Tools Every Homeowner Should Own
February 8th, 2010 admin Posted in General | No Comments »
The basic tools that every homeowner should own include:
- Tape measure
- Hammer
- Screwdriver with interchangeable bits
- Pliers
- Adjustable pliers
- Needle nose pliers
- Adjustable wrench
- Torpedo level
- Handsaw
- Cordless screwdriver/drill
- Safety glasses
- Earplugs
- Dust mask
- Scissors
- Work gloves
- Putty knife
- Ladder
- Car battery charger and tire inflator
- Fire extinguisher
- Flashlights
- Water cutoff tool
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Advantages of Installing Granite Countertops in Your Kitchen
February 7th, 2010 admin Posted in General | No Comments »
Granite is very popular these days, and the price has come down substantially in the past few years thanks to faster and easier ways to cut it. Granite is user friendly and while it won’t scorch from a hot pan, it can scratch. Granite should be sealed once a year to prevent staining.
Prices for granite countertops vary from as little as $35 a square foot to as much as $300. If you shop around, and don’t mind being limited in your selection, you might be able to find the countertop of your dreams at a price you can afford.
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Homefront Radio Show for February 6, 2010
February 6th, 2010 admin Posted in General | No Comments »
Here are some of the highlights from the February 6, 2010, Homefront with Danny Lipford radio show.
Guests on This Week’s Show
Guest this week include:
- John Gonsalves, Founder and President of Homes for Our Troops
- Christina Hoffman, content manager for HouseLogic.com.
Habits for a Warmer Feeling House
This week we discussed ways to make your house feel warmer during the winter.
Questions Answered on This Week’s Show:
- How to remove paint from interior brick.
- Moisture build-up on floor surrounding a fireplace.
- Sealing granite.
- Flaking of concrete paint on garage floor.
- Maintaining a log cabin home.
- Suggestions for covering an asbestos tile floor.
- Best temperature for a water heater setting.
- An exterior foundation wall that is bowing.
- Why a heat pump feels like it blows cold air.
- How to trim out a door with recessed jamb casings.
- Which to install first, flooring or cabinets.
- How much to pay a contractor up front prior to work starting.
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How to Locate Buried Utility Lines in Your Yard
February 6th, 2010 admin Posted in General | No Comments »
Before digging in your yard, call 811 to have utility companies come out and mark any underground utility lines, and do not dig within 2’ of marked lines. Lines are marked with the following color coded paint:
- Red: Electric lines
- Yellow: Gas lines
- Orange: Cable TV lines
- Blue: Water lines
- Green: Sewage lines
(710) Dream Kitchen
February 5th, 2010 admin Posted in General | No Comments »
Kim Osburn of West Bloomfield, Michigan, was selected from over 10,000 entries as the winner of the Today’s Dream Kitchen Sweepstakes sponsored by Merillat. Kim and her husband Josh received a complete kitchen makeover that included everything from new cabinets and countertops to flooring and appliances.
Design and Planning
Designer Sandra Daubenmeyer of KSI Kitchen & Bath worked with the Osburns’ to plan their new kitchen with separate areas for a bar, pantry, desk, and an island for dining. The cabinets that were selected have a sleek, contemporary look with a dark, rich stained finish.
Items that are popular in kitchens today include:
- Angled corner cabinets.
- Glass panel doors on hanging cabinets.
- Freestanding cabinets that mimic furniture.
- Innovative storage space such as rollout trays and lazy susans.
- Adjustable hinges, which make it easy to fine-tune the fit of cabinet doors.
- Soft close hinge adaptors that allow cabinet doors and drawers to close without slamming shut.
Removal and Demolition
Once the Osburn’s plans had been finalized, demolition of the old kitchen began. While the walls remained in place for the remodel, all the old cabinets and appliances were removed and donated to the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore for reuse.
Next, any needed modifications were made to the plumbing or wiring, and damaged drywall was repaired or replaced.
Remodeling and Installation
The base cabinets were installed first to allow exact measurements for the granite countertops. The cabinets were placed on 3/4″ thick blocks to allow for the thickness of the hardwood floor that would be installed later.
Wood shims were used to align the faces and level the tops of the base cabinets. When the cabinets were correctly positioned, they were screwed together to keep them aligned before the hanging cabinets were installed.
The “blue pearl” granite selected for the countertops contrasts nicely with the glass and stainless steel tiles in the backsplash.
An appliance lifting shelf allows the mixer to remain hidden inside the cabinet when not in use then swing up for easy access when needed. Other features include additional drawer space with adjustable pegs for easy organization, and a wet bar complete with wine cooler and frosted glass doors.
Other Tips from This Episode
Simple Solutions with Joe Truini:
Preventing Tear out When Drilling
To avoid tear out on the back of a hole when drilling through a board with a spade bit or hole saw, start by drilling the hole halfway through the front of the stock until the tip of the bit just protrudes through the back of the wood. Next, flip the board over, place the tip of the bit in the pilot hole, and drill the rest of the way through.
Best New Products with Jodi Marks:
Bucket Head Wet/Dry Vac
The Bucket Head wet/dry vac powerhead is an inexpensive shop vac for your home or garage that attaches directly to a standard 5-gallon plastic bucket (not included). Reversing the connection on the 4’ long hose allows the vacuum to double as a blower. The Bucket Head wet-dry vac is available at The Home Depot.
Thinking Green:
Innovative Kitchen Composters
To make recycling kitchen scraps easy, consider installing a compost bin in your kitchen. Innovative models like the NatureMill Kitchen Composter automatically heat and mix the waste to produce compost for your garden in 2-4 weeks. A carbon filter circulates the air while sealing in any odors.
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Importance of Back Priming When Installing Wood Siding on Your Home
February 5th, 2010 admin Posted in General | No Comments »
Back priming consists of applying a coat of primer to the reverse side and edges of boards before installing. Back priming helps prevent paint from peeling by reducing the amount of water vapor that passes through the wood.
When back priming, be sure to prime the ends of each piece after it has been cut to fit, since end grain will absorb the most moisture. Watch this video to find out more.
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Rate of Return for Home Improvement Projects
February 4th, 2010 admin Posted in General | No Comments »
Thinking about adding a deck or revamping the kitchen so you can up the price of your home before you sell? You might want to crunch the 2009-10 cost vs. value report, complied by Remodeling magazine, before you do. The data is searchable by region and provides average prices, resale value, and the percent recouped for most major home improvement projects. Bottom line: unless you do the work yourself, you’ll probably get less out than you put in, so plan on sticking around to enjoy it.
How to Lay Sod and Plant Grass Seed in Your Yard
February 4th, 2010 admin Posted in General | No Comments »
Sod is great for an instant lawn, but it can cost 10 times as much as grass seed and require more labor to install. Watch this video for some helpful tips on how to go about planting grass seed or laying sod in your yard.
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