Today's Homeowner Radio Show Podcast | June 10, 2023
Hour 1
Hear how to prevent nails from sticking out, increase outdoor dryer vent height, and more!
How to prevent drywall nails from popping out
A homeowner's house was built in 1954 and she is tired of seeing nails sticking out of the drywall.
She asks, “How do I fix it? Can I put the nails back in?”
At first, punching the nails back is only a temporary solution – they will pop back out eventually. But the biggest question is why does this happen?
In a house, there is a lot of movement—doors slide, people walk, etc. All these movements cause vibration. And, over time, those vibrations will cause the drywall nail to loosen.
To fix this problem, you will need to remove the nails and replace them with screws as drywall screws are the better option.
You don't want to just remove the nail and check to see if the nail is in the center of the root or near the center before replacing it with a screw. Rooting can be the cause of its exit.
So, we recommend taking a hammer and a finishing nail and tap the drywall until you find the center of the stud.
Once you've found the center and removed the nail, then drive one or two drywall screws an inch or two up through the old nail hole. This will hold it firmly.
After replacing the nail with a drywall screw, put Combined mix Over the screw heads and into the old nail hole, let it dry, sand it, and do it again. Once you've filled it and dried it, paint it.
The screws will hold very well, and hopefully you'll never have to do this process again!
See: How to Replace a Drywall Nail
How to Extend an Outdoor Dryer Vent
The homeowner's dryer vent runs up the exterior wall and under the brick eaves. It is mounted about an inch off the ground rather than 12 or more (recommended).
He has trouble getting into the storm water line, and now asks, “Do you have any recommendations for me?”
First, it's rare to find a dryer vent this low to the ground. It is possible that when the vent was originally installed, it was the correct height from the ground. However, as time went on, grading and landscaping could be added, and the vent became closer to the ground.
For this dryer vent to work effectively, you'll want the vent to be as low as possible. Therefore, we do not recommend re-routing the existing ductwork and going through SWIFT.
Instead, we recommend trying to raise or widen the existing vent upwards, or dig dirt around the vent to give it more room. You can also add a slight twist and elbow to get it off the ground.
Check your local home center for a tool that can be rotated 90 degrees, which will help raise the vent to the outside. There are many dryer vent options.
For safety, do not use PVC pipe for the elbow as it cannot handle the high temperatures coming through the dryer vent.
Also, make sure you clean your dryer vents frequently to prevent house fires and keep your dryer working efficiently.
Hour 2
Listen to learn about garbage disposal rules, how to fix a toilet that won't flush, how to underlay a tile floor, and more!
What can you put in the garbage disposal?
A homeowner and his wife have been at odds over whether it's okay to put meat scraps in the garbage disposal. They have septic tank disposal.
He says, “Can you settle this argument?”
It is perfectly fine to dispose of waste with a septic tank. However, some septic tanks are really good, and others are very mediocre. It plays a large part in the functionality of the disposal and what waste it accepts.
So, what can be done to dispose of waste?
When it comes to garbage disposals, you want to use them sparingly and not put everything down. You want to avoid placing large items on the bottom.
The answer to the question would be yes, but only small pieces of meat, and don't pack it full.
Make sure you use and maintain a proper waste disposal. It is recommended to use cold water to wash the waste down the drain and to make sure you don't put anything down the garbage disposal and run it!
If your garbage disposal is clogged, use this trick!
How to Fix Toilet Flushing Problems
A homeowner is struggling to completely flush his toilet. She says she has to keep the handle down until the bowl is flushed.
She wants to know, “Why does this happen, and how can I fix it?”
There are two reasons why it has this problem. One, there isn't enough water in the tank, meaning the water stops before it reaches half an inch below the overflow tube. This is where you want to adjust it.
Next, you want to make sure that when you push the handle down, the flapper stays open to allow the flushing action and then closes. If the string is too short or too long, it will prevent this from happening.
Another cause is blockage of the duct. If there's a blockage, you won't get that flushing action because it's resisting the water going into it.
This is probably the first problem. This is a very common fix, and there are many great ones. Repair kits Get it out there quick so you don't waste water!
While fixing a toilet may not be the most glamorous form of home improvement, having a functioning toilet that stays in good condition for a long time is very important.
Further reading: A guide to all toilet tank parts
How to Install Underlayment
A homeowner wants to install a quarter-inch underlayment on a tile floor.
He asks, “Do I need to nail it or screw it? What should I use?”
No, you wouldn't want to nail or screw it in. You have to glue it down. Do some research and find the right adhesive you need depending on the material you are using. Most likely it will be in a bucket, and you will use a notched trowel to install the correct amount.
Make sure you read the instructions to make sure you use the recommended notch trowel size. A lot of people don't realize that the size of the notch trowel needs to be aligned with the adhesive to work well.
Use leftover blocks, bricks, or heavy objects to weigh the floor down a bit to make sure it doesn't move when you lower the floor. Leave it overnight to dry and really cure.
There are several options for under construction. One option is a self-leveling underlayment. It's like really thin concrete. Apply a thin coat over the tile to create a smooth and even surface for the vinyl floor.
Further reading: Gluing vs. Nailing Hardwood Floors
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Simple solution
Preparation of push broom paint-Before painting a room, it is important to clean the walls and ceiling to remove all dust, dirt and cobwebs. Here's a quick and easy way to do this: Wrap a towel around the head of the pushbroom, and secure it with a binder clip or pinch clamp. Then lightly soak the towel with water. Now use a mop wrapped in a towel to clean the walls and ceiling. The wet towel will trap any dust or dirt, leaving behind a clean, ready-to-paint surface. This tip also works great for removing joint compound dust from newly sanded drywall joints.
Easy access garden tool storage-Most people store their lawn and garden tools in the garage or shed just standing up and leaning in the corner. There's nothing particularly wrong with it except that it's a bit messy, and it's hard to hold one tool without knocking over the other. So, here's a super simple solution to this problem: take three concrete blocks and stack them wherever you want to store your tools. What you end up with are two deep compartments for storing long-handled tools. The blocks are heavy enough that you don't have to worry about them falling, no matter how many tools you put in there. If you don't have enough headroom, you can use two blocks so you can lift the tools. This will give you a neat place where your tools are out of the way and easily accessible, and you don't have to worry about them falling.
