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 patch using a brush.

Wall Board company makes great tools for this.

I have a tutorial over on Home Repair Tutor that can help you if you have to do this kind of project.

http://www.homerepairtutor.com/how-to-patch-drywall/

Today’s Quick Tip is about choosing a vanity cabinet.

Did you know that particle board sucks?

It sucks in two different ways: 1) particle board is inferior to plywood and 2) particle sucks up water.

Vanity cabinets are made either of particle board or plywood.

Get one made from plywood because cabinets made from particle board will breakdown over time.

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 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 you like it

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. 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 you like it

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 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 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 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 you like it

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 yourself some grief and possible injury by doing this.

Gas lines, at least in our area, are only 18-20 inches deep. Which means a homeowner could totally dig into one without knowing.

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 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 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 you like it

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 costs about $20 and can be found in the lawn & garden section of home stores.

Check out my tutorial on Home Repair Tutor see what it looks like

http://www.homerepairtutor.com/how-to-edge-a-flower-bed/

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 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 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 you like it

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 you like it

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 the give away yourself

http://www.homerepairtutor.com/how-to-find-a-stud-in-the-wall/

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 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 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 you like it

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 same company.

For example, get the shower pan, waterproofing membrane, thin-set, and grout from the same company.

This helps maintain the warranty on all the different products.

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 email newsletter and responding back to me

Do you need help with your bathroom?

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 you like it

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

Visiting http://www.homerepairtutor.com/podcast/ and use the SpeakPipe recorder

Or signing up to my email newsletter and responding back to me

Do you need help with your bathroom?

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 you like it

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 Quick Tip is about stopping deer or rabbits from eating your toilets.

Liquid Fence Deer and Rabbit Repellent is AWESOME because it works.

http://www.liquidfence.com/

We have a lot of deer in Pittsburgh. But after applying this to my tulips the deer have moved on to my neighbors flowers, lol.

You can find Liquid Fence at your local hardware store or box store.

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 email newsletter and responding back to me

Do you need help with your bathroom?

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 you like it