Hour 1

In Hour 1, learn to restore drywall cracks, get rid of funky front-loading washer odor and extra.

Repairing Cracked Drywall

Lisa Baker in Columbus, Mo., owns a two-story home with a completely completed basement, and she or he’s observed small horizontal cracks alongside a couple of drywall seams. 

“I perceive that that is from the home settling. What’s the simplest solution to repair these cracks?” she asks.

If your own home is “settling,” it doesn’t essentially imply the construction is dropping. This might simply be some minor growth and contraction. When you’ve got uneven settling, it normally leads to a vertical crack, and it could point out structural injury. Name a basis specialist if:

• The crack has a 3/16-inch or wider hole.
• One facet of the wall is increased than the opposite.
• Your doorways now not shut within the body.

In Lisa’s case, the drywall was more than likely put in horizontally, in order that’s why the cracks are forming in that path.

Assuming the drywall tape remains to be in place, flippantly sand the cracks, vacuum off all of the mud and apply a skinny coat of joint compound. Do that in a small space first to ensure this corrects the issue.

If the tape is peeling, adhere it again to the wall with some glue or joint compound. If that doesn’t work, you’ll need to take away the tape and apply new.

First, apply joint compound and canopy the crack with paper drywall tape pressed into the moist compound. Then cowl the tape with extra joint compound, and permit it to dry earlier than sanding.

Watch The right way to Restore Cracks and Dents in Drywall for extra info.

Funky Washer Odor

Joanne Polley in Columbus, Ohio is fed up with the funky odor coming from her front-loading washer.

“Why did that occur and the way can I clear it so it’s fresh-smelling once more? I by no means had this drawback with my outdated prime loader,” she says.

In contrast to a prime loader, the door on a entrance loading washer stays moist. Mildew, mildew and detergent construct up and result in that funky odor. 

Learn: The right way to Take away Mildew and Mildew From Entrance-Load Washing Machines

It’s a straightforward repair, but it surely’s may be tedious. After each load, use a towel to dry the within of the door and the rubber gasket. This removes the moisture, stopping mould and mildew from rising and emitting that terrible odor. 

Preserve the door open for some time to let the air flow into contained in the washer. Control kids and pets if you do that as a result of they’ll simply climb inside. 

For good measure, run an empty load with a cup of bleach each three to 4 months to disinfect the complete washer drum. 

Restoring White Grout

Suzanne Lewis in Wilmington, N.C. says, “I’ve off-white tile in my toilet with off-white grout. The grout is starting to discolor to a extra brown coloration. What do you recommend to scrub the grout?”

If grout isn’t sealed correctly when it’s put in, it is going to ultimately develop into discolored. You’ll be able to restore the grout to its unique coloration and stop the stains from returning. Right here’s how: 

• Combine a 50-50 answer of oxygen bleach and sizzling water. It’s vital to make use of sizzling water for the oxygen bleach to dissolve.
• Apply it to the grout joints with a sponge and wait 10 minutes.
• Soak the grout yet one more time with extra bleach answer and wait one other 10 minutes.
• Scrub the grout and rinse it with clear water.

As soon as the stains are gone, cowl the grout with a transparent silicone sealer. Use an artist’s brush to fill in each single grout joint.

Hour 2

In Hour 2, hear how one can eliminate goathead weed stickers, open a window that’s painted shut and extra.

Getting Rid of Goathead Weed

Christie Svoger in Oregon has a sticky drawback on her garden. 

Her garden is roofed in goathead weed stickers. Goathead weed, or puncturevine, is an invasive poisonous plant. The spines on its fruit are sharp sufficient to puncture bicycle tires and sneakers, in response to Washington State’s Noxious Weed Management Board.

“How do I eliminate them? I don’t need them on my garden!” she asks. 

Hand-pulling goat’s head weed received’t be efficient as a result of they’ve such a robust root system and can develop proper again. Use a instrument like a weed puller to get down deep to take away the roots.

You’ll need to take some additional measures to make sure it received’t return. Use a robust pre-emergent weed herbicide or do this dwelling treatment: dilute 1/2 cup every of Epsom salts and vinegar in a gallon of water and spray totally.

One other efficient technique is to make use of a weed-burning propane torch. Simply remember to examine your native legal guidelines relating to the usage of these gadgets and have a fireplace extinguisher close by.  

A one-time remedy received’t work, so be vigilant in killing it when extra pop up.

Fixing a Window That’s Painted Shut

The home windows in Bob Haskins’s dwelling in Medford, Mass., seem to have been given the “landlord particular” remedy. They’re painted shut and are unattainable to open.

The time period “landlord particular” has develop into fashionable with renters who’re referring to dangerous dwelling enchancment initiatives typically accomplished by landlords as an alternative of execs to economize.

Typical examples of the “landlord particular” are painted-over electrical retailers and home windows, shoddy plumbing or odd “fixes” that don’t actually enhance something.    

“How can I break them free with out breaking the window?” Bob asks.

First, be very cautious working round glass and take your time. Put on eye safety and gloves, and in case you’re on a ladder, apply the advisable security measures. 

Take into consideration what’s holding the window shut: paint residue throughout the perimeter. Use a thin-bladed putty knife to interrupt the seal on the within and the skin. Do it fastidiously and also you’ll discover the purpose the place the window sash goes up in opposition to the molding or trim.

Slide the putty knife down the facet, backside and all the best way across the window to the place the 2 sashes meet collectively. Then, reduce the paint out. Take your time and attempt to get rid of any contact factors.

Subsequent, take a flat bar and pry up the window. Don’t put an excessive amount of stress on one facet or the opposite. Even stress will reduce the possibility of the window cracking.

Within the Aisles of The Residence Depot

Fireplace can strike wherever, anytime, and might begin in a wide range of methods. Fireplace security tools reminiscent of fireplace extinguishers, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, are important must-have merchandise for any dwelling. The Residence Depot has all several types of fireplace security tools plus different vital fireplace security suggestions for safeguarding your loved ones and residential.

Fireplace Training   

Have a plan in place to maintain you and your family members secure. Establishing a household fireplace escape plan will encourage everybody to recollect a secure assembly spot outdoors of your property.

You and your loved ones ought to apply a fireplace escape plan twice a 12 months. Everybody ought to know how one can get out and the place to go in case of a fireplace.  

Apply fireplace drills collectively and ensure kids know what the smoke alarm feels like and what to do after they hear one. 

Fireplace Extinguishers 

The primary and most vital factor to all the time have within the dwelling, particularly when cooking or gathering round a fireplace pit or having fun with a fire is a fireplace extinguisher just like the Kidde Full Residence Fireplace Extinguisher with Hose, Straightforward Mount Bracket & Strap, 3-A:40-B:C, Dry Chemical, One-Time Use. 

For smaller areas, take into account the Kidde Primary Use Fireplace Extinguisher with Straightforward Mount Bracket & Strap, 1-A:10-B:C, Dry Chemical, One-Time Use. 

A hearth extinguisher may be lifesaving when water can not put out a fireplace, as is the case with most kitchen fires. Having a fireplace extinguisher inside attain may help put out small, contained fires and create a path to security. 

By no means rely solely on a fireplace extinguisher. This instrument needs to be only one a part of your property fireplace security plan, alongside smoke alarms and an emergency evacuation plan. 

Fireplace extinguishers are categorized by scores of A, B, C and D. These scores decide the dimensions and kind of fireplace that the extinguisher can put out. Do your analysis to find out which is finest on your wants. Some fireplace extinguishers are multi-purpose and have two or extra scores, reminiscent of A-B or A-B-C. Usually, multi-purpose fireplace extinguishers are one of the best kinds of fireplace extinguishers for the house. 

• Class A fires are a results of trash, wooden, or paper.  
• Class B fires are a results of liquids or gases.   
• Class C fires are brought on by energized electrical tools 
• Class D fires are brought on by flamable metals – because of their extreme nature, class D fires are finest dealt with by skilled firefighters. 

When utilizing a fireplace extinguisher, keep in mind the PASS technique to function the extinguisher correctly:  

• Pull the pin.   
• Aim the nozzle towards the bottom of the fireplace.  
• Squeeze the lever slowly.   
• Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side, whereas shifting towards the fireplace.   

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms are a security important for each dwelling. 

Completely out there at The Residence Depot, the Kidde 10-Yr Fear Free Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detector, Lithium Battery Powered with Photoelectric Sensor and Voice Alarm which detects each smoke and carbon monoxide with only one machine. 

For brand new builds, take a look at the Kidde Hardwired Sensible Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector with Indoor Air High quality Monitor, 10-Yr Lithium Backup Battery.

When inserting your smoke alarm, it is very important have at the least one smoke alarm on each degree of the house (together with basements), in each bed room, and outdoors every sleeping space. 

Take a look at month-to-month and use daylight financial savings time as a reminder to put in new batteries in smoke detectors. 

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Displays

Each dwelling with at the least one fuel-burning equipment, hooked up storage or hearth ought to have carbon monoxide alarms.  

Having a fire with a fuel valve or a probably blocked chimney poses a danger for carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, so embrace CO screens in your fireplace security tools, particularly since CO is undetectable through odor or sight.  

Identical to a smoke detector, it is very important place the screens in each degree of the house, kitchen, and bedrooms, with the addition of inserting them at the least fifteen toes above a fire.  

The brand new Kidde HomeSafe suite of merchandise contains the Kidde Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector, Hardwired with Sensible Options and Voice Alert — an industry-first alarm that detects smoke, CO, opposed temperature, humidity ranges and complete risky natural compounds (TVOCs), which embrace dangerous particles within the air that may result in well being points.  

Kidde HomeSafe Wi-Fi-enabled gadgets embrace good options that may be related to customers’ Kidde app, offering instantaneous notifications of dwelling security threats on to your good cellphone.  

Go to HomeDepot.com/FireSafety for extra suggestions and methods. 

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Easy Options

Positive-Stick Mesh Tape — Seams in cement backer board should be lined with adhesive-backed mesh tape after which skim-coated with thin-set mortar. Nevertheless, the tape doesn’t all the time adhere properly to the backboard as a result of it’s typically lined with mud.

So, earlier than making use of the tape, wipe down the backer board alongside the seams with a moist sponge. Then, wait a couple of minutes for the floor to dry, then stick down the tape.

By the best way, this Easy Answer additionally works properly when utilizing mesh tape to restore drywall injury.

Making Mini Paint Rollers — When rolling paint onto slender areas, it’s finest to make use of a 3-inch paint curler. The issue is that 3-inch curler sleeves price $2-3 apiece.

You may make your personal by merely shopping for a typical 9-inch curler sleeve after which utilizing a hacksaw to chop it in thirds to create three 3-inch-long utilizing a hacksaw. Trim any tough edges of the nap with scissors.

A 4-pack of 9-inch curler sleeves prices about $9, so every custom-cut 3-in. sleeve will price simply 75 cents.

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