toilet which is sold with an above grade container which does not require you to cut into the concrete floor.
   2. You normally want to install the bathroom near where the sewer pipe enters the house for easier install.  If you want the bathroom on the opposite side of the lower level, then there would be more work/mess/expense involved
3. Do you have room for the bathroom?  Is it a half or whole bath?  If I recall, you can get a very basic full bathroom in a 4′x8′ area but then you may need more space if installing an ejector pump pit.
4. You will need to install a vent connection for the sink, bath and the pump. You will want to determine how you will be able to route the pipes to either the main vent stack (if large enough for these added plumbing devices) or where you can run a new pipe.

The bottom line is that you should have a couple of professional plumbers size up the situation and provide you some quotes on the work to get a bathroom installed.  It can be complicated but it is certainly doable.

Toilet Fill Valves

The next topic that The Handygys discuss is fill valves for toilets. Handyguy Paul needed a new fill valve for his toilet. He ended up getting a leak sentry version from Fluidmaster. What is special about this fill valve? How does this help you save water? If you have a leak in the flapper and water is draining down the drain the valve wont keep filling the tank. Worst case, if you have a leak, you will loose down the drain only the water in the tank. You will also know you have a problem when you go to flush next time. Listen to the podcast for discussion of this product.

Dryer vent Cleaning

Lastly – The Handyguys discuss dryer vent cleaning. Dryer vents can be dangerous if the get clogged. According to the CPSC in 1998 clothes dryers caused over 15 thousand fires, 20 deaths and 370 injuries. Fires can occur when lint builds up in the exhaust. Handyguy Paul tested out The Linteater system and was quite happy with it. He almost got into a little trouble with it though. Paul – Read The Fine Manual next time! Listen to the podcast for discussion and impressions.

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The Handyguys Discuss DIY Home Safety Tips

Much of the safety information discussed here is courtesy of www.homesafetycouncil.org. The Handyguys use this as the basis for discussion. Listen to the podcast for our thoughts on these safety items.

This show was made possible by the support of Handi-Ramp, manufacturers of the unique, dimpled aluminum Non-Skid Treads. Don’t let slippery steps get you down. Do something before winter sets in. Check out the Non-Skid Treads at http://www.handiramp.com/.

Taking on home improvement projects can be fun and appealing. However, being handy around the home could lead to serious injury if you don’t take appropriate safety precautions. The State of Home Safety in America^TM report (2002) found that emergency departments reported more than 330,000 visits due to injuries with home workshop equipment in a single year.

Safety practices will shield you and your loved ones from injuries related to home improvement projects:

	Keep a stocked First Aid Kit in every location that an injury may occur. First aid may make the difference between a quick recovery and permanent injury.
	Post emergency numbers, including the national Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) by each phone.
	If you decide to install a fire extinguisher in your workshop, contact your fire department to learn how to select the proper type of extinguisher and when to use it.
	Keep hazardous materials out of children’s reach.
	When working with any product, check warnings and content labels to identify hazards.
	Follow manufacturer’s instructions and heed warning labels.
	Use gasoline as a motor fuel only. Gasoline must never be used indoors, because its flammable vapors can be ignited by even a tiny spark. Store gasoline in an outdoor shed or garage, out of children’s reach, in a vented container approved for gasoline storage.
	Use caution with other flammable and combustible products. Properly dispose of oily rags after use and hang them outside to dry.
	Falling and flying objects, especially when working in tight spaces, can pose a hazard to your head, face and eyes. Consider wearing hard hats, safety vests, protective eye wear and ear plugs while working. If you allow someone to watch you work, make sure they wear protective gear too.
	Wear chemical safety glasses when using hazardous solvents and cleaning products.
	Wear safety glasses with side shields when using power tools.
	Designate your work area as a “kid free zone” to keep young children out of harm’s way and out of the reach of tools and equipment.
	Do not wear any loose or dangling clothing or jewelry that could become caught in moving parts. Check out our sharp dressed Handyguy episode.
	Keep your work area clean and free from clutter.
	Read and follow manufacturer’s instructions and warnings on tools, power equipment and building materials.
	Use heavy duty extension cords for tools such as trimmers and edgers listed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for outdoor use.
	Keep power equipment in good condition. Repair or replace damaged tools. Unplug the power cord before you do any trouble-shooting on a tool that is jammed or won’t start, and never walk away from a plugged-in-power tool — even for a few minutes.
	Follow basic ladder safety rules whenever climbing.

Stay tuned – Next week we will have our Stocking Stuffer episode. We will discuss a unique collection of inexpensive gift ideas for DIYers.

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