The Handyguys receive many questions from our listeners but there is one listener who has sent a plethora of questions all by himself. The Handyguys decided to tackle “Steven’s” questions all at once – rapid fire style.

Here are the topics covered in this lightening round. Listen to the podcast for our answers.

1. Woodpeckers making unwanted holes in the house fascia.
2. Replacing an electric water heater with a gas unit. Considerations given to the on demand and high efficiency units and the venting of the heater.
3. Ants in the house. Watch out for food and water sources that may be attracting the bugs.
4. Trimming decorative Trees? So how do trim them? Please let the Handyguys know?
5. Priming paint repair jobs? When do you prime? What kind of primer? Oil or Latex?
6. Pressure Washers? Gas or Electric on house, driveway, car? Did he say car?
7. What do you do about a refrigerator that is frosting up inside?
8. Resealing a long driveway? Should it cost $1500?
9. Adding a storm window to a skylight.
10. How do you clean up the mess “Great Stuff” makes on wood floors?

A house like this would NOT be a likely candidate for an average Handyguy to tackle on their own.

Get your answers to all of these issues and more on this episode of the Handyguys Podcast.

To all our fans, followers, listeners and readers. Don’t forget you too can ask us a question. We try and answer every question we receive. Our contact information is on our contact page.

We will be discussing Skunks and Trailers in next weeks show…two very unrelated topics for sure.  Subscribe to the show so you dont miss next weeks discussion.

Related shows:

1. Basement Systems And Listener Questions
2. Free Trellis Plans And Listener Questions – How To Build A Trellis
3. Master Electrician Interview

Exploding water heaters and home networking are discussed on this episode of The Handyguys Podcast.

Can a hot water heater really explode? The Handyguys address a comment on their website regarding a hot water heater that has expanded and caused the pipes above to leak. Fortunately, there were no explosions. The Handyguys also tackle the family handyperson and home networking. That’s right, if you are the handyperson in your house, you should have some understanding of basic networking.

Water Heaters

The Handyguys received this comment from Sandra:

My hot water heater bowed at the bottom of the tank and forced the tank upward which caused the pipes to leak. Could you tell me what would cause this?

Brian and Paul address potential causes of this hot water heater failure. Fortunately, disaster was avoided but the tank should not expand like that. It seems that there is an important safety element missing from that heater. You can also get more information on water heaters from Episode 13. Sandra, replace the water heater immediately.

You can see what The MythBusters were able to achieve with water heaters with disabled safety devices in this video.

Home Networking

In part 2 of the episode, Paul explains how the family handyman can improve the home networking configuration. In Paul’s opinion, wireless networking technology is just not reliable enough for many of today’s home electronics and entertainment devices. The Handyguys are big fans of running Ethernet cabling throughout the house and specifically to home offices and entertainment centers. More and more television and movies are being delivered via the internet so it is good to have reliable connectivity. Listen to the podcast for more information, especially listen as to The Handyguys are interested in high quality video delivery via the Internet.

Related shows:

1. Replacing Water Heater Expansion Tanks and Ipe Decking
2. Water Heater Repairs and Basic Maintenance
3. Replacing water tank and lines on GE side by side refrigerator

Knobs, switches and valves

The Handyguys provide an operations manual for your home.

When you buy a new piece of cool electronic gear, you get an owners manual that you can refer to when you need help.  Unfortunately, your house—the biggest purchase you may ever make—doesn’t come with a manual. The Handyguys discuss all the typical switches, valves, knobs and buttons you may find in your home.  Disaster can be averted by reviewing the location and operation of all of these devices.  An ounce of prevention will prevent a 8000 pounds of water leaking out of your toilet!

Since you don’t have a home owners manual, you can listen to our mini audio manual.

Some of the items discussed in this podcast:

• Shutoff valves (know where they are and make sure you can turn them!)
• Washer valves
• GFCI outlets
• Furnace on/off switch
• Main water shut-off
• Electrical
  • Breakers
  • Fuses
• Radon mitigation status indicator
• Gas valves
• Other items

If you have any questions about any mysterious switches, valves, buttons please let us know.

Related shows:

1. DIY And Home Improvement Book Recommendations
2. How To Turn Off The Water In An Emergency
3. Exploding Water Heaters And Home Networking

The Handyguys built a simple garden trellis of their own design and address listener questions

The handyguys built a simple garden trellis of their own design and decided to make plans available to anyone who wants them. Feel free to download the .pdf and pass it around to whoever may want it. Listen to the podcast for details on the design and construction. The trellis only uses one board and some screws. It will only take an hour or two to build.

Before the Handyguys get too deep into the trellis project they answer some listener questions.

First up is a question from Rob – Rob wants to remove a support pole from his basement. Don’t do it Rob. We share some tips for incorporating it in your design.

Second is a question from Roger about a white gritty substance in his hot water. Listen to the podcast for some suggestions. Its likely time for a new heater for Roger. Roger may find other useful information in our podcast entitled The Cold Water Heater

Third is a question from Tilo – Tilo is stuck as to how to run crown moulding around a window that goes up to the ceiling. The Handyguys recommend building a valance. We discussed nail guns and compressors in our episode entitled Compress It! Tilo, you may want to also give that a listen. A nail gun will make your project a lot easier.

Lastly listener Calster wants to know if they could glue a medicine cabinet to a large mirror in a bathroom. The Handyguys discuss some options but ultimately recommend removing the mirror. We will be talking about some new glues in an episode in a few weeks.But not likely something that will help Calister.

On to the Trellis

Tools and materials needed:

• Table saw
• Drill and bits
• Wood glue
• Spring clamps
• 5/4″ x 6″ x 8′ knot free cedar or similar
• 4″ exterior wood screws
• 1 1/4″ exterior wood screws
• bar clamps
• square

Steps to build:

1. Using a table saw, rip cedar into 3/4″ strips. You will be left with a small piece of wood about 3/16″ wide. You want that piece to come from the center of the board, not the edge.
2. Cut one of the slats into cross pieces as show on the next page
3. Cut your 3/16″ slat into eight 6″ pieces.
4. Assemble the base first as shown on page two. Use glue and screws. Pre-drill to prevent splitting. A bar clamp will help hold everything together while you are drilling and screwing.
5. Attach the top cross piece first. Use spring clamps to hold it while you drill and screw. Attach the center and outer two slats first then slats two and four. Attach with 1 1/4″ exterior wood screws. Use a square to ensure the first cross piece is square to the center slat.
6. Attach the remaining cross pieces in the same fashion and make sure they are square to the center slat.

We hope you find this to be a useful project. If you have any questions about it you can click on where it says comments right below this post and ask away.

If you have any other questions about your home or other DIY project you can always call us at 615-676-0877 or email The Handyguys at us@handyguyspodcast.com or use the contact form on the website.

Related shows:

1. Listener Questions – The Steven Show
2. Basement Systems And Listener Questions
3. Looking Back And Looking Forward – 100 Episodes