EP45 – February 10, 2018: Home Security, Ask RepcoLite, and Fighting the Winter Blues

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We all think that because we live in a quiet neighborhood, our home is safe. But there are always a few things we can do to make it just a bit safer. Besides, a fire doesn’t care what neighborhood you live in. And breaking into a house just might be easier  on a quiet street than a busy one. Joe Kuhns will help make our homes more safe and make us more confident.

Listen here:

Show notes for episode 045:

How do you keep your home safe? Do you have a security system? A really big, mean dog? Or do you live in a good neighborhood so you think you are safe? Home security is not always something we stop to think about and that's why we've invited Joe Kuhns of CoverDown Consulting into the studio. Joe's 26 year history with the Navy SEALs give him a unique perspective on what we can do to stay safe. It doesn't matter how safe you think your home is, there is always just a little bit more you can do.
One segment wasn't quite enough to cover all the information that Joe had to share so we held him over for a second segment. He didn't seem to mind!
It's time, once again, to Ask RepcoLite! We have chosen another question from our Facebook page to answer on air. This week we are going to talk about that dated, 70's paneling that has the homeowner feeling like they are in a time warp!
Ok, let's be honest, even those of us who love the snow get tired of winter at some point....and we are reaching that point. The weather teases us with a slightly warmer, sunny day, only to force us back inside with frigid temps and snow. If the winter blues have you feeling down, we have a few suggestions to fight these feelings. Some projects will have you feeling accomplished. Some projects will boost your mood with color and life. And some projects will have you feeling creative after buying new tools! We think the Dremel Rotary Tool will open up all kinds of new creative avenues! Besides having all the tools, the website also gives you GREAT project ideas for using your Dremel. It's definitely worth a look. And if that isn't quite your thing, maybe try a Cricut cutter. We bought one to make invites for an event and LOVE it! It is very versatile and the computer program allows you to create anything you can dream up. If you scroll to the bottom of the page, there is a chart comparing all of the different machines. Release your creativity and explore!

EP44 – February 3, 2018: Finding the Right Builder, Wallpaper Hanging 101, and The Walls of Death!

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Did you know that wallpaper not only could kill, but quite literally has killed? In a strange historical story from wallpaper’s checkered past, we learn about one of the most bizarre episodes in decorating history. We’re also in the studio with custom home builder, Bob Snowden to discuss how we can make the best choices when it comes to hiring a contractor!

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Show notes for episode 044:

Building a new home or remodeling your existing home is often one of those projects that often require an expert. But when that time comes, we're faced with a tough decision: how do we find the right expert? There are so many out there, which builder or contractors is the one with whom you'll work the best?

We sit down with Bob Snowden from Snowden Builders and talk about some of the key qualities to look for when you're making your choice. And while he highlights some of the basics, he feels the main quality to look for is . . . .  Well, you'll have to listen to find out!

And by the way, the creepy intro music we used was a song for free use on YouTube. Here's the legal stuff: Medusa by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (httpscreativecommons.orglicensesby4.0)

I want to paper one wall in my 1/2 bath. What is the most important thing to do before I start and while I'm hanging?

It's a great question that came in on our Facebook page and we decided to give it the full, on-air treatment! Listen for the full response, but here's a quick summary:
  • Choose the right paper: make sure it's suited for a room that could experience moisture.
  • Size the walls: A lot of people skip this step, but it is very beneficial. It'll make it a little easier to put the paper up (the paper slips on the sizer and you can move it around). It also makes it easier to remove!
  • Start with a straight line: when hanging the paper, make sure you start with a straight line (use a level or some other method). Don't just assume that the corner is straight!
  • Get help: work with someone else! That means you've got a second brain on hand, a second set of eyes looking at the work, and more importantly, someone to refill your beverage when necessary!
  • Snap a new razor blade EVERY TIME you make a cut! This will help make sure that you don't tear the paper because of a slightly dulled blade!

This is easily one of our favorite segments of all time! It's a historical look at a crazy chapter in the world of decorating...

To summarize (without giving the whole fun story away), in the 19th Century arsenic was used to create vivid pigments that were then used in dyes and inks, on clothing, in paint, on food, and on wallpaper! Turns out, installing arsenic-laced wallpaper was actually a poor decision when it came to the health of you and your family! (Who would have thought!)

It's an interesting segment and is definitely worth a listen!

Shadows from the Walls of Death!

On the show, we talked about a rare book that you can view in the rare book collection at MSU. There were 100 copies produced in 1874 and now, only a handful remain. One of them is at MSU. Another is at the U of M. At any rate, the book actually contains actual arsenic-laced samples of the wallpapers that were common in the early to late 19th Century. It is a piece of bizarre decorating history you can hold in your hands! (And the pages are now encapsulated in plastic, so you're safe!) However, if you're not up for a road trip, here's a link to a beautiful full-color scan of the book! Check it out!
 

EP43 – January 27, 2018: Selling Your Home In Winter, Extension Cords, Marine Varnish Question, The Perfect Light!

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Selling your home in the winter seems counter intuitive. Everyone waits until Spring, right? That’s the perfect time to list, right? Well, if you want to sell the house quickly and for the highest dollar possible, Winter might actually be your best bet! Roger Allan from Keller Williams Lakeshore Realty is with us and he makes a compelling case for listing now!

We’re also joined by Renee Huff from The Lighting Corner and she’s going to talk about the pivotal role lighting plays in our homes and in our decorating!

Listen here:

Show notes for episode 043:

The weather is cold and the ground is white...at least in some areas. Now is the perfect time to sell your house, right? We sat down with realtor Roger Allan from Keller Williams Lakeshore Realty in Holland to discuss this. Most people think winter is the worst time to sell a home. But Roger says now is the best time!
Do you have a new power tool? Do you want to ruin it very quickly? Use the wrong extension cord and you are on your way to success! Most people aren't aware that they need different extension cords for different tools. The more power the tool needs and the further from the outlet it is, the bigger your extension cord should be. We walk you through the basics of choosing the best extension cord for every job.  
Need to reach 25' or less14 Gauge Extension CordWill deliver up to 15 amps
Need to reach up to 50'12 Gauge Extension CordWill deliver up to 15 amps
Need to reach up to 100'10 Gauge Extension CordWill deliver up to 15 amps
Because we got such good questions at the Remodeling and New Homes Show a couple weeks ago, we decided to answer a few more. The first question has to do with choosing color. Many people struggle with this because there are so many options and they don't know where to start. We'll give you some tips to put you on the right path to color bliss. The other questions is about using a marine varnish on window sills. We'll tell you if it's a good or bad idea and why.
In the paint industry, we know how important light is to the final color outcome. A light bulb can actually make OR break a color scheme. Renee Huff from The Lighting Corner in Grandville stopped by to talk all things light bulbs. She discussed the differences in bulbs (CFL, LED, etc.), how to choose a bulb according to where it falls on the Kelvin heat scale, and so much more! This is a segment that is absolutely worth the time!

EP42 – January 20, 2018: Get the Lead Out, Ask RepcoLite, Tools You Can’t Cheap Out On, Painting Cabinets

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Some episode are a lot of fun. Others are packed with information. This one is both! On episode 41 of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show, we cover everything from important lead safe paint information to the hilarious (and informative) discussion about the benefits of bidets. It’s definitely an episode with something for everyone!

Listen here:

Show notes for episode 042:

Statistics show that Grand Rapids is seeing an alarming jump in children with elevated lead levels and lead poisoning. This is a concern because lead poisoning can cause brain, liver, and heart damage. Some people assume the lead must be coming from water but, in actuality, it's coming from paint. Any home built before 1978  (the year lead paint was banned) is likely to have lead-based paint. Because this problem seems to be on the rise, we sat down with Paul Hann, Executive Director of the Healthy Homes Coalition to discuss some of the local lead concerns and what parents can do. We also discuss programs like the Michigan Lead Safe Home Program and Get the Lead Out! Grand Rapids that offer financial assistance for lead problems in homes. If you have lead concerns, you can call the Healthy Homes Coalition at (616) 241-3300 or contact them through their website.
We recently had a couple listeners ask questions that we are guessing other people may have as well. One listener has 40+ year old oil paint she wants to paint over. Another listener just bought a cottage and discovered the previous owner put wallpaper in the stall above the shower. Both listeners are looking for advice on the best way to deal with their situation. And, of course, we are happy to oblige!
We recently read an article in Popular Mechanics about tools you should never skimp on. And that got us thinking...we've done a lot of projects lately and having GOOD tools has made all the difference. Dan and Betsy both have the tendency to save a bit of money when it comes to buying tools. But, lesson learned! The screwdriver set you buy for $1 barely lasts through the first screw...and it was a set of 12!!
Dan and Betsy spent last weekend at the Remodeling and New Homes Show, talking to customers and listeners. What was amazing was almost EVERYONE had the same question: how do I paint my cabinets? For those who didn't hear the answer or didn't get a chance to ask the question, we'll tell you how to do it.

EP41 – January 13, 2018: Painting Over Lead Paint, Whole House Audio, Intro to Roller Covers, Bidets for America!

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Some episode are a lot of fun. Others are packed with information. This one is both! On episode 41 of the RepcoLite Home Improvement Show, we cover everything from important lead safe paint information to the hilarious (and informative) discussion about the benefits of bidets. It’s definitely an episode with something for everyone!

Listen here:

Show notes for Episode 041:

We received a question from a customer who was concerned about the right way to paint over oil-based paint that's been on her for over 40 years. Sounds straightforward and easy, right? Well, except for the fact that anything painted before 1978 has the potential to contain lead!

Based on that, we walk through the proper steps to safely and effectively encapsulate that potential lead paint and update the trim!

In the course of the conversation, we also discussed a number of Lead Paint programs designed to monetarily aid you in the process of making your home lead-safe. Here are the links we spoke about on the show:

We interview John Higgs from Classic Stereo in Grand Rapids to discuss the benefits and accessibility of whole house audio! If you're interested, you can contact John here!

While clearly not the flashiest or most exciting of topics, roller covers are essential to getting great results on your next paint job. And choosing the right one is critical! But with so many options out there, how do you know which one's right? Today we keep it light and still break down the most common sizes and where and when you would use each one!

Well, this segment has been 41 weeks in the making! When we started this Home Improvement Show, we interviewed Mark DeVisser from the Plumber is Here about another topic. After that interview, and off the record, Mark, launched into one of the most hilariously frank discussions about bidets we've ever encountered. We knew we wanted to re-do that discussion on the radio . . . but we also knew we needed to establish ourselves a bit before we launched into a bidet talk!

Well, that moment has now arrived. And today we aired our favorite segment to date! It's funny AND informative. Check it out!

EP40 – January 6, 2018: 15-Minute Regimen, Gel Stain Cabinet Fix, Winter Pet Safety, and Dan’s Bathroom Re-do

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This week we cover a number of interesting topics. One of which is a concept that Dan thinks is brilliant: a 15-minute home improvement regimen! Yes, it sounds a little goofy, but you will be amazed at the amount of work you can accomplish by just spending 15 minutes a night working on it. It’s painless, quick, almost fun. And if you do it a few nights in a row, you’ll be blown away by how much work you crank out! On top of that, we spend some time talking about what we need to do as pet owners to keep our furry friends safe during these cold winter days!

Listen here:

Show notes for episode 040:

Things pile up over time when we don't stay on top of them. Weight is a perfect example. Let it go for a little while and before you know it, some unwanted pounds have found a new home around our middle!

Well, the same thing happens in our home. Little projects add up and before you know it, we've got tons of jobs to do and no idea where to begin!

Rather than jump into a crash-course of home improvement projects, why not instead create a manageable schedule that will help you easily and relatively painlessly take off those "extra pounds"? That's what we talk about today!

Looking to refresh your kitchen cabinets without completely stripping them down and starting over? If you're dealing with a few scratches or some worn areas, we might have a fix for you that will save you tons of time!

Here are a few photos submitted by a customer who gave the project a try!

The weather has been frigidly cold and while we all bundle up with layers and layers, we don't always think about our pets! Sure, they're covered in fur, but they can still get hypothermia and they can still suffer in weather like this. But just moving them into the garage may not be the answer. In this segment we talk about a number of different precautions we should all be talking to keep our furry friends safe and warm!

In this segment, we break down a bathroom re-do Dan just recently undertook. We talk about the materials used and the lessons learned! And hopefully provide everyone listening with the information and encouragement to step outside of their comfort zone and jump into a project!