Ceiling fan
This podcast, learn how to stay cool for the summer. (DepositPhotos)

Is your home ready for summer? First, you’ll need to seal your home’s ‘envelope.’ Then, you’ll need to insulate your patio and set your ceiling fans to help stay cool.

Listen to the Today’s Homeowner Podcast for those and many more home improvement tips!

  • [skipto time=1:58][1:58][/skipto] Remodeling and waterproofing a shower
  • [skipto time=5:05][5:05][/skipto] What to do about cracks in kitchen cabinet doors
  • [skipto time=8:20][8:20][/skipto] Best New Product: Ryobi 40-Volt, 20-Inch Brushless Push Mower
  • [skipto time=10:16][10:16][/skipto] Tips for insulating a patio
  • [skipto time=14:42][14:42][/skipto] Tips for summer A/C maintenance
  • [skipto time=18:14][18:14][/skipto] How to set ceiling fans for summer cooling
  • [skipto time=18:37][18:37][/skipto] The importance of sealing the envelope of a home
  • [skipto time=20:24][20:24][/skipto] Putting in a post with concrete
  • [skipto time=24:40][24:40][/skipto] Simple Solution: How to get all the paint out of a spray-paint can
  • [skipto time=27:22][27:22][/skipto] Question of the Week: How to find the joists on a porch ceiling to install a swing

Question of the Week

Q: “The house my wife and I own has a porch with tongue-and-groove wood for a ceiling. There is ½-inch OSB board under the tongue and groove.

How do I find the joists to hang a swing from?  I tried to get in through the attic, but we have spray foam insulation under our roof deck and there is a barrier between the attic and the area above the porch…”

A: A phone app called Wall Bot looks through walls and acts like a stud finder. But ceiling joists are almost never where you need them. So, we recommend holding a 2-by-4 cleat flat against the ceiling, screwing at least two joists, and then driving the bolt through it.


Simple Solutions

Brass Screw Tip — Small brass screws are beautiful and decorative, but they’re also soft, so it’s easy to strip the head or snap the screw in half. To prevent these problems, try this: First, drill a pilot hole, and then drive in a steel screw that’s the same size as the brass screw. What you’re doing is essentially threading a hole in the wood to accept the brass screw. Next, back out the steel screw and drive in the brass screw. 

No-Clog Spray Painting — The spray tips on spray-paint cans clog very easily, making it virtually impossible to use all the paint that’s in the can. Here’s how to avoid clogs: First, after painting, turn the can upside down and press the tip until the spray runs clear. Then, pull off the tip and drop it into a jar of mineral spirits to soak. Next time you’re ready to paint, take the spray tip out of the mineral spirits, ream out the spray hole with the wire from a twist tie to remove any softened paint. Place the tip back on the can and start spraying.


Other Products and Links Mentioned


Editorial Contributors
avatar for Danny Lipford

Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

Learn More