Hour 1
Listen to learn how to prevent nails from popping out, increase the height of an outside dryer vent, and more!
How to Keep Drywall Nails from Pulling Out
One homeowner’s house was built in 1954 and she’s tired of seeing nails pop out of the drywall.
She asks, «How can I fix this? Can I hammer the nails back in?»
First of all, re-driving the nails is only a temporary solution – they will eventually come back out. But the more important question is this: why does it happen?
There is a lot of movement in a home: doors slamming, people walking around, etc. All of this movement causes vibrations, and over time, those vibrations will cause a drywall nail to pop out.
To fix this problem, you will need to remove the nails and replace them with screws because drywall screws are the best option.
It is not advisable to remove the nail and replace it with a screw without first checking whether the nail is in the center of the stud or near the center. The stud could be the reason it is coming out.
Therefore, we recommend taking a hammer and a finishing nail and tapping the drywall until you find the center of the stud.
Once you find the center and remove the nail, place one or two drywall screws an inch or two above the previous nail hole. This will hold it steady.
After replacing the nail with a drywall screw, place joint compound over the screw heads and into the old nail hole, let dry, sand and do it again. Once you have filled it and sanded it until dry, paint it.
The screws will hold in place very well and hopefully you will never have to do this process again!
Watch: How to Replace a Nail in Drywall
How to Lift an Outdoor Dryer Vent
A home’s dryer vent runs along an exterior wall and under brick siding. It is installed about an inch off the ground instead of 12 or more (the recommendation).
Having trouble with rainwater coming through the vent and now asking, «Do you have any recommendations for me?»
First of all, it’s rare to find a dryer vent this low. It’s possible that when the vent was originally installed, it was at the correct height from the floor. However, over time, grading and landscaping might have been added, and the vent would have been moved closer to the floor.
In order for the dryer vent duct to work efficiently, it should be as short as possible. Therefore, we do not recommend rerouting the existing duct and running it through the ceiling.
Instead, we recommend trying to raise or extend the existing vent upward, or digging dirt around the vent to give it more room. You could also add a small swivel and elbow to raise it off the ground.
Look at your local home goods store for a device that rolls up to 90 degrees, which will help raise the vent to the outside. There are many dryer vent options.
For safety, do not use PVC pipe as an elbow because it cannot withstand the high temperatures that pass through the dryer vent.
Also, be sure to clean your dryer vent frequently to prevent house fires and keep your dryer running efficiently.
Hour 2
Listen to learn about garbage disposal rules, how to fix a toilet that won’t flush, how to lay underlayment on a tile floor, and more.
What can you throw into a garbage disposal?
A homeowner and his wife have had an ongoing disagreement over whether it is okay to put meat scraps down the garbage disposal. They have a septic tank waste disposal system.
He says, “Can you settle this debate?”
It’s perfectly fine to have a garbage disposal with a septic tank. However, some septic tanks are really good and some are very poor. That plays a big role in the functionality of the disposal and the waste it accepts.
So what can you put down the garbage disposal?
When it comes to garbage disposals, it is best to use them sparingly and not throw everything you find down them. Avoid throwing away large items.
The answer to the question would be yes, but only small pieces of meat and without filling it all.
Make sure to use and maintain garbage disposals properly. It is recommended to use cold water to flush waste down the drain and make sure not to put anything in the garbage disposal and do not let it run.
If Your Garbage Disposal Gets Clogged, Use This Trick!
How to fix toilet flush problems
One homeowner is having difficulty getting the toilet to flush completely. She says she has to hold down the handle until the bowl flushes.
She wants to know: “Why is this happening and how can I fix it?”
There are two reasons why you might have this problem. One is that there isn’t enough water in the tank, meaning the water stops before it gets about a half inch below the overflow tube. That’s where you need to adjust it.
Next, you need to make sure that when you push the handle down, the valve stays open to allow flushing and then closes. If the chain is too short or too long, that will prevent this from happening.
Another reason is a blockage in the drain. If there is a blockage, the drain will not be able to drain because it will resist the water entering it.
This is most likely the first problem. This is a very common solution and there are many excellent solutions. repair kits Do it quickly so as not to waste water!
While fixing a toilet may not be the most glamorous way to improve your home, it is very important to have a toilet that works and stays in good condition for a long time.
Further reading: Guide to all the parts of the toilet tank
How to install a base
A homeowner wants to lay a quarter-inch underlayment over a tile floor.
He asks, “Do I have to nail it or screw it? Which do I use?”
No, you’re not going to want to nail or screw it. You’ll need to glue it. Do some research and find the right adhesive you need, depending on the materials you’re using. You’ll most likely have it in a bucket and use a notched trowel to apply the right amount.
Be sure to read the instructions to ensure you are using the recommended notched trowel size. Many people don’t realize that the notched trowel size must be in relation to the adhesive in order for it to work properly.
To ensure that it doesn’t move when you lay the floor, use leftover blocks, bricks, or heavy objects to make it a little firmer. Let it sit overnight to dry and harden properly.
There are multiple options for the underlayment. One option is a self-leveling underlayment. It’s like a very thin concrete layer. Apply a thin layer over the tiles to create a smooth, flat surface on which to lay a vinyl floor.
Further reading: Glue or nail wood floors
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Simple solutions
Paint preparation with a push broom—Before painting a room, it’s important to clean the walls and ceiling to remove all dust, dirt, and cobwebs. Here’s a quick and easy way to do it: Wrap a towel around the head of a broom and secure it with a binder clip or clamp. Then, lightly spray the towel with water. Now use the towel-wrapped broom to wipe down the walls and ceiling. The damp towel will catch any dust or dirt, leaving a clean, paint-ready surface. This tip also works great for removing joint compound dust from freshly sanded drywall.
Easy-access garden tool storage—Most people store their gardening and lawn tools in the garage or shed by simply standing them up and leaning them in a corner. There’s nothing particularly wrong with this, except that it’s kind of messy and it’s hard to grab one tool without knocking another one over. So, here’s a super simple solution to that problem: Take three concrete blocks and stack them wherever you want to store your tools. What you’ll 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 over, no matter how many tools you put in there. If you don’t have enough free space, you can use two blocks so you can stand the tools up. This will give you a neat spot where your tools will be out of the way and easily accessible, and you won’t have to worry about them falling over.
