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

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

Wood mailbox posts

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

Cast Iron mailbox posts

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

Plastic mailbox posts

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

Spindigger mailbox posts

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

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.

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

Repairing plaster walls and attaching things to plaster walls are discussed in this audio episode of The Handyguys Podcast.

The Handyguys received this question from a listener:

Would you please talk in detail about homes with plaster walls? I have never lived in a home with plaster walls until now and have only heard horror stories about putting things/pictures, etc, up on the walls. Can curtain rods be hung on plaster? Is it best to live with and/or “enhance” the cracks as a feature, or can they be fixed for a reasonable amount of $$? LOVE YOU GUYS! Thanks!

No horror stories here. Some cracks might be inevitable but we discuss in the show doing repairs and hanging things on your plaster walls.

Types of plaster walls

Traditional plaster are often made by installing strips of wood lath to the framing and then multiple coasts of plaster are spread over the lath. The plaster can contain pig hair or horse hair for strength. This may also be applied, in some instances, over a masonry, brick or stone wall.

Modern plaster, also called veneer plaster, is installed over a substrate board, similar to drywall.

Hanging things on plaster walls

Paul had good results with what he calls “tempered picture hanging nails” or also called hardened steel picture hook nails. You can get these at your local True Value hardware stores. Make sure you read the package for how much weight the particular hook can hold.

You can also use a screw into the lath or a stud. A trim head screw would be ideal but other screws could be used as well.

How about curtain rods? YES, you may be able to install the curtain rods with the hardware provided. If you are installing heavy curtains you will want to use a longer screw than may come with the curtain rods and then make sure you screw through the plaster and into the framing around the window.

If you are attaching heavy things like shelves, and you can’t screw into a stud, you may want to use a Toggle Bolt. These expand behind the wall to provide good holding power but will need a larger hole to install them.

All of these attachment methods assume your plaster walls are in good shape. What if they are not? Then you may have to repair the plaster before attaching anything to it.

Repairing plaster walls

There are a few types of common repairs; cracks, missing pieces or separated lath and plaster.  The repair method will vary depending on what type of plaster you have and how it was originally installed.

Repairing plaster separated from lath

If the plaster has separated from the wood lath its likely because the “keys”, where the plaster connects to the lath, have broken off. You need to re-attach the plaster to the lath. This can be done with drywall screws but a better solution would be to use “plaster washers”. These washers are either metal or plastic. They are about 1 1/2″ wide, a screw is inserted through the washer and driven into the wood lath. The washer pulls the plaster tight against the lath. You will need these washers every foot or so (or every few inches depending on how bad the plaster is detached) to secure the plaster. Once the washers are installed, and the plaster is stabilized, you then skim a coat of new plaster over the washers to hide them.

Repairing cracks in plaster walls

It seems that cracks in plaster are sometimes unavoidable in old homes. These homes will move with the seasons and cracks will re-appear over time.  A traditional approach to repairing cracks involves removing any loose plaster and then filling the crack with new plaster, also using some paper or fiberglass joint tape if the crack is large will help. If the house does move a lot then there may be little that can be done to keep the crack from re-occurring.

If the crack is small, Paul suggests just using a flexible, paintable, caulk in the crack. The flexibility of the caulk gives you a better chance that it will stay put and the crack will not re-appear. If that fails then you can try the more traditional method down the road.

Repairing holes in plaster walls.

For repairing a hole in a plaster wall Paul recommends “Patching Plaster”. It’s a fast drying plaster than comes in small containers for small repairs. Check it out and follow the directions on the package.

Tools for plaster repair

You will only need some basic tools and supplies for repairing plaster. You will need a 6″ wide putty knife and a 12″ wide knife, your plaster washers, a utility knife, some paper repair tape and a container to mix the plaster in. These can all be found at your 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

In this video episode of The Handyguys we discuss some common tractor and mower maintenance for your John Deere.

We discuss changing oil, checking air filters, the location of spark plugs, grease points and fuel filters.

John Deere sells a Home maintenance kit specifically for your tractor. It contains most of the items you will want for DIY maintenance of your tractor. One thing the kit does NOT contain is a grease gun and grease. This Grease Gun from Amazon is similar to the one used by The Handyguys in the video and works nicely. .

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

In this audio podcast we comment on the most common tips for hurricane preparedness, add a few of our own, and then interview a Handyguys Podcast fan and hurricane veteran.

Hurricane Earl from the ISS, click to enlarge

For complete preparedness tips please check out these resources:
www.nhc.noaa.gov
www.fema.gov
www.ready.gov
wikipedia.org

 

Here are some tips The Handyguys discuss:

• Check gutters and downspouts, make sure they are functional and well attached.
• Put things like lawn chairs, garbage cans, recycling bins, and anything that could blow away in a secure location. Look around at your neighbors property too. Help them get cleaned up. Their stuff could blow into your windows.
• Trim dead limbs from trees
• Ensure your sump-pump is operational, consider a water powered or battery backup sump pump
• Ensure you have a working flashlight and that you know where it is
• Make sure your vehicle(s) are filled with gas
• If you have a generator - make sure its in working condition, test it. Make sure you have a supply of fresh gas and that you know how to use it (and how you shouldn’t use it)
• If you have a chainsaw – make sure your blades are sharp and you have gas/oil, etc.
• Make sure you have a battery or hand crank operated radio so you can get storm updates in the event of a power failure
• Make sure your garage door is latched closed (helps keep water out and secures somewhat better against wind). Don’t close the garage door if you are running a generator in the garage
• Make sure you have supplies of medications, water, food, etc. (If you loose power frequently how long is it usually out?)
• Make sure your cell phones are fully charged.
• Identify the safest room in your house. It would be a room with no windows or exterior doors.
• Turn your refrigerator to its COLDEST setting a few hours before the storm.

These aren’t all the things you need to do. That will depend on the severity of the hit in your area. Make sure you keep safe and follow all emergency instructions and evacuations if necessary.
Make sure you subscribe to the podcasts or videos, our email newsletter, twitter or follow us on facebook.

You can also track hurricanes in real-time with the map below:

Our friends over at John Deere sent us some great lawn care information that we wanted to share with everyone before Labor Day. There is no audio or video with this post. A survey with Harris Interactive found out that 79% of homeowners and renters in the U.S. are planning to mow their lawns in preparation for entertaining at home this Labor Day.

Here are some quick do’s and don’ts from the experts at John Deere for an envious lawn this holiday weekend:

Pre Labor Day Lawn Care Do’s

• Adjust the height of the mower deck to mow only the top one-third of the blade of grass. This helps encourage a deep root system and keeps the lawn looking and feeling healthy.
• Mow in the mid to late-morning, when it’s cool and dry. After the morning dew dries off is the best time for the grass–it isn’t suffering from afternoon sun stress, but it isn’t so damp that grass clumps form in the blades.
• Water your lawn if you notice curling grass blades or “footprinting.” If you’re dealing with drought, mow on the high side.

Pre Labor Day Lawn Care Don’ts

• Fertilize just yet. It can help revitalize a stressed lawn but it takes time, and the lawn should stay clear of activity for several days to allow the fertilizer to penetrate.
• Cut your grass too short. Higher heights usually look better, provide for a deeper root system, and help prevent from invading weeds.
• Mow the same direction every time. This will leave streaks and striped lines that grow back irregularly and look rather unsightly.

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.

In this audio podcast The Handyguys discuss how to upgrade the entry doors in your house, with a Door Devil™, for increased security and then discuss a flowchart for determining if DIY projects are right for you.

Door Security

The Handyguys have discussed home security in the past but it usually involves systems that alert the homeowner or the police when there is a break-in. The device we talk about on this podcast designed to deter the bad guys from gaining entrance in the first place. The product is the Door Devil™ and Paul and Brian try it on for size!

Top 3 DIY upgrades recommended by Police

• Adding a 2nd 2 cylinder Deadbolt
• Adding a Peephole
• Adding a door frame reinforcement device

In some areas break-ins are on the rise. Some people’s first reaction is to say “we need to get an alarm system”. Unfortunately many break-ins occur in houses that HAVE alarm systems. The thieves don’t care because they’d kick the door and run in/out in Blitzkrieg or NASCAR Pit crew style before the alarm company was even notified or police can respond. Thieves are in, out, and gone in 4 minutes or less. Certainly, the alarms provide incentive for them not to linger, but don’t provide the deterrent or defense necessary to protect the home. One common denominator to many such break-ins is ‘Kicking the Door’. The Door Devil™ addresses this and addresses it in a robust and secure way.

Installation

You can upgrade the security of your entry doors with a Door Devil™ very easily. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. No special tools are required. The image below outlines the basic steps for most installations. In the podcast we discuss some of the special circumstances that you may encounter. Make sure you listen to the podcast for our impressions as we discuss the product, its installation and considerations you will need to make before installing one (or more).

Click this image to see it larger. Make sure you check out the free shipping promotion for our listeners!

DIY Reality Check Flow Chart

Its time for a DIY reality check! Have you ever considered doing a DIY project but have been uncertain if you have the right skills, time, ambition, money or help to get it done? Run your project through the DIY Reality Check Flow flow chart. We can’t take credit for creating this but none the less we like it, a lot. In the podcast you can hear us explain the flow chart. We run the previously discussed Door Devil project through the flowchart and got the green light to go ahead with the project. We then try the steps with a couple other projects and got a couple “stops”.

So, before you begin that next, new, uncertain, DIY project try running a reality check. It could save you some grief down the road.

We would like to thank Rachel from http://heart-of-light.blogspot.com/ for providing the flowchart. Thanks.

Door Devil has provided The Handyguys their products mentioned in this podcast and have compensated us for our production time. However, the opinions of The Handyguys are entirely our own and we have not been paid to make positive comments.

In this video we give or viewers a brief overview of the controls of the LA115 lawn tractor from John Deere.

Controls Overview

This video is a follow-up to our audio show Episode #118 – Controls, Maintenance and Cutting Techniques of a John Deere LA115 Lawn Tractor. Many of the controls are identical to other models from the 100 series.

Feel free to comment on this video if you have any specific questions about any of the controls.

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.

The Handyguys discuss the controls and maintenance of a John Deere LA115 lawn tractor in this audio only podcast.

When Handyguy Paul first received his LA115, he sat on the seat, stared at the controls and realized he better read the manual. It is not as simple as turning the ignition and mowing the lawn. Your first step when using any power equipment is to read the manual and understand all the potential dangers involved. The Handyguys mention a couple of these safety warnings:

1. Any power tools with rotating blades are dangerous but mowers have the added danger of being mobile.
2. They will amputate any human limb that gets in their way.
3. They can hurl objects through their discharges.

Please review and understand all the controls and safety devices on the mower before using for the first time.

Do not allow children to play with or on mower. Do not give rides as it could encourage children to treat the mower as a toy. You don’t want children running out to a moving mower while you are mowing and unaware of their presence. Children should stay away from mowers and understand its dangers.

Controls

The Handyguys explain the controls and features of the LA115 tractor. Here are some of the features that the Handyguys noted in their podcast are:

• This model has a combined choke and throttle lever.
• There is a “window” under the seat revealing your gas level
• In order for the mower to start, you must have a brake depressed, the blades disengaged and be sitting on the seat.

Listen to the podcast for a full review of the LA115 controls

Maintenance

Like any mower, you must maintain the engine and chassis to keep it running smoothly. Most important, you must change your engine oil after the first 8 hours of mowing and every 50 hours after that. The Handyguys will be releasing a video detailing this maintenance within the next month. Be sure to check it out for details on basic maintenance, including changing engine oil, lubrication and removing the deck.

Technique

Handyguy Brian describes the technique like a football field. Mow the end zone and sidelines first and then in field. This technique will give you enough room to make your u-turn in a previously cut area.

Your owners manual has some good tips regarding technique. For a healthier lawn mix up your pattern from week to week. Essentially you will want to do the edges and around flower beds first then cut even rows over the remainder of your lawn. Overlap your cuts a little to make sure you don’t miss a spot.