October 21, 2014 AsktheBuilder Newsletter & Tips
There's so much to talk about I don't know where to start.
First, each day I'm getting my strength back from the kidney stone procedure. I want to thank you for your good wishes and if you sent me tips and tricks to prevent future kidney stones.
It turns out the Los Angeles urologist who treated me created a really top-notch website all about kidney stones. It's got videos of the procedure I had, it's got all the myths, but most importantly it's got the real scoop on PREVENTION. I urge you to visit Dr. Mike Nguyen's website:
Vote NOW for Winner of the Color My Door Contest
This past Sunday was the entry deadline for the Color My Door contest sponsored by Therma-Tru. The front door at my home is a Therma-Tru fiberglass and Kathy and I love it.
This is one reason I ran the Color My Door contest. I LOVE aligning myself with products that I use in my own home. That's the real test if you ask me.
You get to pick the winner of the contest! Voting closes this coming Sunday night at midnight.
Go NOW and look at the seven finalists! You may be one!!!!! Wait until you see the photos!
The winner gets $1,000, second place $400 and third place a $300 cash prize. See why you should have taken the time to send in a photo of your front door for money like this?
You could have won sweet moola for just playing the game and not sending in a photo! Here's who won the $300 of CASH for just playing the Color My Door game:
- Chad Donley $200
- Cindy Moon $100
I need both of you to contact me so I can get your prize money on it's way to you!
I received quite a bit of email about the Where's Waldo aspect of the game, or I should say the lack thereof. Most games have you hunting for a particular photo using a tiny photo snippet clue. I didn't do that this time.
Well, I hear you and you'll be doing that next Tuesday! So get out your eyeglass cleaner, contact lens washing solution, etc. I'll have a very fun game for you next week where you'll be put to the test to find the correct photo!
Weather Website
You may be aware of this great weather website, but if not, now you are.
It's not new, but it has an amazing interface. I especially love the table layout with all the data when you select the 10-Day Forecast.
Spend some time at this site and it could really help you with your outdoor projects making sure you get them done before conditions deteriorate.
Tip of the Week - Filters
You hear it all the time. Change and check your filters. Guess what? You've got filters on more things than just your furnace. How about your dishwasher? Open your dishwasher door and look down at the bottom of the machine. See it?
While I was away, Kathy told me our dishwasher stopped working. It's a newer one, and much like new cars, it's loaded with sensors.
It turns out there's a two-stage filter in the bottom of the dishwasher that collects gunk, food particles, etc. and keeps them from getting into the water pump. A sensor was triggered because the filter on our machine was clogged.
Kathy pulled out the first stage filter - it has simple squeeze tabs - and cleaned it. She couldn't figure out how to get out the second-stage filter that had a circular stainless-steel drum filter. I did that upon arriving home last Friday.
But her just cleaning out the first stage filter was enough to get the machine back working again. That would have been a $150 service call for sure here in rural New Hampshire.
As for your furnace, realize the filters help protect the motors from getting debris in them. Some furnace filters also help collect dust and dirt that can harm you. If you don't keep the filters clean, you stress the motor in the furnace causing it to burn up well before its time.
Tool Review Videos
While I was gone, you'd think it was Christmas. When I got up last Friday morning, I discovered a HUGE pile of boxes. Many contain new tools to test. Some will be featured in videos, that's for sure.
I'm VERY excited about testing a backpack leaf blower by Husqvarna. Milwaukee sent countless tools that I saw at their August tool expo event. One of the boxes has an electric cordless snowblower! That should be interesting.
One of the Milwaukee tools I intend to test on the warmest day this week is a cordless auto / truck paint buffer. Oh, it looks like it will do a superb job. I intend to test it on my enclosed cargo trailer that has a slightly faded black paint job. The results should be stunning.
I hope to have the video of the cordless buffer done for you by next week.
New Q and A's
How To Add a New Front Porch Light
Fill Holes in a Hardwood Floor
That's enough for this week.
I'll have a Friday Weekend Warrior issue for you for sure!
Remember, GO VOTE now for the winner of the Therma-Tru Color My Door contest!
