Episode #2000: 30 Minute Home Improvement Hacks | Best Doggy Doors | Kid Safe Window Treatments | Your Questions
In this bout …
This is a big episode for The Money Pit. It’s appearance# 2,000 and we can’t thank you fairly for allowing us to help you form your dwelling the best they can possibly be !!!
Not all home improvement projects require an entire weekend to to get out of here! We’ve got 3 –30-minute home improvement spoofs that can help you save epoch, exertion and originate your infinite look great! Do you love your dog — but not so much having to get up in the middle of the light to let the dog out? We have tips on how to install a baby opening that your baby can actually open, close and LOCK themselves- without human intervention or gamble of unsolicited wildlife applying that same entering! New window therapies are a fast way to stepping up the decor in any office. But if that if you’re working in a child’s room, it’s important to choose a design that prevent kids safe. We’ll share tips, simply ahead.
Plus, provide answers to your residence increase a matter of, hot water heater valve replacing, eliminating ants, peeling paint, detecting electrical wiring, best coating for tile floors.
Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888 -MONEY-PIT ( 888 -6 66 -3 974) or post your question here.
Read Transcript
TOM: Coast to coast and floorboards to shingles, this is The Money Pit Home Improvement Show. I’m Tom Kraeutler.
LESLIE: And I’m Leslie Segrete.
TOM: What are you working on? If it’s your residence, you’re in accurately the right place because that’s what we do. And in fact, this is a big show for The Money Pit. It is our 2,000 th chapter of the programme. I cannot believe it.
LESLIE: How can that be when we’re both just 25?
TOM: I know, right? It just doesn’t making such a sense.
LESLIE: That’s such a huge accomplishment.
TOM: Yeah. I can’t- I don’t known better it happened. We just got started so recently, right? It feels that way.
LESLIE: True. Two thousand. That’s a lot.
TOM: We travelled from one station to a second station to a third station to syndication. And I think we had 12 depots when we started that and now we have 385, plus a podcast which Chartable ranked the number-one home improvement podcast of all time, which is so awesome. Unbelievable but awesome.
And we could not do it without you, because that’s why we’re now. That’s why we exist. So I demand you to pick up the phone on today, this 2,000 th occurrence of the appearance, and summon us with your question: the one that’s been poking around in your sentiment, the project you’d like to get done. We’re going to keep doing this as long as we’re able and we’d love for you to be a part of it. So if you’ve got a project going on or one that you’re dreaming about taking on, give us a announcement, right now, at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.
Well, coming up on today’s show , not all dwelling improvement projects require a weekend to to get out of here. We’ve got three 30 -minute home improvement hackers that allows you to save era, power and spawn your opening look great.
LESLIE: And do you love your dog but not so much better having to get up in the middle of the nighttime to let your dog out? We’ve got some tips on how to install a baby entrance that your baby have been able to open, close and lock. That’s pretty amazing. They can do it all themselves without the help of their human or even a risk of unwanted wildlife employing that same entry.
TOM: And brand-new space therapies are a fast course to step up to the cord in any chamber. But if you’re working in a child’s room, it’s really important to choose a designing that maintains girls safe. So we’ll share some gratuities on what to look out for.
LESLIE: But first, this show is about helping you with your own home decor and improvement questions. So afford us a order with your residence repair, residence question, residence designing, decor. Whatever it is you are working on, inside or out, we will help you get that answer.
Plus, today, you’re also going to get a chance at winning tools to help you get those occupations done. We’re featuring the Jorgensen Heavy-Duty 24 -Inch Bar Clamp.
TOM: We’ve got a specified of 4 of those, worth 140 horses, going out to one caller, one listener whether “youre calling” us at 888 -MONEY-PIT or post your question at MoneyPit.com or post your question at Facebook.com/ TheMoneyPit. However you choose to get in touch with us, we will toss your refer in The Money Pit hard hat and might be sending that adjust of four clamps out to you.
I have a laid of four fixes- this accurate prototype- and I cherish it.
LESLIE: What was the last thing you did with them?
TOM: I was remaking a terrace that I actually had constructed a very long time ago. Had fallen into disrepair. And it was complicated because it had spindles, fences and bars and nonsense and it was really hard to hold it all together while I was gluing it up. And I employed all four of those clamps and a bunch of other substance, including the clamps and some ropes.
Do you ever make a clamp out of rope, like a tourniquet? It’s really good when you want to glue something together that’s peculiarly influenced. You mostly string the rope around, you threw a stick in it, you rotate it up close-fisted and it plucks the whole thing closed. And between all those clamps and my lines, it made enormous. Should have seen this thing. It was like a mess when it was all fastened up but human, it came out enormous. It looks fantastic.
So, we’re going to send those implements out to you. If you’ve got a question, ask us, right now, at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.
Let’s get to it. The telephones are illuminating up. Leslie, who’s firstly?
LESLIE: Alright. Now we’ve came Peggy in Texas on the line who’s got a tiling question.
Hey, Peggy. How can we help you?
PEGGY: Our house was built in the 50 s and our- it has the Saltillo tile in it. And over the years- we bought the members of this house about 20 year ago. And they had kept a ponderous stratum of polyurethane down- oil-based polyurethane and …
TOM: Over the tile?
PEGGY: Over the Saltillo tile, yeah.
TOM: Wow. OK.
PEGGY: So, over the years raising our babies, we- lots of skating and things like that extending across them.
TOM: Sure. Yep.
LESLIE: Yes.
PEGGY: And what has happened is it started kind of bubbling and sounding up in places.
TOM: Right.
PEGGY: Decided I was going to scrape all the polyurethane off of our tile.
LESLIE: How did the tile hold out?
PEGGY: It examines OK in most of it but where- I have to say where it sounded off previously, that is discolored differently.
TOM: Right.
PEGGY: So if the section popped off, I guess it get unclean or well …
TOM: Right. Of direction. Yeah, that clears impression. Yep. Mm-hmm. How did you do with the polyurethane? Did it all come off?
PEGGY: I’m not finished.
TOM: Oh, OK. Yeah.
PEGGY: I’ve done about half of that.
TOM: It’s a lot of work.
LESLIE: That’s a lot.
PEGGY: Yes. And then the grout, I can’t barely get the polyurethane off the grout. So I kind of stopped with worrying about that.
LESLIE: Can you do a grout investigate right over the drawn grout cables now to just sort of cut it out?
TOM: Well, “youre supposed to” have the thick grout strings, right? And you have a sanded grout?
PEGGY: Yes.
TOM: So, yeah, to grind that out is just going to be a- oh, soul, what a unpleasant project.
Do you want to gave- I dislike to ask this because you time took everything is off. But do you want to placed a fresh hair of polyurethane down and “ve been trying to” realize the aged stuff coincide? Or do you want to precisely have it gone?
PEGGY: What I was remember I could do is go with a water-based polyurethane.
TOM: No, absolutely not. No, do not do that. Here’s why. Water-based polyurethanes, they’re OK maybe for furniture or something like that, maybe a desk. Do not use it for a flooring. Yeah, they don’t have the abrasion-resistance. They will – you will be really upset with yourself, after all this work, if you do that.
PEGGY: OK.
TOM: If you’re going to do it, you’re going to have to go right back to a good, solvent-based urethane.
PEGGY: OK. Do you recommend that- OK, so my husband hinted let’s make it darker and add some shade. Can we lend shade to the polyurethane?
TOM: No , not really. I want it’s not really designed for that. It’s really designed to be clear.
What complexion is the floor now?
PEGGY: Well, it’s- where reference is has the polyurethane on, it’s kind of a gloom orange.
TOM: Right.
LESLIE: Because it’s a clear poly. It’s the natural Saltillo.
TOM: Yeah. Right.
LESLIE: But it only chips apart at the surface of the- because I have that tile in my kitchen now and it’s the same. It’s terribly, very, extremely aged and there’s areas where the poly has worn off and “youve had” these dark blotches in it. And I feel like the only solution- in my mind, because the restoration of it would require so much work- would be to kept something over it until I can actually get the right tools for it, you are aware? I don’t know that I would aim it now.
TOM: Right. Hey, how about this? Could you- Leslie, do you think she could polyurethane over this again but use flat urethane? So it doesn’t materialize …
LESLIE: Or satin.
TOM: Yeah, surely satin but not gloss.
LESLIE: No.
TOM: Put a low-luster product is what I’m thinking.
LESLIE: Yeah. Would you- and that could take away some of the cruel from the areas that are super dark and even really contrast-y.
PEGGY: OK. Right.
TOM: Right. Yep. Mm-hmm.
LESLIE: Because the sheen is what’s uttering you notice all that trash, because there’s sheen and no sheen and some- because I have the same and I’m at a detail where I’m like, “I don’t like this floor anymore.”
But yeah, if you go with a satin- Tom, you’d have to sand the remaining of the poly on there, right, precisely to give something to grab onto?
TOM: Well, yeah. You’re going to probably want to make sure that’s it abraded, at least, just so that it’s not the original. And of course, by this time, with all the rubbing you’re doing on this, it’s probably quite clean-living. And getting up all that dust and clay is going to be good.
What I might propose you do here is- before you commit to the whole floor- is start in a corner with a make and be seen to what extent you like it. You can experiment with a number of hairs and see how it inspects on top of some of the old-time grout braces and how it ogles on some of the tile.
But it’s smart that you’ve gotten this loose nonsense off, because you can’t- I always say you can’t introduced bad paint over good paint. And that certainly applies to urethane, as well.
PEGGY: It’ll pop off again.
TOM: Right.
PEGGY: Exactly.
TOM: Because the- it’s the adhesion is what’s the problem. So, you might want to try that in an area that’s little prominent, simply to kind of get started with it. And see if that- if you like that.
And by the way, recollect, if you end up giving up on this, you can leave that flooring in place and kept another tile over it. You don’t have to take it up as long as it’s structurally resound. You can articulate a second mantle on it.
PEGGY: I may call back and let you know how it works out. Maybe I’ll send you illustrates. Can’t applied that on the radio but …
TOM: Please do.
LESLIE: Alright. Thank you.
TOM: Good luck.
PEGGY: Thank you. Mm-hmm. Bye-bye.
LESLIE: Steve in Michigan is on the line with a water-heater question. What can we do for you?
STEVE: My hot-water tank has no good water pressure behind it.
TOM: Where are you recognise this? Is it at a particular faucet or fixture or is it multiple lavatories throughout the house?
STEVE: Everywhere. My shower, my submerges, my bath machine, anywhere where I have sizzling- if I precisely have hot water going in my bath machine, it takes forever to fill up. When I go to take a shower, if I only have the cold- just straight cold water get, I have nice pres behind it.
TOM: And let me ask you a question: how aged is your house?
STEVE: Built in the 70 s.
TOM: OK. I think you’ve is a problem with a valve somewhere on that hot-water line that’s restricting the flow. Because the water pressure is going to be the same for hot and cold when it comes into the house. So the fact that it’s going through the sea heater and then slowing down means that something is clogging it or something is basically slowing down that overflow. So I think that the problem would most probably be at the ocean heater itself: either the water flow into it or the sea flow out of it. And it could be that one of those valves is stuck, closed or partially stuck.
I would close the valves all the way and then open them back up and see if that makes a difference. I would also follow the line back to make sure that every single valve is fully opened on that hot-water side. And I suspect that you’re going to find something that’s partly closed and that’s what cause this.
Steve, thanks so much better for announcing us at 888 -MONEY-PIT.
LESLIE: Hey, are you breaking out all your summer furnishings and noticing that some of it is in need of repair? Well, we’ve got a great prize to help you out with that this summer season. We’re giving away a deep-seated of four Jorgensen Heavy-Duty 24 -Inch Steel Bar Clamps. They’re super easy to use. They’re fast-acting with a slipping president; huge, easy-grip manages; swivel pad. So, mostly, you can operate these super efficiently and easily.
It’s truly a supportive trophy, this hour, because it can hold things together when your hands can’t for an extended period of time.
TOM: You can check them out at PonyJorgensen.com. See the entire Pony Jorgensen product line. The value is 140 horses. Extending out to one caller, one listener sucked at random. Make that you. The number, again: 1-888-MONEY-PIT. Or post your question at Facebook.com/ TheMoneyPit.
LESLIE: Alright. Now we’re going to chat with Linda in Washington who’s got a question for us now at The Money Pit. What’s going on?
LINDA: I, all of a sudden, have little, minuscule black ants in my lavatory. And I’ve never had this difficulty. I don’t know how to be disposed of them.
TOM: Hmm. Well, they are probably dirty and they are necessary a bath.
LINDA: They’re close to the tub.
TOM: There you go, yeah.
Well, you are aware, that happens from time to time. They may be feeding on some mildew or something that they happen to like. One of the things that you have been able do is you could put down ant bunkers. And we are genuinely exactly had some ants inspect our kitchen today and I actually did just that: I put down an ant trap.
And then I likewise sprinkled some Borax, which I happened to have a box of for cleanup. It’s a good, natural clean. The Borax is great because they’ll pick that up, take it back to their nest and feed it to all their ant friends. And that will wipe out the nest.
But I think that the ant catches are very handy because they’re so easy and clean to use. You exactly sit one down and you often don’t even have to open it up. You take it out of the bag and sit it on the surface, typically in a corner. And they’ll find their way in there.
And again, the action these produces work today is, mostly, formerly the ants start to feed on it and they take it back to the nest, that nutrient is passed around and it can wipe out the part nest. So, I would simply do that.
LINDA: OK. Now, I hear them likewise when- close to my kitchen outside. So should I put one out there too?
TOM: Yeah. Now, on the outside you have some other options. There are different ant-insecticide makes that you are eligible to disperse near the foundation. And if you set them around the foundation where you just see them coming in, that will help control those ant populations.
I have a tree that was infested in ants and I was able to sprinkle a pesticide in there. And that took care of it. Merely be careful of the wind when you’re applying the stuff outside. And wear a dust mask, because you don’t want to breathe any of this stuff, OK?
LINDA: OK. That sounds good. So I can go to any accumulation and buy this Borax or …?
TOM: Home center or hardware accumulation, yeah.
LINDA: OK. Alright. Thank you very much.
TOM: You’re welcome. Good fortune with the project. Thanks so much for calling us at 1-888-MONEY-PIT.
LESLIE: Well, some home improvement projects are fun but others you exactly want to get done as quickly and inexpensively as possible, which is where hackers can help. Now are 3 easy ones that can be done in 30 times or less.
TOM: OK. So here’s something that you may not have thought to do but it truly procreates smell and that is to label your spray valves.
Now, imagine that a tube divulge in your ceiling and the irrigate is now leaking through every electric light fixture onto your brand-new carpet or flooring. You’ve came that mental picture? It’s not good. But if you were to locate and name every important water valve in your household, including the main water valve, the hose valves, the ice-maker valves and the water-heater valves, you will be covered in the event of pretty much every kind of leak that have been able to happen. You’d know exactly where the valve is. You could slam it off and you would be done.
So this is a project that makes less than 1/2 -hour. Take some posters- some indicator cards- maybe attach a piece of rope to it or a wire to it and wrap it right around that valve so that you know where it is and can find it in a jiffy.
LESLIE: Alright. Hack Number Two, guys: stop your toilet’s spills. Now, toilet flush and load valves can break down over era. And when they do, that wastes a lot of water. I know it doesn’t seem like it- it’s the bathroom- but it does. It’s invariably loping if those valves aren’t making right.
Now, if you find you have a toilet that evens all by itself- it kind of constructs that ghost-flushing sound- then you know it’s time for brand-new valves. Another style that you can test to see if you need this is add some food coloring to the toilet tank itself. Wait 30 times and then look in the container. If that food coloring has leaked into the bowl at all, it means that redden valve is leaking and you should change that.
Now, both sets of hassles can be easily done in less than 30 times and truly exclusively expenses you a few cases dollars.
TOM: And lastly, it’s time to exercise- well , not you – your circuit breakers. Exercise is good for your circuit breakers, as well. About every six months, you want to turn the breaker off and back on again. And then every month, push that experiment button on the GFCIs, if you’ve got them, to make sure it stays resilient and strong, looks just like you after a good workout.
Want more 30 -minute home improvement tips-off? Look up “3 0 Under 30 ” on MoneyPit.com. We’ve got a totality directory for you to choose from.
LESLIE: Ray in Florida, you’ve get The Money Pit. How can we help you today?
RAY: I have a little problem. I had coated my bathroom- the walls and the ceiling- a few years ago and also put on a border. Well, the ceiling paint is rind in large-scale discerns. And when I decorated it, I employed KILZ. And I don’t know why it’s peeling.
TOM: So there must be moisture behind it or- how old-time is this house?
RAY: Well, the house was built in’ 78.
TOM: Because the other thing that can happen is if you have multiple coatings of decorate, sometimes you’ll get delamination of an older surface of that coat. So what might be rind off might not be the colour from the KILZ or the KILZ from the prior colour. It could be a layer several beds back. And when you have such a severe adhesion problem, the one thing to do is to strip the aged draw off of the ceiling, then apply an oil-based primer like KILZ or really any other brand that’s a epithet firebrand. And then apply a flat ceiling colour on top of that.
RAY: Yeah. I did use a ceiling cover. But now that you mentioned it, looking at where it’s peeling, it does kind of- it’s a- let me think here- yeah, like a grayish emblazon underneath the paint.
TOM: Yeah. So, you realize, it may not be what you decorated that’s peeling. It might be a prior layer that’s peeling.
RAY: Right. I follow what you’re saying. Yeah.
TOM: Yeah. So you need to get all that old-time paint off and start from scratch, unfortunately.
RAY: So now, do you have to only clean it or sand it or do you were supposed to …?
TOM: Well , no, you’re going to need a depict stripper. You’re going to need a dye stripper because you’re not going to be able to scrape it. You’ve got to get that loose material off.
RAY: Wow.
TOM: OK?
RAY: That’s a lot of work.
TOM: I represent examine, the other thing you could do is you could employed another seam of drywall right on top of that and really scalp it. You wouldn’t even needs to have 1/2 -inch drywall; you could use 1/4 -inch drywall. You’d have a seam or two to videotape and spackle but then you’d start from scratch.
RAY: Alright. Well, I recognize the help on that.
TOM: And I think we just filled up a couple of weekends for you, too.
RAY: Yeah.
TOM: Thanks so much for calling us at 888 -MONEY-PIT.
LESLIE: Amber in Ohio is on the line and has a question for us. How can we help you today?
AMBER: I have a loft and it is- it’s all open to the, you know, downstairs. But at any rate, when people come and stay, it is so- it gets so warm up there. It’s very warm and parties ever grumble, summertime or wintertime.
TOM: Mm-hmm. Right.
AMBER: It doesn’t matter. And downstairs, the first floor can be 10- it feels 10 measures different than upstairs.
TOM: Right.
AMBER: And I have( inaudible) set on one certain degree.
TOM: Mm-hmm. Yeah.
AMBER: And downstairs only feels like it’s not paying attention to what I define the thermostat at.
TOM: Yeah. Alright. What kind of heat do “youve had”? Is it pressured air? You have a duct system?
AMBER: Yes.
TOM: Mm-hmm. And do you have central air conditioning or not?
AMBER: I do.
TOM: OK. And do you have any ceiling supporters or paddle supporters that can help mix up the air?
AMBER: Yes, I do. But it seems to be that even when they articulated the fans on, they say that they don’t feel significant differences but …
TOM: So, when you turn the ceiling supporters on, do you know that there’s a acces that you are eligible to make the motors on that? There’s a little switch on the side. And in the summer, you want to set those so it pullings cold aura up from the first floor. And in the winter, you want to change that placing so that it pushes heated aura down from the second floor. Does that make sense?
AMBER: Yes, yes.
TOM: Now, have you controlled those altering switchings? Did you even know they existed? Because countless parties don’t.
AMBER: I have, yeah. I have known that they existed and I could tell- I haven’t told the people that come and stay, though, that- up in the loft so …
TOM: But it’s the kind of thing that you’re going to do- yeah, you would do this one time per season, so you wouldn’t expect them to do that.
Now, the other thing that you can do is you could included supplementary air conditioner to that cavity. And what I would recommend there is a split ductless system. So split ductless means you have a small compressor that’s outside and then you have the actual air – you actually have the breath handler that is inside. And that attaches on the wall the same way you’d hang a TV, for example.
And then between the outside compressor and the breeze handler inside, it will add additional air conditioning or cooled aura up there, which will then filter down from there to the first floor and clear everybody cozy. And when you have a house that’s went this kind of configuration, it’s very common to have this great difference in temperature. And it’s a real challenge.
And the only other thing that you could potentially do is you could talk to your HVAC company about including an additional supply and return to that seat. But that would involve ducting and it’s going to depend on how hard it is to get that up. If there’s a action for they can get those passages run up pretty easily and you had additional supplyings and return in that space, then it’s going to cool a lot better and heat a lot better. But if not, then you’re will be necessary to make love a different way.
Now, by the way, that mini-split ductless system, that can be purchased to work as a heater and air conditioner all in the same system. So, if folks are grumbling and- about it being too cold or too hot, depending on the season, you would have control over that for both seasons.
AMBER: Oh, that would be wonderful. Split ductless is …
TOM: Split ductless. Yep, exactly.
AMBER: And I would go to my home people or what-have-you and …
TOM: No, you’re going to have to go to an HVAC contractor. It’s not a DIY project.
AMBER: HVAC. OK. OK. That’s great.
TOM: Alright, Amber. Good fortune with that campaign. Thanks so much for announcing us at 888 -MONEY-PIT.
LESLIE: Hey, are you tired of hearing your doorway scratched always by the dog in the middle of the light? Well, having a pet door for your hound can introduce that to rest. So, how do you go about manufacturing that happen?
TOM: Well, the first step is to plan this out before you start cutting or your pet might not be the only one going a brand-new door.
Now, there’s a assortment of options for locations. You need to think through this. Premade pet openings are designed to be installed in pretty much any entrance. So it could be a back door, breast entrance, patio doorway, slider, garage opening or even an exterior wall. You’re going to want to position it with access to a fasten, fenced-in area so that when the pooch gets out it doesn’t go beyond your yard.
And make sure you purchase the right size door. And to do that, you’ve got to measure your pet. You’ve got to measure the pet at the shoulder and then add 2 inches to determine the right height of the door.
LESLIE: Now, you’re also going to want to think about the type of door you have and what that entrance is made use of. If you have a dog that said that he wished to ruminated, you’ve got to look for a bite-proof door. That’s clearly what you’re going to want. And another advantage of this type of door: construction sites is really advanced. So they’re higher energy-efficient compared to thinner poses. So that’s supportive there.
Now, if you have a sliding-glass door, this type of pet-door insert is the most convenient because it doesn’t require a storm door or a screen door to be opened for that hound to get access. However, it’s generally not the best for cold or hot weather as it supports practically zero insulation. So it’s not immense if “youre living in” a colder climate. It’s really not going to work out well for you.
And a entrance flap is probably the most common style of bird-dog entrance that you’ve ever seen or that you see around. And some simulates come with even slipping panels. Now, this type of dog door is more energy-efficient- the slide one- as it keeps extreme hot or even extreme freezing from seeping in. And another advantage of the slide type of doggie door is that you can lock them, which remains pets in and trouble out, which generally is something you’ve got to worry about with puppy doors.
TOM: Absolutely.
Now, my favorite type of dog door is one that locks and opens when the dog approaches. These doorways operate on a small RFID chip. It’s sort of a sensor that’s clipped to the dog’s collar. The sensor provokes the fasten and the dog gets to go in and out all by itself so you don’t have to get up in the middle of the darknes in your jammies, especially in the winter, is essential to take the dog out.
888-666-3974. If you’ve get questions about your dwelling improvement projects just like that, announce us right now.
LESLIE: Hey, do you ever wish when you’re “workin on” a project – you’re rendezvou all your things and you’re hampering trash together and then maybe you’re using your hoof to hold another part of it together and you’re thinking, “Wow, I could really use another set of handwritings, ” then we’ve got a great prize for you.
This hour, now at The Money Pit, we’ve get up for grabs a list of four Jorgensen Heavy-Duty 24 -Inch Steel Bar Clamps. And they can definitely and easily be those extra hands you’re looking for.
So check them out at PonyJorgensen.com. You can actually ascertain the entire Pony Jorgensen product line there. And this pillage was estimated at $140.
TOM: Get out to one caller select at random. Make that you. The figure, again: 1-888-MONEY-PIT. Or post your questions to MoneyPit.com.
LESLIE: Donna in New York is on the line and is having an issue cleaning some showers.
What’s going on, Donna?
DONNA: Well, I work at a fitness equipment. And boy, do I have a problem with one out of four of the shower stalls there. That one, of course, is in the men’s room. Oh, my God, it’s so gross. It perpetually cakes up this creepy, chocolate-brown, gross, rotten- I don’t even know what this gunk is on the walls. And I have tried everything. I applied bleach, the shower cleansers, antibacterial scrub brush. I’m at my wit’s end. I don’t even know what to do.
TOM: Yeah. It’s simply get away from you.
Well, first of all- and I know this is out of your limitation but the more humidity that builds up in that space, the worse this will continue to get. So if they don’t have good ventilation, they get dirtier and dirtier because it supports the growth of mold, mildew, algae and moss.
But one commodity that I’ve had great success with is called Zep- Z-e-p. It’s a shower, bathtub and tile cleanser. It’s a commercial-grade cleaner. It’s not expensive. It’s about seven bucks a jar at Home Depot. And when you scatter it on, it foams up and does a really good job of cutting out that horrible combination of soap scum and then everything that flourishes in the soap froth. Because the soap scum is like a meat to a lot of those materials and that’s why it merely gets so nasty. So I would try the Zep- Z-e-p- and see how you like that.
DONNA: Oh, my God. I am absolutely delighted I got through.
TOM: Alright. Good luck. Thanks so much for calling us at 888 -MONEY-PIT.
LESLIE: Well, if you’re thinking about getting some brand-new window coverings – you know, freshening up the look at home- be borne in mind that the lines on those blinds and colors constitute a significant choking hazard to girls and babies. So, here are three safety tips to consider, presented by SelectBlinds.com.
TOM: Now, first up, the safest alternative is to go with cordless shadows or blinds. You knows where to find them as shutters, cellular shades or roller canopies, too. But with no ropes, there’s no strangulation threats to worry about.
LESLIE: Now, another option is that you could upgrade to motorized subtleties. This space, you can avoid the danger of cords altogether and take advantage of smart-home technology that can do some really cool things, like parent your blinds when it’s time to wake up or lower them when the sun goes down. And these are great for seats if you’ve got a window that’s high up or at a odd angle and you can’t genuinely contact it. It’s super helpful for those.
TOM: And lastly, if you can’t install newer makes, make sure all existing window ropes are out of view and beyond the reach and accessibility of small-time adolescents. For example, move all cots, bottoms and furniture and playthings away from windows and cords, preferably to another wall, like a entire different feature of the chamber. This’ll prevent girls from stepping up on them and get tangled.
LESLIE: Today’s tip was presented by SelectBlinds.com. SelectBlinds.com gives you all the inspiration, the tools and expert advice that you need to choose, tell and install the right product and vogue to meet your needs, all while saving you hundreds and lots of time, as well.
Now, SelectBlinds will even send you a equipment with up to 15 free tests. I actually exactly did this in my home and it was super helpful. Because as much as I wanted me to get the colors up, I was like, “Just take the time and get the samples.” And it was good because what I reckoned I would have dictated- the fabric, based on just looking online- was actually not. So the fabric tests are fantastic.
So check it out. They’ll send some things so you’ll consider the quality of the blinds and made to ensure that the emblazons act. It’s really just great.
TOM: Plus, they send you discount coupons, very, right?
LESLIE: There were some good discounts in the packet with the samples.
TOM: Yep. Because you always get at least 40 -percent off with daily deals and deductions. Plus, ever free ship and transmission on everything, so “youve never” have to wait for a sale.
Check out SelectBlinds.com. They truly make it easy and convenient to lineup new blinds or tints for your residence. And they save you hour and money.
LESLIE: Chris in Georgia is on the line with an electrical question. What’s going on?
CHRIS: Yes, ma’am. Got a question with an electrical issue in our bedroom. We bought this house and trying to find out some answer to why the bottom plug of a duplex crate are now working but if you plug into the top one of the purposes of the shop, it won’t work. There’s no power.
TOM: Is there any possibility that the top outlet is on a substitution?
CHRIS: Could be.
TOM: OK. I’ve seen that. And you don’t see it very often but I have identified it where what looks like a regular store is actually split and the top one is cabled to a permutation and the bottom one isn’t.
CHRIS: Oh. OK.
TOM: So, theoretically, you would have your light on that top one. Now, if that’s not the case, then obviously “theres something wrong” with the store and I would just replace the store. It shouldn’t be a big deal.
CHRIS: Awesome. I admire the advice.
TOM: Alright, Chris. Good fortune with that projection. Thanks so much for calling us at 888 -MONEY-PIT.
CHRIS: Very good. Thank you.
LESLIE: Well, heating and cooling always makes people ask a lot of questions. “What type do I get? I don’t know what to do about it.”
Now, what happens if you’re Julie from Florida who’s building a mansion? This is what she writes. She’s building a home. Hasn’t given as much thought to the heating system over the A/ C system because here in Florida, abruptly it’s not as warm as it used to be. “We’ve got recent dips in the temperature and I’m wondering what the best heating system might be, in terms of efficiency, if we might have to use it only once in a while.”
TOM: So, in Florida, what you typically would do for heat and air conditioning is called a “heat pump.”
So, a heat run is basically an air conditioner that has a sort of forward and switch valve. When the refrigerant is going one way, it cools your house. And when the refrigerant is altered, it heats your residence. You can get away with this in Florida because your temperatures are mild.
And even if you were to get a really singularly cold night, for example, even if it thumped freezing, the nice thing about a hot shoot is it has a backup electric-resistance coil built into it. So in the periodic age when it might get super cold, it sort of automatically switches to electric-resistance heat.
Now, the downside of that is that heating system, if you had to pay for it all the time would be exorbitantly expensive. But because it’s a backup and you typically don’t have to use it very often, it’s the perfect system for you, Julie. So I would talk to your developer about the heat run. And then, of course, you can look at the productivities. They’re getting better and better. Every time, every year they come out, they’re more efficient. So, I would simply espouse a really efficient heat pump and you’ll be good to go.
LESLIE: Alright. Next up, I’ve got a question now from David in North Carolina.
Now, David writes: “I’d like to update and refresh my kitchen. My boards are in good shape but the doors don’t match on three of them. They’re standard lengths. Where can I buy time substitution doorways for those working three boards? I’ve searched online and the major stores but no luck.”
And he’s going to have three brand-new cabinet entrances( inaudible ).
TOM: Yeah. Well, listen, it’s a good reason to buy brand-new kitchen cabinet but you don’t actually “re going to have to”. However, what you might want to think about- because, yeah, you can find cabinet entrances online. There’s lots of informants if you really Google them. But you might want to think about replacing all of the doors and drawer figureheads , not just the three that are missing. Because this action, they’ll all match.
They’re not awfully expensive. And actually, if you were to attract all those aged doors off, devote some time refinishing those cabinets, you could do a great job cover cabinet ministers. Covering cabinet ministers are very popular today. You could have a drew locker and a painted door or you could have a covered board and a wood-stained door. You know, you have some options there. And I contemplate now is a really good opportunity to do that without spending a whole bunch of period and money.
LESLIE: Yeah. David, I always desire the idea of a drawn board. In fact, pre-COVID, I was interviewing beings to come and genuinely apply a professional finish to the cabinet entrances and drawers and everything so- and the whole cabinet containers themselves, so I has actually instantaneously deepen the seek of the kitchen without as much money. But after, it’s clearly a project that you can tackle yourself. You can do it safely at home and it actually makes a beautiful difference.
And once you do that, you can add different things, like different vogues of equipment or different color of equipment. Change out the faucet. Go from chrome or stainless to polished brass or antique brass, something better that feels a little fresh, a little modern. It gives you an opportunity to really inform that.
You can add in a new throw rug in the kitchen. That abruptly converts the feel of the apartment. If you add lighting, conversion igniting, conversion a fixture, that everyone is aids tremendously. So you don’t have to spend a ton to really update the glance of your kitchen.
TOM: You “re listening to” The Money Pit Home Improvement Show and we are so glad you are. We are so glad that you have been for this, our 2,000 th bout. Can’t believe we met it through 2,000 chapters of The Money Pit Home Improvement Show but I’m so glad we’re still here, because that means we are doing some good aid tribes in all regions of the country with their dwelling improvement and decoration projects.
So, remember, if you’ve got a question, you’ve got a concern, you can reach us, 24/7. Because like we ever say, and have said for 2,000 episodes, you can do it yourself …
LESLIE: But you don’t have to make love alone.
( Copyright 2020 Squeaky Door Make, Inc. No segment of this transcript or audio file may be reproduced in any format without the express written permission of Squeaky Door Yield, Inc .)
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