Hour 1
Hear what glue you need on hand for easy repairs, how to build a sound-blocking fence, and more.
Repairing Made Easy with Titebond’s Quick & Thick
One constant for all homeowners is the endless need to repair things. Even the most careful people occasionally have a broken lamp or a chipped piece of pottery.
And if you have small children at home, you know the number of those repairs goes up exponentially until you’re an empty nester. But don’t worry, it goes back down for a few years — until the grandkids come to visit.
The question with all these repairs becomes “what glue do I use” when you’re trying to bond all these different surfaces? The answer is this great addition to your toolbox.
Quick & Thick is a multi-surface glue made by the folks at Titebond and designed specifically to address these kinds of calamities. It’s a thick, fast-drying water-based glue that works on both porous and semi-porous materials.
In addition to wood, it will work on pottery, ceramic, stone, glass, fabrics and even leather.
Because it’s thick, it stays in place well while you position parts, and it provides a strong initial tack. That means the repair is completed quickly but you still have some time to realign working pieces.
It dries clear and isn’t affected by finishes, like paint, so your repairs become invisible.
Plus, when you’re not making repairs, it’s great for putting together craft projects.
To find out more, check it out at titebond.com/quickandthick.
This portion of the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show is sponsored by Titebond.
Building a Sound-Blocking Fence
A homeowner has a large stone patio with breathtaking western views, but unfortunately, it’s next to a loud, busy road. He says, “We’d like to build a wooden fence to block some of the street noise. Do you have any suggestions for the size and design of the fence?”
When trying to block sound, the more mass, the better. Without a doubt, plants will help a lot. Plant a nice thick hedge in addition to a fence. If you’re going to use plants, the plants will break the first sound wave, but behind that, you’ll need something solid.
Any kind of masonry wall will provide the best soundproofing. Of course, you’re going to have a delicate balance between blocking off the noise and blocking the view, so consider this when determining how tall you want it. Consider constructing the fence with a masonry product, like concrete blocks with a stucco finish.
Wood also absorbs sound pretty well. Consider installing a solid wood fence and keeping those boards nice and tight. As a general rule, the line of sight rule, if you can see what the source of the noise is, either over or under the fence, then it’s not doing any good.
Build the fence as high as necessary so you don’t see the road.
Hour 2
Hear tips for cleaning soot after a house fire, how to keep cats out of a garden, ways to update your curb appeal on a budget, and more.
Cleaning Up After a House Fire
A fire recently broke out in a homeowner’s home, and he wants to know: “How do I get that black soot off my appliances, furniture, wood table, etc.?”
Cleaning up after a house fire can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to getting rid of the stubborn black soot that covers almost everything in sight.
If the soot has gotten into porous surfaces or gotten hot during the fire, it may be deeply embedded and difficult to remove.
One approach is to take the affected items outside and sand them down to remove the top layer of soot. After sanding, use a degreaser to clean the surface thoroughly.
Once clean, you can reapply the original paint, stain, or varnish to the surface to give it a fresh look.
For surfaces that are less porous, a mixture of trisodium phosphate and water can be used to wipe down the surfaces. This mixture should be used with caution and according to the instructions on the packaging.
After wiping down the surface with the TSP mixture, any residual soot can be removed by using a Magic Eraser to scrub it away.
Cleaning up after a house fire can be hazardous due to the potential for inhaling harmful particles. It’s recommended to wear protective gear, such as a respirator and gloves, while cleaning.
It’s also advisable to seek the assistance of professionals who have experience and expertise in fire damage restoration to ensure the proper handling of the cleanup process.
Keeping Cats Out of a Garden
A homeowner is looking for a solution to prevent cats from using his wife’s garden as a litter box.
However, he wants to resolve the issue, without getting his neighbors involved, to keep the peace.
He says, “We’re friends with the neighbor and don’t want to start any trouble. Do you have any suggestions for keeping the garden safe from cat droppings?”
I recommend getting a scarecrow motion-sensing sprinkler system. This nifty gadget detects any movement in the area and sprays for the length of time you set it for, whether that’s five seconds or five minutes.
All you have to do is place it in the areas where the cats tend to hang out, and voila! They’ll be scared off in no time.
And anyone who has a cat knows that’s true, based on how they react to a simple, direct squirt of water from a spray bottle.
Now, here’s a pro tip: once those feline friends are deterred a few times, they’ll learn to avoid your garden altogether. You can leave the sprinkler system in place without even turning it on, and it’ll still do the trick.
Just be sure to remember to turn the system off when you’re taking out the garbage, or you might get an unexpected shower!
Updating Curb Appeal on a Budget
The change of seasons is the perfect time to revitalize your home’s curb appeal with a fresh new look.
As the weather warms, take time to tidy up your landscape and create a clean slate for the next growing season. There are plenty of ways to improve your home’s appearance out front without spending a lot of time or money.
Here are some ideas:
- Maintain a neat front yard by trimming the lawn, driveway, sidewalk, and curb with a trimmer. Use Scott’s Turf Builder Triple Action1 to kill weeds and nourish your lawn with essential nutrients.
- Planters filled with flowers and greenery add a perfect touch. Lightweight ones allow for easy movement to chase or avoid sunlight, and they bring more attention to the desired feature.
- Remove exterior stains easily with 30 Seconds 64 oz. Outdoor Ready-To-Spray Cleaner. Spray on, brush, and rinse away algae, mold, and mildew for a sparkling finish without a pressure washer.
- Refresh your mulch once a year with Vigoro 2 cu. ft. Bagged Premium Black Wood Mulch for a clean and finished lawn and garden. Spread evenly with a rake or your hands to help retain moisture, block weeds, and improve soil quality.
- Painting can give your home a new look. Use quality paint or deck stain to update your trim, shutters, front door, or deck for a quick weekend project.
- Install outdoor lighting to enhance the safety, security, and appearance of your home at night. Illuminate your front walkway and house with new light fixtures such as sconces, string lights, and solar-powered lanterns.
For more outdoor inspiration, visit The Home Depot’s DIY Projects & Ideas.
This portion of the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show is sponsored by The Home Depot.
Best New Products
Makita’s 40V XGT Cordless Mower is the Battery-Powered Solution for Larger Yards
Cordless, battery-powered mowers have been popular for a while but mostly for people with small yards. The run time and cost of batteries made them less attractive to people who have more mowing to do. So Makita addressed that with their new 40-volt XGT Cordless Self-Propelled Mower.
It’s powered by one 40V battery but can carry two batteries to provide extended run time with its Auto-Switching two-bay battery system. That means you can cut up to 3/5 of an acre with two 40V XGT 4.0Ah batteries.
The brushless motor delivers up to 2,800 RPM and the commercial-grade steel deck is set up for mulching, bagging, or rear discharge.
Plus, the rear-wheel drive self-propelled technology provides improved traction and improved performance on incline slopes and uneven terrain.
Listen to learn all about this Best New Product!
Find the Makita 40-volt XGT Cordless Self-Propelled Mower at The Home Depot.
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Simple Solutions
Rain Gutter Planters — I wanted to make flower boxes for the railings on my front porch and back deck, but rather than build the boxes out of wood, I took a shortcut and used plastic rain gutters.
First, cut the gutter into three-foot sections, and then drilled several 1/4-in.-dia. drainage holes through the bottom of the gutter.
Next, slip on two mounting brackets and two end caps. Then, fasten the gutters directly to the railing with a couple of decking screws.
Lastly, line the bottom with landscaping fabric before adding soil and flowering plants.
Watch: Using Plastic Rain Gutters as Flower Boxes
Gravel Entry — Traffic in and out of a shed will often trample down and wear out the ground near the entrance. As a result, the area will become sunken, and turn into a soggy, muddy mess after a rainstorm.
To prevent further erosion, make a simple landing pad out of a few 2-by-4s and some gravel. Here’s how:
- Build a rectangular frame out of pressure-treated 2-by-4s and set it on the ground in front of the entrance.
- Use a shovel to cut down into the ground around the outside of the frame.
- Move the frame out of the way and dig out about three inches of dirt.
- Set the frame into the excavated hole, line the bottom with landscaping fabric, then fill the frame with gravel.
- Compact the gravel with a hand tamper or long 4-by-4.
- Add more gravel, if necessary, to completely fill the 2-by-4 frame.
