Author Archives: Dan Hansen

EP32 – November 11, 2017: Getting Ready For the Holidays, Fall Projects: Part 2, Oil-Based Paint Q&A, Snow Tools and Gear

Posted on

 

Today’s episode is largely about getting you ready for the holidays and that dreaded four-letter “s” word…..snow! We have some projects that you should be getting done BEFORE snow comes to stay and some gear to keep you warm once it does. We’ve also got some Dan and Betsy “tested and approved” snow tools that will make life a whole lot easier when the white stuff piles up!

Listen here:

Show notes for episode 032:

We are aware that the holiday season begins very soon. So it baffles us why so many blogs, decorating magazines, and paint companies encourage you to paint your whole house now, BEFORE your holiday guests start arriving. Isn't there enough stress already?!

We pondered this concept and came up with what we think is a great compromise. It will have your house looking great, without a ton of expense, time, or stress. And if you ARE thinking of putting a little paint on the walls before the holidays, you might want to check out Benjamin Moore's 2018 Color Trends, as well as their "holiday ready" 2018 Color of the Year, Caliente AF-290!

A couple weeks ago, we had a list of Fall Projects that we thought it was important to get done while the weather was still nice and a bit warmer. Now, with the temperatures dropping like a lead balloon, we have the second part of the list that should be done BEFORE snow moves in for the winter!

Let's suppose you have an old house or a really cool, old piece of furniture. You want to paint but then it dawns on you that the surface you want to paint over just might be oil-based paint. You groan, completely convinced that you are going to have to deal with that slow drying, hard to clean up paint. But do you?

We hear it all the time. People are convinced they can't paint over oil with latex. We talk about this and how to find out if it really IS oil, or if you are having a panic moment for no reason at all.

And if you are concerned that the oil paint in your home may have lead, you can check out great information on the EPA's website.

It's time to face the facts. We live in Michigan. It's November. Snow is coming...soon! And we want our listeners to be ready with must-have, unusual, Betsy and Dan tested tools and gear. These things will help you get through winter with ease!

Here is our list!

TOOLS

Betsy's "Yooper Scooper"

Dan's Avalanche Roof Rake

Betsy chose this video because the excited guy yelling in German makes her laugh! And it shows how well the product works. Dan swears by this tool!

Snow Broom

GEAR

Warmest Mittens Ever!

Stormy Kromer Hats

Betsy owns more than one of these and thinks everyone should have one!

The Rancher Cap

Northwoods Trapper

EP31 – November 4, 2017: New Home To-Do List, Waterblock, Clogged Drains, Washers and Dryers

Posted on

Today’s episode is a bit of a trip down memory lane! After a very busy week (and a very successful Designer Event), we just didn’t have time to do a show the way we wanted to. So we pulled 3 of our favorite segments from the past and added them to a brand new, very informative interview with Steve Rozema from Northgate Appliance. Steve walks us through the pros and cons of all the different types of washers and dryers on the market. If you’re looking at making a purchase anytime soon, you need to check this out and arm yourself with the knowledge you’ll need to make the right choice!

Listen here:

Show notes for episode 031:

When people move into a new house, usually the first thing they do is unpack. But wait! Before doing that, read this list of things you should be doing as soon as you move into a new house. And even if you haven't just moved, this list might still help you get organized and prioritize home projects.

The article, 20 Things to Do When You Move Into Your New Home, originally appeared on the Family Handyman website. We took our favorite ideas and put our own spin on them. Here are our top 13 favorites:

  1. Make a prioritized list with help from everyone in the household
  2. Clean refrigerator coils
  3. Clean dryer (we covered this on Episode 8)
  4. Install a new toilet seat (we thought this was absolute brilliance! Why didn't WE think of that?!)
  5. Replace furnace filter
  6. Clean air conditioner (we covered this on Episode 5)
  7. Locate and mark main water shutoff
  8. Locate electrical panel (it might not be where you anticipate)
  9. Check smoke and CO detectors
  10. Make sure sump pump works
  11. Live in your home for a year before making major changes
  12. Make one room a retreat
  13. Meet your neighbors

A lot of people deal with wet or damp basements. And the problem is even worse after a heavy rain or in spring when snow melts. More often than not, the dampness is accompanied by a less-than-pleasant musty smell.

What most people don't know, is there's a paint that can be put on bare concrete or block that will drastically reduce, if not eliminate, the moisture that occurs in basements. And you'll be surprised at how little it costs to do! It's a great first step toward a dry, odor free basement.

How many times have you been brushing your teeth and spit the toothpaste in the sink, only to find that the drain is clogged and the water refuses to drain? Yuck!

We tackle how to unclog a drain, before you call a plumber. And Dan gets the chance to talk about his favorite plumbing tool; a sink auger. The consensus is that he likes it just because it pulls some of the most disgusting looking things from drains!

Steve Rozema from Northgate Appliance joins us to talk about washers and dryers. Which technology is the best? Front load? Top load? Agitator free? Steve has all the answers and more!

EP30 – October 28, 2017: Stain Match Perfection, Insulation and Evergy Efficiency, Century from Benjamin Moore

Posted on

 

On today’s episode we cover a lot of ground. If you’ve ever struggled to get the perfect stain match for a project, or have been disappointed in the past when you just grabbed a color off the shelf, we’ll tell you what you can do to make sure that you get a perfect match everytime! We’ll also introduce you to a brand new paint from Benjamin Moore that actually has to be seen to be believed! That and more on today’s episode!

Listen here:

Show notes for episode 030:

We match a lot of stains at RepcoLite and we're very good at it. Still, there are a number of things you can do that will help us make sure you're next stain match is absolutely perfect!

In these segments, we talk with George Clark from WMBG Home Improvements (formerly West Michigan Glass Block) about insulation. At least that was the intent!

It didn't take long before George challenged our thinking that insulation is always the answer!

And if you need to contact George at WMGB Home Improvements, you can click the link or give them a call! Here's the number George couldn't remember on-air: 616-920-8138

Benjamin Moore's Century is truly a "Paint Like No Other".

EP29 – October 21, 2017: Painting Tips from the Pros, Stinkbugs, and a Ghost Story (or 3)

Posted on

 

Halloween is just around the corner and so we thought we’d take a little time and share one of our favorite guests of all time with you! Patty Meyer from the Felt Mansion joins us and talks about some of the real-life ghost phenomena she’s experienced. It’s fun. It’s incredibly interesting. And honestly, it’s a little creepy!

We also are in the studio with RepcoLite’s own Rick Wierenga and he’s dishing out all kinds of tips and tricks to make your next painting project as simple as possible!

Listen here:

Show notes for episode 029:

Painting projects don't have to be complicated. In fact, once you realize a few of the tips and tricks the pros use, you'll be amazed at the results you can produce!

Today we're joined by RepcoLite's own Rick Wierenga. Rick's been working in the paint world for what seems like forever. And over the years, he's learned the best and quickest ways to apply paint and still produce excellent results.

We're going to corner him and make him tell us everything he knows. (At least as much as we can cram into a segment or two!) So grab a pen and paper for notes and tune in!

Maybe you've seen these little pests around your home this fall. Maybe you haven't spotted them yet. Either way, they're coming! We'll talk about what you can do to protect your home from a very invasive species!

Every now and then, it's important to just have fun. That's the whole point of this segment. Absolutely ZERO home improvement value. Yet, it's absolutely one of our favorite segments of all time!

Patty Meyer from the Felt Estate in Holland joins us and tells us a number of chilling ghost stories--events she's personally encountered while restoring the Felt Mansion to it's former glory.

EP28 – October 14, 2017: Whole House Surge Protection, Paint Finishes, Color of the Year, and Fall Jobs

Posted on

 

There is so much stuff on today’s episode! Fun stories about what it’s like to be short, as well as discussions about great fall projects that will help you save money (and keep mice OUT wall winter long!) On top of that, we discuss Benjamin Moore’s big announcement regarding the Color of the Year for 2018. And most importantly, we talk about HOW to use that color in your own decorating!

Listen here:

Show notes for episode 028:

In this segment, we're in the studio with Bill Haveman from Haveman Electric talking about whole house surge protection and backup generators! (And with winter closing in, I've got to be honest, the generator part of the conversation really got my wheels turning!

You can reach Bill and Haveman Electric via their website, or by calling them at 616-396-8213.

We see it all the time at RepcoLite: customers are confused about paint finishes. What do the different names mean? Which is shinier a semi-gloss or a satin sheen? And most importantly, where is each finish best used?

We cover all of that and more in this segment!

Benjamin Moore just announced their pick for Color of the Year 2018 and it's a red! Caliente (AF-290) to be exact. In this segment, we briefly discuss how Benjamin Moore came to pick this color, but we spend the bulk of our time talking about how you can make it work in your own space!

Also, in the course of the segment, Betsy mentioned our "Caliente-Inspired' Pinterest page. You can check that link out by clicking the button below!

"Caliente-Inspired" Decorating!

Fall is moving quickly! And before we know it . . . we're going to be looking at fields of snow outside our windows! Before we get to that point, there are a number of projects we should be tackling right now to make sure that our home is ready for the upcoming cold season! We discuss some of the main ones and throw out a few curve balls you might not have thought of yet!

Save

Save

 

EP27 – October 7, 2017: DIY Appliance Repairs, The Order of Painting, Color on the Ceilings, and Get Your Fireplace Ready for Fall!

Posted on

 

Personally, I love the appliance episodes because they can be so practical. In today’s first segment we talk about common appliance repairs that anyone can do! And you’re not going to believe the money you’ll be able to save!

Listen here:

Show notes for Episode 027:

In this segment, we sit down with Steve Rozema from Northgate Appliance and we talk about common appliance problems and the simple DIY repair! If you want to save money, impress your friends and family, and keep that dryer heating, then you've got to hear this segment!

You can reach Northgate Appliance via the website or by calling them @ 616-396-4456

When it comes to starting a paint project, a lot of people find themselves wondering: where do I start? What should I paint first? Walls? Ceiling? What next?

If you've ever wondered that, we've got the system the pro's use to get beautiful results everytime!

We also deal with another common question we hear all the time at RepcoLite: "Do I really need to prime EVERYTIME I paint?"

It happens all the time. Customers agonize over wall colors, look at hundreds of chips in all sorts of different lighting situations, until they find the color that's perfect for their space. Then they grab a gallon of white for the ceiling!

Don't work out your wall colors with fear and trembling only to ignore the ceiling! We're in the studio with Kim Scott from Kim Scott Interiors and we're talking about why a color on the ceiling will take your room from ordinary to breathtaking!

The weather is going to cool down and those of us with fireplaces are going to be thinking about starting them up. We're in the studio with Rob Cackowski from the Heritage Fireplace and Design Center and he's got a list of things you absolutely need to know before you start that first fire!

Also, in the segment, Rob talked about a great resource, The National Fireplace Institute. There's a lot of great info there, so check it out if you have questions. Or you can call Rob @ 616-949-4466, email him at info@heritagefireplace.com, or visit the website here!