Podcast Show Notes

Season:  1

Episode:  15

Episode Title:  All About Your Septic System

Episode Summary:

Contractor John explains what a septic tank system looks like as well as the do’s and don’ts when you have a septic system

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Roy Worley Voice Overs

Homemade Bacteria recipe for your septic system

·         You can also mix up your own by combining 2 envelopes of active dry yeast and 1 lb of brown sugar. Mix thoroughly in a bowl and then add 4 cups of warm water. Let the mixture sit for about 15 min in a warm location until it expands and becomes foamy, then pour it in your toilet bowl and flush.  

Septic safe cleaning solution recipe

·         You can mix about a 1/4 cup of baking soda with 1/2 cup of vinegar and 2 tablespoons lemon to make your own natural cleaning agent, and it is safe for your septic system

 Ask questions, post comments at the Contractor John/DIY House Medic Facebook Page 

Visit the Contractor John website and receive a free monthly Home Maintenance Checklist for following

Contractor John

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                                                 Podcast Show Notes

Season:  1

Episode:  14

Episode Title:  Yearly Home Maintenance Checklist

 Episode Summary:

Contractor John walks you through Home Maintenance tasks you should complete each month to keep your house in tip top shape. Included is a written yearly checklist.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Roy Worley Voice Overs

Air Filters .com

Contractor John Selects and Changes a Furnace Filters video

Visit the Contractor John YouTube Channel and please Subscribe to my channel.

#AirFilters

Ask questions, post comments at the Contractor John/DIY House Medic Facebook Page 

Visit the Contractor John website and receive a free monthly Home Maintenance Checklist for following

Contractor John

Visit the Contractor John YouTube Channel and please Subscribe to my channel.

Season:  1

Episode:  13

 Episode Title:  DIY Bathroom Remodel; Let the Demo Begin

 Episode Summary:

The 3rd and final part of Contractor John’s Bathroom Remodel series. In this episode we begin the demo and walk you through the sequence of tasks to bring your project to completion. A FREE written checklist of the entire process is available for download.

 Resources mentioned in this episode:

Click here for Complete downloadable checklist of the construction process

Contractor John Downloadable Construction Checklist

Roy Worley Voice Overs

Home Depot Armstrong Allure Vinyl Flooring

#DewaltTools

#ArmstrongFlooring

 Grab Bars should be mounted 33” to 36” AFF (above finished floor) above the bottom of the tub  and the center of a vertical grab bar should be centered on 33” to 36” above AFF

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Contractor John

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Contractor John talks about the tools you as a DIYer should own
1. Screwdriver; The multi-tip kind is the best for the DIYer, although a set should be on your list to buy 
2. Pipe wrench; 2 sizes are best, a 6” or 8” for tight spaces and a 16” or 20”. HINT: You can always make a wrench larger by slipping a piece of pipe over the handle to give you more leverage when needed.
3. Channel Locks; A must have, again a quality name brand pair
4. Tape Measure: Buy a sturdy one at least 20’ long
5. 24” Level; You can make it longer by attaching it to a longer straight board to it.
6. Ladder;  4’ or 6’ works best around the house, fiberglass are the best. Little work table on top…….
7. Cordless Drill you can buy a quality cordless drill for under $100 on sale. I think DeWalt is at the front of the line. If your budget will survive get the 20 volt dual action drill/hammer drill
8. Sawzall; This is one of the best tools ever invented. HINT: The blades in every sawzall I have ever seen are reversible, and the DeWalt cordless version I have allows you to also slip it in sideways
9. Saftey glasses, respirator, gloves, and gel knee pads are a must.
10. Portable work light
11. Extension Cord; 12 gauge is a must
12. Hammer; I recommend a 16 oz straight claw general purpose hammer
13. Wrecking bar, or crow bar
14. 10 lb sledge hammer
15. Drywall Taping Tools, go to my YouTube channel and watch how to repair a hole in the wall where I talk about the tools
16. Painting Tools
17. Tile tools; These will vary depending on what type and size tile you are installing
18. Caulk gun; Buy a quality one, if you don’t buy it now you will later
I call the above list the necessities if you have plans to remodel anytime in the future. Remember they will cost more next year.
Here are a few if you have the budget for them…………….
19. Hole saw kit; Buy a good one that will also let you cut light metals. Rigid has a nice set with a great arbor system
20. Jig saw; for cutting those irregular shapes
21. Power Miter Box
22. Cordless Nail Gun: Paslode  brand has been producing these guns for a long time, I own 2 of them, a trim gun and a framing gun
23. If plumbing is your thing buy a good basin wrench
I cannot stress enough that if you buy quality name brand tools and use them for the job they were intended, they will last you a lifetime.
Season:  1

Episode:  12 BONUS EPISODE

Episode Title:  DIY Bathroom Remodel; Tools You Need

Episode Summary:

Continuing the bathroom remodel series Contractor John walks you through the 2nd part of planning your bathroom remodel, material selection. Also look for a BONUS episode expanding on the tools you need to remodel your bathroom and generally what tools every DIY er needs to own.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Roy Worley Voice Overs

How to repair a hole in drywall /Drywall tools video

How to read a tape measure video

Rigid Hole saw kit

#DewaltTools

Ask questions, post comments at the Contractor John/DIY House Medic Facebook Page 

Visit the Contractor John website and receive a free monthly Home Maintenance Checklist for following

Contractor John

Visit the Contractor John YouTube Channel and please Subscribe to my channel 

                                                Podcast Show Notes

 Season:  1

Episode:  11

Episode Title:  DIY Bathroom Remodel; Material Selections

 Episode Summary:

Continuing the bathroom remodel series Contractor John walks you through the 2nd part of planning your bathroom remodel, material selection. Also look for a BONUS episode expanding on the tools you need to remodel your bathroom and generally what tools every DIY er needs to own.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Roy Worley Voice Overs

How to repair a hole in drywall /Drywall tools video

How to read a tape measure video

Rigid Hole saw kit

#DewaltTools

Ask questions, post comments at the Contractor John/DIY House Medic Facebook Page 

Visit the Contractor John website and receive a free monthly Home Maintenance Checklist for following

Contractor John

Visit the Contractor John YouTube Channel and please Subscribe to my channel.

Season:  1

Episode:  10

 Episode Title:  Bathroom Remodel; The Planning Process

  Episode Summary:

Contractor John walks you through the planning process of a successful bathroom remodel. Many of the steps involved in planning your bathroom remodel can be used in any remodel project you are planning. 

Print out a list of steps for your project. As a bonus I have included a printable list of the most forgotten materials and tools in a bathroom remodel.

  Resources mentioned in this episode:

Roy Worley Voice Overs

Cost vs Value Report 2020

 Ask questions, post comments at the Contractor John/DIY House Medic Facebook Page 

 Visit the Contractor John website and receive a free monthly Home Maintenance Checklist for following Contractor John

 Visit the Contractor John YouTube Channel and please Subscribe to my channel.

Bathroom Remodel Planning Steps

1.    Pre-Budget

a.    Cost vs Value report

2.    Pre- planning

a.    Design style

b.    Needs and wants

c.     Pre-schedule

3.    Adjust budget

a.    Cost list

b.    Material cost 

        i.      Good idea to look at the existing room making a list of the parts currently in use

c.     Subcontractors

d.    Tool rental

e.    Dumpster

f.      Portable Toilet

4.    Adjust all planning details

5.    Final Budget (Plus 10% contingency)

6.    Order all materials (do not start until everything is at the site)

7.    Final schedule

8.    D-Day (demo day)

 Most Often Forgotten Material and Tools

 Material

·        Plumbers putty (for sink drain)

·        Teflon tape (for all threads, including sink tailpiece)

·        A couple small tubes of construction adhesive (Liquid Nails)

·        Misc. length drywall screws (1 5/8” and 2” and 3”)

·        Bundle of cedar shims

·        Paintable kitchen and bath silicone caulk

·        Yellow and red wire nuts (a few of each)

·        Roll of electrical tape

·        Pigtail light socket (temporary light) or portable light

·        Very large garbage bags for debris and put bottom of toilet in one so it doesn’t drip when you carry it out

·        Floor protection from bathroom to outside

Tools

·        Basin wrench

·        Cheap box fan (drying drywall compound)

·        Crescent wrench (small)

·        2 putty knives, 1” and 3”

·        Portable light

·        Pry bar (medium flat bar)

·        Safety glasses

·        Dust masks

                                                 Podcast Show Notes

Season:  1

Episode:  9

 Episode Title:  Universal Design in the Kitchen

  Episode Summary:

Contractor John talks about what Universal Design is and how it can be integrated into your kitchen to make your life easier. ALSO a chance to win a copy of Contractor John’s Book “The Dimension Bible for DiYers and Remodelers

 Resources mentioned in this episode:

Roy Worley Voice Overs

Dimension Bible for DIYers and Remodelers

Ask questions, post comments at the Contractor John/DIY House Medic Facebook Page 

Visit the Contractor John website and receive a free monthly Home Maintenance Checklist for following

Contractor John

Visit the Contractor John YouTube Channel and please Subscribe to my channel.

                                                 Podcast Show Notes

 Season:  1

Episode:  8

Episode Title:   12 Painting Tips to a Great Job, and; A Quick Word About Hiring Laid Off Tradespeople

Episode Summary:

Contractor John offers some advice about hiring laid off tradespeople and 12 Tips to a great paint job, covering wall prep, rollers, brush selection and much more.

  Resources mentioned in this episode:

Roy Worley Voice Overs

Cost vs Value Report 2020

Contractor John Drywall Wall Repair DIY Video

Ask questions, post comments at the Contractor John/DIY House Medic Facebook Page 

Visit the Contractor John website and receive a free monthly Home Maintenance Checklist for following

Contractor John

Visit the Contractor John YouTube Channel and please Subscribe to my channel.

                                                 Podcast Show Notes

Season:  1

Episode:  7

 Episode Title:  First Time Home Buyer: 6 Critical Questions to ask Yourself

 Episode Summary:

Contractor John talks about planning your home purchase. What you should ask yourself and discuss with your spouse before you start down the home ownership path.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Roy Worley Voice Overs

Dave Ramsey Home Buying Advice

NAHB “Study of Expectancy of House Components”

Ask questions, post comments at the Contractor John/DIY House Medic Facebook Page 

 Visit the Contractor John website and receive a free monthly Home Maintenance Checklist for following  Contractor John

 Visit the Contractor John YouTube Channel and please Subscribe to my channel.

                                                 Podcast Show Notes

 Season:  1

Episode:  6

Episode Title:  Do You have a fresh air house?

 Episode Summary:

Contractor John Talks about some energy efficiency tips, specifically drafts, and how to correct some of the worst. Contractor John will also introduce you to “Air Changes per Hour” (ACH) is the rating system that determines how drafty a house. Listen to this episode and save some money.

 Resources mentioned in this episode:

Roy Worley Voice Overs

Wood Pilot Hole Cheat Sheet, visit Contractor John for your FREE copy

ACH = Air Changer per Hour

 Ask questions, post comments at the Contractor John/DIY House Medic Facebook Page 

 Visit the Contractor John website and receive a free monthly Home Maintenance Checklist for following Contractor John

 Visit the Contractor John YouTube Channel and please Subscribe to my channel.