Today’s Homeowner Radio Show | July 25, 2020

You may have heard about planned obsolescence — the idea that everything is made to break or at least become outdated and need replacement.

But things break down even when it’s not deliberate; that’s true with people and with homes.

Hairline cracks form on your concrete driveway and exterior mortar. Your basement walls develop efflorescence. Your vinyl siding has a chalky residue.

These problems are common and solvable, and we’ll discuss each of these issues on this week’s Today’s Homeowner Radio Show.

• [skipto time=2:09][2:09][/skipto] Tips for dealing with the summer heat outdoors and keeping your AC running cool and efficiently
• [skipto time=8:29][8:29][/skipto] Danny and Joe discuss trends in food gardening
• [skipto time=15:34][15:34][/skipto] “I’ve read online that I should cover the gable vents because it could ‘short-circuit’ the soffit-ridge vent system. Looking for a trusted opinion on this matter.”
• [skipto time=28:27][28:27][/skipto] Best New Product: ApolloPEX Water Pressure Regulator with Gauge
• [skipto time=30:22][30:22][/skipto] “My carport does not have a ridge vent placement. Does the lack of a ridge vent pose a problem?”
• [skipto time=39:26][39:26][/skipto] “Our house sustained damage from Hurricane Michael. I’m wondering what product I can use to repair several cosmetic cracks in the exterior mortar.”
• [skipto time=49:53][49:53][/skipto] Simple Solution: Joe’s formula for a safe, non-toxic mosquito repellant
• [skipto time=55:53][55:53][/skipto] “My basement is basically poured cinder with some concrete mixed in. It’s granulating badly … It also has some efflorescence that I need to get rid of. Help!”
• [skipto time=57:56][57:56][/skipto] “About a year ago I had a brand new AC put in and in the daytime it cools but at night it’s really hot and stuffy in the house. Help!”
• [skipto time=59:09][59:09][/skipto] “I’ve got some chalking going on with my vinyl siding. Got any tips?”
• [skipto time=1:01:25][1:01:25][/skipto] “My home has laminate flooring, hardwood flooring, ceramic tile and Mexican Saltillo floors. I would like to install new water-resistant or waterproof flooring because I want one consistent floor color throughout the house. Help!”
• [skipto time=1:12:33][1:12:33][/skipto] “Is there any way to cover wall tile that goes halfway up our bathroom wall instead of taking it out?”
• [skipto time=1:22:39][1:22:39][/skipto] “I have some cracks in my concrete driveway. I repaired these about four years ago. The repairs did well for a couple of years; now the same crack lines are back. Help!”
• [skipto time=1:33:41][1:33:41][/skipto] “There’s a funky smell coming from our kitchen sink and I traced it back to the dishwasher’s drainage hose. Can I replace the hose myself or must I call a plumber?”
• [skipto time=1:37:03][1:37:03][/skipto] “I want to make a raised flowerbed with landscaping timbers. How do I connect them to each other so they do not fall over?”
• [skipto time=1:43:44][1:43:44][/skipto] Simple Solution: How to contain dust and debris when drilling holes in walls

Which Size Window Air Conditioner Do You Need?

Planning to purchase a window air conditioner? As a general rule, you need about 20 British thermal units of cooling for every square foot of living space.

So, for example, a 12-by-16-foot room would require an air conditioner with a cooling capacity of approximately 4,000 BTU (12 x 16 = 192 sq. ft. x 20 = 3,840 BTU). 

Here’s a simpler, no-math way to determine which size air conditioner to buy. Listed below are the most common sizes of window air conditioners for rooms ranging from 150 to 1,600 square feet: 

Best New Product

Why the ApolloPEX 3/4 inch Bronze Double Union PEX Water Pressure Regulator with Gauge raises the bar for water pressure regulation. Learn more>>

Other Products and Links Mentioned