In the present day’s Home-owner Radio Podcast | August 13, 2022

Hour 1

In Hour 1, we share a listener’s tip on how you can observe down rats in an attic, provide options for an invasive floor cowl and extra.

Monitoring Down Rats in an Attic

Within the July 30 In the present day’s Home-owner Radio Podcast, Chris Welsh of Florida requested about eliminating the rat urine odor in his attic. He needed to install new insulation and requested us if he ought to first take away the outdated, dirty insulation. 

We advised Chris that because it’s been a number of years and the odor remains to be there, plus he’s already going to put in new insulation, he ought to eliminate the dirty insulation.

Though the odor can dissipate over time, there’s no assure that it’s going to. Plus, this may very well be his solely probability to take away it, as a result of as soon as the brand new insulation is put in, it’s there for good.

Hearken to the “Dirty Insulation” phase in Hour 2 of the July 30 episode of Today’s Homeowner Radio Podcast.

One in all our listeners, Dean, heard this and known as to share this tip: Use a black mild to seek out rat urine in an attic. 

This can be a nice tip as a result of it’s typically onerous to see how widespread the rat infestation is, primarily based on odor alone. 

Based on chemistry professional Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., urine glows beneath a black mild primarily as a result of it comprises the aspect phosphorus.

Phosphorus glows yellowish-green within the presence of oxygen, with or and not using a black mild, however the mild imparts extra power that makes the urine, on this case, simpler to see.

A black mild additionally works nicely to seek out pet urine. So, when you have a cat that’s not preserving their enterprise within the litterbox, use a black mild to seek out urine spots. 

Water Dripping from a Vary Hood

Water is continually dripping from the vary hood in David Henderson’s kitchen. He’s spending a small fortune on paper towels to soak up the drips on the stovetop.

The duct vents to the surface of the home, he maintains a gentle temperature inside, and the brand new roof he simply had put in didn’t make a distinction. 

“I’ve been beating my brains out attempting to determine it out,” David says. “I’m 69 years outdated and have lived in many homes in my life however have by no means seen this earlier than.”

The overwhelming majority of the time, when a vent pipe is dripping water down by way of the vary hood, it means condensation isn’t forming on the surface however on the within. 

Set up some duct wrap insulation on the pipe to reduce the distinction in temperature contained in the pipe and within the attic. For the reason that pipe is already in place, get the kind that comes on a roll, not a cylindrical kind. That manner you gained’t should disconnect the pipe to slip the insulation over it.  

It will cease the dripping and also you’ll additionally significantly scale back your paper towel price range! 

Controlling Asiatic Jasmine

Sue needs to know: How can I eliminate Asiatic jasmine that’s taking on our yard? 

“It has unfold from the neighbors on either side of us. Pulling it up is a endless job and we’ve gotten too outdated to take care of it. Assist!” Sue says.

Asiatic jasmine is a perennial evergreen vine that makes for a beautiful floor cowl, but it surely’s very invasive.

First, strive slicing it proper on the mattress, and preserve it beneath management with a string trimmer. 

We don’t typically suggest utilizing herbicides, however you may want them on this case. Lower it again so far as you’ll be able to, then spray on an herbicide.

For those who don’t wish to use an herbicide, spray it with residence and backyard vinegar.

Hour 2

In Hour 2, discover ways to paint unfinished cupboards your self, when to color partitions in a brand new home and extra.

Portray Unfinished Cupboards

A caller needs her unfinished cupboards professionally painted, however the professionals have given her “outrageous” estimates.

“Can I do that myself, and how much sprayer ought to I get?” she asks.

It’s a honest quantity of labor to complete cupboards your self, however the finish consequence could be very gratifying. 

As a result of the cupboards are unfinished, you gained’t have to fret about eradicating any outdated paint. 

Principally, right here’s what it is advisable to do.

• Sand the cupboards so the paint will stick. 
• Clean out any imperfections with water putty or epoxy end
• Prime the cupboards with a bonding primer
• Apply two coats of acrylic latex paint in both a semi-gloss or eggshell end

If you wish to use a sprayer, use a high-volume, low-pressure paint sprayer. We suggest the Earlex Super Finish Max HVLP Sprayer. 

For an in depth information on how you can paint kitchen cupboards, learn Painting Kitchen Cabinets: How to Do it the Right Way.

Ought to You Wait to Paint in a New Home?

Robert Lang in Kentucky simply purchased his first residence — a brand new construct that was accomplished in February 2022. 

“I wish to paint the inside to not solely change the colour however use a greater grade of paint. I’ve learn that I ought to wait earlier than portray. If that is true, how lengthy ought to I wait? Do I would like to permit the home to settle earlier than I try to color?” Robert asks.

There’s no purpose to attend to color in a newly constructed residence. There’s no solution to know the way a lot settling or enlargement and contraction are going to occur.

There are such a lot of elements that might affect it, like how moist the framing acquired throughout the constructing course of or what number of screws had been used versus nails.

If there’s going to be some settling, it in all probability gained’t present up for at the very least 5 years. 

Go forward and make the home your individual. Simply, be sure that the partitions are good and clear earlier than you paint them. 

Greatest New Merchandise

The Defiant Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled good plug provides you management over lights, home equipment, or any gadget you plug into it from wherever. Learn more >>

Easy Options

Paint Can Tip — If you carry residence a brand new gallon of freshly shaken paint instantly take away and clear the underside of the lid of all paint.

Then, stir —don’t shake — the paint earlier than making use of it.

And once you’re completed portray, place wax paper or plastic wrap over can earlier than tapping on the lid.

That may seal out air, free the can of crusty bits of dried paint, and preserve the underside of the lid clear.

Watch: Paint Can Cleaning and Sealing Tips

Keep-Tight Screws — Machine screws have an annoying tendency to loosen up over time. Right here’s how you can stop that from taking place:

• Brush a little bit clear fingernail hardener onto the screw threads previous to tightening the screw.
• As soon as the hardener dries, it’ll lock the screw in place and forestall it from loosening, however you’ll nonetheless have the ability to take away the screw, if vital.

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