THEJAMESCASTS

Join host James Piecowye and Glenn Power in this informative episode of the Powerworks podcast, as they dive deep into the world of engine oils and additives. The duo discusses the differences between synthetic and mineral oils, explaining how synthetic oils offer more uniform molecules for better performance. They also touch on oil grades, such as 5W-30 and 5W-40, and how these numbers indicate the oil's flow characteristics at different temperatures.

In this captivating episode of the Powerworks podcast, join hosts James Piecowye and Glenn Power as they explore a wide range of car-related topics and share their personal driving experiences.

Welcome to the We Will Fix It podcast short, where Colin Thomas and I, James Piecowye, talk about all things home maintenance.

 In today's episode, we're discussing the joys and pains of having a kitchen island, and what you need to consider before installing one.  

Colin shares that a kitchen island can be a magic addition to your home - it's not just a place for food prep, but also a gathering spot for family and friends. However, installing an island can be a huge challenge, especially if you're retrofitting one into an existing kitchen.  

To make sure you're prepared, Colin recommends three things: water supply, water waste, and power. You'll need power for appliances like dishwashers, and water supply and waste for sinks and filters. But the biggest challenge is drainage - you need the right angle for the pipes, and you'll likely need to dig a channel through your floor to make it work.  And that's not all - once you've got the utilities in place, you'll need to choose the right tiles for your island.

 Colin shares his own experience of having to rip up and replace tiles due to a shoddy installation job, and warns that this can be an ongoing issue.  So, before you decide to install a kitchen island, make sure you've thought through all the challenges and costs involved. But if you do it right, it can be a wonderful addition to your home.  

Highlights:  

Installing a kitchen island can be magical, but it comes with its own set of challenges:  

-Consider water supply, water waste, power, and drainage before installing an island  

Join Colin Thomas and James Piecowye for a fun and informative WeWillFixIt podcast short about kitchen copper pipe issues. 

They discuss the challenges of dealing with copper pipes in Dubai and the importance of using high-quality products to avoid issues with corrosion. 

They also share tips on how to properly support elbows and ensure proper water flow to kitchen islands.

Through their witty banter and personal anecdotes, Colin and James provide entertaining insights into the world of plumbing and home maintenance. 

Don't miss this episode if you want to learn more about how to avoid common plumbing issues and ensure your home is in top shape.

Key takeaways:

Use high-quality products to avoid issues with corrosion and other plumbing problems.

Properly support elbows and ensure proper water flow to avoid leaks and other issues.

James Piecowye here, and welcome to this We Will Fix It podcast short featuring Colin Thomas and his recent mishap with his pool cleaning system. 

Colin thought he knew what he was doing when he attempted to use the automatic waste system to fix an overflowing pool after heavy rains. 

However, he made a few critical mistakes, such as not turning off the pump and reversing the order of the waste valve and the selector for the pool filter. 

The result? The high-pressure pump caused a blockage and shattered the clear cover of the filter.

Luckily, Colin was able to find a replacement cover with the help of his purchasing team and his daughter Ruby, and everything is back in working order. Colin admits that he should have read the instructions from his dad more carefully, but he and his wife Natalie have a division of labour when it comes to pool maintenance.

Lesson learned? 

Always read the instructions carefully before attempting any home improvement project. 

And remember to turn off the pump, open the waste valve first, and then put the multi-selector from filter to waste before turning the pump back on.

Highlight 1: Colin's failed attempt at using the automatic waste system for his pool and the resulting mishap.

Highlight 2: The importance of reading instructions carefully and following the correct order when attempting DIY projects.

Colin Thomas talks about using social media at WeWillFixIt.  

Colin Thomas   Well, no, we're not. Let's be honest. So we have a marketing team. And the marketing team said, we recently realized that what works really well is YouTube talking. So now, if we did another session last week, I think it was where we literally were just told, right, you need to discuss this topic. And what they've worked out now is, whatever you do, do not give us a script. I can't do it. I'm like a goldfish, I can do six seconds beyond that. I'm absolutely stuffed. If you give me a subject area, I can give you five hours if you want it, it's absolutely fine. But make me talk a script. I'm never going to be an actor. Can't remember lines for love or money, but subject areas tend to work quite well. So that's exactly what we're doing now. which coincidentally fits quite well with Instagram where it's not really supposed to be quite so pre-planned. So we're coming away from the highly polished advert style that we used to do and instead making it a little bit more air and now it seems to be connecting really well with people.   That's a real challenge, isn't it? And that's what I constantly say to podcasters I say like you keep it real. Yeah, absolutely real as soon as you look, scripting is good, and having an idea and preparing and doing research all good. But at the end of the day, your content has to sound real. If it just sounds like you're reading a script. Yeah, nobody's gonna listen to that. That's exactly it.

Welcome back to the We Will Fix It podcast, where we share stories and tips about home improvement and DIY projects. 

In this podcast, Colin Thomas talks about his recent DIY mishap with his pool cleaning system and the plumbing issues he's been having in his home in Dubai.

Colin's pool was overflowing after heavy rains, and he attempted to use the automatic waste system to fix the problem. However, he made a few critical mistakes, such as not turning off the pump, and he ended up breaking the clear cover of his pool pump filter. Fortunately, he was able to find a replacement cover at a local shop and get his pool back in working order.

Colin also came across a website that claimed to have a DIY solution for heating your pool using hula hoops, noodles, and a black bin liner. However, he and our host agree that this method is not very effective and would not work for most pools. Instead, Colin suggests using a solar water heater panel to heat the water flowing through the pool pump system.

Moving on to plumbing issues, Colin explains why copper pipes can be a problem in Dubai, where the desalinated water has more salt than in Europe, causing corrosion. He emphasizes the importance of using the right grade of copper piping and how retrofitting an island in a kitchen can be a challenge.

To properly install an island in your kitchen, you need a water supply, water waste, and power to be able to do it, and you may need an almighty channel going through your floor. He also talks about the importance of having the right angle for drainage and how it's not a patch job.

Lastly, Colin discusses how he uses his kitchen island as a utility center for his daily life and how it's a great place for family gatherings.

So, if you're looking to heat your pool, skip the hula hoops and go for a solar water heater panel instead. And always read the instructions carefully before attempting any home improvement project. Thanks for tuning in to the We Will Fix It podcast. 

Two highlights include the DIY pool heating solution using hula hoops and noodles being debunked and Colin's advice on installing an island in your kitchen.  #DIY, #homeimprovement, #plumbing, #poolmaintenance

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the endless career options and wondering which one has a future? 

In this podcast short with Varun Jain from UniHawk and James Piecowye, Varun shares his final piece of advice for students. He emphasizes that any career choice has a future, and it's all about studying and dedicating yourself 100%. 

Whether you choose to study Computer Science or English Literature, the key is to do it with passion and enthusiasm. 

So, listen in for some uplifting advice and get inspired to pursue the career of your dreams!

Are you a student or a parent who's feeling overwhelmed with the process of selecting a school? 

Then this podcast short with Varun Jain from UniHawk is a must-listen for you! 

Varun shares his top three pieces of advice, including the importance of being fearless, simplifying the information overload, and finding a mentor to guide you through the journey. 

As an expert in this field, Varun's insights are invaluable, and he emphasizes the need for expert advice and guidance in executing your plan. So if you want to simplify the process and receive the support you need, be sure to tune in!

Of course, you have heard about dumpster diving, right? 

Well in this podcast it's not what you might think. It's actually a really interesting way to learn about the world of repairs and what goes on behind the scenes. And that's exactly what Glenn Power and I are doing on our latest podcast, Powerworks Dumpster Dive.  

In this short episode, we take a tour of the Powerworks garage dumpster and show some of the things we found in the recycling bin. 

We start off by looking at an engine block, which is a complete disaster. Glenn explains that if your warning light comes on while you're driving, you should stop immediately. If you continue to drive, it could cause complete engine failure, which can be expensive to repair.  

We then move on to a controlled suspension on a Landrover, which looks like it's in good condition, but in reality, the ball joint is completely exposed and has no rubber around it to keep the moisture and dust out. Excessive movement on this arm could lead to extra strain on the other arms and cause your car to wear out faster.  We also talk about brake discs, and how important it is to measure their thickness to make sure they're safe to use. If they're below the minimum thickness, they can't be reused, which can be dangerous.  

Finally, we show a radiator with a plastic tank that has a seal between the aluminum and plastic. This tank can fail under the pressure of holding the hose on, which can block the radiator or take it out of the system completely. Plastic is cheaper than metal, but it's also more prone to failure, which is why it's important to keep an eye on it.  

So there you have it, folks! 

Dumpster diving can teach you a lot about the world of repairs, and it's definitely worth checking out Glenn and James' podcast if you want to learn more. Here are some highlights from this episode:  

If your warning light comes on while you're driving, stop immediately.  

Excessive movement on suspension arms can cause extra strain on other parts of your car.  

Always measure your brake discs' thickness to make sure they're safe to use.  

Plastic is cheaper than metal, but it's also more prone to failure, so keep an eye on it.