Let's Talk... HOME repair!

Latest Episodes:

69 Encore Episode: Happy Hour with the AmyWorks Crew Aug 04, 2022

Show notes

While Amy and Alicia take a short summer hiatus from recording, we wanted to share this encore episode with our listeners!

If "Let's Talk...Home Repair " had been created only to publish this episode, it would be a worthy endeavor.

This episode is a little different, but in the best way possible . Alicia and Amy welcome 3 special guests: Susan (Construction Estimator), Shannon (Carpenter) and Kayla (Project Manager) all members of the Amyworks team. Rather than listener questions, this week Alicia masterfully guides the conversation around the challenges facing the workforce in construction trades, and more specifically, women within the industry.

Topics discussed: While employment in the trades remain vastly disproportionate, is it worth navigating the known challenges to secure a career if you're not a white man? What benefits are there to this career? How does the education route compare to more other paths to employment? What barriers need to be removed for women entering the trades, and how do we make that happen?

Personal stories from all create a clear picture of the environment women must be willing to tolerate to work within the white, *cishet-dominated working culture.

Our episode concludes on an uplifting note as we hear about their hopes and excitement for their future, and that of the industry.

If you have questions, comments or just want to tell us your story that we can share drop us a line at askamy@amyworks.com.

*cishet - someone who is both cisgender and heterosexual

68 Cleaning Myths and the Anatomy of a Shower Pan Jul 28, 2022

Show notes

Amy goes over cleaning hacks that don’t work or actually cause damage to surfaces that you are trying to clean. Did you know that dish soap is actually damaging for your automobile paint?

Also in this episode, have you ever wondered about what your shower floor is made of? Amy explains the anatomy of a shower pan. The installation and products you choose in your shower make a huge difference in the durability and ensures that you have water moving in all the right places.

Let’s Talk Home Repair is recorded at Winterblue Room in Seattle.

You can find Alicia’s music at her website.

Questions, comments or topic or guest requests? Email us: askamy@amyworks.com

67 Tree Stumps & Case Study Sub Contractor Walk Through Jul 21, 2022

Show notes

Amy and Alicia discuss the various ways to remove tree stumps in your yard. Amy discusses various ways that are possible to attempt to get rid of large stumps that are in your way.

Have you ever removed a large tree stump in your yard? Tell us how it went and what you learned! Email us at askamy@amyworks.com

Alicia experienced the sub-contractor walk through with AmyWorks and gives us the update about how that went. She gives us the client perspective of what it was like.

Let’s Talk Home Repair is recorded at Winterblue Room in Seattle.

You can find Alicia’s music at her website.

Questions, comments or topic or guest requests? Email us: askamy@amyworks.com

66 Updates on Past Projects plus Lincoln Block Cabin Jul 14, 2022

Show notes

Amy and Alicia have Kayla in the studio today! Amy gives an update on the Chillwell air cooler that was a bit of a disappointment on a hot summer day. We also get an update on consulting with Matriarchy Build from episode 56. For a limited time you can get a free session with Amy via Zoom to get your DIY home project questions answered using code: amyecklund. A reminder that you can sign up to volunteer with Sound Foundations to help build a tiny house for the unhoused. We also hear about the next stages of the preparation for the Lincoln Block cabin that Amy is working on. Kayla joins us with some essential information when it comes to insulation.

Let’s Talk Home Repair is recorded at Winterblue Room in Seattle.

You can find Alicia’s music at her website.

Questions, comments or topic or guest requests? Email us: askamy@amyworks.com

65 Bathroom Project Part #2 THE SITE VISIT Jul 07, 2022

Show notes

Part #2 SITE VISIT

What happens at a site visit? We recorded the actual conversation during the site visit for Alicia's Guest Bath remodel. Project Manager Kayla from Amyworks arrives, and then...

64 Special Guest: Melissa Garcia of La Matriarca Woodworkings Jun 30, 2022

Show notes

Episode 64 - Melissa Garcia founder of La Matriarca Woodworkings joins Amy and Alicia to discuss the specialty work that she does in the Seattle area.

She specializes in deck builds and restoration as well as making furniture and home decor. Check out her river tables!

You can find her at https://www.lamatriarcawoodworkings.com/ where you will find examples of her work and videos. Her tagline is "honoring lineage, building community & empowering womxn".

Let's Talk Home Repair is recorded at Winterblue Room. You can find Alicia's music at https://aliciahealey.com/

If you have any questions or topic ideas send them to askamy@amyworks.com. Enjoying our podcast? Please share it with others, subscribe and review.

63 Primer on Plywood & Painting a Porch Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

Amy gives us all the details on the various types and sizes of plywood. We get a break down for the best uses for each type of plywood. Amy also talks about the difference and application for using melamine, MDF, and OSB. Did you know that you can get better quality from a local store such as Dunn Lumber (in Seattle) vs. buying from your big box stores?

Painting prep for porches when you are doing it yourself. Most house painters are booked up for the summer so these tips will help you complete your DIY painting project!

Gather your supplies: Drop cloths, broom, shop vac, paint scraper, five in one painters tool, wire brush, sandpaper (80 to 150 grit), rubber gloves, paint roller, safety glasses, cleaner such as TSP or an environmentally friendly substitute, exterior grade caulk and filler, extension pole, latex exterior primer and exterior paint. Plan on a couple of coats! Use a door and trim paint for the railings and use a textured paint for the deck. Listen to the full episode for all the steps and tips that Amy includes to prep and paint.

Send us your questions to askamy@amyworks.com Listen, review, rate and share our show so we can continue to create Let’s Talk Home Repair.

Let’s Talk Home Repair is recorded at The Winter Blue Room in Seattle. You can find Alicia’s music at https://aliciahealey.com/

62 Summer Hot Weather Tips Jun 16, 2022

Show notes

Amy is back!

What should we do to prepare for a hot summer?

Amy tells us about an upcoming ultra white paint that is going to help keep our homes cooler.

Amy has ordered a new tool for cooling small areas of the home to review and will report back to us on how it works. What portable cooling units have you tried and had success with? Send us a note at askamy@amyworks.com.

When considering air quality with upcoming smoke season coming calls for air purifiers. AmyWorks office has been using this quiet air purifier with great success.

Amy gives us some tips on how to keep our houses cool without air conditioning.

Amy and Alicia geek out on remote controlled electrical outlets such as these.

Alicia gives us an update on the bathroom walk through with Kayla. Stay tuned for more details on the upcoming potential bathroom remodel.

Send us your questions and comments to askamy@amyworks.com

Listen, review, rate and share our show so we can continue to create Let’s Talk Home Repair!

Let’s Talk Home Repair is recorded at The Winter Blue Room in Seattle. You can find Alicia’s music at https://aliciahealey.com/

61 Case Study - Bathroom Project Pt. 1 Jun 09, 2022

Show notes

Kayla, Production Manager for AmyWorks joins Alicia in place of Amy this week. Alicia is talking about doing a bathroom remodel.

What does that initial process of considering a remodel with a general contractor look like?

Kayla walks us through the whole process from getting an estimate through the entire remodeling project.

A lot of thought and consideration goes into every project. Ensure that you have a good working relationship with your general contractor. It’s all about good communication!

Send us your questions to askamy@amyworks.com

Listen, review, rate and share our show so we can continue to create Let’s Talk Home Repair.

Let’s Talk Home Repair is recorded at The Winter Blue Room in Seattle.

You can find Alicia’s music at

https://aliciahealey.com/

60 Look what's in store for summer home maintenance. Jun 02, 2022

Show notes

Amy talks about their recent visit to a co-housing community in Seattle. Grace Kim is an architect and owner of Schemata Workshop that is passionate about co-housing and gave a Ted Talk about the benefits of living in co-housing community.

Summer Home Maintenance Tips:

1. Roof

Make sure all tree limbs are not taking over your roof.

2. HVAC

Time to service your heating and cooling system to avoid delays. Consider getting on an annual maintenance plan with your trusted HVAC company.

3. Dryer Vents:

Clean it! Another reminder that this is an important safety measure and will keep your dryer running efficiently. Alicia promises to clean hers no later than September! Email us and tell us if you have done this askamy@amyworks.com and Alicia will sing you a song!

4. Check under your sinks for leaks.

5. Clean your aerators on your sink faucet. This is a simple way to improve your water pressure.

6. Go up in the attic and see if there is any indication of leaking and that the insulation is pulled away from the eaves in order to ensure good airflow. Check for indications of critters!

7. Replace worn cartridges and filters on your sink.

8. GFCI – push the test button with a hairdryer on and make sure it stops.

9. Clean the refrigerator coils and door gaskets. Make sure there is no ice build-up and clean the refrigerator in general.

Listener questions:

Where do I put all my stuff while having my hardwood floors refinished?

Move it all completely out. Rent a pod or put it in a room that isn’t being refinished.

What are some tips for running ethernet cable without using an electrician?

Amy talks about using fish tape to take it behind walls.

Send us your questions to askamy@amyworks.com Listen, review, rate and share our show so we can continue to create Let’s Talk Home Repair.

Let’s Talk Home Repair is recorded at The Winter Blue Room in Seattle. You can find Alicia’s music at https://aliciahealey.com/

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