Home Repair Tutor

Ridgid’s new Gen5x 5-piece combo kit is out.   The price is currently $399 and you can find it over on Home Depot’s site or Ridgid’s site   https://www.ridgid.com/   http://www.homedepot.com/   If you need to replace several tools this is the way to go.   Here’s what you get with the kit   -1/2” Hammer Drill -Impact Driver  -Circular Saw with 7 1/4” blade -Recriprocating Saw -LED Light    Ridgid has one of the best warranties out there. The kit comes with a 3-year limited service warranty and Lifetime Service Agreement.     Does your bathroom floor need to be updated?   If you’re on a budget one of the best ways to do this is add a vinyl sheet floor.   My friend Jessica from Decor Adventures did this project and it turned out great.   You can see her tutorial here   http://www.decoradventures.com/2014/07/install-sheet-vinyl-floor.html   Jessica walks you through the entire process and in the end you’ll be inspired to do this yourself       If you liked today’s show subscribe to it via iTunes    https://itunes

Rockwell’s Sonicrafter F50 is a great multi-tool.   The price for this is $150 and you find it here   https://www.rockwelltools.com/en-us/   Use this tool sand, scrape, cut and more.   I like multi-tools for trimming baseboards, cutting pipes, and sanding tight spots.   It accepts all types of blades and boasts a universal fit system.   When you buy the F50 it comes a 34-piece kit and bag.   But it on Rockwell’s site with free shipping or over on Home Depot   The Sonicrafter F30 is only $99, so if you’re on a budget this is a good option.     Elisha from Pneumatic Addict did an awesome tutorial on how to darken oak cabinets without stripping the finish.   Do you have old oak cabinets that look outdated?   If so, this tutorial can make all the difference and help you modernize your bathroom or kitchen cabinets.   http://www.pneumaticaddict.com/2014/06/darken-cabinets-without-stripping.html   The best part is that you don’t have to waste time stripping the old finish.   Follow Elisha’s tutorial for all the deta

Today’s featured tool is Ryobi’s Combo Kit.   The model number is P883 and you can find it over here   https://www.ryobitools.com/ryobidays   This combo kit comes with an 18V drill, circular saw, reciprocating saw and LED light.   You can find the kit over on Home Depot’s site as well and most of the reviews are are 4-5 stars.   The cool part about buying from Home Depot is their site tells you exactly what aisle and bay the tool is located.   Ryobi’s 18V batteries charge in 30 minutes of less and don’t fade over time.    Home Depot’s deal right now on this kit will save you $50-$60.    http://www.homedepot.com/     Do you need a place in your house to sit and put on or take off you shoes?   My friend Mindi over at My Love 2 Create built one from pallets and it looks amazing   http://www.mylove2create.com/2014/04/diy-upholstered-bench.html   She did this with her sisters and you have to see the results.    Her tutorial will show you how to build the bench in a weekend and on a budget.   Here’s my storage solu

Home automation allows you to control and monitor your home from your smartphone.   This is totally awesome.   Have you ever left home and forgot to turn off the lights or garage door? Well, now you can turn off lights, close doors, or open doors, monitor moisture and more with sensors that communicate with your phone.   SmartThings is one brand of home automation that I recently reviewed on Home Repair Tutor.   They were kind enough to send the SmartThings Smarter Home Starter Kit which comes with 6 different Things or devices   -Hub -SmartPower Outlet -SmartSense Motion Sensor -SmartSense Open/Closed Sensors x 2 -SmartSense Presence Sensor   WIFI, internet, and a smartphone are all you need to use this system.   The Hub needs to be hooked up to the WIFI router and plugged into a wall outlet. It’s super easy to setup, seriously, I’m no tech nerd and did it in 5 minutes.   The outlet and motion sensor allow you to control lights, fans, and AC units with your phone. But what I like best is the ability to progr

Today is Throwback Thursday where we feature a DIYer and their project.   Donna Williams is one of the most inspirational women you’ll ever meet. She has her own website at http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/   She’s a mom, designer, and true blue junkaholic from British Columbia, Canada.   Donna has a passion for creating cool stuff for her home from salvaged items and reclaimed wood.   Her story will show you never to give up on yourself. It gives me chills just thinking about it.   Donna has so many great tutorials. I’m discuss two of them today.   The first shows you how to build a pallet wood patio chair.   She walks you through the entire process step-by-step. This is a fantastic piece for a patio, deck, or outdoor space. Super awesome style. Check it out here   http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/05/pallet-wood-patio-chair-build-part-2.html   A second project I think you’d like is Donna’s painted wooden crate stairs. If you’re looking for a way to spice up your boring stairs this is it   http://www.f

Today’s Quick Tip is about Moen’s new shower seat that’s made from teak wood. It’s pretty sweet and comes in two different finishes, oil rubbed bronze or stainless steel. This seat is great for older homeowners or anyone who wants more stability in the bathroom.    You can check it out over on Moen’s site    http://www.moen.com   Visit the Bathroom section then look for Safety and that’s where you’ll find the teak seat.     Builder’s grade mirrors are plain and sometimes flat out ugly. My DIY friend Kim Six redesigned her mirror using standard lumber from Home Depot. The cool part is she didn’t have to make any miters and had all the pieces cut to size at the store.    She shows you exactly how to do this over on her website    http://www.thekimsixfix.com/2012/05/framing-mirror-without-miter-cuts.html   This is a project anyone can do and with Kim’s detailed instructions I know you could knock this out in a weekend.   Thanks Kim for sharing your talent.       If you liked today’s show subscribe to it via iTun

Today’s Quick Tip is about how to find the right paint tool. Purdy is my favorite type of paint brush, they make quality supplies that can make your paint project look sharp. But figuring out what kind of brush to use is a problem. Well, they came up with the Purdy Tool Selector to help you with this issue.   http://www.purdy.com/   I’m here to say that the brush you use makes all the difference, especially when cutting in with two different colors (e.g. purple walls and white ceilings..)   Purdy brushes aren’t cheap but they last forever. You’ll love using them, I do.   The Quick Tip is a great transition into today’s tutorial which is how to paint a door without removing it from the hinges.    My DIY friend Sarah from The Ugly Duckling House has a great tutorial on how to this. You can check it out here   http://www.uglyducklinghouse.com/hinge-help/   Taking doors off the hinges can create a snowball effect of problems. Plus, often the door is very heavy. It’s much easier to leave it and paint the darn thin

Today’s Quick Tip is about Rockwell’s Jawhorse. It’s one of those tools you probably don’t know you need. If you don’t have much space to DIY yet you need a workstation theJawhorse is totally for you.    It can eliminate your workbench and vice. Yet you can hold up to 600lbs of material in it. Yah, you need to check it out. Especially if you don’t always have an extra set of hands when doing DIY projects. It can hold a cabinet, door, or bicycle no problem.    https://www.rockwelltools.com/en-US/     Does your door rub the floor when you open and close it? If so, I’ve got some tips. Always try to adjust hinges first. Sometimes a hinge is loose either on the jamb or door. And all you need to do is tighten it down. Or if the screw is loose you can replace it with a longer or wider version. You can also remove the loose screw, tap a golf tee into the hole, break it off flush with the door/jamb, and install a new screw.   The last resort for a sticking door is to trim the bottom, top, or side. What’s the best tool

Learning how to fix copper pinhole leaks can save you thousands of dollars.   Yep, I’m talking from experience. I’ve experienced 4 different copper pinhole leaks in our home and have learned that it’s good to know about soldering and one little product called Fix-It Stick by Oatey.   The Fix-It Stick is an epoxy putty that you can use to temporarily seal copper pinhole leaks. It creates a watertight seal. All you have to do is mix it then shape it around the copper pipe leak. This in turn allows you to permanently fix the pipe by soldering in a new piece or call a plumber.    You can learn how to solder copper pipes by checking out this tutorial    http://www.homerepairtutor.com/how-to-solder-copper-pipe/   Definitely have a Fix-It Stick in your tool box!!! You never know when you copper pipes will leak or spring a pinhole. It costs $5-$10 and can be found at home stores or bought on Amazon.   Check out my tutorial on how to use it over on Home Repair Tutor   http://www.homerepairtutor.com/     Today’s Quick

Today is Throwback Thursday where we feature a DIYer and their project.   Nick SyWassink is a friend of mine who has his own website at http://thesawdustmaker.com/   He’s a dad, husband, and guy who enjoys sharing his passion for woodworking.   Nick and I have a lot in common, I need to buy him a beer or coffee some time soon.   He recently put together a great tutorial on how to buy lumber.   Did you know that you could save over 50% by purchasing your wood from the local lumber distributor?   I didn’t until I watched Nicholas’s video   http://thesawdustmaker.com/2015/04/buying-lumber-a-few-things-to-consider/   He also discusses a few other tips that will come in handy.   Thanks Nick for your awesome knowledge on woodworking, this is something we can all do more of with the right tutor.     Remember, if you have a DIY question you can always ask me by    Calling me at 800-965-0023   Visiting http://www.homerepairtutor.com/podcast/ and use the SpeakPipe recorder   Or signing up to my email newsletter and res

Having a beautiful lawn starts with knowing how to cut it. Today’s show discusses   -how high to cut your grass -sharpening mower blades  -the best time of day to cut your grass -and the ever controversial world of grass clippings…should you remove them or leave em?   Cutting your grass too low will weaken it and make it susceptible to burning out, disease, and foot traffic. Mow frequently so that no more than 1/3 of the grass blade is removed when it’s mowed.   Put your blades on a sharpening schedule. Sharpening it on a holiday schedule makes it easy to remember to do.   Avoid mowing your grass during the hottest portion of the day, e.g. 1-3 pm. Mow it closer to to the evening.   Leave grass clippings on the lawn because they act as a natural fertilizer. The only time to remove clippings is when there are clumps.   Hopefully these tips help you get your lawn back into shape and avoid those nasty looks from neighbors!!   Forget the neighbors, do this for yourself, haha.     Do you have a DIY question? Submit

Today is Tool Tip Tuesday.   Kreg makes great woodworking tools and supplies that anyone can use.   Some of my DIY friends over on Facebook introduced me to Kreg’s Rip Cut tool.   Do you need to rip down sheet goods, e.g. 4 foot by 8 foot pieces of plywood, yet don’t own a table saw?   Table saws can be very expensive and you need a place to store them.   The Rip Cut solves this issue.   It attaches to your circular saw and acts as a guide to rip down the sheet good in a matter of seconds.   Amazon is pricing this jigsaw at $29 and it gets on average 4 out of 5 stars.   Check it out on Amazon or Kreg’s website   https://www.kregtool.com/     You can check out the tool deals I mention by visiting Home Repair Tutor and clicking on the Amazon link in the right side bar   http://www.homerepairtutor.com/     Do you have a tool tip? Let me know. Leave a voicemail by calling 800-965-0023 or   visit http://www.homerepairtutor.com/podcast/ and use the SpeakPipe recorder or   Signup to my email newsletter and respond b

Dale want’s to know how to demo his fiberglass shower surround and install new a new tiled shower instead. Today’s show explains how to do that and gives you some great tips on how to get started with the tiling process.   Most shower or bathtub fiberglass surrounds are attached to studs with roofing nails. You’ll have to remove some drywall or plaster to reveal these nails, remove them and then pull the surround from the wall.   It’s a good idea to shut the water off to the shower or tub before demoing. Do this at the water main in your home.   If your plastic tub or shower surround is a one piece you can use a reciprocating saw to cut it into 1/3s. I recommend starting in a corner because most likely pipes or wires are not there. It’s a good idea to know where electrical wires are located and pipes so that you don’t cut through them.   You an use a SharkBite push on fitting to cap any copper or plastic pipes if you have to cut them to remove the old shower valve. They can be pushed onto the pipes. No solder

Greasy kitchen cabinets are disgusting and hard to clean. What is a good solution for this problem, besides water and vinegar. Sometimes I get my best ideas walking through the automotive department in stores. This is where I found Super Clean. It’s remarkable at removing grease.   Check out my tutorial http://www.homerepairtutor.com/how-to-clean-a-greasy-kitchen-hood/   It’s easy to use but I do recommend testing it on a small area before using it on the entire surface.   Denise also had a question about cleaning her wood floors. Recently I’ve had good luck with Bona products https://www.bona.com/en-US/   But again, I recommend testing any cleaning product.     Today’s Quick Tip is about SPAX screws.  I’m constructing a bathroom mockup in my garage and had to build out stud walls. Since I wanted a modular design I decided to use SPAX screws instead of nails. They don’t require pre-drilling, are easy to drive into wood, and countersink perfectly.    Check them out here http://www.spax.us/       Do you have a

Today is Throwback Thursday where we feature a DIYer and their project.   Katie Cleveland is a friend of mine who has her own website at http://addicted2diy.com/   She’s an avid DIYer, mother of two boys, wife, paramedic, bull rider, and dirt track stock cars.   Yah, she’s awesome.   Katie has a phenomenal wine storage cabinet tutorial   http://addicted2diy.com/2015/04/28/diy-wine-storage-cabinet/   This piece of furniture would sell easily for $400 at Pottery Barn.   You can see how Katie build it step-by-step.   I’d love to make this and do a video tutorial.       Remember, if you have a DIY question you can always ask me by    Calling me at 800-965-0023   Visiting http://www.homerepairtutor.com/podcast/ and use the SpeakPipe recorder   Or signing up to my email newsletter and responding back to me       Does your bathroom need help?   Check out Bathroom Repair Tutor   http://bathroomrepairtutor.com/   Our memberships are limited to 100 people on a monthly basis. You get access to the video tutorial library

Do you know how elongate the life span of a hot water tank?   Check on the anode rod. What the heck is an anode rod? It’s inside your hot water tank and is sacrificed instead of the tank itself. Once the anode is shot that’s when the water starts to eat the tank.   Rheem recommends inspecting the anode once a year and has specific instructions on how to know when it needs to be replaced.   Here are the resources I mention    http://www.wh2only.com/assets/pdf/Rheem_Training_Manual.pdf   http://www.rheem.com/docs/FetchDocument.aspx?ID=aedbbc95-9a6b-4780-aa23-b0ed9abe41cd   Many thanks to Steve who forwarded these links.       Today’s Quick Tip is about saving money on Amazon when buying power tools. Stuart over on Toolguyd.com shared the latest tool savings deal that’s available   http://toolguyd.com/bosch-cordless-amazon-discount-052015/   Any day you can save money on power tools is a good day.       Do you have a DIY question? Submit it by…   Calling me at 800-965-0023   Visiting http://www.homerepairtutor.c

Today is Tool Tip Tuesday.   Black and Decker came out with a new jigsaw with Curve Control.   They sent me a saw to check out and I did a review back on Home Repair Tutor   http://www.homerepairtutor.com/black-and-decker-jigsaw-review/   Here’s what I like about the jigsaw,   -it has heft yet isn’t too heavy (only 4.7lbs) -the shoe is adjustable so you can make bevel cuts -wood dust can be removed via an exhaust port  -there’s Curve Control which means the jigsaw has 4 different settings for different kinds of cuts -it comes with a 2 year warranty and 30 day money-back guarantee.   Amazon is pricing this jigsaw at $43, which I think is a steal.     Do you have a tool tip? Let me know. Leave a voicemail by calling 800-965-0023 or   visit http://www.homerepairtutor.com/podcast/ and use the SpeakPipe recorder or   Signup to my email newsletter and respond back to me     Does your bathroom need help? Check out Bathroom Repair Tutor   http://bathroomrepairtutor.com/   Our memberships are limited on a monthly basi

Replacing pedestal sink faucets can be tricky.    What tool should you use? How do you get started? The tool I recommend for any sink or faucet installation is the Ridgid Faucet and Sink Installer. I have a great tutorial on this tool back on Home Repair Tutor   http://www.homerepairtutor.com/the-ridgid-faucet-and-sink-installer-tool/   It allows you to remove faucets, supply lines, and more.    For $21 you can expedite faucet or sink installations. It’s so worth the money!!!     Today’s Quick Tip is about how to properly build a stud wall. If you’re framing stud walls find the crown of the wood stud and have the crowns face the same direction. Having all the crowns facing upward will make the stud wall nice and flat and help with the drywall installation.       Do you have a DIY question? Submit it by…   Calling me at 800-965-0023   Visiting http://www.homerepairtutor.com/podcast/ and use the SpeakPipe recorder   Or signing up to my email newsletter and responding back to me       Does your bathroom need hel

Don’t get me wrong, I love DIYing but I also like staying alive.   Bradley left a message asking if he should hire an electrician or try doing the electrical work himself.   He’s remodeling a kitchen, knocking down some walls, and some other stuff.   One of the issues is the electrical will have to run underground in conduit.   Listen to the show to see what I recommend for Bradley.     Today’s Quick Tip is about what to do with cement board and bathtub lips.   If you’re wanting to install tile in a tub surround you’ll likely be using cement board.   Should the boards rest on top of the tub lip or go down over the lip and rest 1/4” above the tub deck?   Here’s my opinion: rest the cement boards on top of the tub lip, fill in the gap between the cement board and the tub deck with thin-set mortar, and then add Schluter’s Kerdi Band over the gap to waterproof it.    The reason is simple, if the cement board is shimmed out so that it can rest just off the tub deck you’ll be left with an awkward transition between

Today is Throwback Thursday where we feature a DIY project someone else has done.   My buddy Jamison over on Rogue Engineer has tons of great DIY furniture ideas you can build yourself.   He’s an aerospace engineer by day and on his weekends does cool projects, between being a dad and husband.   Whew, he’s one busy guy.    Jamison’s X brace side table with concrete top is way cool   http://rogueengineer.com/diy-x-brace-side-table-concrete-top-plans/   If you have some basic tools and don’t mind buying the materials you can build this bad boy for about $30.   It’s worth checking out if you want to spruce up your patio or deck.     Remember, if you have a DIY question you can always ask me by    Calling me at 800-965-0023   Visiting http://www.homerepairtutor.com/podcast/ and use the SpeakPipe recorder   Or signing up to my email newsletter and responding back to me       Does your bathroom need help?   Check out Bathroom Repair Tutor   http://bathroomrepairtutor.com/   Our memberships are limited to 100 people