At this time’s House owner Radio Present Podcast | January 7, 2023

This week, hear methods to change rotten soffit and maintain an previous paint coloration from displaying via. (LindaCharlton, Getty Photos Signature/georgejportfolio, Canva)


Hour 1

Hear methods to maintain an previous paint coloration from displaying via, what to do about peeling paint on a bath and extra.


Masking Outdated Paint Colour

Paint roller painting blue paint over pink colored wall
Correct prepwork and the appropriate primer is vital to creating positive the previous paint coloration received’t present via the brand new. (georgejportfolio, Canva)

A house owner is making an attempt to alter the paint coloration in a room, however the previous coloration retains coming again. 

“I’ve now put three coats of primer on the partitions, and the previous coloration continues to be shining via. Is there something I can do to cowl up that paint efficiently?”

There are just a few steps you’ll be able to take to attempt to enhance the protection of the primer:

Sand the partitions: Sanding the partitions will create a tough floor for the primer to stick to, which can enhance its protection. You’ll want to wipe down the partitions with a humid material to take away any mud after sanding.

Use a high-quality, high-adhesion primer: Some primers are particularly formulated to stick to troublesome surfaces, comparable to shiny paint or oil-based paint. Utilizing a high-quality, high-adhesion primer might enhance the protection of the previous paint.

Use bonding primer: Bonding primer, also called adhesion primer or glue primer, is a kind of primer that’s particularly formulated to stick to troublesome surfaces. It’s designed to bond to surfaces which might be in any other case arduous for paint to stay to, comparable to shiny paint, steel, or plastic. You’ll want to permit every coat to dry totally earlier than making use of the following.

Tint the primer: Any such primer has been blended with a small quantity of paint pigment to offer it a slight coloration. Tinted primer can be utilized to assist cowl up darkish colours or imperfections on a floor, or to enhance the general look of the completed paint job.

If the paint continues to be displaying via, chances are you’ll want to color the partitions a darkish coloration to hide the previous paint.


Peeling Paint on a Tub

Dirty cast iron bathtub with paint cracking and peeling
Cracking paint on a forged iron tub may be brought on by quite a lot of components, together with age, put on and tear, and publicity to water and different parts. (Hemera Applied sciences, Photograph Photos)

The paint is peeling like loopy in a brand new home-owner’s bathtub. 

She says, “It has been like this since they moved in, and we’re questioning if it’s okay to take all of it off.”

It’s typically not a good suggestion to take away the entire paint from a bath. If the paint is peeling, it’s possible that the underlying layer will not be nicely adhered to the bathtub floor, which might trigger additional peeling and injury.

One choice is to take away unfastened and flaking paint utilizing a scraper or wire brush. Then, sand the floor to create a tough, porous floor for the brand new paint to stick to. The bathtub ought to then be totally cleaned and dried earlier than making use of a brand new coat of paint.

If the paint is in poor situation and can’t be salvaged, take away the entire paint and begin contemporary. Nevertheless, this is usually a time-consuming and labor-intensive course of. It’s additionally necessary to remember that the underlying floor is probably not in good situation.

Earlier than starting any work on the bathtub, it is very important shield your self and the encircling space. Put on protecting gear and canopy any close by surfaces with drop cloths.

Learn Portray a Bathtub? Right here’s What You Have to Know for extra data.

In case you are not comfy refinishing the bathtub by yourself, chances are you’ll need to take into account hiring knowledgeable to refinish the bathtub for you.


Hour 2

Take heed to be taught the professionals and cons of tankless water heaters, methods to restore rotten soffit, methods to maintain snow from stepping into ridge vents and extra.


Execs and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Modern gast water heater with temperature control knob
Tankless water heaters are far more compact than conventional tank water heaters, making them a sensible choice for small houses or residences. (djedzura, Getty Photos)

A house owner is considering changing his normal water heater with an electrical tankless water heater and needs to know the professionals and cons.

Execs of tankless water heaters:

  • They’ll present an countless provide of sizzling water: As a result of tankless water heaters warmth water on demand, you’ll by no means run out of sizzling water.
  • They’re extra power environment friendly: Tankless water heaters solely warmth water whenever you want it, so that they’re extra power environment friendly than conventional tank water heaters. This can lead to power financial savings of as much as 40 %. 
  • They’ve an extended lifespan: Tankless water heaters have an extended lifespan than conventional tank water heaters as a result of they don’t have a tank that may rust or corrode.
  • They’re extra compact: Tankless water heaters are far more compact than conventional tank water heaters, making them a sensible choice for small houses or residences.

Cons of tankless water heaters:

  • They’ve the next upfront price: Tankless water heaters have the next upfront price than conventional tank water heaters. Nevertheless, the power financial savings over time can offset this preliminary funding.
  • They require extra upkeep: Tankless water heaters require extra frequent upkeep than conventional tank water heaters. This contains cleansing the burners and changing the filter.
  • They is probably not appropriate for giant households: Tankless water heaters might not have the ability to present sufficient sizzling water for giant households with a number of showers and home equipment operating concurrently.
  • They is probably not appropriate for houses with low water stress: Tankless water heaters require a sure minimal water circulate charge to function successfully. If your own home has low water stress, a tankless water heater is probably not a sensible choice.

Changing Rotten Soffits

View of rotten soffit board and gutter on a home
Left unrepaired, a rotten soffit can result in additional injury to the roof and the construction of the home. (LindaCharlton, Getty Photos Signature)

A house owner’s soffits are bowing downward and rotting. He asks: “I’m unsure what to exchange them with. What do you recommend?”

It seems like you will have a problem with the structural integrity of your soffits. Bowing and rotting soffits is usually a signal of water injury or poor air flow. If the injury is intensive, it could be needed to exchange the soffits fully.

There are a number of choices for changing soffits:

  • Wooden: Wooden is a standard materials for soffits, but it surely requires common portray or staining to take care of its look. It may well additionally rot or turn into infested with pests if not correctly maintained.
  • Vinyl: Vinyl soffits are low upkeep and resist rotting, however they could turn into brittle over time and may be susceptible to cracking in excessive temperatures.
  • Aluminum: Aluminum soffits are sturdy and resist rust, however they are often susceptible to dents and will require periodic portray.
  • Fiber cement: Fiber cement soffits are a costlier choice, however they’re extraordinarily sturdy and resist rotting, warping, and bug infestations.

Stopping Snow from Getting into Ridge Vents

Close up of a ridge vent and shingles on a roof
A ridge vent is designed to permit sizzling air and moisture to flee from the attic, serving to to manage the temperature and humidity inside the house. (skhoward, Getty Photos Signature)

Snow retains stepping into a house owner’s attic house via the ridge vents each time there’s a blizzard with robust winds. 

He says, “There may be sufficient snow that I’ve to make use of a shovel to take away it. Snow gathers on the beam underneath the ridge vent the place gentle bulbs are affixed. How do I alleviate this drawback?”

There are just a few steps you’ll be able to take to stop snow from getting into your attic via the ridge vents:

  • Set up snow guards: Snow guards are gadgets which might be put in on the roof to stop snow and ice from sliding off and accumulating on the eaves.
  • Set up warmth cables: Warmth cables, also called roof de-icing cables, may be put in alongside the eaves and the ridge to stop snow and ice from accumulating. The cables use electrical energy to generate warmth, which melts the snow and ice on contact.
  • Set up a snow fence: A snow fence is a bodily barrier that’s put in on the roof to dam the wind and stop snow from blowing into the attic via the ridge vents.
  • Insulate the attic: Correct insulation within the attic might help stop snow from melting and refreezing on the eaves, which might trigger ice dams.

It might even be useful to have knowledgeable examine your roof to make sure that it’s correctly sealed and in good situation. If the snow is getting into via gaps or openings within the roof, these points will must be addressed with a purpose to stop future snow accumulation within the attic.


Finest New Merchandise

Whether or not you’ll want to retailer frozen meals, produce, or drinks, the Vissani convertible freezer/fridge can deal with all of it. Study extra >>

Easy Options

Joe Truini busts nuts loose with a wrench in his workshop.
Whether or not you’ll want to tighten or loosen nuts or bolts, right here’s the Easy Resolution. (3 Echoes Content Studio)

Incorrect Dimension Wrench? No Downside! — What do you do when an open-end wrench is a bit too giant for the nut or bolt you’re making an attempt to loosen or tighten? This occurs when engaged on a metric fastener and also you’ve solely received a standard-size wrench or visa versa.

Properly, you will have heard of the trick of utilizing steel washer or coin to fill the hole within the wrench. And whereas that does work — typically — right here’s a greater resolution:

Place the too-large wrench onto the nut or bolt after which jam a slotted screwdriver into the hole between the fastener and wrench.

The wedge-shaped tip of the screwdriver tightens up the match and actually locks the wrench in place. 

Watch: Do It! Hack Your Wrenches to Bust Nuts Unfastened

Cleaning microwave
To simply clear a microwave, pour 1 cup of water and 1 cup of vinegar right into a bowl. (3 Echoes Content Studio)

Steam Clear Your Microwave Oven — Right here’s a straightforward, easy option to clear the within of your microwave oven:

  • Pour a 50/50 resolution of water and white vinegar right into a glass bowl.
  • Set the bowl within the oven and microwave on excessive for a number of minutes.
  • Fastidiously take away the bowl, then scrub the within of the oven with a scouring sponge. The steam created by the water and vinegar will loosen even essentially the most cussed, caked-on stains.

Watch: How you can Steam-Clear Your Microwave in Minutes


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