Episode #2015: Summer Energy Savings | Easy Green Remodeling | DIY Upholstered Headboard
In this bout …
If you’re feeling like your home could use a lift in its chill influence, supplementing a window air conditioner unit may be the solution. We’ve came gratuities on how to find the liberty width measurement for your house and how to avoid a key installation mistake that can drive up cooling costs.
There’s an old saying that good barricades draw enormous neighbors- that is if you can get the fence improved! We’ll have some fence building tips to realize that projection a lot easier.Going dark-green can help you save force, but a new examine demoes it can also “ve brought you” more light-green when you sell your home- we’ll share these eco-friendly remodeling tips-off, simply ahead.If you’ve ever bought a tradition upholstered headboard you know that they can be pricey but making one on your own doesn’t cost a lot of money and is super easy to tackle in a surprisingly short-lived quantity of hour. Leslie treads you through the project.
Plus, answers to your home progress questions about, unclogging a slow tub drain, installing a coy pond, cleaning terrazzo floors, repairing a dishwasher, footings for deck poles .
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: And why are we here? We’re here for you. If you are a DIYer, you’re in the right place. But if you are a direct-it-yourselfer, you’re also in the right place. Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or not, whether you’re somebody who takes out appropriate tools, buys the lumber, buys the coat, does it all or whether you’re somebody that picks up the phone- sometimes that are able the smartest thing to do- or goes online and gets some professional assistance, whatever skill level you have, whatever project you want to tackle, we would love to be your assignment helpers, your consultants, your tutors to help you get it done right. Call us, right now, with your home betterment question at 1-888-MONEY-PIT, 888 -6 66 -3 974 and we will got to get it.
So, coming up on today’s show, if you are feeling your dwelling could use a enhance in its chill supremacy, a window A/ C unit might be the mixture. We’re going to have some tips on how to find the right-size unit for your house and how to avoid a key installation mistake that drives up cooling rates all across the country.
LESLIE: And also onward, there’s an old-fashioned saying that good barricades make enormous neighbours. That’s if you can get the fence improved. We’re going to have some tips to realise that campaign a heck of a lot easier.
TOM: And moving lettuce can help you save vigour but a brand-new survey establishes it can also bring you more light-green when it comes time to sell your residence. We’ll share these eco-friendly features.
LESLIE: But first, we want to know what you are working on this summer weekend. Whatever it is, indoors or out, we’re now to lend a hand.
TOM: The list here is 1-888-MONEY-PIT, 888 -6 66 -3 974.
Let’s get to those questions, Leslie. Who’s firstly?
LESLIE: Mary in Texas is on the line and has an issue with a bathtub. Tell us what’s going on.
MARY: We have a bathtub that we’ve had plumbers out and they can’t even seem to get it unstopped. They think that it- and it was- would slowly- if you took a shower in there, it would gradually go out that day. But then it stopped up and it was going so slowly.
We called up a big company here- plumbing companionship- and the person came out and checked it. And he couldn’t get it unstopped. He thinks it’s in the P-trap. But he checks, he ordered the hat- the tub is on the back of the house. About 2 feet from that is the clean-out. And “hes taking” a image in the clean-out, all the way to the alley, and told us to get the city to come. And they needed to clean it out, the alley. They did that.
TOM: So wait a minute. You’re telling me that the plumber was able to clear the ditch from the house to the street but he thinks that the restriction is beyond that?
MARY: Yeah. He reviews- and it’s just about 2 paws from the ditch. The tub that’s on the back wall of the members of this house, it’s about 2 paws to the clean-out where “hes working”. And all the other orders are back farther. I necessitate the practicality course is farther. It’s on that same line. It’s farther. The sink in the pride place and the commode where it’s just fine- it’s right by the tub. It’s merely- it’s past them.
TOM: I can tell you right now that he missed something in the tub, because all of those plumbing strands come together in that same general area. And if you’ve went spring from the bathroom and the settles and everything else but not the bathtub, it’s going to be the bathtub itself.
When it comes to clearing drains, my experience has been that plumbers are not the best ones to do that. Generally, you’re better off to go with a specialty plumber that does pump emptying. They have appropriate tools, the equipment and the knowledge to get that done. And sometimes, the day-to-day plumbers- if it’s a simple clog, they can clear it but they don’t undoubtedly have the tools. For sample, deplete cleaners have cameras that can go down those hoses and accompany exactly what the impedimentum is.
So, my recommendation would be to call a different kind of professional: not a plumber but person that specializes in drain scavenge and has a good honour for being able to conclude that particular type of repair. I think that’s going to be the easiest way for you to get to the bottom of it. I has not been able to recommend any type of additive to that drainage to try to clear it and these liquid products that clear ducts, because they can be very, exceedingly corrosive.
Mary, good luck with that project. Thanks so much for announcing us at 888 -MONEY-PIT.
LESLIE: Brian, you’ve came The Money Pit. How can we help you today?
BRIAN: I’ve got a problem with our septic system. And our septic system zigzags back and forth in the backyard. And then where the end of it is, there’s a sinkhole developing.
TOM: How age-old is this septic system? Has it ever been inspected or cleaned?
BRIAN: We’ve cleaned it twice. It’s time my wife and I. This thing, I noticed, started developing kind of right after we moved into the house. Our house is about 20 years old.
TOM: Because I was just wondering if- if you say this is towards the end of the distribution field, I wonder if the field is not absorbing water like it should- assimilating the effluent as it should. And most of it is sort of flow towards the end of the pipe like it’s a long drain. And as a result, it’s stimulate erosion in that area.
I think that probably the first thing I would do is have a septic inspection done with an examination of the field to check the percolation of it. Because if it’s not seeping, if it’s not draining properly, you could be spilling a lot of effluent into the ground unknowingly without it having a chance to really rob properly back into the soil. I think what we’re hearing here is a potential failing of your septic orbit, more than a problem with a sinkhole. I suspect that this is erosion that you’re seeing.
BRIAN: OK. It’s not just a matter of dropping a bunch of clay in there and comprising that up.
TOM: No. That would fill it up again but I’m afraid it is very likely wash out again. So, that’s kind of what I would lean to is having that field inspected and simply coming a sense of – listen, you want to find out now. You don’t require this thing to fail at the least opportune time. And if you find out early, at least you can plan a substitution if you have to.
Brian, good luck with that project. Thanks so much for announcing us at 888 -MONEY-PIT.
We know you think about home improvements at the weirdest seasons. I know I do. Sometimes, I get an idea and I’ve got to wake up and jot it down before I forget, even in the middle of the night sometimes.
LESLIE: So you don’t forget, yeah.
TOM: And when that inspiration comes to you, when that mind, when that question comes to you , no matter what time it is- even if it’s in the middle of the nighttime- we actually have our announce hub standing by to take those questions. If we’re not in the studio- which we won’t be if you call at 2:00 in the morning. But whenever you do call, our screeners will take the question and we will call you back, because that’s how important this is for us. We want to reach those that need the help with their projects. Call us now at 888 -MONEY-PIT, 888 -6 66 -3 974.
LESLIE: Heading to Arizona with Yvonne on the line who has got a stinky shower sink.
Gross, Yvonne. What’s going on?
YVONNE: Yeah. So, it doesn’t happen all the time but every once in a while, I’ll be running the water in the shower submerge and this foul-smelling odor comes out of the drain. So I’m wondering what could be effecting that.
TOM: Frequently, it’s bacteria. You get bacteria that will decay in those ducts and it will cause what’s called a “biogas.” And the most efficient way to clean this is to really make the drainage altogether apart- that’s the bait that’s underneath that- and to really do a good job of rubbing it clean-living. I would use some oxidized bleach for that, as well. If you can get that super clean, that will kill the bacteria. And if you are eligible to even push the hose and sort of fill it up with some of that bleach answer, that will too kill the bacteria that’s in there. And I think you’ll find that if you can deal with that biogas, it’ll start reek a lot better.
YVONNE: So I have to actually clean it? I can’t simply pour some bleach down there?
TOM: No. No, you unquestionably need to scrub it. And that’s why you probably want to take it apart from underneath the sink cabinets. It’s probably going to have a trap, the U-shape pipe. If it doesn’t, by the way, that’s the source of your question. But I’m sure it does. Take that net apart and then actually rub the inside of that with some oxygenated bleach. And I think that that will kill that bacteria and then the biogas will go away.
YVONNE: OK. Sound like a lot of work but I’ll certainly give it a try.
TOM: Hey, we never said it was going to be easy. But we will save you the work.
YVONNE: No. Nothing ever is, it seems like.
TOM: Alright, Yvonne. Good fortune with that programme. Thanks so much for announcing us at 888 -MONEY-PIT.
LESLIE: John in Rhode Island has a question about solar panel. How can we help you today?
JOHN: Solar bodies positioned the latter half of March. And I ought to have noticing a steady increase in production up until about two weeks later. And I have noticed the make falling off. And of course, the pollen has increased. And I’m wondering if there’s anything on world markets that I could consider the panels with.
The boards are located kind of high on the ceiling. It’s difficult to get to. And just like I said, I’m just wondering if there’s something that I could add to it to have the pollen wash off quicker.
TOM: So it’s pollen and tree sinks, huh?
JOHN: Yeah. Well, actually, the tree’s on the good shade with- but it’s genuinely, basically, the pollen. I live in a wooded arena. And like I said, I’ve watched the production with these inverters. You can really carefully monitor what the system is doing. So, although the day is getting longer and the sunlight is getting higher in the sky, product is off. And the one thing I can associate it to is the pollen.
TOM: John, that’s actually a amazingly common trouble. And the answer is simply to clean those panels.
Now, in your occasion, that may be easier said than done because you’re telling me they’re difficult to reach. It might also be possible to install sort of a clean system that comprises manifolds that are installed right above those solar array, where you mostly can turn on the ocean and lead water over them, rarely, to empty them out. But of course, that’s a lot of work.
Is it possible for you to get a ladder up against the side of that house there and use a hose or with something- maybe a high-pressure hose to be able to kind of wash the pollen off those committees? Because it’s pretty well documented that solar yield goes down, as you’ve detected, when those pollen- when those bodies get covered with dirt or pollen.
JOHN: Right, right. Well, I guess the thing- I’m sure there’s something I could invest in. Certainly a better ladder, a taller ladder. And also, there’s got to be something where I have been able to get the hose on a spar- I have a snipping pole- and maybe quality it at an slant where it could rinse the panels. But again, I fantasized perhaps the solution “wouldve been”, well, in the spring, get up on the roof, give the panels and then I should be all set. But perhaps it’s time a simple as a hose.
TOM: Yeah. I’m not aware of any medication there that’s going to mostly acquire them more slippery. I guess there’s- I was thinking in terms of a wax. But Hyde Tools- H-y-d-e- they have a product announced PivotPro that attaches importance to a regular hose and it has an angular nozzle at top. And it’s designed for cleansing sewers and then emptying boats and get underneath infinites and things like that. And mostly, the heading centres so you can get all sorts of various types of directions with it. And it also steps up the pressure of water coming out it. Reasonably inexpensive implement there. You might want to look that up online and return it a shot.
JOHN: I feel I will. Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
TOM: Good luck with that campaign. Thanks so much for calling us at 888 -MONEY-PIT.
LESLIE: Well, with all this warm summer weather, are you feeling like your home could use a boost in the cool capability? Well, a space A/ C unit might be the mixture. The best and most efficient room air conditioning comes from a legion that’s perfectly sized to the space and then properly installed.
Now, you want to make sure that you buy a force that’s ENERGY STAR-rated. That’s key. These are going to use 10 -percent little intensity than conventional modelings. And ENERGY STAR accommodates sizing specifications to make sure you buy the right one.
TOM: Now, here’s an installation trick of the trade. For included economy, it’s important to install your division on the shadiest place of the house and to choose a model that has easy-to-clean filters and oversight matters, like a digital readout for the thermostat mounting and a built-in timer. Too many times if you’re, say, in a corner room where you have the choice of maybe going on the south side or maybe the east side, go on the eastern side because it’s going to be a lot cool for that contingent to run. And that implies it’ll be more efficient and it will have to run less to deliver the same amount of cooling ability. And that’s going to show up as a decrease in your cooling costs.
LESLIE: Debbie in North Carolina, welcome to The Money Pit. How can we help you today?
DEBBIE: My husband and I have a townhome and it was owned by several other parties. From what I understand, the previous proprietors used to fix cars in the garage, so- it’s a two-car garage. There are no rifts in the floor but it does have a exceedingly gritty face to it and it gapes horrifying. I don’t actually know what I can do. At first I anticipated, “Well, maybe I can just”- is there some kind of paint I can paint over it or maybe- or is it something where I have to do another epoxy on top of the epoxy? Is it something a ordinary homeowner can work on?
TOM: The flooring that’s there now, is it well have acceded to the concrete? Is it rind off in any way or does it look like it’s quite down there and jolly durable?
DEBBIE: It looks like it’s on there pretty good.
TOM: OK. So what I think you should do is clean it and then placed another coat of epoxy on top of that- one or two coatings over that. And I think that can brighten it up. So countless preferences and colors today and you’ve got creators, like QUIKRETE, that make good makes that can go there. There’s different types of texturing material you can add or coloring flakes you can add to give it some personality.
But trying to give that off wouldn’t make any sense. I don’t think it’s truly buying you anything. Even though it’s got a texture to it, I would decorate over it after it was cleaned and properly prepped.
DEBBIE: Can I expect how hard it is to handle the epoxy dye?
TOM: It’s not difficult. The way it works is it’s chemical-cured. So when you buy epoxy paint, you actually get two cans.
DEBBIE: OK.
TOM: So you’ll get one that’s a gallon can but when you open it up, it’s simply going to be filled three-quarters of the course. And then you’ll get a second can that’s a quart can and that’s the hardener. So the first thing you do when you open up the gallon can and the quart can is you mix them together. And that becomes the depict that you’re working with.
Now, remember, though, once you start mixing them, the clock starts ticking. And you’re merely going to have probably, I predict, perhaps two, three hours to use it up. But it won’t take that long, because you’re going to be applying it with a brush first on the outside perimeter and then a roller. And then you kind of work your way out of the garage. And as you apply it moistened and they usually- they’ll give you these emblazon flakes that you various kinds of shake over it to give it that personality and they stick in there and you exactly keep moving.
DEBBIE: Right.
TOM: And I would do a 4-foot airstrip- wide divest- all the way down, then I would put my emblazon snowflakes in. Then I would do another 4 paw and the other 4 paw and pretty soon you’ll be right out the door. They’re actually not that hard to do. The key is just to be organized and to prep it properly so that once you actually mix up the cover, you’re good to go.
LESLIE: And then don’t paint yourself in a corner.
TOM: Yeah.
DEBBIE: Would I need more than one can for a two-car garage, as far as you know?
TOM: I would check the coverage on the can to see how many square hoof that it covers.
LESLIE: Yeah. A gallon typically does 400 square paws, so …
DEBBIE: So, realistically, it’s something I can do in a couple of hours or …?
TOM: Oh, absolutely.
LESLIE: Oh, yeah. For sure.
TOM: Yeah. Yeah. Mm-hmm.
DEBBIE: OK. Alright. Well, that sounds great. I genuinely was afraid it was going to be a lot harder than that.
TOM: Dive in, Debbie. The water’s fine.
DEBBIE: OK. Alright. Thank you.
TOM: Alright? Good fortune with that activity. Thanks so much for calling us at 888 -MONEY-PIT.
DEBBIE: Thank you. Bye-bye.
TOM: And formerly Debbie undertakes that, who knows where she’ll go, right? I want it just takes one project to kind of get your confidence up and away you go.
LESLIE: Shane in Illinois, you’ve get The Money Pit. You want us to help you with a decorate project? What is impossible to do?
SHANE: As respect to footholds on the floor, is it more common practice to have a one solid piece that goes down for your position or are you able exactly dig 36 inches, move a 6-inch statu at the lower end of that and put your post on top of that and exactly multitude it around with grunge versus extending it with concrete?
TOM: You represent plastering the post, like around- swarming around the post with concrete? Is that what you’re saying?
SHANE: Correct.
TOM: Yeah. Well, that wouldn’t truly help you because that’s not giving you any substantiate. The notion of the ground is to get it down below the frost cable. So yes, if you mine down to 36 inches and you named any kind of a small concrete pad down there, you would be fine by putting the ground- putting the upright on top of that and going up.
Now, the other thing that you could think about doing- and I like these- there are precast positions that are out there that are kind of like nearly pyramid contour. They’re very tall. Not a pyramid, more like a pillar. And they’re about 36 inches towering, perhaps 40 inches tall. And they have a bolt that protrudes out the top of them so you can put your post on right on that. And you can dig your gap and drop this right into the hole.
What I like to do is applied maybe a shovel full of stone at the bottom of the hole, make sure it’s tamped really well and then drop my position on top of that. And this room, my affix intentions up above grade. I don’t like the idea, even though it’s pressure-treated, of drop the timber in the ground.
SHANE: Yeah, I agree.
TOM: Because eventually, it’s going to rot. So, I like to keep it above foot. That’s why I use those types of posts.
And then the third way you could do this is with something called a Sonotube. You know what that is?
SHANE: Yeah.
TOM: Yeah, it’s like- it looks like a paper-towel roll but it’s 12 inches in diameter. And yeah, you trimmed that to be about 40 inches, rectified that in the hole. You can go ahead and backfill around it, articulated a little stone in the bottom and then fill it up with concrete.
Now, you could mix up- something like QUIKRETE in the red bag is good for this. You can mix it up and drop it into that Sonotube. It’ll be hard inside of an hour. And you could start construct right away.
SHANE: Well, enormous. Well, thank you for your help.
TOM: Yeah, you’re welcome. Good fortune with that project. Are you going to get it done and then soon enough to enjoy it this summer?
SHANE: Possibly. We’ll see.
TOM: Alright. Well, good fortune. Thanks so much for calling us at 888 -MONEY-PIT.
SHANE: Thank you.
TOM: Well, you are aware, it used to be that working with concrete for small projects, like fixed a fencing affix, was a hassle. You had to buy all the raw materials, you had to mix them up probably abusing implements, like your garden wheelbarrow and garden hoe, and then clean off those tools before the concrete became permanently encrusted to the surfaces.
LESLIE: Now, QUIKRETE has done that a little better with their Fast-Setting Concrete in the red bag. It’s a special blend of fast-setting plasters, sand and gravel that are designed to set in nearly 20 to 40 minutes.
TOM: And here’s why this moves the whole process of these small projects a lot easier. Let’s say you were setting a fence upright or a mailbox or something of that nature. What you can do is just pour the dehydrated assortment, right out of the baggage, into the hole around the post. Set that post when it’s perfect. Just included ocean and it’ll be solid in 20 to 40 minutes. So you don’t have to mix it outside of the hole. You settled the dehydrate substance right into the hole, included ocean and you’re good to go.
LESLIE: QUIKRETE is available at home improvement retailers nationwide. Look for it in the red bag and learn more at QUIKRETE.com.
TOM: 888 -6 66 -3 974. We’d like to learn what you want to tackle for your next dwelling better activity, so present us a call.
LESLIE: Now we’ve got Steve in North Carolina on the line with a roofing question. Tell us what’s going on at your fund pit.
STEVE: Countless year ago, my spouse and I moved into a very small cabin way out in the timbers. Very wooded. There’s a lot of- every come, a good deal of debris and leaves and such. And we built onto the cabin a neat 12 x12 bathroom with a flat roof. And that was not really my thought; that was- a friend just said this was the way to go.
We are now- and awarded, it’s given us good assistance. We did that in 1995. But now, it is- with these last monsoons we’ve had here in North Carolina, “were having” seeps. And my- I suspect my question is: is a flat roof a good project, regardless? And then what are the pros and cons of a metal versus shingle roof?
TOM: OK. So, first of all, is a flat ceiling a good opinion? Well, depends on your perspective.
Look, there’s a lot of commercial houses that have flat ceilings that last a long time but they’re likewise highly, is a good one positioned and they don’t have any spills as a consequence of that. I said today that a flat ceiling is one of the leakiest roofs, generally speaking, because very often, when they’re put in residential homes, they’re not put one over by pros. And certainly, since you have a flat roof that’s 20 years old, that’s truly, really old.
STEVE: I’m no pro but yeah, I placed it in.
TOM: Yeah, in 1995? You’re talking 20 years ago and that’s a really old roof at this station in time. It would be old-time if it was a pitched roof. It’s really old if it’s a flat roof, which generally previous about half that time.
So, it’s time for a new roof. Your options are to placed another flat roof on it, which there’s nothing wrong with that. The brand-new fabrics today, extremely the torch-down flat roofs, cultivate particularly, is a good one. I merely situated a flat roof on my home. But what I did before I placed it on there was I lent a slight tone to it.
You can buy foam underlayment that basically will give you a slight pitch to a flat roof and that helps the spray running around. Because you really don’t want anything that’s flat-flat; you really want to have something that has got at least a low-grade gradient to it. So if you lend a little bit of slope to it and then threw a brand-new torch-down roof on it, it should be fine.
You asked about metal. Metal is certainly an indestructible roof. And if that’s something you’re considering, I would also encourage it. Because if you articulated a metal roof down once and you get it on right, you’re not going to have to do it for 100 years and then who helps, right?
STEVE: Cost analysis. I make is a metal roof- and I’ve sort of looked at it. But is a metal roof most expensive than a shingle or- it is, isn’t it?
TOM: Oh, yeah. It’s about four or five times as expensive. So it’s very expensive, comparatively speaking.
STEVE: Is that proletariat or is it actually information materials?
TOM: It’s both. So if you’re going to do it yourself, you’re going to save some money. But it’s actually the kind of thing that’s kind of tough to do yourself unless you really have some ordeal working with metal.
STEVE: OK. Great. And one solicit. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: I wish your trailer music- just let it toy. We love it. We affection it.
TOM: We’re going to have to situated that entire- we’ll have to gave the entire topic music online for those working that care to listen to that.
STEVE: I wish you would. We love your show. Thank you.
TOM: Alright. Thank you very much. Appreciate that.
LESLIE: Now we’ve came Darlene in South Carolina on the line who’s dealing with a dishwasher statu. What’s going on over there?
DARLENE: Whenever you turn it on and turn it on Pan and Pan, it crowds up and then it stops. Does nothing. And you can turn the knob around to the different repetitions and everything and it does nothing.
TOM: Have you checked the swim, which is in the bottom of the dishwasher, to see if perhaps it’s become clogged?
DARLENE: No, I didn’t know there was …
TOM: Yeah. Because if it’s blocked, it might think it’s- it might think that it’s about to overflow and it might slam the machine off. So in the bottom of the dishwasher, take a look at the hover. And it’ll move kind of up and down- it’ll pop up and down a little bit- and a lot of periods, it gets filled with food and grime and trash. And if you clean it out, that might just be the thing to do it.
And here’s a little trick of the busines: if you’re trying to clean out food from arranges “youve been” can’t get to, you can use a soaked/ cool vacuum for that. It’ll sort of draw it right out.
DARLENE: Oh, OK.[ That I have]( ph ).
TOM: There you go. Good fortune with that programme, Darlene. Thanks so much for calling us at 888 -MONEY-PIT.
LESLIE: Now we’ve went Lee in South Carolina on the line who wants to build a koi pond. How can we help you?
LEE: Off the floor of my house, in the one corner, I’ve got a bridge going to a gazebo. What I want to do is- 2 feet off of the gazebo, I’m doing a heightened bloom berthed. And from the flower berthed- 4 paws out, all the way around the gazebo- I want to do a koi pond.
And everyone impedes telling me that you’ve got to do it in concrete, because it’s- with liners, it would cause too many – you’d have to have too many liners and then closing them. And it’d be a lot more of a problem.
TOM: Well, there’s a lot of ways to build a koi pond and most folks use liners.
LESLIE: Well, you have to use something. So, you can either build almost like you would a small pool and pour a concrete- I say “foundation” for lack of a better command but a concrete species. Or you can get a plastic reserve constitute. They’re black. You meet them at- I know the home center by me that sells koi- it’s actually a plot middle that sells koi and gush material for spray boasts- has a variety of sizes of these pitch-black sort of- they look like kiddie pools, virtually. But they’re interesting shapes and you dig out and then place this in the ground.
Or you can get the black liner, which comes in a variety of widths and thickness. And then you would dig out the formation that you like, peculiarly it seems like yours is a bit more specialized and free-formed and has to sort of fit into a different region of measurements that you have specific ideas in mind. So the liner is probably better, because it will work with your specific dimensions.
And you’ll dig out. You’ll have to dig the descent into it, as well, if you demand shallow neighborhoods or deep spheres. You’ll have to dig that all in, as well. Then you’ll positioned beach down, precisely to keep a smooth range, and then you’ll positioned the liner in.
And it kind of, when you introduced the liquid in, will begin to take the shape of that area. And then what you’ll have to do around the top, on those sides, is you’ll have to use all-natural cliffs and big stones to hold that down and conceal all of that lining. But there’s no reason why you can’t use a plastic liner.
LEE: OK. Alright. Thank you.
TOM: Good luck with that programme. Thanks so much for calling us at 888 -MONEY-PIT.
LESLIE: Well, more and more home purchasers “re looking at” lettuce boasts when you select brand-new residences, according to the National Association of Home Builder. But how does this trend carry over for those of you who already own or perhaps you’re looking to buy existing homes?
TOM: Well, you can add value to your home while consuming particularly environmentally-friendly makes and materials.
So, for example, you can choose coats that are labeled as containing low volatile organic compounds or VOCs. These colours don’t give off the gas or create the harmful bouquets. And you can also choose devices the hell is additional efficient.
LESLIE: Now, you can also use natural, staying information such as stone, quarry tile and brick instead of something that’s little durable or even a synthetic material.
You want to make sure that you use eco-friendly light bulbs and install occupancy sensors in apartments that’ll turn those illuminates off and on automatically. And mutate out any older fixtures for WaterSense-certified plumbing fixtures. And that’s going to help you save a ton.
TOM: And then think about stuff like renewable flooring. Beginnings like bamboo toil is a good one or abusing native bushes and shrubs in your landscaping or your lawn.
And then, finally, I have one suggestion when you get ready to positioned the house on world markets and that is to make a light-green home inventory, where you list all of the energy-efficient and eco-friendly sort of features and benefits of living in your room. This is going to be something that you can bet that no other residence for sale in the area, which you’d be competing against, is going to have. It really stands your house in a very good light.
LESLIE: Jim in Pennsylvania is on the line with The Money Pit and needs is contributing to a tiling job. What can we do for you?
JIM: We live in Central Pennsylvania but my bride and I just bought a residence out in Arizona for our retirement. And the house has all travertine tile in it, except for the living room and a couple- in the master bedroom. So, we don’t genuinely to be informed about how to care for it.
But my- when we were there the last time, this past time to set things up, my wife commented on how the tile appears so dull and everything. So, we were wondering if you tribes would have a recommendation, as far as whether we should have it resurfaced or only have it scavenged and if so, what we should use on travertine tile. Because I’m pretty sure you can’t really- specific concoctions you shouldn’t use. So, we are only needed some recommendations.
TOM: Jim, you’re right: you do need to use concoctions that are specifically designed for information materials that you’re cleansing which, in this case, is travertine. There’s a good website that has a number of these products all together and it’s announced StoneCare.com. And the product there that I’ve squandered is called Marbalex- M-a-r-b-a-l-e-x. And Marbalex is designed specifically for travertine and it’s mostly a streak-free product that is going to do a good job of emptying it without staining it further.
LESLIE: Yeah. Or shattering it. Some of such products can pit it, so you have to be really careful.
JIM: Yeah, like you said, we- my bride noticed it just various kinds of looked dull. So this- the house was built in 2005, so it’s not an older – you know, it’s a relatively newer house. But the tile does examination dull, even to me. So we’re not exactly sure how it’s supposed to look because, like I said, this is our first experience with travertine tile. But the storeys do appear reasonably dull, so we didn’t know whether we should have it refurbished with that- with those buffing deepens and trash or whether it merely needs a good cleaning.
TOM: Well, I would give it a good cleansing and do just as much yourself as you can. There are cleaners and polishers that you can apply yourself. Of track, if you have a professional come in, it was able to- they could really do a great job and it’ll stay with you a little bit longer. I don’t ensure any reason why you might not want to try it yourself.
JIM: Yeah, well, we’ll contribute it a shot. Like I said, I was looking for a concoction and you gave me one. Marbalex, you said? Is that what …?
TOM: Marbalex, yeah. It’s on StoneCare.com. It are likely to be elsewhere but I know it exists on that website.
JIM: Very cool, very cool. By the nature, I listen to your prove every Saturday morning on my long ambles. So is not simply am I coming enormous suggestion but I’m getting in shape to your picture, too, so …
TOM: Great. Glad you’re take us with you.
JIM: So, yeah, kudos to you guys. But you’ve got a really great show.
TOM: Thanks, Jim. Appreciate it.
LESLIE: Alright. Jen affixed issues and questions and she writes: “Do you have any specific suggestions on decorating stucco after you represent fixings? ”
TOM: Painting stucco is pretty much the same, Jen, as decorate any masonry face. I would consider using an oil-based primer first and giving it baked, representing sure is not simply the restored surface but the rest of it is properly emptied before you do that. Now, if you do use a influence washer, since stucco is going to soak up a lot of liquid- it’s awfully hydroscopic; it’s like a rinse- make sure you cause it baked actually, really well. I would pressure-wash it one day and then wait a few days of good climate for it to really run dry before you go ahead and depict it.
Now, you likewise could consider re-stuccoing the foundation after that stucco is patched so that the hue is consistent. The advantage there is that you won’t have to repaint the whole thing.
But either way, formerly you fix up that deteriorated sphere, depicting it is definitely a pretty easy DIY project.
Alright. Now we’ve have a question from Rashonda( sp) in Maryland. And Rashonda( sp) writes: “What, if any, upkeep does a refrigerator need? Mine’s simply a few years old but when I happen to be cleansing around it, I notice the back feels a little warmer than I think it should.”
Well, Rashonda( sp ), the back of the refrigerator is where the evaporator feature is of the chill curl. Really like you might have, say, a opening air conditioner that blows heated air outside your room, that’s part of the refrigeration process. So being a little warm like “thats really not” surprising. Really made to ensure that you don’t have it pressed flat against the wall. Leave a little air circulation to make sure it doesn’t get too seriously warm.
LESLIE: Now, Rashonda( sp ), formerly it’s all clean, you are eligible to prevent some vanilla in the refrigerator- like a real vanilla bean- is to maintain a nice smell or even a container of baking soda. Just pop them in there- there’s a little piece you can peel off- and it’ll be nice and fresh.
TOM: Well, if you’ve ever bought a custom-made upholstered headboard, you know that they can be jolly darn expensive. It turns out, though, making one of your own doesn’t cost a cluster of fund and it’s a pretty easy job to tackle in a amazingly short quantity of day. Leslie has drawn many of these and has some tips on how to get yours done, in this edition of Leslie’s Last Word.
Leslie?
LESLIE: Well, your bedroom should be a refuge of peace and tranquility. And having a well-designed space can help you find that peace that you want. Now, a great berthed is a fanciful starting point for the decor of your chamber. And upholstered headboards really add a careful, classic designing part. And they can wholly reform the seek and feel of any bedroom or guest room. And now you go, guys: it’s actually not a hard project to do.
Now, we’ve got the full step-by-steps on MoneyPit.com but let me just talk you through a little now. If you want to do a super-simple one, decide the dimensions of the your headboard. Have a piece of plywood trimmed to that sizing or MDF, whatever you like. Then you wrap that in some batting or some foam or both, depending on the thickness and firmness and wording you’re looking for. And then you are eligible to simply precisely wrap some fabric and staple along the back. Exactly keep it nice and smooth, watch your recess. And then you have a really simple, one-fabric headboard and it examines fantastic.
And now you can attach them to the wall with a cleat, where you sort of take a piece of lumber and cut it at an tilt so one feature goes on the wall, one slope gone on the back of the headboard and they lock together and certainly deem it well. Remember, though, to add little blocks on the bottom so it doesn’t lean back toward the wall; it’s all nice and flush.
But if you want to get a little bit more creative, you are eligible to cut that plywood to a different contour, make an interesting style along the top. You can add some- what are those called?- nailheads. You can add some decorative nailheads or shaving to really dress up that headboard. Once you is starting and see how simple it is, I guarantee you I would say half of your bedrooms, maybe more, at home will have one.
TOM: There you go. Yeah, well, you get a project becoming, specially if you did it for one of your boys, all the kids are going to want to have the same kind of treatment.
This is The Money Pit Home Improvement Show. Coming up next time on the program, do you have a motion detector? Well, if not, why not? They are easy to install. They’re inexpensive. Some are even wireless so they need no wire. And all in all, they’re a great deterrent to robbers and unwanted pests. We’ll explore all the options, on the very next edition of The Money Pit.
I’m Tom Kraeutler.
LESLIE: And I’m Leslie Segrete.
TOM: Remember, you can do it yourself …
LESLIE: But you don’t “re going to have to” make love alone.
( Copyright 2020 Squeaky Door Product, Inc. No portion of this transcript or audio enter may be reproduced in any format without the express written authorization of Squeaky Door Product, Inc .)
The post Episode # 2015: Summer Energy Savings | Easy Green Remodeling | DIY Upholstered Headboard showed first on The Money Pit.