Home In Progress

Fall is settling in and that means a couple things for sure: the end of Daylight Saving Time for the year and a potential invasion of mice into our homes as they look for warmer digs.

We take a rambling and energetic look at select moments from the history of Daylight Saving Time. Our focus is to figure out who we can blame for it. We turn up a couple likely culprits, but find that the evidence doesn't point their direction. Fortunately, we're able to uncover the main guilty party for DST in the U.S.

The mice are coming! Fall is digging in and that means mice and other pests will be looking for warm places to spend the winter. Is your home going to be a mouse resort? Hopefully not! But, if you do happen to find mice in your walls and running around the edges of your rooms, you need to know how to get rid of them quickly. We go through 8 tips (and a bonus tip that starts the next segment as well) that will help you deal with them if they invade your space!

We start this segment with a bonus mouse-trapping tip and then give away the prizes for our big contest that has been running since the middle of October!

We cover everything from tips for the workshop to laundry room mistakes that we all should correct!

We’ve all seen the little swirls left behind from an orbital sander. Seeing those is a huge bummer because they show through the finish, whether that’s polyurethane, stain or paint. The good news, It’s not Sanders' fault! Swirling scratches happen because we are using the sander incorrectly. Learn all about common mistakes and how to avoid them in this segment.

TOP TIPS For Eliminating Swirls (Pig Tails) When Using Orbital Sander

Start Right

• Hold the sander
• Place it flatly on the surface to be sanded and then power it on
• When it is on the surface, with slight hand pressure, the disc spins at a much more controlled rates
• When it is in the air, it spins very quickly
• Setting it down while it’s moving at that speed can cause skips, gouges, etc. when it contacts your wood
• Also, you may not set it down evenly

Correct Speed, Keep it Flat, and Use the Right Pressure

• CORRECT SPEED IS IMPORTANT!
• Often swirls happen because we move too fast
• We go back and forth quickly
• Instead, sand with the grain at a SLOW and STEADY PACE!
• Especially as you near the final sand
• Rule of thumb: 1” per second
• KEEP IT FLAT
• Sometimes we tilt the sander
• Try to angle it in to put more pressure on certain areas
• Very likely to gouge the piece or create swirls (or both)
• Instead . . . keep it even! Nice and flat on the surface
• USE THE RIGHT PRESSURE
• Let the sander do the work!
• Don’t get overly aggressive!
• Light pressure–just enough for guidance and control
• Don’t bog down the motor!
• If you hear the motor slow
• Too much pressure!
• Will result in swirls
• Instead, let it work itself over the surface

Work Through Your Grits

• Common Mistake
• There isn’t a one-size-fits-all grit usually!
• Instead, start low–with a coarser grit
• And move your way through the different grits until you finish
• Let the various grits each do their job and then move to the next one!
• Don’t skip grits trying to save time – or, if you do, don’t skip more than one
• SO, to make it clear:
• Start with an 80 or 100 grit to remove the finish on a piece
• Then, move to 120 grit, then 150 grit, then 180, and finally 220 or higher if necessary
• Yes, that means you’ll have to amass extra sanding discs
• But, it will produce beautiful flawless results!

Dust Extraction and Dust Removal

• Dust from your sanding can get trapped beneath the discs, creating swirls
• Remove it!
• Attach a shop-vac attachment to your sander
• To remove dust as you go
• Also! Be sure to remove dust in between grits
• When you change sandpapers
• Take time to remove the dust from the surface
• Wipe with a soft bristled brush
• Blow off with an air hose
• Vacuum off

Stop Right

• It’s important to start right
• With the sander evenly on the surface
• With light handpressure
• Before turning on . . . .
• Also important to stop right!
• Stopping while the sander is spinning on your surface is like slamming the brakes on your car
• The tire marks in this instance are the swirls you leave behind
• So lift the sander off the surface before hitting the power button!
• Think of it this way:
• Start ON, Stop OFF

Double Check

• Old maxim–measure twice, cut once
• Same idea applies here!
• Nothing more frustrating than applying your stain
• Only to discover swirls you missed!
• Much harder to fix at that point
• So take the time to do a quick double check
• A couple methods work well:
• Use mineral spirits
• Basically just get a rag damp and wipe the surface
• Swirls should be readily exposed
• And the mineral spirits evaporates out quickly
• Or, use a light on a low angle LED work light, flashlight, or just hold the piece up to the window

We work through 9 customer-submitted projects and talk about the amazing transformation $150 worth of Benjamin Moore paint made in each of these! If you've got a project on the horizon . . . you need to give this segment a listen!

The Book “Laundry Love” has taught us all about the glaring mistakes many of us make. We run through a few tips that will save your clothes, washing machine and money!

• Laundry Love by Patric Richardson

We start in the workshop, head to the bathroom, and then wrap things up talking about how you could win a $1000 Home Improvement Prize Package! It's a full day!

Dan and Hailey discuss all the ways to keep your tape measure accurate. Have you calibrated your tape measure recently? Find out how!

• Listen to Episode 047: Tape Measure Tricks!

Dan and Hailey are Joined by Interior Designer and professor Andy Yates to discuss the daunting task of remodeling a bathroom. From planning to installation, Andy has perfected the process so you can avoid common mistakes.

Dan and Hailey launch phase two of our Giant Paint Giveaway! This time there are multiple $1,000 Home Improvement Prize Packages to win!! Find out how to enter!

• Check out the before and after pictures and vote!

Benjamin Moore just released their Color of the Year for 2023 and it's a doozy! We cover that topic in detail and we also highlight some ridiculously cheap paint tools that work remarkably well. In non-paint-related news, we sit down with Nick Sargent from Johnson Carpet One in Grandville to talk about all sorts of flooring and countertop materials and trends. It's definitely a full day!

WATCH THIS SEGMENT ON YOUTUBE!

These small inexpensive tools can have an incredible impact on your next paint project!

WATCH THIS SEGMENT ON YOUTUBE

We are joined in the studio with Nick Sargent from Johnson Carpet One to discuss the wide variety of products they offer. Plus we will discuss inexpensive options and trends in flooring, countertops and tile!

WATCH THE FULL 18-Minute VERSION ON YOUTUBE

The very bold, 2023 color trends palette by Benjamin Moore is sure to invite strong opinions. Dan and Hailey have a very candid conversation about the recently announced 2023 color of the year.

We cover a wide range of topics! We all know technology has rapidly advanced over the last 10 years . . . but is every advancement REALLY an advancement? Also, if you are getting ready to snag some pumpkins for carving or for your outdoor fall decorating, we've got some tips to keep them looking great longer.

Another question that comes up this time of year involves our decks: is there still time to stain them before we head into winter? Is there any reason to consider that project now? We'll discuss it with painting professional Dean Veltman. And finally, we'll focus on what seems like a silly, throw-away-tool. But could there be some value to it?

What will they think of next? Dan and Hailey discuss all that a smart toilet can offer. 

• Kohler Smart Toilets

The first weekend in October Hailey always rushes out to get pumpkins so she can start decorating for fall and she almost always regrets it. Determined to make this year's pumpkins last longer, Hailey has found the best ways to preserve both carved and uncarved pumpkins.

Dan and Hailey are Joined by Painter, Dean Veltman to discuss common pitfalls when staining a deck, realistic expectations for deck stains plus best practices for staining your deck during the fall.

It may sound like a silly tool to add to the collection but in a pinch the universal socket can be a life saver!

• Universal Socket Tool

Today is all about fixing problems and dealing with (and avoiding) mistakes!

Unfortunately, we have all made mistakes when choosing paint colors, the good news is there are simple ways to avoid that! We have 6 lessons that everyone can benefit from. 

Dan and Hailey are joined by Zack Krieger from Ayers Basement Systems to discuss whole home power in the event of a power outage.

Ayers Basement Systems offers more than basement  waterproofing solutions. They offer everything from concrete lifting and insulation to plumbing and electrical services!

With Father's Day only a day away, it's crunch time if you're looking for gifts. And so we decided to pool our knowledge and resources and provide you with a list of never-fail Father's Day gifts you'll be able to pick up today!

We'll also be talking about...

With only 1 shopping day left until Father's Day 2022...

Are you handy? When it comes to projects...

Curb appeal is important all the time...

Who would have thought painting your floor could leave you without hot water! We'll explain how that could happen. We'll also be talking with Lauren Figueroa about decorating with vintage finds (and how to find them). And of course, we'll be listing off the 10 winners of our paint contest and launching Phase 2!

Don't just listen! Watch the segment on YouTube!

We were made aware of an interesting painting experience that resulted in a loss of hot water! It led us on an interesting search where we discovered something we hadn't been aware of regarding water heaters.

Turns out, since 2003, most gas water heaters are equipped with a safety feature called an Flammable Vapor (FV) sensor. And when these (sometimes finicky) gadgets detect what they think are dangerous fumes, they'll shut down the whole unit.

It's a nice safety feature, but definitely something to be aware of if you've got an upcoming project in your home!

• Video on Resetting the FV sensor on a number of different gas valves

Don't just listen! Watch the segment on YouTube!

If you haven't gone searching for vintage decor, furniture, rugs, accessories for your home, you're missing out on an amazing experience! Not only can you save money, take the materials you buy home with you (rather than wait for 7 months while they're constructed) . . . but you also get to experience the "joy of the hunt!".

Interior Designer Lauren Figueroa chats with us about her article in the September/October issue of Grand Rapids Magazine.

• Turkish Rug Empire Website

Don't just listen! Watch the segment on YouTube!

We've selected winners for our Big Paint Giveaway contest and now we're ready to name names and launch Phase 2! Tune in to find out if you won . . . and even if you didn't, we'll tell you about another way you can take home a prize!

We'll be talking about (incredibly brilliant) DIY lessons that Dan learned from his recent vacation. They apply to ALL people EVERYWHERE. They are THAT good. kind of.

We'll also be talking about one of the most exciting art projects we've ever covered on the show: Cyanotype Printing. It's easy, inexpensive, and the results are incredible.

Finally . . . we unleash our biggest paint contest ever!

We are constantly learning lessons in life that can be applied to DIY projects. Whether that is learning to ask for help, knowing who NOT to ask for help or “not feeding your inner seagull” this segment has a lot to offer when it comes to ENJOYING your next DIY project.

Cyanotype prints are the perfect process. They are beautiful, inexpensive, easy and only take 15 min to make! The possibilities seem endless! We discuss how to make them and all the ways you can make beautiful home decor using this process.

• Cyanotype Chemicals on Amazon
• Cyanotype Papers on Amazon

We are excited to give 10 lucky people a $150 gift certificate for Benjamin Moore Paint from RepcoLite! Enter the giveaway by leaving a comment,  telling us what your next paint project is. Contest Ends 09/01/2022 

Want to increase your chances of winning? Follow us on Instagram & Facebook @repcolitepaints and comment on the giveaway posts. Head to https://www.repcolite.com for more details!

Summer's winding down and as we look back to our big DIY hopes and dreams in the Spring, we're feeling a little bummed about how little we actually accomplished. We'll talk about what went wrong, how to correct it, and why it's not so bad. We'll also talk about cleaning and avoiding paint spills. And finally, after a year of waiting, Hailey can finally do her toilet paper topic!

During an annual RepcoLite cookout Dan sprung into action when he noticed paint leaking from a van! We discuss how to avoid paint spills when transporting paint and the best ways to clean up a paint spill so YOU can be a paint spill hero like Dan!

We had high hopes for accomplishing projects this Summer and now that we are nearing the end…depression has set in as we realize we are nowhere near where we hoped. After commisterating, we go through a list of helpful tips on how to get back on track.

Hailey pitched a topic to Dan about a year ago and he has finally come around to the idea; What did we do before toilet paper? We go through the absolutely ridiculous list of what people used before toilet paper and it is sure to surprise you.