Home Repair Tutor

Latest Episodes:

197: Toilet Installation, Popular Mechanics, and Weekend Projects Dec 05, 2015

Show notes

Is your bathroom steaming up? Today we talk about our humidity sensor tutorial which is being featured over on Popular Mechanics website.

Humidity sensors are easy to install and automatically turn your bathroom fan and off.

If you check out this tutorial you’ll get step-by-step instructions from my buddy Bill White who is an electrician.

See the tutorial here

One of our fans Pam Levario wants to replace her toilet.

So I decided to talk about this today and give you some awesome tips.

Plus we discuss mistakes to avoid when choosing toilets.

Many thanks to Johns Manville for sponsoring today’s show.

Check out their complete line of insulation over at http://www.jm.com/en/

If you liked today’s show please give us a rating and review on iTunes, thank you

Remember, we have 196 podcast shows

You can listen to all of them for free over on iTunes or Stitcher.

If you want me to feature a cool Deal of the Day or project send me a quick email

jeff@homerepairtutor.com

We record the podcast every day, so I’m up for sharing your great idea

To join our Home Repair Tutor Private Facebook Group click over to

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrtcommunity/

196: Home Automation, Vapor Barriers and Router Question Dec 04, 2015

Show notes

Are you a techie? I need your help today…what’s the best router for a house that has multiple computers, smartphones, a home automation system, and Nest Thermostat?

Send your answer to jeff@homerepairtutor.com

This is a question I’d love to answer on the show because I bet other people are having the same problem.

Also, today we answer the vapor barrier question that Ryan had.

He’s installing cement board and applying RedGard to it.

As usual, Custom Building Products got me an answer and we discuss that in today’s show.

PLUS: we discuss the best way to use home automation if you’re a busy person.

Personally I love SmartThings and the Nest Thermostat.

The Nest allows me to adjust the temperature of our home while we’re away.

SmartThings allows me to monitor our home from my phone.

I get into all the details today.

Many thanks to Johns Manville for sponsoring today’s show.

Check out their complete line of insulation over at http://www.jm.com/en/

If you liked today’s show please give us a rating and review on iTunes, thank you

Remember, we have 196 podcast shows

You can listen to all of them for free over on iTunes or Stitcher.

If you want me to feature a cool Deal of the Day or project send me a quick email

jeff@homerepairtutor.com

We record the podcast every day, so I’m up for sharing your great idea

To join our Home Repair Tutor Private Facebook Group click over to

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrtcommunity/

195: Furnace Options, Vapor Barriers and Old Houses Dec 03, 2015

Show notes

Should you buy a high efficiency furnace? Or save the money and install one that’s less efficient?

Today we dive into furnace options and tips that might help you when purchasing one.

One of my fans is installing a new tub surround using cement board.

He’s using RedGard to waterproof it and wants to know if he should use a vapor barrier behind it.

We talk about his options and what I don’t like about cement board…which is very frustrating.

Many thanks to Johns Manville for sponsoring today’s show.

Check out their complete line of insulation over at http://www.jm.com/en/

If you liked today’s show please give us a rating and review on iTunes, thank you

Remember, we have 195 podcast shows

You can listen to all of them for free over on iTunes or Stitcher.

If you want me to feature a cool Deal of the Day or project send me a quick email

jeff@homerepairtutor.com

We record the podcast every day, so I’m up for sharing your great idea

194: Toilets, Rotted Drywall, and Plumbing Tips...HOLY SMOKE Dec 02, 2015

Show notes

Closet flanges are super important…they prevent your toilet bowl from leaking.

Today we talk about the options you have, an interesting predicament, and a little waterproofing experiment I’m doing.

Drywall sometimes gets wet and ruined if it’s next to the tub or shower.

What can you do?

I’m conducting a little experiment with KERDI-BAND to waterproof the drywall.

I also consulted Schluter, the maker of KERDI-BAND, to get their feedback on this project.

So I’ll be sharing the results with you.

One of our fans has a predicament: he needs a corner toilet with a 14 inch rough-in.

If you have a solution please send me an email at jeff@homerepairtutor.com

There are several types of closet flanges. I personally like PVC or ABS closet flanges because they don’t rust out.

Check out Oatey to see all the different types of closet flanges

http://www.oatey.com/

Many thanks to Johns Manville for sponsoring today’s show.

Check out their complete line of insulation over at http://www.jm.com/en/

If you liked today’s show please give us a rating and review on iTunes, thank you

Remember, we have 191 podcast shows

You can listen to all of them for free over on iTunes or Stitcher.

If you want me to feature a cool Deal of the Day or project send me a quick email

jeff@homerepairtutor.com

We record the podcast every day, so I’m up for sharing your great idea

193: Using Concrete in the Winter Dec 01, 2015

Show notes

Can you use concrete in the winter? Today we discuss the temperature parameters and little known facts.

For example, the data sheet for Quikrete’s concrete mix has specific recommendations.

We talk about this in detail.

Interestingly enough, there isn’t a temperature restriction on mortar…at least for Quikrete.

I announced several new members of the Home Repair Tutor private Facebook group.

Membership is free and you can join here

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrtcommunity/

Many thanks to Johns Manville for sponsoring today’s show.

Check out their complete line of insulation over at http://www.jm.com/en/

Check out our tutorial on how to install insulation…it’s pretty good

http://www.homerepairtutor.com/how-to-insulate-walls-and-ceilings/

If you liked today’s show please give us a rating and review on iTunes, thank you

Remember, we have 191 podcast shows

You can listen to all of them for free over on iTunes or Stitcher.

If you want me to feature a cool Deal of the Day or project send me a quick email

jeff@homerepairtutor.com

We record the podcast every day, so I’m up for sharing your great idea

192: Roof Leaks and Cyber Monday Nov 30, 2015

Show notes

Roof leaks can be BAD…real bad. Today we talk about temporary and permanent fixes.

But first we talk about a phenomenal DeWALT deal over on Home Depot.

Check it out for yourself over on their site.

You get 20V Max 1/2 Drill Driver, 1/4 Impact Driver, and Mechanic’s Set for $199.

The Model Number for this is DCK240CDWMT75000

If you have a roof leak under the vent stack it’s like the rubber boot.

You can permanently fix this with a new boot or temporarily fix it using Henry sealant.

Listen to the show for the details.

Many thanks to Johns Manville for sponsoring today’s show.

Check out their complete line of insulation over at http://www.jm.com/en/

If you liked today’s show please give us a rating and review on iTunes, thank you

Remember, we have 192 podcast shows

You can listen to all of them for free over on iTunes or Stitcher.

If you want me to feature a cool Deal of the Day or project send me a quick email

jeff@homerepairtutor.com

We record the podcast every day, so I’m up for sharing your great idea

191: Bathroom Pipes and Shower Remodeling Nov 29, 2015

Show notes

Bathroom remodeling can be a pain…it’s nice to have a support group. Today we talk about finding pipes in walls and the tub lip problem.

Pipes in walls can be re-routed using standard soldered fittings or SharkBite fittings.

If you have access to the pipes via an access panel I would recommend using SharkBites.

Check them out here

http://www.sharkbite.com/

But if the pipes will be hidden in the wall I do recommend soldering instead of SharkBites.

I got a second question from Lynda about what to do with the tub lip…should she put building panels over the lip or rest them on the lip?

My recommendation is to put panels on top of the lip.

Listen to the show to hear why.

Here are links to Schluter and Wedi…Schluter makes KERDI-BOARD.

http://www.schluter.com/

http://us.wedi.de/index.php

For more information on bathroom remodeling check out our support group at Bathroom Repair Tutor

https://bathroomrepairtutor.com/

If you liked today’s show please give us a rating and review on iTunes, thank you

Remember, we have 191 podcast shows

You can listen to all of them for free over on iTunes or Stitcher.

If you want me to feature a cool Deal of the Day or project send me a quick email

jeff@homerepairtutor.com

We record the podcast every day, so I’m up for sharing your great idea

190: Holiday Lighting...Fun Times Nov 28, 2015

Show notes

Holiday lighting is cool. Today we talk about tips to make it easy and safe to install…I had fun doing this with my wife and wanted to share the experience with you.

My number one tip for you is to make sure your exterior outlets are GFCIs.

If you need to replace your exterior outlet this tutorial will help

http://www.homerepairtutor.com/outdoor-gfci-electrical-outlet-installation/

Here’s the other tutorial I talked about that helps you with landscape lighting and power packs

http://www.homerepairtutor.com/installing-outdoor-landscape-lighting/

If you’d like to join a support group for homeowners you’ll love our private Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/groups/hrtcommunity/

f you liked today’s show please give us a rating and review on iTunes, thank you

Remember, we have 190 podcast shows

You can listen to all of them for free over on iTunes or Stitcher.

If you want me to feature a cool Deal of the Day or project send me a quick email

jeff@homerepairtutor.com

We record the podcast every day, so I’m up for sharing your great idea

189: How to Clean a Garbage Disposal...4 Natural Tips Nov 27, 2015

Show notes

Garbage disposals get stinky fast…today you’ll learn about 4 easy and natural cleaning tips.

I made a tutorial over on Home Repair Tutor

http://www.homerepairtutor.com/how-to-clean-a-garbage-disposal/

Plus: since this show is technically on Black Friday we talk about 2 deals.

The first one is on the Nest Learning Thermostat plus a $50 Amazon gift certificate

Here’s the link to that (this is an affiliate link)

http://amzn.to/1lNPqLJ

SmartThings has a deal as well, they’re making their Home Monitoring Kit $50 off thru 11/30

Here’s the link to their site

http://www.smartthings.com/

If you liked today’s show please give us a rating and review on iTunes, thank you

Remember, we have 189 podcast shows

You can listen to all of them for free over on iTunes or Stitcher.

If you want me to feature a cool Deal of the Day or project send me a quick email

jeff@homerepairtutor.com

We record the podcast every day, so I’m up for sharing your great idea

188: Grout Cleaning Tips That Work Nov 25, 2015

Show notes

Does your tile and grout need help?

Today I share 3 different cleaning tips that could make a HUGE difference.

You’ll have to listen to the show to get the details.

Here are the links I mention

http://www.homerepairtutor.com/clean-ceramic-tile-and-grout/

http://www.homerepairtutor.com/the-best-way-to-clean-grout/

We also discuss how home automation can help you keep tabs on your home during the holidays.

My latest tutorial over on Home Repair Tutor shows how I use it as a home security system…

BEST PART: no monthly fees.

Check out that tutorial

http://www.homerepairtutor.com/the-best-home-automations-system/

If you liked today’s show please give us a rating and review on iTunes, thank you

Remember, we have 188 podcast shows

You can listen to all of them for free over on iTunes or Stitcher.

If you want me to feature a cool Deal of the Day or project send me a quick email

jeff@homerepairtutor.com

We record the podcast every day, so I’m up for sharing your great idea

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