We are in the middle of a Lighting Renaissance. The incandescent bulb is on its deathbed, earlier-Gen CFL lightbulbs have failed us, and LEDs are $50/bulb. Grumble, Grumble, Grumble. When we get to rebirth we will have great light that uses very little energy and produces little waste in the form of heat. Meanwhile, we have confusion, high prices, and disappointment. Here are a few tips to navigate current lighting options.
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On the Radio
| 09.4.11
5 Random Tools We Like
These are five, universal tools that everyone can use. Enjoy chores made easy!
On the Radio
| 06.10.11
Deck Maintenance ABCs
I heard a funny deck story from a client last week. It's summed up with this quote from him, "I should've just handed him [13 yr old son] $250 and done it myself." There were swirls all over the deck from power washing with too much pressure, stain on the vinyl siding up top, and stain on blue stone from lack of drip protection. This week another client told me about how her father-in-law power washed and stained their deck while they were out of town a few years back. Her comment, "There is stain on the siding, but can you tell Dad he did a bad job? I guess we got what we paid for..."
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On the Radio
| 03.22.11
5 Plumbing Tips You Need to Know
Last week on the Home Improvement Show, Pat, Sandie and I did a segment on 10 Common Plumbing Tips and we rated them based on how practical, beneficial, and probable people are to actually benefit from these tips. Here is my list of the 5 essential tips, nothing more:
On the Radio
| 03.19.11
How to Calculate Bark Mulch
It's time to put a refresher coat of bark mulch on your landscape beds. You make the call to the "mulch man" and he asks, how much mulch (wood chips) do you need? You freeze and panic. You ask, how much do most people need? He says, it depends, but our truck has a minimum order charge of 6 yards to include delivery. Most people order 6-8 yards. How many do you want? You think to yourself...I live in a big house and I have a lot of landscaping....and you say, "I'll take 10 yards please." After all, you wouldn't want him coming back to bring you 2 yards if you were short and then you'd have to pay for another 6 yards! You end up only needing 6 yards and there you are with 4 yards of wood chips keeping you from parking in your garage for a month while you try to play it cool with neighbors and invite them to enjoy your benevolence and come get some mulch from you. Hey, I've done it, you've done it...everyone does it. I will help you with this right now.
On the Radio
| 03.4.11
Decking Materials - Q & A
Q: I listen to you show on Saturdays and we are in the process of redoing our outside deck. The current deck is “wood” and has been up since the house was built 21 yrs ago. We would like to replace the deck and at the same time expand the size and change the location of the stairs...The materials used would depend on the cost and durability of the product.
On the Radio
| 02.28.11
2011 Energy Tax Credit Link
Have you reviewed your home improvement projects done in 2010 for eligible Energy Tax Credits?
On the Radio
| 02.2.11
Wall Around My Furnace
Listener Q: I don't want to look at my ugly furnace or water heater. I want to build a wall around them. How close can I put it?
On the Radio
| 01.18.11
Radon In Your Home
**Check out a podcast of an interview Ben did on this topic on West Michigan's Morning News with Gary Allen & Steve Kelly at 8:07 on 1/19/2011 Podcast Link
