Cleaning paint brushes is a chore for most people. At the end of a job, you are tired and the last thing on your mind is the paint brush. But guess what, if you follow some techniques and few of Tim's tricks, you can extend the life of that paint brush for many, many years.
Most of you don't realize that the cleaning process begins before you start painting. If you are using latex paint, get the paint brush wet with a little bit of water. If you are using oil-based paint, use a little mineral spirits or paint thinner. Those fluids will keep the bristles wet up near the handle. Without that fluid contact, the paint will dry very quickly and at the end of the day, it is almost impossible to get that paint off the brush.
Once you are ready to clean the brush, remove as much paint as you can on a scrap piece of lumber or cardboard. Use soapy, warm water to clean latex paint from brushes. Mineral spirits or paint thinner is required for oil-based paints.
The trick is to submerge the brush in the cleaning solution and use rapid side-to-side motions to rinse the paint from the brush. You will need to change your cleaning solution frequently until your solution remains clear as you move the brush around.
Now if you want to ruin your expensive paint brush, here are some common mistakes. Never hold a brush upside down in a stream of water. Don't jam your brush down on the bottom of the sink or bucket to rinse it and the paint from the bristles. This will weaken and crush the bristles.
Once you have finished the cleaning process, use a comb to comb out as much water as possible. Treat your brush just as you do your hair after getting out of the shower.
Use the hole in the brush handle to hang it up on a nail after using and cleaning it. If you take care of your paint brush, it will last for many years.
Another year is nearly over. It's time to look back and survey the results. I want to thank you for subscribing to this newsletter. Over the past six months, it's been a true joy to publish on a regular schedule and hear from you. Within minutes of sending this newsletter, I get emails from subscribers just like you. Your support, advice, stories all make publishing this newsletter worthwhile. I get enormous amounts of pleasure reading your emails, especially when you set me straight or tell a story about how something I wrote jogged a memory hidden in the corner of your mind.
I hope you get to spend time with your loved ones over the holiday. A few days ago, Meghan, Tristan, Brent and I drove back from New Hampshire to Cincinnati to be with Kathy and Kelly. We had to take an indirect route through central Pennsylvania because of lake-effect snow warnings along I-90. I had to drive about 80 miles along I-70/76 (the old Pennsylvania Turnpike) after already driving about eight hours.
It was dark, slushy and the space between the median wall and the never-ending stream of semi-tractor trailers in the right lane was about 13 feet. I was towing a trailer and fortunately I was in the zone. I can't remember ever seeing high-speed lanes that are so narrow. The margin for error either drifting left or right was no more than two feet.
Let me simply say that if you want a thrill and were thinking of playing a video game about fast driving and risk-taking, just go do the real thing. Wait for a rainy night and have yourself a blast on this road. Suffice it to say I will do everything possible to never drive this expressway again. I'm thankful my kids and I are still alive!
MORE CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS
Here are some other Christmas gift ideas for you. These are all products I've tested recently.
I'm a sucker for maps with my college degree in geology. Mapping and geology are like butter and bread. National Geographic has, in the opinion of many, some of the best maps in the world, so it stands to reason they would have some neat mapping software. If a hiker, explorer or anyone who likes maps as I do is on your Christmas gift list, they will really appreciate Topo! Explorer. Get the deluxe version.
Do you want a germ-free 2009 and beyond and hate the odor of chlorine bleach? Perhaps the Germ Guardian UV-C Light Wand is what you need. This tool allows you to illuminate surfaces with powerful ultraviolet light. This kills tons of bacteria if done for 20 seconds while holding the device two inches away from what you are trying to sanitize. Don't use this wand as a personal tanning device.
Here is a stocking stuffer for that person on your list who has no fear of electricity. Every now and then fatigue or mistakes happen, so fully insulated tools make all the difference. Klein Tools makes a full line of insulated hand tools for serious DIY'rs or professional electricians. The insulated screwdrivers have a thick coating on the shaft of the tool so if the tip is in contact with hot electricity and the shaft touches metal or you that might ground the tool, nothing happens. I also had good luck with the insulated diagonal-cutting pliers.
SLOW HOT WATER
Cynthia from Forest Lake, MN wrote to me saying,
"I live in a 58 ft long walk-out on a lake that has a septic system. The water heater is in the lower level at the opposite end of the house as the kitchen and laundry on the main level. I have to run the hot water for a long time to get the hot water to the kitchen. I want to spare the septic system of all that wasted water. What's the best way to provide hot water to the kitchen and laundry? I'm thinking a small water heater in the laundry that feeds the kitchen, too."
This is a great example of what I was talking about in the last newsletter about existing columns at my website. The good news is that within seconds, Cynthia could have had her answer. What's more, very soon Cynthia could have scheduled a ten-minute phone call with me or a video chat to walk her through the steps. The phone call and video chat are going to be part of the new website I'm building.
The bottom line is that Cynthia just has to install a recirculating pump near her water heater that will send hot water to the kitchen at key times when she needs it most. These pumps have cool timers that you can set to turn on and off at preset times of the day and night. If you have a pretty regular schedule, you can have hot water waiting for you right as you get to the sink. Read these columns and watch the video. I prefer the Grundfos pump, but have also heard that there are other systems that work just as well.
The pump in this column is fantastic. Cynthia would have to install the diverter under her sink to make it work. You'll see the diverter in the photo. It's black.
Here's the column where I talk about the Grundfos pump.
Watch this video! I show you the exact pump that Cynthia should use. You can see the little cogs that allow you to precisely tell the pump when to send hot water to your sink or shower.
STAIN SOLVER NEWS
In a couple of weeks, I'm going to do a blowout sale on the 16 and 50-pound sizes of Stain Solver. I'll explain more when this happens, but it will be a true Inventory Reduction Sale. The local government has a tax they levy on inventory in the warehouse at the close of business at the end of the year. My goal is to have little or no product on hand the last week of the year. I'd rather let you benefit.
This is going to be an enormous sale as there are literally TONS of material I need you to buy. I urge you to talk with friends, coworkers, neighbors, relatives, etc. to see who you can share this product with. You may want to think about buying multiple buckets as the deal is going to be unbelievable.
Be sure you pay attention to upcoming newsletters for this announcement.
DEAR TIM: The grout in one joint of my floor tile has come out. Do you know why this happened? Upon close inspection, I can see that the previous homeowner repaired it. What's the best way to work with floor grout in this situation? How do I ensure I match the existing floor grout color perfectly? What type of grout do I install? Valerie P., Tampa, FL
DEAR VALERIE: Floor grout failure can happen for a host of reasons. Some of them have nothing to do with the original installation and others have everything to do with the installer or bad grout. Let's just hope that your failure is limited to this one area, and that all the remaining grout stays put for quite a while.
Here are but a few reasons why the grout could have failed. I could devote the entire column to just this topic, so I'll be brief. First, a structural failure where the floor moved can be the culprit. Seasonal movement of a wood-floor system can cause this as well. The installer could have mixed too much water in with the grout or used too much water at this spot in the floor when dressing the joint. The grout itself could have been bad.
To increase your chances of a repair that lasts, I suggest that you carefully chisel out as much of the grout as possible. Doing this ensures that the good grout you will install will not rest on top of poor-quality grout. I liken this to building a house on top of a poor foundation.
This floor grout was repaired once but failed. The joint needs to be clean and dust free before the next repair is done. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter
You can use a small motorized rotary tool that has a grinding wheel for this task. You can also do it with a light hammer and a narrow chisel or old worn-out flat-head screwdriver. Always chip away from where the grout is still solid. This puts less stress on the tiles on either side of the grout joint. You have to be really careful that you don't strike the tile or aim the chipping tool towards the tile.
Vacuum all powdered grout and grout chunks from the joint. Use an old paint brush to dust out the joint. The bottom of the joint and sides of the tile need to be dust-free to get the best bond between the new grout and the tile.
Matching the grout color is not hard, but many tile installers and homeowners make a mission-critical mistake here. You must restore the existing grout to it original color and allow it to dry before you attempt to select a color. Remember, there are different shades of white and gray grouts. Don't underestimate how hard it is to match the color.
The easiest way I have cleaned floor tile grout is to use oxygen bleach. This non-toxic powder mixes with water making a solution that attacks all dirt and organic food stains without harming the tile, the grout or the pigments in the grout. Oxygen bleach has no odor, and if the solution is allowed to sit on the grout for 30 minutes, minimal scrubbing is needed to make the grout look like the day it was installed. You can readily purchase oxygen bleach online.
Visit a store that sells just ceramic tile or tile and stone products. They almost always have a massive selection of grout colors. You will probably be using sanded grout if the joints between your tile are wider than one-eighth inch. Look closely at you existing grout. If it has a rough texture similar to medium-grit sandpaper, you have sanded floor grout.
You must allow the existing grout to dry completely after cleaning to start to match its color. You can get color charts or sample grout sticks from the specialty tile store. Bring those home and compare them under good light to get a match.
Mix some new grout, about a cupful, to a consistency that matches thick mashed potatoes. Spread it out on a piece of aluminum foil so it's one-quarter-inch thick. Allow this to dry naturally in the air for two days. Crack off small pieces and set them next to the existing grout or in the empty grout joint to see how the color looks. Do this until you get a match. You may have to blend different grouts to get a perfect match.
When you finally have the grout color matched, you can begin to install the new grout. Check again to make sure the joint is dust free. Mix a new batch of grout and get a rubber float as well as a grout sponge and a bucket of warm water.
Push the grout into the joint using the float. Hold the float at a 45-degree angle and wipe away excess grout so the grout is flush with the top of the tile. Don't worry about a film on top of the tile. Wait 15 or 20 minutes until the grout in the joint is pretty firm and stiff. Take the sponge and get it wet but squeeze all the water out of it you can. Lightly stroke the sponge over the tile applying minimal pressure. Do this until the film is completely removed from the tile and the grout joint has the same appearance as the existing grout around adjacent tiles. The new grout will appear darker than the existing grout. Don't worry about that as it should dry to the correct color in two or three days.
Check the grout an hour or two after this and be sure the film is completely gone from the tile. Use the sponge rinsing it frequently. Dry the wet tile with an old rag to polish it and ensure all grout is off the tile.
This lightweight chainsaw is really amazing. You would think it's a toy when you pick it up, but it chews through oak logs like they were butter. PHOTO CREDIT: Brent Walter
DEAR TIM: I need a chainsaw and am flummoxed as to which type to purchase. I'm certain that I want a gas chainsaw, but wonder whether to get an 18-inch chainsaw or a 14-inch model. I've never used chainsaws before and am concerned about my safety. Can an average person use one with little fear? What tips can you offer about buying and working with these amazing tools? Laurel S., Lusby, MD
DEAR LAUREL: I can sure see why you are overwhelmed when faced with purchasing a chainsaw. Wow! There are so many brands, models and features, it's tough to separate what is really needed to do a particular job. But the good news is that I can help you as I just went through this myself. However, it's impossible to share all the knowledge you need to know in this short column.
Many moons ago, 414 to be precise, I used to operate a chainsaw regularly. My father-in-law owned a large tract of forested land that we harvested wild cherry trees for both woodworking and firewood. I used a durable chainsaw that had an 18-inch bar. This saw was fairly heavy, and it cut through hardwood trees with little or no effort.
I was never injured by the chainsaw, but my father-in-law was seriously hurt one day. He slipped while using it and proceeded to make a deep cut in one of his legs. Accidents happen, but this one may have been prevented had he been wearing chainsaw chaps. Chaps are special protective clothing that is an absolute must to have. Furthermore you need heavy gloves, safety glasses and a helmet with a cutting shield.
You can work with these magnificent and powerful tools safely. I urge you to inquire about training classes or demonstrations that might be offered at local stores that sell the chainsaws. There are also some excellent video and DVD products that many of the chainsaw manufacturers have produced that take you through a safety course. These mission-critical safety lessons must not be skipped.
I now own a fantastic 2.4 cubic inch, 40/cc two-cycle gasoline chainsaw that has an 18-inch bar. It's a Sears Craftsman, but as with all things Sears, it's made by some other manufacturer. Sears doesn't own a factory. They sell things made by other companies. I believe this saw was made by Husqvarna, but I'm not certain.
When I first took the saw out of the box I was disappointed. The saw was so light that I thought it was a toy. As soon as I started it and began to use it, I changed my mind. This saw is a beauty. The saw I used over 30 years ago was much heavier, and it would create arm fatigue before the rest of my body was tired. Pay attention to weight as well as any features on the saws that lessen vibrations.
When selecting a chainsaw, think long and hard about what you will really be cutting. In my opinion, you want a chainsaw that has a bar that's longer than the diameter of the wood you will be cutting. You absolutely can cut logs that have a diameter larger than the bar is long, but you take risks doing this.
Price is also a great indicator of quality. Chainsaws that cost more tend to have better parts and components, and they usually are more rugged. The extra money you spend will almost always give you a saw that will not let you down, and it can last generations if cared for. If you want recommendations about great chainsaws, talk to the owners of tree-trimming companies. They use the saws each workday and know what brands are dependable.
Cutting logs is a science. Be aware that a freshly cut tree has enormous amounts of tension in it as it lays on the ground. You can easily get the chainsaw bound up in a cut as the tree pinches the blade. Large portions of the tree can start to roll and trap you as you cut. You must always be aware of these dangers.
Be sure to read the owner's manual several times. Never take shortcuts with respect to the gas and oil that must be used. The bar needs oil to lubricate the moving chain. Use high-quality gas and oil for top performance.
Never let a chainsaw blade touch the ground or dirt. This will dull the blade very quickly. Cutting with a dull blade is both dangerous and puts lots of stress on the engine. Watch for dirt that gets trapped in the bark of older logs that you might find in the woods.
Sharpening a chainsaw blade is an art. The teeth of the blade must be ground to a precise angle to ensure the chainsaw cuts straight. Many tool-rental businesses will do a great job of sharpening chains. Don't underestimate this aspect of chainsaw maintenance.
Follow the instructions in the owner's manual for long-term storage if you want the saw to start after months of sitting idle. If you ignore these steps, you will be taking your saw in to get service.
The last issue of this newsletter was published on Veteran's Day. I forgot to honor all of our veterans. I'm deeply sorry for that oversight. The sacrifices of our veterans are what make this newsletter possible. I've had the distinct honor to meet several distinguished veterans who subscribe to my newsletter. One of them is Dick Daniels, a former Captain in the US Navy who is a tailhooker. He was a pilot who landed on aircraft carriers and put his life on the line each day for us. There are hundreds of thousands, actually millions, of Dick Daniels out there. You know them. Another one is my best friend Richard Anderson. Both served in Vietnam, Richard volunteering for two tours of duty in the Marine Corps.
Do me a huge favor and call or contact any veteran you know. Thank them. Reach out and do them a favor if you can. The freedom we enjoy here in the USA is because of them. The same can be said no matter where you live. Just about every country has been involved in a conflict. If you're free, you owe that to the sacrifice of many. If you're a veteran, my family and I are deeply indebted to you for your sacrifice. Thank you so very much.
VIDEO CHAT
Several days ago, I installed the new video chat feature in Gmail. I'm a big fan of Gmail, the free web-based email provided by Google. I use Gmail each day for all of my email needs. It's amazing. The download of the video-chat software was painless and within minutes it was up and working. I use a MacBookPro laptop, so I have a camera built into my computer. If you don't have a built-in camera, after-market video cameras that connect to a computer are now very affordable.
I tested the video connection with a friend of mine who lives in Los Angeles, 3,000 miles away from me in New Hampshire. It was like we were in the same room. The video quality was fantastic, and the audio was just as good. Video chat is not new by any means. It's been around for a while with different providers. What I like about this is that the video chat seamlessly integrates with my email. Oh, and it's free. I can talk and see my friends and soon possibly you for free. Once again, I'm sure there are similar video chat systems out there, some attached to email. But there's a reason why I'm excited about this. Here's why.
If you're a new subscriber in the past month or so, you have no idea of the new website I'm working on. In the early part of 2009, this new website will be live. This video chat feature will be part of it. I plan to set aside two hours per week in this new website to do something akin to the talk radio show I did for over 12 years. On that radio show I would get calls from someone just like you that had a problem with their house. In ten minutes or less, I almost always solved the problem. But it was all done with voice only and me having to visualize what the situation looked like. That can be hard to do if the person on the other end of the phone can't describe things well.
Part of my plan for this new website is that you'll be able to sign up for time slots each week where I either call you on the phone or video chat with you about your problem. We'll talk for ten minutes or less so that I'll be able to help at least 12 people in two hours.
If you decide to do the video chat with me and can set your camera up near the problem, you'll have the ability to show me what's wrong while we talk about it! That will allow me to give you the best advice possible.
If this is of any interest to you, I suggest that you sign up now for a free Gmail account and start to use it. You can still keep your existing email address and use that as you do now. This new Gmail account can be used when you and I video chat or you decide to video chat with other friends and relatives. But I'll warn you now. When you see all the features of Gmail, you may start using it as I do. When I use Gmail, my emails show that the email came from my @askthebuilder.com address, not my @gmail.com address. That allows you to keep your current address but use a different email platform.
You can go here now to read about the Video Chat and get the account activated. If you have a Gmail account now, download the software and start practicing. I can't wait to see you!
SWANN ADW300 WIRELESS VIDEO CAMERA
While we are on the subject of video cameras, you may be interested in a wireless video camera that allows you to monitor remotely a room in your house, an exterior door or some other thing you want to watch. In the past, these video cameras almost always required a cable to be extended to a monitor, digital video recorder or a hard drive that stored the video footage.
I just started testing the Swann ADW-300 and it's pretty slick. One of the neatest things about this camera is that it has a remote control that allows you to zoom the camera in and out and make the camera pan left, right, up and down. This wireless camera boasts a 160-foot wireless range, so you can have considerable distance between the camera and the receiver. It's rated for outdoor use and has infrared sensors so things that come close to the camera in the dark are visible.
I just started to test this camera and am really impressed with it. In the past, I always felt that running the cable was tough, especially in a finished home. With this device you can be up and running in about five minutes or less - the time it takes you to screw the camera mounting base to the wall.
SEARCH TIPS
Earlier this week, I got an email from a CEO of a company that wanted to know about how to install a toilet and especially about plumbing vents. I was a little flummoxed by his email as that information is at my website. I get similar emails within minutes each time I send out a newsletter.
Six weeks ago when I asked for input about the new website, one of the most-important things you told me you wanted was a superb search engine. Well, unless I'm mistaken, I think I have the best now on my AsktheBuilder.com website. If there's a better one, I sure would love to know about it.
Here are some tips that may really help you discover what you're looking for when you come to my website. Let's say you were that CEO. If he would have typed "toilet installation" and then done a separate search for "plumbing vent", he would have had, in seconds, exactly what he was looking for.
The trick is to use common keywords and just one or two. Let's say you want to know what I've written about ventilation. Well, I have a category named that. If you type in "ventilation", that category page pops right up to the top in the search results. All my columns about ventilation are listed on that category page.
I urge you to really play with the search engine when you need help. Oh, here's a really cool tip. Let's say you want to see if I have a video about a topic. Always include the word video in the search phrase. Examples would be crown molding video, gutter guard video, etc. If I have a video, it will show up right at the top of the search results. Try it and see!
PAINTING PLASTIC
Katrina Demilo from Massachusetts emailed me and asked: "We are going to paint recycling bins as a project for a school auction. What kind of paint/sealer should we use? We want them to last as long as possible."
My response was pretty simple. Plastic is somewhat challenging because it often has a slick surface. I suggested that she try liquid deglossing solvent on the bins followed with a bonding primer that says on the label it adheres to plastic. Traditional oil paints usually have fantastic adhesives in them that allow them to stick to just about anything. But they can be difficult to work with. The oil paints tend to cure faster getting harder quicker than great latex paints.
RECIPES
I want to thank you for sending me your recipe. I got some that made my mouth water as I read them. Right after Thanksgiving I intend to try all of them. By the way, the pork chops and wild rice came out great. I simmered the chops in some pork gravy for about 35 minutes and they were so tender I couldn't believe it. Oh, and I made another apple pie yesterday! My next dessert is banana bread followed by avocado cream pie. That was one of the recipes sent in by Sharon.
SPACE SHUTTLE INSULATION
Several newsletters ago, I made reference to the technology in the protective heat tiles on the Space Shuttles. As always happens, I get emails from subscribers like you who share inside information or fill in the blanks. I really appreciate that feedback. Dana was so interested, she told me she was going to try to locate that past issue of National Geographic magazine that had the article I referenced. Well, that motivated me to go to the Meredith Public Library after I went online to discover the exact issue of the magazine. My library had a copy and it was fascinating to read the article that was published in March 1981 - over 27 years ago! You have to read it if you can get it. You can't believe the reference the author made about cell phones. It was hilarious.
I decided to scan the two pages of the magazine that had the photo I remembered as well as a page I forgot about. Those tiles are 90 percent air! Can you believe that? The only thing I couldn't verify was the R-value of the tiles. One thing's for sure - it's incredibly high as it takes an enormous amount of time for the heat to move into or out of the tiles.
If you want to be the next billionaire and do the planet a huge favor, figure out a way to copy that technology and make sheets of the product that are one-half-inch thick. If we had that material, we could heat our homes for 1/100th of what we spend now. You just need ultra-pure silica. Silica is the most abundant element on the planet. Here's the link to those two pages I scanned.
GUTTER GUARDS
Months ago, I announced that I had completed ten years of testing of gutter guards. Since then there are literally thousands and thousands of new subscribers who get the same newsletter you're reading now. In many areas of the nation we just got through another leaf season. So I thought I would share the link to the page where I have posted the two videos and the story behind which one I finally decided to have installed on my house.
The important thing to realize is that there appears to be a subtle reason why the one gutter guard - the one I chose to use - performed better. The manufacturer determined themselves long ago that the guard must be installed so it's at the same slope as the roof. Of all the gutter guards I had installed over time or had professionally installed by the manufacturer, this is the ONLY one that required that.
You need to understand that making sure the gutter guard is sloped with the roof requires additional work that might be more than the average do-it-yourselfer can handle. Lowering the actual gutter so its front top surface is in the same plane as the roof is what needs to be done. If you have long gutters, this might be problematic and is a good reason to have it done by a professional.
The company that installed my gutter guards was MasterShield. If you contact them, make sure you tell them I said Hello. It's always nice that they know where you heard all about them.
Go watch the videos at this page and remember that in my testing, gutter guards fail miserably in the Spring. Well, just about all of them except MasterShield!
Several Months Into the Test
The video below is what my garage roof looked like after months of testing. It's very obvious that the way the gutter guard is installed makes a very big difference:
The one gutter guard performed better than the other. You can clearly see that.
You can't dispute the findings in the above video.
SPRAY SPACKLING
As you might imagine, I get a constant stream of products to test. One of them arrived about three weeks ago. It's a spray can of spackling compound. Yes, spray spackling. I was as inquisitive as you might be right now. It's called Jig-a-Patch.
I tested it today, and it's very unusual. By that I mean it's as unique as the delivery system. Spackling compounds have come a long way in the past few years, and this may be the one product that pushes the envelope.
My first impression moments after I pushed the tip on the aerosol can is why did I spray shaving cream on the wall? The spackling was as fluffy as that! It spread easily and readily filled the hole. I think you should try it and tell me what you think. The manufacturer has a 100 percent rebate offer open for the next three weeks. Check out their web site for the details and get your free spray spackle.
A very good friend of mine, Jerry Foutz, wrote to me about a product Black and Decker is selling. Jerry was reading a newsletter he gets that talked about this Energy Monitor tool. It allows you to see how much power things around your house use. Think of it as a small point-of-use electric meter. I looked it up, and the cost of the tool is $100.
That reminded me I had a similar tool in the EcoHatchery Starter Kit I talked about several newsletters ago. It's like the Black and Decker product, but it's called Kill a Watt. I unpacked it and plugged it into the outlet next to my sleeping scanner. My scanner is an energy vampire. You and I have many of these things around our homes. Things that suck tiny amounts of power when you think they're off. The Kill a Watt product has an outlet on it's face that you plug in the cord of the appliance you want to monitor.
After 98 hours, the Kill a Watt product told me my scanner wasted .24 kilowatts of power. I then went to see what a kilowatt of electricity costs me. If I read the bill correctly, its close to 20 cents. This means that each day the scanner is wasting a little over a penny a day as it sits idle.
This Kill a Watt product is very cool, and costs just $35 at Amazon, and with shipping it probably will be over $40. But do the math. If I bought it to try to save energy, I would have to keep my scanner off for nearly 11 years just to break even on the purchase price of the meter.
The point is just unplug things that you're not using. If you see a little LED light that is burning brightly on something in your house, it's sucking power. Unplug it if you don't need it.
THREE VIDEOS YOU SHOULD WATCH
Here are three videos I feel you should watch to help save you money this winter. You can use these tips to help you seal air leaks with foam insulation, or you can caulk interior cracks around windows and doors. The third video shows you how to possibly build some Christmas gifts this season using the cool pocket-hole jig I talked about a couple of newsletters back
GREAT CORDLESS CIRCULAR SAW
Are you starting to assemble your own Christmas gift list? Or maybe you're looking for a power-tool idea for a loved one. You can't have too many circular saws in my opinion. When I was still in the field building things, I always had three working circular saws in case one broke down. If you're a serious project hound, you'll discover having two circular saws has distinct advantages.
I just tested a fantastic circular saw kit. It's the Milwaukee 6.5-inch cordless saw powered by an 18-volt lithium-ion battery. This thing is a beauty. It came as a kit with the saw, a charger, two batteries, a soft-sided carrying case and a blade. I was amazed at how well balanced the saw is and its overall weight. The blade spins at 3,500 rpms, and that really helps chew through wood. The tilt bevel of the saw is excellent as it goes past 45 degrees to 50 degrees. The electric brake stops the spinning blade quickly when you let go of the trigger. In other words, the saw has lots of good features including the meter on the batteries that tell you how much charge is left.
I can tell you that if I got this as a gift from someone, I would be very happy. The tool is very well built, and with care could last generations. It's not a disposable power tool as many are today. This is a splendid circular saw.
You can buy it on Amazon using my affiliate link. If you don't want to do that, then shop any number of online power-tool dealers. The model number is 2630-22.
CONSTRUCTION CALCULATOR FOR IPHONE USERS
I bought one of the 3G iPhones three months ago. I love the phone, but deplore the AT&T service. If you're a seasoned subscriber you know my motto for them is NO Bars in More Places.
Anyway, the phone is really a computer. I purchased a little program through the Apple Applications store called inchCalc. It's just a fancy calculator that allows you to do the math to cut roof rafters and other tough carpentry problems. If you're a carpenter, serious DIY'r or want to have that power in your phone, check it out.
MY LATEST COLUMN
Albert asked me about a patio project. His patio needed work and he wondered what was the best way to approach the job.
TRANSPARENCY - IT'S WORTH IT
Do you work in public relations? Do you own a company or work for one that makes the occasional mistake? This may be of great interest to you. If you're a new subscriber in the past ten days, this may not make sense. But if you've received my past two newsletters, then you'll be able to appreciate this story.
I made a mistake in a newsletter two issues ago. It wasn't intentional. I was like a puppy dog in a china shop whose wagging tail gets it in trouble. I discovered my mistake within hours. It was very important to me to tell you as a subscriber that I goofed up and how I fixed it.
Within hours, I was overwhelmed by the response. It taught me a valuable lesson that many should follow. The lesson is that you just need to be as transparent as possible about what you're doing when it comes to business. That's a simple concept, but often overlooked. If you don't think it's important, read a few of the amazing emails I received:
Arthur H. wrote, "Well done. This is very well worded and very respectable, to admit a mistake. I wish more people out there had enough gumption to do that."
Jim H. responded, "Tim, after a lifetime working in the retail industry (the last 20 self-employed) I understand that there will always be unsatisfied customers. I think your correction message is a great way to handle the few complainers, show your ethics to all your customers, and ultimately it is the best marketing method I've seen in awhile-- good show!"
Nancy H. told me, "Oh, if only large companies had half of your integrity. What a joy it is to instill my faith in you as one of my experts that I constantly quote when discussing home improvement topics. It is your integrity coupled with your knowledge and entrepreneurial spirit that make you so successful! Don't ever lose sight of satisfying your customers and correcting your wrongs!"
I think you get the point. Just tell people what in the heck is going on. Live by the Golden Rule. It's that simple.
GREAT TOOL KIT
Here's another gift idea. This is an affordable one for sure. Two days ago, I reviewed a handsome tool kit for a person who is in their first home or has moved into an apartment. This 48-piece hand-tool kit from Great Neck has many of the basic tools you need.
One of the most interesting items in this kit was the razor knife. I still can't make up my mind about it. It's the most beautiful razor knife I've ever seen, and it operates like a pocket knife. It's a folding knife that locks in the open position like my Uncle Henry Knife I wear when I'm hiking. This razor knife is much thinner so for those with small hands it must be easier to manage. I loved the way it felt in my hand. The only thing I don't like about it is that your hand needs to be near the blade when you close it. When the razor knife is closed, it's safe as can be. The blade is not showing. There's a protective cover for the blade you put on it after you finished using it, but I'll bet many will lose that within a month.
But all that aside, if you don't like the razor knife just keep it in the took kit and use a traditional one. The other tools in the kit make it worth it. The storage box for all the tools is thin and has a clear cover so you can see all the tools. I especially liked the ultra-small screwdrivers that were part of the kit. All of us have a need for those around the house.
Here's an affiliate link to buy the kit now from Amazon. If you don't want to use that, then just search for the Great Neck 48 piece tool set.
STAIN SOLVER USES
Yesterday it was my turn to clean the cook top here at the house I bought in New Hampshire. It's a propane one with a stainless-steel base. It's not bad, but there was a ring of caramelized grease splatter around each burner. You can't use scouring powder on the cook top or you will scratch the finish. The previous owner, or their cleaning person, made that mistake already as the cook top is scratched in places from cleaning attempts. Regular cleaning methods will not touch this grease. It's baked on by the heat from the burners. Harsh chemicals can stain the steel, so you have to be really careful.
I took a paper towel and folded it over on itself several times to make a strip about one-inch wide. I then saturated it with warm water and opened it one layer sprinkling some Stain Solver in it. Then I folded the towel back to bury the powder getting it wet. This activates the oxygen bleach.
I then wrapped the paper towel around the base of each burner covering the grease spatter that was cooked on. I waited an hour and then used a simple Dobie Pad scrubber to remove the grease. The cook top looks like new. I would have bet money nothing but scouring powder would have removed that tough baked-on grease!
BOSTON GREEN BUILD CONFERENCE
I'll be in Boston next Wednesday November 19th at their downtown convention center. The Green Build conference is there. If you want to have a soda, I can meet you in the lobby of the convention center at some convenient time. This isn't the best venue to meet at, and I apologize for that. I'll only be in Boston that day, driving back up to New Hampshire that night after dinner.
A NEW FIRST
You may not think this is a big deal, but it is for me. Kathy and I are living apart because I'm in New Hampshire setting up to build our new home and she's still back in Cincinnati with my youngest daughter who wants to graduate from high school with her friends. We'll all be together the summer of 2010, but for now I'm flying, or should I say cooking, solo.
Accccckkkkkk! Boy did I take for granted all Kathy did in the kitchen the past 34 years. Three weeks ago, Meghan, my oldest daughter who is up here with me in New Hampshire, showed me how to make an apple pie. She basically did all the work with me just putting the crust in the glass pie pan. I was an observer.
Well three days ago, I made my first apple pie. I did use the pre-made dough that looks like a long white cigar. But every other step was all me. It came out great! I was so pleased I'm thinking of selling pies from a roadside stand next summer! Just kidding!
The lesson is that if I can try new things that require new skills, so can you. My next project is beef vegetable soup. Who has a great recipe for a soup that has a little kick to it? Tonight I'm doing pork chops in gravy with wild rice.
Standby Generator | Here's a beefy portableelectric generator that produces 5,500 watts. This is NOT a standby generator, although you may be able to convert it to one. This CAT one is a portable generator that can keep you reasonably comfortable for an extended power outage. CLICK ON THE PHOTO NOW TO HAVE THIS GENERATOR DELIVERED TO YOUR GARAGE.
Standby Generator - It Starts Up Automagically When the Power Goes Out
DEAR TIM:The last major storm knocked out my electric power for days. I'm wondering if I should invest in a portable generator or a standby generator. What's the difference between these home generators? How do you determine what size electric generator to purchase? Do you think I can install a standby generator myself as I'm pretty handy? Bonnie S., Burlington, VT
DEAR BONNIE: Two months ago, Hurricane Ike ravaged Cincinnati, OH. It was a cloudless blue-sky day with fierce sustained winds. My house there lost power, and it wasn't restored for five agonizing days. The loss of electricity shredded the social fabric of the family as if it were tissue paper. Electricity is almost as important as oxygen in some respects. When it's there, you don't even think about it, but when it's gone, you get desperate in a hurry.
Why are Standby Generators Popular?
Home generators are gaining in popularity for many reasons. After this storm event, I was bound and determined to get a standby generator, especially for the winter season when vicious ice storms can create power outages for weeks in some remote areas. Read in the December 14, 2008 AsktheBuilder Special News how my standby generator worked after an ice storm.
What's the Difference Between a Portable and Standby Generator?
This standby generator is ready to start up on its own as soon as there's a power outage. It's powerful enough to run much of a regular house. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter
There's a huge difference between portable generators and standby generators. A portable generator is one you can move around. The ones most homeowners recognize are those that are the size of a medium picnic cooler and are powered by a small gasoline engine. Contractors often use these on job sites when regular electricity is not yet connected.
Can a Portable Generator Power an Entire House?
These small portable generators are not designed to power an entire house. The intention is for you to run one or several extension cords from the generator directly to the appliance you wish to power. You may connect it to a refrigerator for a few hours, then a window air conditioner, and maybe a few table lamps. Forget about connecting all of your appliances at once to a small portable generator. It simply will not work.
What is a Standby Generator?
A standby generator is a larger fixed device that resembles an outdoor air conditioning compressor. They are capable of generating enough power to keep many essential electrical devices operating at once, or you can invest in a standby generator that can operate every electrical appliance and light in your house all at once.
Can a DIYr Install a Standby Generator?
The standby generators are not meant to be installed by a homeowner. Not only do you have to connect a fuel source to it such as propane or natural gas, but you also have to hardwire the generator into your electrical system. This is fairly complex and best done by professionals. What's more, you need to install a sophisticated transfer switch with a separate electrical panel that contains the electrical circuits that will be powered when the generator turns on.
Will a Standby Generator Start Automatically?
One primary difference between a standby generator and a portable one is the standby generator will turn itself on when the primary electric to your home is knocked out. This is accomplished by the transfer switch, and can have your lights back on in as little as ten seconds. When the utility company finally restores your power, the transfer switch senses this and shuts off your generator.
Do You Need Extension Cords With a Standby Generator?
Extension cords are not used with a standby generator. All of your appliances remain plugged into their wall outlets. The electrician, with your input, decides which circuits in your home to connect to the generator. This allows you to purchase the correct-sized generator. If you decide to power just a part of your home, the other areas will be dark and off the grid. Think about what appliances and rooms of your house you can survive in until the utility company gets power back to your home.
Do Standby Generators Come with Phone Apps?
Some standby generators come with software and smartphone apps that allow you to check the status of your generator if you're not at home. This software can also communicate with you or a service company if it senses something is wrong that might cause the generator to fail in the event of a power outage. This allows you to have it repaired so that it will be working when you need it most.
Are Portable Generators Useful?
Portable generators can get you by in an emergency, but they are not in the same league as a standby generator. In an emergency, you need to drag out the portable generator, and safely string all the extension cords. You then need to add fuel to the engine on a regular basis day and night. It can be a hassle. You also need to be very careful about placing it near the partially open window or door that the cords pass through. The carbon monoxide fumes from the engine exhaust can drift indoors.
How Much Power Can a Standby Generator Produce?
My standby generator produces 17,000 watts of power. You can get these generators in much larger sizes.
The 17,000 watts isn't enough to completely power everything in my home, but it will allow me to keep my boiler in operation as well as all the recirculation pumps. My refrigerator, microwave and countertop oven, and many light circuits will also be powered. I'll even have plenty of power to operate my well pump. This means that as long as my buried 1,000-gallon propane tank doesn't run dry, I'll be able to survive for weeks.
Standby generators require periodic maintenance as they contain engines that spin the actual generator. Often you can do this maintenance yourself. If you want a company to do this, they will gladly take care of it.
The 14.4 volt cordless drill might be the most popular size consumers purchase. They can have great power, but not weigh too much. My favorite is the Bosch Brute Tough model 37614. It's a beauty of a tool with plenty of power. The keyless chuck and adjustable clutch makes it great for many jobs. You can use it as a screwdriver on steroids!
If you're a new subscriber in the last 48 hours (and there are hundreds), this is a VERY unusual newsletter blast. I just sent a big newsletter out less than two days ago and there was a BIG mistake in it. I don't want you to think my following mea culpa is what all future newsletters will be like. Read other comments in the November 12, 2008 AsktheBuilder News.
What happened is I announced my newest eBook about Energy Savings. I was really stoked (excited), because I *knew* this eBook would absolutely save everyone who read it - and implemented my advice - hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in their home heating and cooling costs. How did I know this? Because I've done it myself. I took advice I had heard over and over and over from others and acted on it.
The trouble is I oversold the eBook. No, I didn't run out of copies, as that can't happen since it's an electronic PDF file. I did sell more copies than I expected, and hope that you were one of the people that is all set to save money.
The mistake I made is that I unknowingly created the expectation that there was this magical product or some revolutionary unheard of method that would allow you to save money.
The truth I revealed in the eBook is there's NO Silver Bullet. Just as there's no Fountain of Youth. If Juan Ponce de Leon was still around, he could tell you all about that. But I didn't reveal that in the newsletter copy two days ago.
There's a magical product, but our government, I believe, will not release the technology. I'm talking about the technology used to make the tiles on the Space Shuttle. I read an article about those in National Geographic about 15 or 20 years ago. If my memory serves me right, those tiles have an R-factor of 2000 and are about two-inches thick. Can you imagine if they made that stuff in sheets that were one-half inch thick, just like the OSB or foam sheathing we use now? We would have houses that had an R-factor of 500. You could heat that with a candle. But I digress.
My loving daughter Meghan, whom you may already know about, quickly pointed out that the title to the eBook was misleading. I had titled it:
The Real Secrets About Energy Savings
Meghan said the title should have been:
The Truth About Energy-Savings Methods
You may be one of the ten customers who complained to me about how the eBook didn't meet your expectations. If so, I'm sorry about that, and you've already received your refund.
My Energy-Savings eBook is filled with all sorts of helpful things and with one primary common-sense method that actually works. It's much like the Chicken-Soup series of books and Erma Bombeck's books. Sometimes you need to hear a message multiple times before it sinks in. I'm living proof of that! It was my intention that my writing would be the straw that broke your back - that you would finally take action.
That said, you still may have been unsatisfied as you were/are on a quest for that magic silver bullet. The bottom line is that if you want to cut your fuel bills in half, then use 50 percent less fuel. I reveal in the eBook how I do it each day and remain comfortable. But you may not have thought that was enough information for the money you spent. If so, I once again apologize.
Here are the Facts:
The eBook discusses how each year we all get pummeled with Energy-Savings tips, and how some of those messages can be very misleading. This is in Chapter One. Many things in the eBook you've already heard, but maybe never have implemented for any number of reasons. Or worse yet, you may have been suckered into doing them thinking you were saving money. But the point in the eBook was to explain what works and what doesn't and how to calculate real savings. In my excitement, I didn't make that totally clear.
The eBook contains what I have discovered is the best method that works for me, to actually save hundreds of dollars per year. I will end up saving thousands of dollars over the next few years. Once again, I had heard this method many times before, but I ignored the advice. But when I finally tried it, I was amazed at the results.
The sad thing is I get the feeling that many will ignore the advice and continue to waste money. I'm really bummed by that as I was so excited when I saw the results of my own test.
Okay, enough said. I've changed the title and revised the sales copy at the shopping cart making it clear what's in the eBook. I want to remind you that the Satisfaction Guarantee still stands. If you purchased the eBook, didn't like it, didn't think it was worth what you paid, but were reluctant to contact me, please do so immediately. I want you to be totally happy.
If you're a new subscriber and want to discover what all this craziness is about, go here.
UPCOMING BOSTON TRIP
On November 19, 2008, I'll be in Boston all day at a Green Conference. If you want to get together, I'll have the details for you in a few days.
DEAR TIM: I have a patio-repair job at my house. The irregular pieces of limestone are fine, but the mortar joints between them are failing. In some places the stones have lifted up. The patio is about 20-years old, so I think that this patio crack repair is not an indication that I have to start over. Is this patio mortar repair something I can handle? What is a good way to ensure the repair lasts for a long time? Is it possible the stones are set just on sand? Albert Jacob, San Antonio, TX
DEAR ALBERT: You have one great patio there! Not too long ago, I played golf in an exhausted limestone quarry in San Antonio, TX. Perhaps the stone from your patio came from that location. In any event, I would not consider taking up the stone. Based upon your photos, I can see that a few days of patio repairs will have that outdoor space looking like new.
It's possible that the stones were laid on a sand base. Since you rarely have extended periods of freezing weather, I see no issues with a sand base. What concerns me more would be movement in the soil beneath the sand caused by expansive clay soils. Parts of Texas have extensive amounts of clay soil that shrink and swell as the moisture content in the clay goes up and down. This movement is enough to crack foundations, so it can easily move your thin patio stones up and down.
I would recommend that you chisel out all of the old mortar between the stones. You can do this by hand, or you can rent a demolition hammer from a tool-rental business. These electric tools are simply miniature jack hammers and will quickly pulverize the mortar. You just have to be careful not to crack the limestone.
As you're removing the mortar, save it in a pile. This will help you estimate how much new sand and cement you need to purchase to do the patio repair. You absolutely want to buy plenty of sand from the same batch and plenty of Portland cement from the same manufacturer. Doing this will ensure that the color of the new mortar joints is the same. If you mix batches of sand or buy different types of cement, the color of the mortar can be quite different. Be sure to purchase coarse sand for this job.
This stone patio has failed mortar joints. The repair is not complicated, but does require working on your hands and knees. PHOTO CREDIT: Albert Jacob
After all the old mortar is removed from the cracks, you need to adjust the height of the stones so they are reasonably flat. If this means lifting them up and taking sand out from some stones or adding sand under others, do so. You can use the old mortar you removed as a base under stones that are low.
To prevent any future movement caused by the soil, I have a little secret you can try. Get some scrap one-half-inch diameter hard-copper tubing from a plumber. Cut it into short lengths that are one-half-inch longer than the thickness of the patio stones. Tap these little pipes somewhat randomly in the spaces between the stones. Try to have at least one pipe section for every six square feet of patio area. The top of the pipe should be flush or slightly lower than the top of the stones.
Carefully install the new mortar. Mix it using three measures of clean sand, one and one-half measures of Portland cement and enough water to make the mixture similar to bricklaying mortar. This means that the mortar will be stiff enough so it can stand up about one and one-half inches on a trowel. Try to work on overcast days or when the patio is in the shade. Cool, damp weather is the best to work in. Sunny, hot and windy days are the worst as the new mortar will dry too rapidly.
The joints between the stones must be dust free before you add the new mortar. Be sure to use a spray bottle filled with clean water to mist the sides of the stone and the sand base just before you add the mortar. This small trick will help the mortar make a good bond between the stones.
Only mix enough mortar as you can install in one hour. Never add additional water to mortar that starts to get hard. Be careful not to put mortar inside the open copper pipes that are sticking up. Once the patio-repair job is complete, these pipes will allow rain water to get under the patio to keep the soil moist. If the weather gets bone-dry, then you want to use your hose or sprinkler to get water into the little pipes so the soil stays moist all year long. By doing this, the soil will not shrink and swell, and your patio repair should last for a very long time.
When installing the new mortar, you can use a large trowel that has a fair amount of mortar on it and use a smaller trowel to slide mortar from the bigger trowel into the joints between the stones. Hold the bigger trowel so its long edge is parallel with the joint keeping the trowel about an inch above the stones.
Try avoiding getting the fresh mortar on the top of the stones. If you do, just scrape it off immediately. Don't worry about the mortar smear on the stone. After one month, you can remove the mortar smears with a solution of muriatic acid and water. Mix one part acid to ten parts water. Get the stones damp with clear water then pour on the acid solution. Allow the acid to bubble for ten minutes then scrub the area with a scrub brush. Wear goggles and rubber gloves. Follow all safety instructions on the acid label.
Column 751
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