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|  Welcome!
Well fall is in full swing, temperatures are starting to drop and there are a few things you need to take care of before winter gets here:
1. Have your furnace cleaned and checked professionally. It's about $100.00 and will ensure it is safe and running as efficiently as possible. Check out one of my sponsors at www.comfort247.com. 2. Eliminate the drafts. If you hold a candle to your windows and it flickers then you need new windows. If that is not in the budget for this year then use some removable caulking, window film, or the old stand-by, clay rope, to seal the drafts. If you seal up the drafts you can increase the energy efficiency of that opening by up to 70%! 3. Get those gutters cleaned and consider installing some type of gutter guards. Just remember to take your time and be safe if you are going to do this yourself. Tie off the ladder and do not over reach. Your know what? Maybe you hire someone to clean them for the last time and then install the Gutterbrush! www.gutterbrush.com.
Thank you for subscribing to the newsletter and listening to my radio show. You are all nice people. If you are on Facebook consider becoming one of my friends or follow me on Twitter at @loumanfredini. Regards, Lou Manfredini |
| I cannot find the right person to tell me what kind of chimney pipe I need . . . Q: Hi Lou! We love our wood burning stove. Our masonry chimney is falling away from the house. I have found a contractor to build me a wood chimney but cannot find the right person to tell me what kind of chimney pipe I need. I currently have a ceramic insert and I am sure we will lose it when we remove the masonry. Any thoughts? Love listening to you on Saturday mornings. -Karen A: Karen, If the masonry chimney is coming down and you are building a new one you will need a double lined flue that is code compliant. You really need to have a professional check this out. Take a look at www.csia.org. Lou
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| We thought porcelain tile and epoxy grout did not need to be sealed . . . Q: Mr. Fix It, During the remodeling of our kitchen, the installer put grout sealer all over the epoxy grout and newly laid porcelain floor tile. We thought porcelain tile and epoxy grout did not need to be sealed and he did a crummy job of the application so that it looks streaky and smudgy. He's tried 3 times to remove the sealer, but it still is not acceptable. Have you ever heard of this? What's the best way to remove the grout sealer from the tile without damaging the grout and tile? Or, do we need to press the contractor for a new tile floor? Thanks for any advice you can provide. -Carol A: Carol, At the Tile Store you can find a product called NanoScrub. Follow the instructions on the bottle and use a white Scotch-Brite pad to carefully remove the sealer. Lou |
| We are always fighting spider webs all over the exterior of our house . . . Q: Lou, We live in a lovely old house in Evanston and we are always fighting spider webs all over the exterior of our house. Is there anything we can apply to keep them off? We are always hosing it down, but it seems like an uphill battle and they are winning. HELP! and THANK YOU! -Mary A: Mary, I have been doing some PR work with Raid helping them to promote a product that they make called Raid Max Bug Barrier. It comes in a battery operated spray bottle. You can spray it on the outside of the house. It's clear and odorless. It should be effective for about 2 months before you have to reapply. Lou |
| Can we use a laminate floor in this setting?
Q: Hi Lou, We are having a 3 seasons room added to the house. Concrete floor, 5 inches above ground level; east exposure with a little south; double pane windows, but no heat or air conditioning. Can we use a laminate floor in this setting? Thank you. - Barbara Jane A: Barbara Jane, You could but you will need some type of undergarment on top of the concrete. Otherwise the temperature swings will make the floor buckle if it is placed on top of the concrete. A better choice would be a tile or stone. Look at a random pattern rough surface slate. It would look great in a space like that and be a really interesting choice. Lou |
| You mentioned a product that was good at removing oil stains from concrete . . .
Q: Lou-man, In a show a couple of weeks ago you mentioned a product that was good at removing oil stains from concrete. I'd appreciate it if you could refresh my memory! Thanks. -Tom A: Tom, I think you may be thinking of Pour-N-Restore. You pour it on the stain let it dry overnight and then sweep it up. Most Ace stores carry it. Lou |
| We are going to paint our kitchen cabinets and would like to know the correct way to do this . . .
Q: Lou, We are going to paint our kitchen cabinets and would like to know the correct way to do this. I have seen some kits in the store. Are they worth the money? -Marge A: Marge, You have a couple of choices. First, you need to sand the surface of the cabinets. Then you can use either the Ace Cabinet, Door & Trim paint which can be tinted and is self leveling. You will need two coats to get a sprayed on look. Or Rust-Oleum makes a cabinet resurfacing system called Transformations that works really well. They have one for counter tops as well. Lou |
Please e-mail your home improvement questions to LouItYourself@wgnradio.com. Each issue, Lou will select several questions and answer them. So, send us your questions and watch your e-mail inbox for the next issue of Lou It Yourself! If you have a digital "before" picture, please e-mail it along with your question and we'll try to get it in an upcoming newsletter. |
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