EP94: Tool Belt History, Hiring a Contractor, and Baking Soda Super Hero!

Posted on

For some reason, most of us associate tool belts with guys. And more specifically, construction workers. But did you know its origin is actually as a piece of female jewelry? Even back in the times of Ancient Rome, it was a piece of jewelry that served a purpose. And ladies, you can take a cue from Fendi and make it a fashion statement!

And we’re lucky enough to have Jon DeGraaf, Owner and President of Jon DeGraaf Painting, sit down and discuss steps we should take when hiring a contractor. Now, we talk about a painting contractor, but this information is good for ANY type of contractor you hire!

And, if you happen to be looking for a painting contractor, we can help! Call any RepcoLite or Port City Paints or stop in. You can also fill out the form on our webpage and we’ll email the names and contact information of painters in your area who would be PERFECT for your project!

And last, but certainly not least, is a segment dedicated to the super hero in your kitchen cabinet: baking soda! It has tons of cleaning and deodorizing uses, but it will also go a long ways to keeping your stomach in check with certain foods and drinks. It really should be wearing a cape!

Listen here:

EP93: Which Screw to Choose, History and True Stories of Port City Paints, and Duct Tape in Space!

Posted on

We’ve been building a lot of things for home shows recently. And it seems as though we are constantly running out to get new screws. Either we don’t have the right size, or they aren’t working the way we need them too, or we just plain don’t have enough of what we need. It’s a bit maddening!

In our first segment, we’ll dig in to what we’ve recently learned about screws. We’ll talk about the different types, how they came to be, what we found works best, and why it’s so important to have an organized stock pile.

Our second segment is ushered in with our very own Abe Pastoor from port City in Muskegon. Port City is part of the RepcoLite family and Abe shares its long history. He also tells us some crazy stories about the building that are actually true. Creep factor anyone?!

And finally, the pièce de résistance, a segment all about duct tape. And not just any segment about duct tape. It’s about duct tape in space and why it’s a critical part of the gear astronauts ALWAYS have.

If you are interested in reading some of the amazing stories of duct tape in space, check out the NASA website. Or read the most recent story of duct tape on the ISS. And if you just want a guaranteed smile, check out this short clip of  Astronaut Gene Cernan skipping and singing on the moon.

Listen here:

EP92 – January 12, 2019: Hot Tubs, Finding the Right Brush, and the Beauty of Older Homes

Posted on

Old homes can surprise us. Sure, buying one can sometimes involves some work to get it to the condition we prefer, but the benefits to doing so can be huge! They’re full of character, timeless beauty, and they’re often constructed of superior building materials! On this episode of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show, we’re in the studio with Sharon Ferraro, the Historic Preservation Coordinator of Kalamazoo. She’s a wealth of information and will talk about everything you need to know when looking at an old home!

Listen here:

Show notes for episode 046:

Hot tubs look relaxing, fun, exciting, cool, and honestly, just plain awesome. But, how much do they run? How expensive are they to maintain? Can you install one on a raised deck? There are a LOT of questions!

Today, we're in the studio with Zagers Pool and Spa and we're going to get the answer to all of this and more!

OK. The fact of the matter is that the Brush Aisle in any paint store is a confusing place. A lot of headscratching occurs there! However, it's not as random or haphazard as it may look. There's a method to the madness. And once you understand a few brush basics, you'll be choosing the right brush for your next project with no concerns!

There is a timeless beauty to old houses. The old wood floors, the beautiful woodwork, the character and history draw many of us in.

Today we are in the studio with Sharon Ferraro, the Historic Preservation Coordinator for Kalamazoo and we talk about everything from the difference between an old house and a historic house to the reasons why an old house might be the perfect "new" house for you!

EP91: Pantry Organization, Decorating With Leftovers (NOT food!), Washer & Dryer Problems, and Best Home Improvement Projects

Posted on

With the new year generally comes New Year’s Resolutions. These resolutions come in all different forms. Some people resolve to lose weight. Or to eat more healthy. Or to go to the gym more. Or to be more organized. And while we may not be able to help you with the first three, we can certainly help you with the last one. Especially if you are talking about the dreaded pantry. It’s kind of like the closets, except without the dirty socks….hopefully. We’ve got some ideas to help keep you from losing food in the back depths of your pantry.

And after we’ve helped you get organized, we’re going to help you decorate with the items you already have. So often we think that the things we own (such as a table or couch) limits what we can do in a space. But it certainly doesn’t have to! Step out of the box and try something new!

In our third segment, we’re chatting with Joe Rogers and Scott Hosteter from West End Appliance about common problems with washers and dryers. Some things we might be able to fix. Some things we might have to call them for. And some things can be avoided all together if we just take the right steps.

And to close the show, we’re going to discuss some of what we feel are the best home improvement projects. They’re all quite simple and will make you feel better about your home.

 

Listen here: