Let's Talk... HOME repair!

Latest Episodes:

29 Lid Up Lid Down Oct 28, 2021

Show notes

Project update

Amy gives an update of the DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit) project that AmyWorks is undertaking in North Seattle. Hung up on concrete pour and the Seattle weather. Forecast for rain.

Deep Dive

Inexpensive bathroom upgrades. Can’t afford a full bathroom remodel? Check out these tips to give your bathroom a facelift. Re-grouting can make a huge difference along with new caulk in the corners. Maybe you need some new storage ideas – recessed cabinet or glass shelves could make a difference. Think new paint, new faucet, light or even a self-closing toilet seat. Lid up or lid down? Listen to Alicia’s story.

Questions

1. How are the lead times on construction products and lumber? Amy shares the state of current pricing with lumber, there has been some relief. Windows and doors are still hard to come by and cabinets are manufacturer dependent. 2. Is it easy to change an old can light to a new LED unit? Amy describes the ease of installing a new LED retrofit into old recessed cans. There’s even a YouTube video to show you how. Click here: Retrofit can light to LED

If you have any questions or want to tell us your story write us at askamy@amyworks.com

Leave us a review and let us know what you think.

28 Don't be Afraid of Pilot Holes Oct 21, 2021

Show notes

Deep Dive:

Hanging blinds and curtains – Remember talking about king stud, jack stud and header from our previous episode? Now’s the time to visualize that as you hang your new blinds or curtain rod. Amy and Alicia talk about stud finders and wall anchors in order to be successful with the project. What about pilot holes?

Questions:

When dealing with painted walls that have had a lot of exposure to cigarette smoke, what’s the best way to clean and/or paint them? Amy talks about a personal experience with a house that had years of smoke exposure.

Alicia wanted to know if your carpet gets saturated with water, how important is it to pull the carpet back to dry it all out.

If you have any questions or want to share your story send us an email at askamy@amyworks.com. Also give us a review and tell your friends about us.

27 Replacing Tiles and Lifting Toilets Oct 14, 2021

Show notes

From the Field:

Kayla (of Kayla’s Corner) joins us from the field to talk about some interesting remodeling projects and the some of the ups and downs facing the construction industry at this time. Does your project include windows? Get them ordered sooner rather than later. Also Kayla shares about the Woodworking for Women class now going on at Seattle Central College that she is teaching. Ever seen a twisted shelf?

Question from a listener:

What can be done to replace a cracked tile in the bathroom without replacing the whole floor? This listener is not ready for a full bathroom remodel, check out what can be done to get that tile fixed.

Tips/Tricks/Tools:

Amy continues with her fascination for finding an easier way to replace toilets. Check out this inexpensive tool called Pick Up Stix that could just do the trick and make a toilet project easier. Then Alicia wants a tool for the install of garbage disposals and Amy describes a nifty tool called Dr. Disposal for the ease of installing the disposal.

Remodeling Advice:

When planning for a remodel project don’t forget to think about and plan for the moving and storage of the stuff that occupies that space now. Whether doing it yourself or hiring a contractor having the space empty will help the project run more smoothly.

If you have any questions, want to share a story or let us know what topics you’d like us to talk about email us at askamy@amyworks.com. Leave us a review on iTunes or Spotify.

26 What’s the chute for? Oct 07, 2021

Show notes

Episode 26 – What’s the chute for?

Client’s story: Amy describes a recent kitchen remodel where the homeowner took on some of the contractor’s role. What would they do differently in the future if they were undertaking another remodeling project?

Maintenance for the upcoming Halloween holiday: What’s the chute for? Alicia finds out how to be socially distant when trick or treating. Also covered are some fall clean up tips to keep things safe for the trick or treaters.

Kayla’s Corner: Amy and Alicia circle back from Episode 24 and talk about the terms jack stud and king stud and where they come from?

Send your questions and stories to askamy@amyworks.com. Ask your friends to listen and subscribe.

25 Happy Hour with the Amyworks Team - Lightening Round! Sep 30, 2021

Show notes

We welcome back the Amyworks team for our Let's Talk Home Repair Happy Hour!

Lightening round of questions - what will we ask our favorite renovators??

What's your favorite tool?

What was your biggest mistake on the job?

Just a couple of the intriguing questions asked!

24 What does that mean?? Sep 23, 2021

Show notes

Episode 24. What does that mean??

First up, Amy gives a quick update of the ongoing DADU project.

CONSTRUCTION TERMS: Do you know all those terms that get thrown around to explain something home-related? Amy quizzes Alicia on terms like beam and girder. What’s a water hammer arrestor? What’s PVC and is it different than CPVC? Test your own knowledge.

A new segment…"Kayla’s corner". We get answers to some of the questions we have in past episodes. Thank you

If you have any questions, corrections, or stories to share with us send them to askamy@amyworks.com.

Please leave us a review and get your friends to subscribe!

23 It's FALL! maintenance (inside) and more Sep 16, 2021

Show notes

Episode 23 Fall maintenance part 2 and more.

Yet another informative episode this week, and we're continuing with Fall home maintenance. Amy and Alicia discuss easy ways to check for drafts coming in from exterior doors. (The caulking episode referred to is Episode 3.) Next Amy explains why you need to drain your hot water heater more frequently than you'd think, and how it'll make your life easier in the long run.

While you're thinking of your hot water heater, does the scent of rotten eggs come to your mind? Amy provides a relatively simple solution to the stink. Then, for this week's Tip, Amy drops some knowledge about painting doors that you didn't even know you needed. And to close out the episode, Alicia and Amy discuss options for shower doors during a remodel, and shower curtains are explicitly excluded!

Send us your questions at askamy@amyworks.com.

Also, please leave us a review and help us grow our home repair audience.

22 Dishwasher Leaks and Smart Homes Sep 09, 2021

Show notes

Client story: A leaky, portable dishwasher and how it lives to clean another plate.

Seasonal home maintenance: What should you be doing to keep your house well maintained? Amy and Alicia share several outside tasks to schedule and complete in the coming autumn months.

Listener question: What does it mean to have a SMART HOME? Amy and Alicia are going to take this opportunity to learn about the many components that can make a smart home. Amy gets schooled on the Ring doorbell and what all the possibilities are for having it as part of your system.

Send us your questions at askamy@amyworks.com

Also leave us a review and help us grow our home repair audience.

21 Deep Dive: Bathrooms Part 2 (130 Decisions!) Sep 02, 2021

Show notes

Part 2 of our Deep Dive into Bathrooms is precisely that; the theoretical demo is complete and now it's time to start building your ideal bathroom.

Amy gives us an introduction to the logistics of building a bathroom from the studs and just how many options are available to you for the roughly 130 decisions you'll need to make.

What kind of shower or tub to install? What about the sink? Exhaust fans? Shower doors? Amy gets into it all.

Alicia gives us a gem of advice on how to potentially solve a dispute if you and your partner have differing ideas about one of those decisions. To close out the episode, Amy brings back the beloved AARP homeowner tips, this time they're talking toilets, floor registers, and thermostats.

If you have any questions about your bathroom remodel or want to share your story, drop a note at askamy@amyworks.com.

20 Deep Dive - Everything Bathrooms Part 1 Aug 26, 2021

Show notes

Episode 20: Deep Dive - Everything Bathrooms Part 1

Project update: Amy gives an update on the new DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit) that AmyWorks is starting in a north Seattle neighborhood.

Deep Dive: Bathroom remodel – Amy and Alicia dig into all the pieces involved in undertaking a full bathroom renovation. Can your domestic relationship handle the stress?

What’s involved in the demolition phase? Have you thought about the possibility of lead-based paint or asbestos being present? How do you handle walls that are not plumb or square? Amy talks about the fun of removing a cast iron tub but be aware! Next episode Alicia and Amy continue the bathroom remodel and talk about the 130 decisions you need to make.

Questions: 1. A 1913 house with splintery hardwood floors. What to do? 2. A new washer creates a back-up in a pipe, why?

If you have any questions about your bathroom remodel or want to share your story, drop a note at askamy@amyworks.com.

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