At the moment’s House owner Radio Podcast | September 10, 2022

Hour 1

In Hour 1, learn to restore drywall cracks, get rid of funky front-loading washer odor and extra.

Repairing Cracked Drywall

Lisa Baker in Columbus, Mo., owns a two-story home with a totally completed basement, and he or she’s seen small horizontal cracks alongside a number of drywall seams. 

“I perceive that that is from the home settling. What’s the simplest technique to repair these cracks?” she asks.

If your home is “settling,” it doesn’t essentially imply the construction is dropping. This might simply be some minor growth and contraction. When you have uneven settling, it often leads to a vertical crack, and it could point out structural damage. Name a basis specialist if:

• The crack has a 3/16-inch or wider hole.
• One facet of the wall is larger than the opposite.
• Your doorways now not shut within the body.

In Lisa’s case, the drywall was most probably put in horizontally, in order that’s why the cracks are forming in that route.

Assuming the drywall tape remains to be in place, frivolously sand the cracks, vacuum off all of the mud and apply a skinny coat of joint compound. Do that in a small space first to verify this corrects the issue.

If the tape is peeling, adhere it again to the wall with some glue or joint compound. If that doesn’t work, you’ll should take away the tape and apply new.

First, apply joint compound and canopy the crack with paper drywall tape pressed into the moist compound. Then cowl the tape with extra joint compound, and permit it to dry earlier than sanding.

Watch How to Repair Cracks and Dents in Drywall for extra data.

Funky Washer Odor

Joanne Polley in Columbus, Ohio is fed up with the funky scent coming from her front-loading washer.

“Why did that occur and the way can I clear it so it’s fresh-smelling once more? I by no means had this drawback with my outdated prime loader,” she says.

In contrast to a prime loader, the door on a entrance loading washer stays moist. Mildew, mildew and detergent construct up and result in that funky odor. 

Learn: How to Remove Mold and Mildew From Front-Load Washing Machines

It’s a simple repair, nevertheless it’s may be tedious. After each load, use a towel to dry the within of the door and the rubber gasket. This removes the moisture, stopping mould and mildew from rising and emitting that terrible scent. 

Preserve the door open for some time to let the air flow into contained in the washer. Keep watch over youngsters and pets once you do that as a result of they will simply climb inside. 

For good measure, run an empty load with a cup of bleach each three to 4 months to disinfect the whole washer drum. 

Restoring White Grout

Suzanne Lewis in Wilmington, N.C. says, “I’ve off-white tile in my rest room with off-white grout. The grout is starting to discolor to a extra brown colour. What do you counsel to wash the grout?”

If grout isn’t sealed correctly when it’s put in, it’s going to ultimately develop into discolored. You’ll be able to restore the grout to its unique colour and forestall the stains from returning. Right here’s how: 

• Combine a 50-50 answer of oxygen bleach and scorching water. It’s necessary to make use of scorching water for the oxygen bleach to dissolve.
• Apply it to the grout joints with a sponge and wait 10 minutes.
• Soak the grout another time with extra bleach answer and wait one other 10 minutes.
• Scrub the grout and rinse it with clear water.

As soon as the stains are gone, cowl the grout with a transparent silicone sealer. Use an artist’s brush to fill in each single grout joint.

Hour 2

In Hour 2, hear how you can do away with goathead weed stickers, open a window that’s painted shut and extra.

Getting Rid of Goathead Weed

Christie Svoger in Oregon has a sticky drawback on her garden. 

Her garden is roofed in goathead weed stickers. Goathead weed, or puncturevine, is an invasive poisonous plant. The spines on its fruit are sharp sufficient to puncture bicycle tires and sneakers, in keeping with Washington State’s Noxious Weed Control Board.

“How do I do away with them? I don’t need them on my garden!” she asks. 

Hand-pulling goat’s head weed received’t be efficient as a result of they’ve such a robust root system and can develop proper again. Use a device like a weed puller to get down deep to take away the roots.

You’ll should take some additional measures to make sure it received’t return. Use a robust pre-emergent weed herbicide or do this home remedy: dilute 1/2 cup every of Epsom salts and vinegar in a gallon of water and spray totally.

One other efficient methodology is to make use of a weed-burning propane torch. Simply make sure to verify your native legal guidelines concerning using these units and have a fireplace extinguisher close by.  

A one-time remedy received’t work, so be vigilant in killing it when extra pop up.

Fixing a Window That’s Painted Shut

The home windows in Bob Haskins’s house in Medford, Mass., seem to have been given the “landlord particular” remedy. They’re painted shut and are unattainable to open.

The time period “landlord particular” has develop into widespread with renters who’re referring to unhealthy house enchancment tasks typically performed by landlords as a substitute of pros to economize.

Typical examples of the “landlord particular” are painted-over electrical shops and home windows, shoddy plumbing or odd “fixes” that don’t actually enhance something.    

“How can I break them unfastened with out breaking the window?” Bob asks.

First, be very cautious working round glass and take your time. Put on eye safety and gloves, and in case you’re on a ladder, follow the recommended safety measures. 

Take into consideration what’s holding the window shut: paint residue throughout the perimeter. Use a thin-bladed putty knife to interrupt the seal on the within and the skin. Do it fastidiously and also you’ll discover the purpose the place the window sash goes up in opposition to the molding or trim.

Slide the putty knife down the facet, backside and all the best way across the window to the place the 2 sashes meet collectively. Then, minimize the paint out. Take your time and attempt to get rid of any contact factors.

Subsequent, take a flat bar and pry up the window. Don’t put an excessive amount of stress on one facet or the opposite. Even stress will reduce the prospect of the window cracking.

Within the Aisles of The Residence Depot

Hearth can strike anyplace, anytime, and might begin in a wide range of methods. Hearth security tools akin to hearth extinguishers, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, are important must-have merchandise for any house. The Home Depot has all various kinds of hearth security tools plus different necessary hearth security suggestions for safeguarding your loved ones and residential.

Hearth Schooling   

Have a plan in place to maintain you and your family members secure. Establishing a household hearth escape plan will encourage everybody to recollect a secure assembly spot outdoors of your own home.

You and your loved ones ought to follow a fireplace escape plan twice a yr. Everybody ought to know how you can get out and the place to go in case of a fireplace.  

Apply hearth drills collectively and ensure youngsters know what the smoke alarm appears like and what to do after they hear one. 

Hearth Extinguishers 

The primary and most necessary factor to at all times have within the house, particularly when cooking or gathering round a fireplace pit or having fun with a fire is a fireplace extinguisher just like the Kidde Full Home Fire Extinguisher with Hose, Easy Mount Bracket & Strap, 3-A:40-B:C, Dry Chemical, One-Time Use. 

For smaller areas, take into account the Kidde Basic Use Fire Extinguisher with Easy Mount Bracket & Strap, 1-A:10-B:C, Dry Chemical, One-Time Use. 

A fireplace extinguisher may be lifesaving when water can not put out a fireplace, as is the case with most kitchen fires. Having a fireplace extinguisher inside attain will help put out small, contained fires and create a path to security. 

By no means rely solely on a fireplace extinguisher. This device needs to be only one a part of your own home hearth security plan, alongside smoke alarms and an emergency evacuation plan. 

Hearth extinguishers are labeled by rankings of A, B, C and D. These rankings decide the dimensions and kind of fireside that the extinguisher can put out. Do your analysis to find out which is finest in your wants. Some hearth extinguishers are multi-purpose and have two or extra rankings, akin to A-B or A-B-C. Typically, multi-purpose hearth extinguishers are one of the best forms of hearth extinguishers for the house. 

• Class A fires are a results of trash, wooden, or paper.  
• Class B fires are a results of liquids or gases.   
• Class C fires are brought on by energized electrical tools 
• Class D fires are brought on by flamable metals – as a result of their extreme nature, class D fires are finest dealt with by skilled firefighters. 

When utilizing a fireplace extinguisher, keep in mind the PASS methodology to function the extinguisher correctly:  

• Pull the pin.   
• Aim the nozzle towards the bottom of the fireplace.  
• Squeeze the lever slowly.   
• Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side, whereas transferring towards the fireplace.   

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are a security important for each house. 

Completely accessible at The Residence Depot, the Kidde 10-Year Worry Free Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector, Lithium Battery Powered with Photoelectric Sensor and Voice Alarm which detects each smoke and carbon monoxide with only one gadget. 

For brand spanking new builds, take a look at the Kidde Hardwired Smart Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector with Indoor Air Quality Monitor, 10-Year Lithium Backup Battery.

When putting your smoke alarm, you will need to have a minimum of one smoke alarm on each stage of the house (together with basements), in each bed room, and out of doors every sleeping space. 

Check month-to-month and use daylight financial savings time as a reminder to put in new batteries in smoke detectors. 

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Screens

Each house with a minimum of one fuel-burning equipment, hooked up storage or hearth ought to have carbon monoxide alarms.  

Having a fire with a gasoline valve or a doubtlessly blocked chimney poses a danger for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, so embody CO screens in your hearth security tools, particularly since CO is undetectable by way of scent or sight.  

Similar to a smoke detector, you will need to place the screens in each stage of the house, kitchen, and bedrooms, with the addition of putting them a minimum of fifteen ft above a fire.  

The brand new Kidde HomeSafe suite of merchandise contains the Kidde Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector, Hardwired with Smart Features and Voice Alert — an industry-first alarm that detects smoke, CO, adversarial temperature, humidity ranges and whole risky natural compounds (TVOCs), which embody dangerous particles within the air that may result in well being points.  

Kidde HomeSafe Wi-Fi-enabled units embody good options that may be related to shoppers’ Kidde app, offering instantaneous notifications of house security threats on to your good cellphone.  

Go to HomeDepot.com/FireSafety for extra suggestions and tips. 

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Easy Options

Certain-Stick Mesh Tape — Seams in cement backer board have to be coated with adhesive-backed mesh tape after which skim-coated with thin-set mortar. Nonetheless, the tape doesn’t at all times adhere properly to the backboard as a result of it’s typically coated with mud.

So, earlier than making use of the tape, wipe down the backer board alongside the seams with a humid sponge. Then, wait a couple of minutes for the floor to dry, then stick down the tape.

By the best way, this Easy Resolution additionally works properly when utilizing mesh tape to restore drywall injury.

Making Mini Paint Rollers — When rolling paint onto slim areas, it’s finest to make use of a 3-inch paint curler. The issue is that 3-inch curler sleeves value $2-3 apiece.

You can also make your personal by merely shopping for a normal 9-inch curler sleeve after which utilizing a hacksaw to chop it in thirds to create three 3-inch-long utilizing a hacksaw. Trim any tough edges of the nap with scissors.

A 4-pack of 9-inch curler sleeves prices about $9, so every custom-cut 3-in. sleeve will value simply 75 cents.

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