Home Repair Tutor

Learning how to fix a textured ceiling is key if you, well, have textured ceilings!!   Dave sent me an email asking how to do this project.   The first step, at least for Dave, is to fix any hole that’s in the ceiling.   Measure the hole and cut a scrap piece of drywall that covers it. For example, if you’re hole is 5x5 then cut a piece of drywall that’s 7x7.   And make sure you’re using the same depth of drywall, ceilings are typically 5/8 inch thick while walls are normally 1/2 inch thick.    Add wood blocking to all 4 sides of the ceiling then mount the new piece of drywall on the blocking using 1 5/8 inch course threaded drywall screws.   Apply a thin layer of joint compound then embed paper tape on all 4 sides of the patch. Add 2-3 more coats of joint compound and feather the edges each time using a 6 inch joint compound knife then 10 inch knife.   You shouldn’t have to sand all that much between joint compound coats. Use setting type joint compound to mix up a thin mixture of texture. Apply this to the

Today is Tool Tip Tuesday.   DeWalt is coming out with a cordless, yes cordless, miter saw.   This will come in handy if you have to shut the power off for a project or simply don’t have a plug nearby.   Stuart over at Tool Guyd reviewed this saw and the comments are full of good ideas   http://toolguyd.com/dewalt-cordless-miter-saw/     For those of us shopping for a new miter saw this is a great option   It’s $319 to $399.   The $399 price is for a kit that comes with 3.0Ah Li-ion batter, charger, blade wrench, hold-down clamp, user guide, carbide blade, and dust collection bag.   It’s a sweet setup you should check out.     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 to 100 people on a monthly basis.

Removing stripped screws can be a headache.    In today’s show we help Mark figure out how to overcome this problem with one simple tool, a screw extractor kit.   The Alden 8440P Pro Grabit Screw Extractor kit gets 4 out of 5 starts on Amazon (412 reviews) and I have one myself.   How do you use this tool?   insert drill bit end of the extractor to burnish or smooth out the stripped screw.   Remove the extractor from your drill and flip it around to use the tap.    Again, insert the tap into the screw and slowly turn it counterclockwise. The tap will catch the inside of the screw and remove it from your material.    Pretty awesome solution.     Today’s Quick Tip is about staying safe when cutting wood.   Always wear a respirator when you’re working on a large project and exposing yourself to copious amounts of wood dust.   If you read the label on anything with wood a lot of times it says to wear a respirator because the wood dust has been known to cause cancers. NOT GOOD.   Wear a respirator.       Submit yo

Has your sewer line ever broken?   Lin’s question for me today is about utility line insurance.   Maybe you’ve got an older home and are worried about old gas lines or water lines.   It costs about $1500-$3000 to replace an old gas line.   I’ve had to do it several times but haven’t paid for the repairs in some instances.   How is this possible?   About 8 years ago I opened my monthly gas bill and noticed they sold insurance for utility lines.   So I bought it and have saved over $10,000 in the process.    The company I use is called Columbia Service Partners.    You can call them to see if they cover homes in your area    888-442-7349   This isn’t a scam and I don’t make any money from it. I’ve just learned my lesson as a homeowner that having a backup for disasters is smart.        Today’s Quick Tip is about digging in your yard.   Before you pickup a shovel call all the utility companies and have them mark their lines on your yard.   Call the water, gas, sewer, electric, cable, and phone companies.   Save

Cleaning travertine tile is tricky.   Amy wants to know how to clean the grout between her travertine without hurting the tile.   Today I discuss a cleaning product that can clean not only her travertine tile but also the grout.   This product is also safe for slate, marble, and stone tiles.    You want to be very careful with any cleaning product and my tip is to test a small section before going hog wild. That way, if you ruin the small section you know to not move forward with the cleaning product. Makes sense.   I recommend trying Custom Building Product’s product for travertine, slate, marble, or stone tile It’s called Aqua Mix Marble, Travertine, Limestone, & Slate Cleaner & Resealer   Go to Custom’s website and search for it there   http://www.custombuildingproducts.com       Today’s Quick Tip is about a half moon edger.   This is the gardening tool you need to create great looking flower beds.   You can use it to dig out the edges of your flower or garden beds and make them look great.   It co

Today is Tool Tip Tuesday.   Makita recently developed the 12V Glass & Tile Saw.   Cutting tile might be a little easier with this tool.   Stuart over at Tool Guyd reviewed this saw and I liked what I saw   http://toolguyd.com/makita-12v-tile-glass-cutter-saw/     For those of us exploring a tiling project this saw could totally help.   It’s $199 to $205.   Not cheap but still a great option for tile work.     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 to 100 people on a monthly basis. You get access to the video tutorial library and our great private Facebook group where you can post questions and get answers.      This is a passion project meant to help people with their bathroom problems, hope yo

Judi’s shower head is leaking? What can she do?   She’s got a single handle shower faucet.   The solution is very simple but I do have some great suggestions.   If you know the name brand of the faucet you should call the manufacturer and request new parts for free. Typically good companies like Delta, Moen, Kohler and American Standard warranty new parts.   Shower cartridges can be $35 on up. So it’s worth calling the company.   If your shower has rubber seats and metal springs you should replace those along with the cartridge. This will ensure the leak won’t come back for some time.     Today’s Quick Tip is about the Franklin Sensor.   This is the best stud finder I ever used.   Amazon has 1670 reviews on this tool and 89% of them are 4 or 5 stars!!   I found the Franklin Sensor easy to use and super accurate.   Occasionally we give away tools and supplies over on Home Repair Tutor.   I’m so impressed with the Franklin Sensor that I’m giving one away.   Read and watch the tutorial to see how you can enter t

Amy’s storm door is slamming shut.   What can she do?   She can turn the screw on the closer clockwise until the door doesn’t slam shut.   Amy could also adjust the pin position. The pin connects the closer to the door bracket.    But ultimately, I recommend replacing the close if it’s more than 10-15 years old. This typically is the fix that works the best if the closer is that old.   Find a door closer that gets 4 or 5 star reviews.  I like looking online at reviews then taking the old closer to the local store to make sure the new one matches.    A new door closer with good reviews will cost $15-$35.     Today’s Quick Tip is about bathroom remodeling.   I recently went to the Covering’s Tile conference in Orlando with my buddy Steve.   Btw, if you’re looking to remodel your bathroom and want a dream space you should totally call Steve if you live in Pittsburgh   http://www.srwcontractinginc.com/   Anyhow, if you’re going to remodel your bathroom you should look into getting system of products made by the s

  Linda’s basement has a crack between the block wall and floor.   She’d like to know if the crack should be filled in and if so, how she can do that.   I recommend Linda fill the crack using Sikaflex Concrete Fix   http://usa.sika.com/   This cures and retains its flexibility between wall and floor transitions.   You can find this at Home Depot and if not, they’ll order it for you.   I’ve used Sikaflex Self-Leveling sealant for expansion joints in my driveway and really like it.   Whatever sealant you use, make sure to clean the surfaces thoroughly.         Today’s Quick Tip is DIY Gel Fire Pits.   If you want a cool conversation piece and a way to stay warm on chilly nights this could be for you.   Just make sure to use lava rock because it doesn’t explode!!!   My tutorial on how to build a DIY gel fire pit has gotten over 250,000 views on YouTube.   So I think you’d like it.   http://www.homerepairtutor.com/diy-gel-fire-pits/       Submit your DIY question or Quick Tip by   Calling me at 800-965-0023   Vis

George’s slate stone needs to be reattached to his front patio slab.   I actually tackled George’s question over on our private Facebook group   https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrtcommunity/   But I figured this might be a problem for other folks, too.   First, remove all the old mortar from the patio slab and slate.   Clean the surface using Quikrete Asphalt and Concrete Cleaner.   Since the cleaner off with water.   For small repairs you can use Quikrete’s Zip and Mix Repair Mortar   http://www.quikrete.com/   Larger repairs can use standard mortar mix.   If you’re in doubt of what product to use always call the product manufacturer, in this case Quikrete.   Most companies have great technical service departments and it’s in their best interest to help you.     George’s dilemma started when he needed to apply rock salt to his patio due to snow. Consumer Reports came out with this nifty chart showing which salts are best    http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2014/02/best-ice-melts/index.htm       Today’s Qui

Susie recently installed a new faucet but it has a drain leak.   She’d like to figure out how to stop this leak without calling a plumber.   One of my biggest tips is to make sure the extension tube is 1 1/2 inches down in the P-trap and the plastic washer between the P-trap/extension tube is positioned the right way.   Also, if the slip nut is cross threaded then the P-trap will leak no matter what.   I actually have a great tutorial over on Home Repair Tutor that I forget to mention in the show   http://www.homerepairtutor.com/how-to-replace-a-bathroom-faucet/   The video walks you through this installation step-by-step and has tons of details.     Here’s the link to join our private Facebook group    https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrtcommunity/       Today’s Quick Tip is about Hydro Ban.   Hydro Ban is a great way to waterproof shower surrounds.   You can brush Hydro Ban onto cement board and create a waterproof shower before tiling.   Check it out over on Laticrete’s website   http://www.laticrete.com/de

Chris wants to know how to replace his shower valve?   Can he do this from inside the shower or does he need an access panel?   Should he just call a plumber?   I recommend replacing shower valves from the back of the shower or tub. It’s much easier to cut the copper and solder the pipes back together.   But you can just replace the cartridge and escutcheon if your valve isn’t that old   Here’s a great video from This Old House on how do this    https://youtu.be/1BwQhYc8Efw   Now, if you want constant temperature in the shower you might want to replace the old valve.   This video, again from This Old House, shows how to install a new Pressure-Balance shower valve   https://youtu.be/7cpl_qs5heI   If you need a tutorial on how to use SharkBite fittings instead of soldering check out SharkBite’s website    http://www.sharkbite.com/       Today’s Quick Tip is about Soldering.   Do you fear burning down your house?   Don’t.   All you need is to practice with some spare fittings and Type L copper pipe, which is thi

Celene needs help with a stucco patch.   Her furniture was blown into her stucco and created a small hole about 1-2 inches wide.   I recommend getting Quikrete’s premixed stucco patch   http://www.quikrete.com/ProductLines/StuccoPatchPreMixed.asp   Since she lives in California (where there’s a lot of stucco) there’s a good chance Home Depot will have this product.   She should also feather out the stucco patch with a stiff brush or sponge then paint with an elastomeric paint specifically made for stucco.     Today’s Quick Tip is about cleaning gutters and downspouts.   Do this twice a year, once in the Spring (April) and once in the fall (November).    This will prevent water from coming into your house and ruining drywall or finished basements.  It doesn’t cost all that much to have someone do it for you, $40-$75 here in Pittsburgh.     Submit your DIY question or Quick Tip by   Calling me at 800-965-0023   Visiting http://www.homerepairtutor.com/podcast/ and use the SpeakPipe recorder   Or signing up to my

Carmen would like to install a kitchen backsplash.   She’d like some tips on how to do this on a 5 x 3 section of her kitchen wall behind the stove.   I recommend that she use a tile wet saw, this will make cutting tile EASY.   Renting a tile saw costs $30-$50 per day.   If you go this route make sure the saw has a new blade, otherwise your tile will have choppy edges.   Planning a tile backsplash takes time. But this is the most important part.   Use a notebook or graph paper to get the dimensions perfect.   I also recommend looking into 3 different ways to adhere the tile to the wall.   1. Mastic 2. Bondera (http://buybondera.com/) 3. Thin-set   Personally I like thin-set but the other two options are good for kitchens.         Today’s Quick Tip is about Fusion Pro grout.   Fusion Pro is great for DIYers because it comes pre-mixed and takes the mystery out of grout consistency.   Plus it’s stain proof and doesn’t need to sealed.   Fusion Pro is perfect for floors and walls, especially kitchen backsplashes.

Paul’s driveway has developed cracks.    He’d like to know how to fix the small cracks and fill in the expansion joints.   Small cracks can be filled in with Quikrete or Sakrete concrete crack filler.   Visit their sites and search for concrete crack filler   http://www.quikrete.com/   http://www.sakrete.com/   Expansion joints are the large joints between two adjacent concrete slabs. They exist to prevent the slabs from cracking during severe hot or cold situations.     Sealing the joints is necessary to prevent water from getting down underneath the concrete. If this happens during the winter the concrete can crack if the water freezes.   NOT GOOD.   I actually have a tutorial on how to fill in expansion joints with foam backer road and SikaFlex, which is a self-leveling sealant.   http://www.homerepairtutor.com/concrete-expansion-joints/   Always feel free to ask me a question in the comment section over on Home Repair Tutor or join our private Facebook Group where you can post your pics and questions   ht

Shelly wants to know an easy and safe way to clean here concrete driveway.   She recently power washed it but noticed it became pitted after doing so.   I recommend using Wet and Forget Outdoor for patios, driveways, and siding. This is a surfactant that you mix with water and apply with a garden sprayer.   You can find more information about Wet and Forget Outdoor here   http://www.wetandforget.com/   Wet and Forget uses the rain, sun, and wind to clean the top of driveways. It takes a little time but is totally worth it.   A second product Shelly could try is Quikrete’s Concrete and Asphalt Cleaner.   Find out more about this here   http://www.quikrete.com/       Today’s Quick Tip is about Ortho’s Home Defense Fly Bait Decals.   Flies can be a huge issue inside any house. Take our house for instance, we’ve had a fly issue for several months (I’m embarrassed to say the exact number of months!!!).   Place these decals on your window and as the flies walk on it they are killed in about 1 minute. Flies won’t st

Shack has a running toilet and the fix couldn’t be any easier. It sounds like his toilet tank has too much water in it…so, how does this get fixed?   Most toilets have a float on the fill valve. This float controls the water level in the toilet tank. If you adjust the float you’ll adjust the water level, which should be about 3/4” to 1” below the overflow pipe in the center of the tank.   I’ve got a really good video tutorial on this over on Home Repair Tutor   http://www.homerepairtutor.com/how-to-fix-a-running-toilet/   This is a project anyone can do.   Today’s Quick Tip is discusses the Ridgid Copper Pipe Cutter Model No. 15.   If your’e doing any kind of plumbing work that involves copper pipe you need one of these cutting tools. It come with an extra cutting wheel and has a reamer on it to ream out the cut copper pipe.   I give away tools like this over on Home Repair Tutor, so be sure to visit    http://www.homerepairtutor.com/       You can submit a Quick Tip or Question 3 ways:   Call me at 412-347-8

Kareen has mold on her drywall and would like to know how to remove it. This is a pretty common problem for most homes, especially on exterior walls where warm air condensates.    The first thing to do with any mold situation is to figure out where the moisture is coming from. Fix the moisture source and then remove the mold.   I recommend using Concrobium because it removes the mold and kills the spores that have embedded into the drywall.    Check out Concrobium here   http://www.concrobium.com/   Today’s Quick Tip is courtesy of Steve who uses sulfamic acid to remove thin-set that has oozed between grout joints.    Add 2 teaspoons of sulfamic acid to 16 oz of water. Mix the solution for 30-60 seconds, put on a respirator, apply the solution to the grout joints and tile, let it sit for 10 minutes and scrape out the thin-set using a carpet knife.   Just make sure to test this solution on a scrap piece of tile to ensure it won’t ruin the tile. Especially if you have slate, marble, or travertine tile.        Y

Harry’s washing machine isn’t working and he can’t figure out how to remove the front panel. This is a pretty common issue, that is not knowing how to disassemble a washing machine.   So we walk through how to do this step-by-step and I also have a tutorial showing you how to do this on a standard washing machine in case you’re interested    http://www.homerepairtutor.com/fix-a-leaking-washing-machine/   This is a good thing to know because in order to fix certain things in a washing machine you need to access the inside.   Today’s Quick Tip is about using steel braided supply lines. You can use steel braided supply lines for washing machines, toilets, faucets, and dishwashers.    You’ll want to replace rubber supply lines with steel braided ones because rubber supply lines have a tendency to burst or break at the worst time, like when you’re on vacation!!       You can submit a Quick Tip or Question 3 ways:   Call me at 412-347-8711    Visit http://www.homerepairtutor.com/podcast/ and use the SpeakPipe recor

Anne’s toilet won’t stop running even after she turns it off at the shutoff valve. What the heck is going on?    We channel Magnum PI and do some detective work to figure out what could be the issue.    Shutoff valves don’t last forever and I think this is Anne’s problem, but there could be another scenario.    The tool for removing ferrules from around copper pipes is called the Pasco 4661 Compression Sleeve Puller.   Just google the Pasco 4661 Compression Sleeve Puller, for some reason Pasco doesn’t have a website.   Today’s Quick Tip is about how to use SharkBite push on plumbing fittings instead of soldering pipes. These little guys have been around for several years.    If you’ve got a leak in your copper pipe you could cut out the bad section and use a SharkBite fitting to solve the problem.   One of my tutorials will show you just how easy it is to work with SharkBite fittings, check this out   http://www.homerepairtutor.com/using-push-fit-plumbing-pipe-connectors/   SharkBite’s website also has some g