Table of Contents
Hour 1
Popping Pool Tiles
Tony from Pittsburg has quarry tiles around his pool that keep popping off the surface each season. The tiles themselves are sealed but the mortar between them is not. He wants to know if they should be sealed and if so with what material.
It’s important for outside tile applications to be sealed because when water soaks into the mortar and freezes, the expansion can break tiles loose. You can consult a local tile supplier to find a good sealer option. One good option is TracSafe* because it not only seals the surface, it also adds an “anti-slip” texture to it which could be important around a pool.
Fence Post Setting Solution
Will is getting mixed messages about pouring concrete around fence posts. One source says, “always mix the concrete in a wheelbarrow first and then pour it in the hole” while others tell him to just “mix the concrete in the hole.” He wants to know which is better.
The truth is that most garden variety concrete mixes are not formulated to be mixed in the hole, so they won’t deliver full strength if you try to use them that way. On the other hand, Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete mix*, in the red bag, is designed specifically to be mixed directly in the hole and still achieve full strength. You plumb the post in the hole… pour in the dry mix… and soak it with water. The additional benefit here is that this concrete mix will set up in about 20 to 40 minutes, so the post position is locked in. In about 4 hours you can begin construction, so your project isn’t delayed by drying time!
Hour 2
Leaky Window Fix
Jeff’s Indiana home has a front porch that has been enclosed with windows which are leaking. They are old single pane windows, but the space isn’t insulated or climate controlled. He wants to know if it’s worth replacing the windows.
One of the advantages of newer double paned windows is their insulation value which isn’t that important here. The bigger issue is the leaking because that moisture can affect the framing around the window. Replacing the windows is the smart move here if only to stop the leaks and prevent damage to the home’s framing.
Should You Seal Slate Steps?
Vince has a hundred-year-old home with steps made from solid slate block. The steps are starting to peel in layers, and he wants to know how to prevent that from continuing to happen.Slate is naturally formed in strata, or layers, so it’s not uncommon for it to separate at those layers when moisture gets inside and freezes. The only real solution is to keep the moisture out by sealing the steps with a waterproofer*.
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Simple Solutions
Removing Candle Wax—Remove wax from candle drips on tables, floors or other wood surfaces with this trick. Fill a plastic zip-lock bag with ice cubes and set it onto top of the wax spill. Wait about five minutes for the wax to harden. Then use a plastic putty knife or spatula to scrape the wax from the surface.
Easy Carpet Removal—Speed up and simplify the removal of old carpeting with this trick. First, slice the carpet up into manageable size squares with a sharp utility knife. Slice through the back of the carpeting, cutting it into 3-foot-square pieces. These are much easier to carry out of the room than a large roll of carpeting
