Today’s Homeowner Radio Podcast | September 24, 2022


Hour 1

In Hour 1, find out the reason why bathroom h2o is minimal, the best temperature for outside painting and additional.


Water Not Refilling in a Toilet

Water flushing in toilet
Blockage in a vent pipe could make the water amount small in a rest room. (Ratikova, Getty Images)

Each individual time Paul Johnson flushes his bathroom, the h2o fills up but then drains to almost empty.

“We have had two plumbers check out it out. One particular said the bowl style was created to do that. A single snaked it and had no answer,” he claims. 

There could be some obstruction farther down the drain than the plumber’s snake can attain.

The only other purpose drinking water drains out is if there is a crack in the bathroom, but you’d see that water in your toilet.

There may possibly be a blockage on your vent pipe. A plumbing vent permits that air to drain the drinking water out, so if there is any obstruction, even partial, it results in a siphon outcome. 

It will work equally to when you set your finger on top of a straw which is in a glass of h2o and elevate it, the water stays in the straw right up until you release it. 

Birds can construct nests in these issues or other items can get down there and produce a vacuum or siphon effect that retains it from doing work adequately.

Have the plumber look at the vent pipe on the roof to make positive there’s absolutely nothing in it. If they do obtain a block, place hardware cloth more than the pipe to avoid potential blockage. 


Least expensive Temperature for Exterior Painting

Paint brush swiping deep blue paint over faded blue paint on a wood wall
Really don’t paint in temperatures decrease than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. (Susie Hedberg, Getty Images)

Teresa asks, “What is the cheapest temperature that I can paint my exterior property trim? Also, what’s the ideal sort of paint to use?”

Initial, just before you do any form of exterior portray, you have to do the good prep do the job.

Clean and sand the exterior so the paint will adhere to the surface area. If you do not, you are gonna have problems no make any difference what form of paint you use or what temperature it is outdoors.

We enjoy acrylic latex paint for exteriors — go with a semi-gloss for trim. Pricewise, you do not have to get the most costly form of paint, as reasonably priced ones get the job done just as properly and will not split the financial institution.  

As considerably as what temperature to paint, generally study the label. Various brands have distinctive recommendations. Having said that, the huge the greater part claim you can utilize the paint in temperatures as small as 35 levels Fahrenheit. And now, there are some that are rated for colder weather, but they are additional pricey and tougher to come across. 

Our suggestion: Do not paint in temperatures reduced than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The critical point is that it has to continue to be at that temperature for at least four hrs following you utilize the paint. If the temperature is anticipated to fall, place off portray. 

You really do not have to do the entire property in one go — paint in phases. Do the entrance of the dwelling one working day, and the sides and back again on other days. 


Tip for Guarding Laminate Countertops

Dishwasher in kitchen
Seal the underside of laminate counter tops to avert warping from dishwasher steam. (gerenme, Getty Graphic Signature)

When you open up a dishwasher, you get a blast of initial steam, it dissipates really quickly, but around time it can warp a laminate countertop. 

A lot of laminate counter tops are applied to particleboard, and seldom is that particle board sealed wherever it will come in conjunction with that steam coming out of the dishwasher.

A supporter called in with this suggestion for guarding laminate countertops: Paint the underside of your countertop just higher than the dishwasher with a sealant of some kind to hold the steam from warping the countertop.

You can use just about nearly anything to seal the pores of the wood, but we counsel brushing on a coat of apparent polyurethane varnish. It just looks to give it a much better buildup.


Hour 2

In Hour 2, listen to what could be creating mold on a deck and how to get rid of it, additionally suggestions for autumn irrigation.


Finding Rid of Black Mildew on a Deck

Closeup of a pressure washer shooting out water on a deck during a cleaning.
Black mold on your deck indicates there’s way too substantially dampness and shade. (DepositPhotos)

A hotline caller just cannot get rid of black mould on her deck.

“I have tried using Clorox, Wet & Fail to remember and I have also painted various coats of deck paint but it keeps coming again. Any very last solutions right before I begin about?” she asks.

We imagine a few issues are contributing to this mould growth:

  • The deck is in the shade. Whilst it tends to make for a nice, enjoyable location for owners, it also results in the best surroundings for mould and mildew to develop. 
  • The deck is reasonably near to the floor and has a good deal of moisture collecting underneath it.
  • The boards’ undersides aren’t sealed. Persons rarely paint the underside of the deck boards, so moisture will penetrate via them. 

She mentions portray the deck, but that’s not one thing we proposed. This places a coating more than the wood, producing it less difficult for mould and mildew to type on it. 

Force clean the deck to take away the mildew and utilize a semitransparent stain. This soaks into the wood and blocks moisture from passing via, blocking mildew advancement and blistering. And be guaranteed to stain the entire surface and just the best. 

Trim back again some tree limbs to allow for for additional sunlight to shine on the deck, and make a drainage method so h2o does not accumulate beneath it. 

Following you have tackled the shade and drainage concerns, carry on working with some thing like Damp & Ignore to get in advance of any potential mould growth. 


Autumn Irrigation Suggestions

Store bought rain barrel collecting rain
Rain barrels can be homemade or retailer-purchased, like this 1. (3 Echoes Material Studio)

As the temperature cools off you may well imagine a lot less about watering your lawn and gardens. But even in cooler temperatures, plants have to have dampness to remain healthy. If autumn is a dry year the place you are living, it is crucial to shell out consideration to how significantly h2o your property is getting. 

If you need to have to increase the natural rainfall with your irrigation process right here are some strategies to minimize drinking water squander and maximize what rainfall you do get. 

  • Elevate the height of the blade on your lawnmower. Mowing shut to the ground will allow the soil to dry out additional speedily, moreover the slightly taller grass will demand considerably less h2o to get started with. 
  • Examine your yard hose connections at the hose bib and involving hoses to be absolutely sure they are not leaking. When you do h2o with a hose, use a spray deal with or shut-off control so you only apply drinking water just the place it’s necessary. 
  • Contemplate watering early in the early morning. At that time of working day, temperatures are coolest and the evaporation rate is at its most affordable. 
  • If you implement a generous layer of mulch in your gardens it will support the soil retain dampness so you can water considerably less routinely. 
  • If your property has downspouts, look at building a rain barrel to place underneath just one or more of them. You can gather rainwater for your backyard garden with no introducing a penny to your utility monthly bill.

This All over The Property phase is sponsored by Pavestone.


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Simple Remedies

Joe Truini’s Leading 5 Slide Simple Solutions are all about building yard perform much easier. (3 Echoes Content material Studio)

Joe Truini shares his Best 5 Drop Simple Remedies! Pay attention to the full podcast.


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