Tag Archives: benjamin moore

EP63: Wool Carpet, Solid Color Stain Explained, A Crafty Flower Pot Project, and Sewer Backups No More!

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Today’s show covers a wide variety of topics. We start by discussing the long-term benefits of wool carpet (as well as the sheep that make it possible). From there, we discuss a confusing topic among homeowners: solid color stain. What is it? Why use it? How is it different from paint? We dig into all of that and then, Betsy goes all “crafty” and has a great project using solid color stain. Finally, we wrap up with an interview with Service Professor in Grand Rapids about sewer backups and all the different solutions that are available to you!

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Show notes for episode 063:

Wool carpet is expensive, right? Overpriced? Not worth it? Absolutely not! We sit down with Nick Sargent from Johnson Carpet One in Grandville to talk about the charm, durability, and incredibly functionality of wool carpet.

Solid Color Stain is typically a confusing product. People think of stain as something you can see through and which has a brown tone! They don't realize that solid color stains actually look pretty much like paint!

But that brings up the next question: when do I use paint and when should I use stain? We answer all of that and more!

Finally, we mentioned an EPA Guide to Lead Safe Repair, Renovation, and Painting. Here it is if you'd like to check it out!

Betsy gets all "crafty" and talks about a perfect Saturday project for you, your kids, your grandkids . . . pretty much everyone!

Sewer backups are tremendously . . . inconvenient. Horrible. Life-Altering. You name it. But did you know there are alternatives to simply "rootering" your line every few months? Alternatives that don't require you to dig up your yard?

We're in the studio with Paul Gerbaisi from Service Professor in Grand Rapids to highlight all the options available to you!

EP62: The Wall Doctor, Lawn Tool Maintenance, and the Nearly Magical Scuff-X!

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Benjamin Moore’s Scuff-X is one of the most unique paint products we’ve ever run across. It’s not every day that we get this excited about a product. But Scuff-X is the real deal! Today we sit down in the studio with Kevin Hermann from Benjamin Moore to talk about Scuff-X as it’s first birthday approaches!

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Show notes for episode 062:

After doing a segment a couple weeks ago about installing new drywall to hide a popcorn texture on your ceiling, we were excited to meet Jason Austin from The Wall Doctor. Jason will actually come out and mud, tape, and finish drywall that YOU'VE hung! And that's just the beginning of what he'll do to help you improve your home!

Many of us use our lawn tools and just toss them back in the garage or shed when we're done. We don't clean them and we don't think to maintain them. And yet, by doing a few simple maintenance tasks, you can keep them looking great for years!

Also, we referenced an article in the show. Here's the link if you'd like to read it! Finally, we mentioned a great rust remover product called Must for Rust. Here are some before an after shots of an old garden hoe that was not cared for at all! The "after" shot is after soaking it in a bucket of Must for Rust for about 30 minutes! No scrubbing, sanding, or grinding required.

Scuff-X is one of those incredibly unique products that lives up to (and even exceeds) the hype! It's remarkably scuff-resistant AND painting contractors are beginning to use it in more and more unique situations!

EP60 – June 2, 2018: Popcorn Ceilings No More, Must-Have Drywall Tools, Paint Behind the Toilet, Egress Windows

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Popcorn ceilings hit the scene in the 1950’s and took off in popularity. However, just like other fads and fashions (bellbottoms, we’re looking at you), the beauty and appeal wore thin before too long! But, many of our homes have that cottage cheese stuff on the ceilings and we don’t know what to do to get it off! Well, we’ve got some ideas on that….

Show notes for episode 060:

Popcorn ceilings were popular in the past. But that was a LONG time ago! Yet, they're everywhere. What can we do to cover them up and make our homes look better? We have some suggestions in this segment!

Also, in the course of the segment, Dan references a picture of himself. Here it is, in all it's 1970's glitz and glamour:

Drywalling isn't a terribly fun job. In fact, it's kind of a pain. BUT, if you've got the right tools, it can go much more smoothly than you may expect!

Painting behind the toilet is one of the biggest questions we receive in our inbox. People just don't know what to do to cover that small area behind the tank with paint. Well, wonder no longer. We have the answer: make your own Toilet Tank Behinder Painter!

George Clark from WMGB Home Improvement is one of our favorite interviews! He's always funny, energized, and ready to dish out as much information as the segment can hold. Today, we talk about everything you need to know about egress windows!

EP57 – May 5, 2018: Spring Exterior Painting, Gardening With Children, and Trash Heap Desk Revival

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When we think of gardening, we think of things like container gardening, pest resistance gardening, and vegetable gardening. We don’t necessarily think of gardening with and for our kids. But why not?! It gets them interested at an early age and it gets them out in the fresh air. It will be something they look forward to every year. And they will be able to see the fruits of their labor.

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Show notes for episode 057:

This past week has been filled with BEAUTIFUL weather! It's been warm and sunny and we even got some much needed rain. Spring has finally graced us with its presence.

Because spring seems to be a little late this year, people are frantically working outside to get spring projects done. And often, those projects involve paint. We got a question from a listener wondering what the temperature needs to be for her to paint outside. Is it warm enough just because the calendar says May? Find out!

With the arrival of spring, many of use are thinking about planting flowers and vegetables. What we might not be thinking about is including our kids. It's a confidence boost when they see something they planted grow from a tiny seed into a great plant.

We are thrilled to have Ian Warnock, Lead Horticulturist from Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in the studio with us. Ian has worked at the Gardens for over 20 years and has spent much of his time designing and maintaining the Children's Gardens. He involves young visitors to the garden in as many ways as possible. He'll even let them mow the grass!

Photos courtesy of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

How many of us watch those shows in TV or Netflix where people take a junk piece of furniture and turn it into something that everyone is clamoring to buy? How many of us want to be able to do that?

We like those shows as much as anyone, so we decided to try it. We learned a few lessons and have decided to share them. The effort was definitely worth it.

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EP56 – April 28, 2018: Fire Safety, Troubleshooting a Leaky Sink, Painting Rusty Metal

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Today we sit down with Holland’s new Fire Marshal, Bret Groendyke to talk about fire safety. According to recent statistics, the number of fire deaths among people 60 and over is rising. We discuss why that could be happening and what we can do about it. We also talk about how to troubleshoot a leak under a kitchen sink, and how to paint a metal fence so you have perfect results every time!

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Show notes for episode 056:

We are hoping this PSA saves lives. Or at least starts us on the way. We came across an alarming statistic that says 40% of fire deaths are those over 60. And that number is climbing. The great thing is, there are things we can do for ourselves, our loved ones, and our neighbors to bring this number back down.

We are lucky enough to be joined in the studio by Holland's new Fire Marshal, Bret Groendyke. Bret's goal is to make people aware of simple things most of us have never thought about, that can actually save lives in the event of a fire. We didn't know there is actually maintenance that has to be done on a smoke detector. These segments are absolutely worth a listen!

Ok, we've all been there, right? We pull the trash can from under the sink and the trash is actually floating. We are instantly filled with dread and terror. How did this happen?!?! Where did all this water come from?!?! How much is this going to cost???

Well, we know the water came from somewhere in the sink area.....obviously. But we don't know specifically where. We are left wising we could figure out what's going on, without calling the plumber. Maybe it's an easy fix. And when the plumber comes and tells us how simple the problem is, we feel a bit foolish.

So we decided to take matters into our own hands and give you a few ways you can troubleshoot the problem, before calling the plumber. Maybe you can fix it, maybe you can't. But you certainly feel good knowing you identified the problem on your own!

We got a great questions from a listen about painting a rusty steel fence. He is replacing the posts with wood but something HAS to be done with the steel. He'd like a paint solution and, of course, we have a great one! It's a solution that can be used with almost any steel you would want to paint.

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EP55 – April 21, 2018: Silicone Caulk, GFCIs, and Thomas Jefferson: Interior Designer

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This show has a little of everything! We talk about GFCIs and why those little buttons should actually be used. We talk about a couple new electrical gadgets. And one will save you money if you have kids! And because Dan needs his own segment, we have a great one called Use With Caution. And finally, we are airing the last segment from last week because it didn’t air due to technical difficulties. It was too good to let slip by!

Listen here:

Show notes for episode 055:

Betsy has her own segment so it's only fair that Dan should have his own, right? That's why we are introducing a new segment, very appropriately named, "Use With Caution!"

In this segment we tackle silicone caulk. A lot of people think caulk is just caulk and that the more water resistant it is, the better. However, we recommend using it with caution for a reason! If you use it for the wrong application, the consequences can be almost tragic.

We might not all know that GFCI outlets can actually save our lives. Any place that has water present should have them. We also might not be aware that those little buttons in the middle of the outlet should actually be pushed regularly to test the outlet.

In the studio with us to explain the finer points of GFCIs is Brad Krause, Master Electrician and owner of Service Professor. And don't think they only do electrical! They do everything from heating and cooling, plumbing, and electrical to air duct cleaning (that's duct NOT duck!). And they have outstanding customer service. There's a reason these guys (and ladies) get stellar reviews!

Last week we had some "technical difficulties" and segment 4 didn't air. The problem is, the segment was too good for people NOT to hear it! Who knew that Thomas Jefferson was such an amazing interior decorator?!