Table of Contents
This week on the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show, learn our tips for silencing squeaky stairs, coating garage floors, dealing with air quality around wildfires, and much more!
Hour 1
Stopping Squeaky Steps
Lloyd wants to know how to silence a set of squeaky wooden steps that lead from his garage into his house.
The source of these squeaks is usually in the joint where the tread meets the stair stringer. If the treads are secured with screws, you can remove the screws and the treads. Next you can isolate the treads by laying down a strip of builder’s felt or cardboard.
An even better solution would be to coat the string tops with construction adhesive* before replacing the treads.
Coating for Concrete Floors
Often people want to cover bare concrete floors with paint or stain to upgrade a basement or garage. Paints and stains will change the look, but they often require re-application within a few years because they peel or wear off.
RollerRock from Daich Coatings is a different kind of coating which is a great solution for these types of projects. The difference is that RollerRock is not paint, it’s a high-performance concrete coating made of REAL STONE. When stone bonds to stone it creates a very durable surface.
RollerRock has a speckled stone appearance and comes in 15 standard colors which can be applied just like paint. Roll on two coats with a special “stone textured” roller and then seal it with an epoxy clear coat finish.
RollerRock resists water, UV rays, salt, chemicals, mold, mildew and even Hot-tire pickup. To find out more, visit www.daichcoatings.com.
Hour 2
Garage Door Curb Appeal
There are lots of opinions about how to improve a home’s curb appeal. Because the garage door is one of the biggest components on the front of many homes, it’s a great place to start.
Garage door replacements continuously rank among the highest return on investment for common household renovations according to Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report.
Adding a new garage door enriches the character of the home by using its vast and visible square footage to enhance the architectural style of the house. Wayne Dalton makes it easier to choose the right door by offering a wide variety of styles to work with any kind of architecture.
The Wayne Dalton Garage Door Design Center is an App that allows you to see what a specific door, in a specific color will look like on your house. You can also add windows or hardware to create a different look. To find out more you can check them out at Wayne-Dalton.com.
Protecting Indoor Air Quality Near Wildfires
Recent wildfires in many areas of the country have raised concern about the indoor air quality for those living in proximity to the fires. Here are some ways to reduce the impact:
- Consider using a portable air purifier like the Honeywell PowerPlus HEPA Air Purifier.
- Seal the exterior envelope of the home by filling gaps around windows and doors.
- If possible set the HVAC system to re-circulate rather than bring in outside air.
- Use fans like the Ryobi Air Cannon Drum Fan to remove any smoke that gets into the house.
- Create an emergency preparedness kit with a plastic tote filled with necessities like food, water and first aid supplies.
For more ideas, visit The Home Depot’s DIY Projects & Ideas. This portion of the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show is sponsored by The Home Depot.
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Simple Solutions
Reviving Leather Work Gloves — Leather work gloves are ruggedly tough and offer superior protection against splinters, blisters, and puncture wounds. However, when they get wet, they dry out and become stiff and brittle. Here’s how to resuscitate stiff leather gloves: First, coat your hands is a thick layer of petroleum jelly and Bag Balm. Then, slip on the gloves; that will condition the inside of the leather. Next, take a big scoop of mink oil and rub it into the outside surfaces of the gloves, including in between each finger. Wait overnight and treat the outside of the gloves with a second application of mink oil.
Veneer Tape Tip — The quickest, easiest way to conceal the exposed edges of plywood shelves and cabinets is with iron-on veneer tape. Press the veneer onto the plywood with a clothes iron set on hot, no steam. To ensure a lasting bond, immediately after ironing, firmly rub down the veneer with a small wooden block.
