House Talk with Mark Lotz: Recent Episodes
Mark Lotz
Are you a DIY'er looking to sharpen your skills, looking for solutions for home improvement issues, needing advice when hiring contractor, and want to stay up to date on the latest the industry has to offer on trends and product reviews? You are in the right place. Welcome to House Talk with Mark Lotz, home improvement expert for 32 years.
Almost everyone has a car and they all have to have repair and maintenance done to it. Whenever people go to get the oil changed in their vehicle they are going to have to wait for it to be done. This is why you want your business to be an inviting and comfortable place so that your customers will always want to come back.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 1:10 Color Scheme
- 2:29 Waiting Room Updates
- 4:22 Beverage Area
- 4:57 Make it Enjoyable
- 6:56 Flooring
- 8:29 Bathrooms
Removing wallpaper can take a long time and be a very laborious task. However, when you know how to do it and have all the proper tools, whether it’s the easy or the more difficult way, you will have a much easier time removing it.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 1:10 Prepping the Room
- 1:36 Tools
- 2:27 Easy Removal
- 6:01 Difficult Removal
You’re having a few rooms in your house painted but the smaller room is going to cost you more than the larger room. Why is that? Smaller rooms can take a lot more time to paint because there isn’t as much room for you to work in and it can be harder to paint around things.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:35 Simple Paint Example
- 1:11 Things That Increase Time
- 3:13 Painting a Small Room vs a Large Room
So many people, when they are planning to repaint a room or two in their homes, look up at their ceilings and think, “It doesn’t look bad. I’m not going to paint it.” However, if you look really close at your ceiling, you will see smudges and cracks and nail pops, among other things. Ceilings get a lot dirtier and honestly need more repair than we realize.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:28 Why Should You Paint Your Ceiling
- 2:30 Benefits of Painting Your Ceiling
If you like doing DIY projects around your home then you will want to know how to take care of your paint rollers and brushes. It’s important to take proper care of your tools so that you can get the most use out of them.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:47 Cleaning Roller Covers
- 3:42 Cleaning Paint Brushes
As people get older their lifestyles change. More and more we see people moving closer to the city when their kids are all grown and moved out. They no longer need their big houses and when they live in the city almost everything they need is within walking distance. As they get older it just makes their lives so much easier.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:41 Aging in a Community
- 1:36 Conveniences of Living in the City
- 4:56 Rent or Buy
It’s important to do the proper preparation before you begin any project. One thing you may not think about is the yard prep you should do before you paint or do any kind of project on the outside of your home. However, yard prep for exterior house painting is very important for the success of your project.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:40 Trimming Things Back
- 1:42 Protecting Your Plants
- 2:30 Other Considerations
- 3:00 More on Trimming
- 3:46 Enhancing Your Curb Appeal
When you finally decide to get some painting done around your house you need to make sure you do your due diligence and see to it that you know exactly what is going to be on your proposal. By doing your due diligence you will save yourself so much trouble and be sure that your project will turn out the best it can in the end.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 1:00 Preparation List
- 2:15 Paint Process
- 3:29 What is Being Painted
- 4:19 Number of Colors
- 4:54 Disposal
- 5:25 Other Things to Know
You want to DIY paint the exterior of your home, but you don’t know where to start. Discover the important steps to paint the exterior of your home yourself.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:40 Preparation Before Painting
- 2:37 What to Paint First
- 4:10 Plan Your Work
The maintenance of your restaurant is an important thing to have on your schedule. Restaurants get so much wear and tear with their constant business. Sometimes, they’re so busy it’s hard to keep track of what needs to be done. However, if you want to keep yourself and your customers happy, you will need to have a proper maintenance schedule.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:24 The Best Time to Paint
- 1:23 Bathrooms
- 2:30 Dining Areas
- 3:40 Kitchen
- 4:10 Front Entrance
- 4:41 Importance of Maintenance
Painting truly is a fantastic way to boost your home's value in addition to helping make it look new and beautiful. All you have to do is choose the right colors that will work for you and your home. Do your very best to preserve it, and you are going to have a lovely home for years to come.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:26 Exterior Painting Terms
- 2:04 Style of Your House
- 2:38 Subtle or Bold Colors
- 3:18 Other Factors
- 4:29 Working With All Your Exterior Colors
- 5:16 Tips
Your nursing home or assisted living facility needs to be like home to the residents that live there. You would like to make it as welcoming and pleasant as possible. We hope these ideas help you in making your buildings better for those individuals living there right now as well as for those that will live there in the future.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:43 Entryway & Reception Area
- 4:28 Guest Rooms
- 5:38 Common Areas
- 8:17 Product Tips
Whizz rollers are extraordinarily diverse. They are being put to use much more frequently by experienced painters in areas where brushes are generally used due to their being a lot more efficient. So what is the very best paint roller to use?
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:19 What are Whizz Rollers
- 1:34 Handles
- 2:34 Where to Use Them
- 5:05 Covers
You have actually decided to paint the exterior of your home. No matter if you are doing it yourself or employing a contractor, there will be things you need to accomplish in advance. The top 3 things to prepare for an outside paint job are: trimming back trees and bushes, moving vehicles, and removing things on and around the exterior of your home.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:28 Trim Back Trees & Bushes
- 1:06 Move Your Vehicles
- 1:44 Remove Things On & Around Your House
We often spend a lot of time making the outside of our house look good, however after a couple of years, it does not look very good any longer. This is due to exterior factors. The top 3 factors that negatively impact the outside of your house are: Mother Nature, animals, and insufficient maintenance.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:28 Mother Nature
- 1:20 Animals
- 2:35 Maintenance
Excessive moisture in the bathroom is among the biggest obstacles most homeowners deal with inside their bathroom. It is necessary to know why it's taking place and how to decrease moisture in the bathroom. By getting ahead of it and fixing it at the source of the problem rather than simply covering it up, you will spare yourself many headaches in the future.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 1:20 Worn Out Exhaust Fans
- 1:40 Improper Ventilation
- 1:54 Poorly Insulated Walls & Ceilings
Doctor's office spaces get a lot of wear and tear each day with so many people coming in and out. You would like your patients to feel relaxed and comfortable in your office. It is extremely helpful to go through your building and look at it through a patient's eyes. While you walk, keep in mind these 5 medical office interior improvement ideas. By doing this, you will have the ability to know better what needs to get done to make your office a lot more comfortable and welcoming.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:38 Nighttime Painting & Renovation
- 1:22 Entryway
- 2:46 Waiting Room
- 3:34 Hallways
- 4:27 Bathrooms
- 5:35 Exam Rooms
Often we get all excited to start a project but neglect to prepare ahead of time and consider all the small details that can ruin or delay its completion. Remodeling is an exciting time but can also be a stress filled time. With the assistance of these 5 things to keep in mind when remodeling your house and planning carefully long before you begin, you can truly make the job flow a lot easier and turn out much better than you pictured in the end.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 1:00 Scheduling
- 1:28 Paint
- 3:15 Handles & Knobs
- 4:36 Lighting
- 5:45 More on Scheduling
If you are the owner of a small company or the manager of a commercial business within your town, then you understand the significance of outside commercial building upkeep. But often the days and weeks escape you and you concentrate on the interior appearance of your business. But from a customer's viewpoint, the outside appearance of the building, windows, doors, and walkways entering into your place sends a strong impression. Good or bad. What sort of impression do you want to make?
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:30 What’s Going on on the Outside
- 0:54 Are You Proactive or Reactive
- 3:10 When to Check Your Building
Curb appeal is a thing every single homeowner makes every effort to accomplish. You work hard and want to get back at the conclusion of a long day of work and see your home from the drive up and be happy with how it looks. And having terrific outside curb appeal is something you'll need to sell your home quickly on the real estate market.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:42 Front Door & Side Lites
- 1:27 Pressure Wash
- 2:27 Sealing Driveway
- 2:41 Misc. Additions
- 3:22 Lighting
- 4:17 Repaint or Restain
There are actually tons of different types of caulks out on the market. Many for interior tasks and various other for outside tasks. Find out the best uses for 100% silicone caulk when it comes to your projects, both interior and exterior. The general rule is that where you have water inside or outside your house, you'll really want to use 100% silicone caulk. Only don't paint on top of it, and you should be good to go.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:24 Interior Uses
- 1:17 Exterior Uses
I am a huge supporter of making your house look good in order to resell it. But certainly not one that supports what a lot of real estate agents want you to do. And that would be to redesign your kitchen and bathrooms to sell your house. You will NEVER receive the ROI on that. So that is the reason that I am suggesting you accomplish the 5 ideas to sell your house quickly.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:17 Painting
- 0:34 Plumbing Fixtures
- 1:03 Popcorn Ceiling
- 1:35 Laundry Room
- 2:06 Carpeting
When basement remodeling comes up in a conversation or is seen on a TV show, many think about adding an extra basement bedroom or entertainment area for the kids. Being an empty nester, you may miss your children, however remodeling your basement into something you'll enjoy definitely will eliminate a bit of that 'hurt'. Well, it's your time now as an empty nester to finally get to use the basement for your hobbies and interests.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 1:06 Basement Bar
- 2:14 Lighting & Outlets
- 3:31 Sitting Area
- 4:03 Cabinets
- 4:35 Work Area
- 4:55 Planning Ahead
Let's discuss 9 ways to upgrade your kitchen area without needing to do a complete remodeling project. There are huge upgrades you can do throughout a year or perhaps 3 to 4 years. And before you know it, you'll have a brand new cooking area. In some cases conducting a diy renovation can be a lot more workable when you do it in bite-size pieces. It is more time manageable, assists people on a smaller budget, and is really cost effective. I hope you can apply some of the 9 methods to upgrade your kitchen area.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:30 Countertops, Sink, & Backsplash
- 1:40 Cabinets
- 2:51 Pantry
- 3:47 New Appliances
- 4:46 Lighting & Painting
In the event that you are considering having an epoxy or polyaspartic floor coating installed in your garage or basement, I would highly recommend it. Here are a few benefits of garage floor coatings: they are certainly durable, bonds excellently to concrete, up-levels the look of a garage for a display room appeal appearance, resistant to a lot of impacts; highly resilient, stain, chemical and moisture resistant, conceals defects in concrete, and is actually slip resistant.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:08 What are Epoxy & Polyaspartic Floor Coatings
- 1:11 Who Typically Want This Product
- 3:04 More About Garage Floor Coatings
- 4:09 Other Areas to Use It
- 4:24 Benefits
Almost every contractor will provide a different renovation timetable to finish your restroom remodel or kitchen improvement project. And I guess it really does rely on precisely how your general contractor gets things done. However let's analyze some choices that will add a lot more time to your renovating task than you may expect.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:36 Countertops
- 1:36 Mirrors
- 2:21 Shower Doors & Walls
- 2:58 Drying Time
- 3:58 City Inspections
- 4:44 Change Orders
So what are a few of the benefits of buying local vs the big box stores? Many of us today want to simply drive to the big box stores like Home Depot or perhaps Menards and do not give our local shops even a thought any more. However the experienced painters, for the most part, are actually purchasing from their local paint stores.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:39 Shopping at the Big Box Store
- 1:09 Shopping at Your Local Paint Store
- 2:30 Where the Pros are Going
- 2:32 Why I Like Buying Local
Everybody desires curb appeal for their house. When you drive a car up to your home, it simply makes your house more inviting, even to yourself. Lots of things contribute to better curb appeal. A few items happen to be landscaping, driveways, but especially the outside color of your house. Find out how to pick gutter color whenever having your house painted or stained. You can have the gutters and downspouts blend in or stand out as an accent color.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:19 Cleaning
- 0:40 Things to Consider
- 1:43 Check With Your Homeowner’s Association
- 2:15 Roof Color
- 3:16 House Siding
- 3:50 DIY or Hiring a Contractor
- 4:43 Go Bold
- 5:14 Ways to Get Ideas
One of the best traits of having an aluminum sided house is the low maintenance. But that does not indicate it is completely no upkeep. So you might be wondering why do I need to be pressure washing aluminum siding? You should power clean your aluminum siding every year simply to keep it clean. A second reason to power wash your aluminum home siding is to prepare your house for painting.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:26 First Reason & How to Clean
- 2:32 Cleaning for Repainting
Understand the 8 hidden renovation expenses when it concerns upgrading your bathroom. You need to be prepared! You shouldn't be afraid to remodel your kitchen area or bathroom. If you plan out your bathroom or kitchen area renovation ahead of time, you will take into consideration extra expenses in advance. This is just how you have the ability to work your plan, not deal with any hiccups, and also obtain a pretty good idea of how long your remodel is going to take. You will be so much happier if you accomplish your due diligence whenever it pertains to bathroom remodel costs.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:48 Removal & Disposal
- 1:32 Permits & Drawings
- 2:21 Unexpected Things
- 4:34 Hire a Contractor or DIY
- 5:06 Plan Ahead
What is the best way to get more use out of the additional space in your basement? Create an infrared sauna within your basement. I certainly enjoy our nearby YMCA. But there are definitely days that making use of a basement workout space with dry heat sauna is just so much more clean, much less crowded, less inconvenience (zero driving), and as germ-free as it's going to get.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:24 Health Club Problems
- 0:58 How Much Space?
- 1:37 Sauna
- 2:10 Flooring
- 2:38 Exercise Equipment
Why might you install carpeting versus hardwood flooring? Well, there happen to be many reasons why, but let's go through cost-effectiveness, noise-absorbing, as well as the truth that it really is incredibly pleasant to your feet. I really love carpet more than hardwood. I really like the look of hardwood floors better too. Nevertheless I simply love the feel on my feet and just how much they are able to conceal the dust (if you select a darker color). I believe when raising a family, carpeting is really the way to go.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:22 What I Like About Carpeting
- 2:09 What Are The Benefits
- 3:58 Carpet Runners
Why would you need to rehang a door? Let's review the most common reasons why: You might just have outdated and bad-looking doors that are beat up. If you would like to replace these doors, you will need to find out just how to rehang a door. In the event that you just purchased a new sofa or maybe moving into a new home, you will have to take a door off its hinges in order to move these objects through. Knowing how to take a door off its hinges or learning how to rehang a door is a real homeowner set of skills you will be thankful to have.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:59 The Tools
- 1:08 How To Hang a Door
Is your aluminum siding looking hazy or possibly chalky? If this is taking place, then you have something referred to as oxidation. In order to fix this, make sure you are washing your siding at the very least once a year. If you are able to afford it, wash it at the beginning of the season, straight following winter, and then again at the end of the fall. This twice a year maintenance of your aluminum siding will definitely keep your house looking clean, but you will also spot anything going wrong with your home that will need a bit of maintenance.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:36 What is Oxidation
- 1:35 What Cleaners to Use
- 2:36 Pressure Washing
- 4:04 Types of Pressure Washers
- 4:26 The Right Pressure
- 5:17 Do's & Don'ts
- 6:30 How Often Should You Clean
- 7:15 Other Things to Take Care of
When remodeling your bathroom, should you put in a walk-in shower? You may be asking yourself, "Will it really be worth it?" I'm finding that a number of my clients plan to install a large, walk-in shower for many different reasons.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:28 What You Should Ask Yourself
- 0:38 Whirlpool Tub Conversion
- 1:35 Important Things to Consider
Is it really hard to paint your entryway? Experience, along with the appropriate equipment and tools totally make a difference when you are painting your foyer. An experienced painter has all the important equipment and is completely comfortable with performing a project of this size and scope. However, if you do try to handle painting your foyer on your own, make sure that safety is your number one concern.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:27 What You Need
- 1:15 Quick Suggestions
- 1:35 Hiring a Contractor or DIY
Recessed Lighting is one of the most-asked-for upgrades when undertaking a home improvement project. Gone are the outdated can lights or floor lights. Today the LED recessed lights are the latest interior design style. But do you have ample space around your ceiling to have recessed lights set up?
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:30 Lights for Small Spaces
What is so great about painting with a no-VOC paint and should I work with them in my next painting project? I run across a considerable number of my clients that believe it is silly to ask this question. However, I'm a firm believer in the more and accurate info the consumer has regarding VOC paints, the better the decision they can make for themselves and their families.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:20 What is VOC
- 0:57 Low or No VOC Paint
- 1:42 How to Choose
When can you step upon a deck that has been freshly stained? Lots of factors come into play to figure out when you can start to move patio furniture back on and begin to grill once again. Do not become too anxious. The principal objective here is simply to get the greatest amount of use out of your deck stain.
Quick episode Summary:
- 0:21 Three Factors for Different Drying Times
- 0:48 Best Drying Time & Tips
So let us discuss your laundry room. Yes, that is the space no one wants to enter since it's associated with work. I think it is interesting that it is the first room many people come into when they return home from work, shopping or simply shuffling the kids around. I would say over 90% of my clients enter their house via their garage and the very first room they come into is really the mudroom/ laundry room.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:53 Lighting
- 1:16 Flooring
- 1:41 Cabinetry
So you now have actually made the decision to paint your great room or foyer. You've selected the paint color but soon after the painter has painted just one of the walls, you are thinking, "This could not be the color I chose. It really seems different." Here are a number of things to take into account whenever choosing a color most especially on the interior of your house.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:47 Choosing Wall Paint
- 1:33 Trimwork Colors
- 1:54 Lighting
- 2:10 Professional Designer
How should you get a space ready for painting? When we are doing work in our customers' homes, we try to take a systematic approach to preparing your project from the start. So let's discuss today the way to prepare for an indoor painting project. I believe that preparation is truly important to having a job well-done. It's not only about the paint color.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:30 Night Before Prep
- 0:57 First Thing Prep
- 1:22 Caulk & Prime
- 1:45 Mask off & Sand
Your contemplating upgrading your bathroom and wonder what it is really going to cost. I think that most people don't realize the intangibles that are really a part of the renovating process which include drawings, permits, inspections, product options, experience and the list continues. I believe it is vital that you educate yourself well before the upgrading process and never after, that could be a much more expensive experience.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:46 Questions to Ask
- 1:04 Pricing Guidelines
How long does bathroom remodeling take? This is a question you ask long before looking for a contractor. But it might prevent you from carrying out the project entirely. Why? Because you happen to be afraid that it will be a continuous task that you do or your contractor camps out for six months at your home. Well, you are looking to remodel your bathroom and you are truly asking how long will it take to complete the project.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:22 Powder Room
- 0:31 Guest Bathroom
- 0:43 Master Bathroom
- 1:02 The Key to Your Remodel Time
Why exactly do you get cracks and nail pops in your drywall? This is just one of the absolute most typical troubles that homeowners experience today. So just how do we deal with them? With nail pops, get rid of the existing nail or screw and replace with a new screw. You might wish to put the second screw in beside where the old nail or screw was removed. Wrap up using spackle, then sand. Whenever it concerns cracks, cut a v-shape exactly where the crack is, bridge the seam using drywall tape, administer drywall compound, then sand.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:41 What Causes Nail Pops and Cracks
- 1:47 How to Fix Them
Caulking trim before painting seriously is not that tricky. I advise a high quality siliconized caulk. Do not go cheap and do not work with a 100% silicone caulk when planning to paint right after caulking. The paint definitely will not adhere. Be careful also to see to it that the caulk is totally dry or your paint will certainly crack. You'll find that caulking will give your rooms a more finished look and will cut down on the quantity of air that leaks into your home.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:31 Caulking Trimwork
- 1:16 Benefits of Caulking
What are the many different types of interior paint brushes? Just one of the absolute most vital things for you to undertake right before you start a painting project is certainly to get the best tools. There are really so many different types of paint brushes I can't even begin to describe entirely the choices that are readily available to you. Still, let's talk about a few of my personal preferences so you can certainly make use of them too when carrying out your own interior project.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:45 My Go To Brush
- 1:22 My Favorite Brands
Re-staining cedar siding needs to be done to the siding over the years. But how frequently? I usually get asked this question when a homeowner owns a rough sawn cedar house. There actually are numerous factors that certainly drive home what sort of product, what sort of finish, and just how routinely you are likely going to have to stain the exterior of your residence.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:24 Types of Stain
- 1:11 Three factors That Will Change Maintenance
Exterior stain or perhaps paint? I am asked this virtually every week. Which one is actually the perfect one to apply to your house exterior siding? It definitely depends on what kind of house siding you have.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:16 Staining Cedar Siding
- 0:31 Paint Application
- 0:57 Smooth Wood Siding
Granite and quartz feature numerous positive and also negative qualities about them. But which one should you pick when remodeling your kitchen area or bathroom?
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:14 Granite vs Quartz
- 0:49 To Seal or Not to Seal
- 1:03 Appearance
- 1:22 Durability
Exterior stain colors don't look exactly like they do on the store stain charts. But why exactly? Within the past thirty years, stain charts have really altered drastically for the homeowner. They used to place examples on the actual piece of wood for you to see. Now, they're just upon cardboard paper flyer. So how do you go about choosing a stain color and have a good idea of how it will most likely look after applying it?
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:20 How Stain Charts Have Changed
- 0:34 How To Pick A Stain Color
- 1:11 Old vs New Lumber
- 1:35 Tips to Help You Choose
I feel it really is necessary that every contractor that does work in your home carries the proper insurance. Insurance is without a doubt a safeguard against anything that might go wrong. 95% of the time nothing at all ever happens when a person's doing work in your home. It's just that tiny percentage when it does happen that you really need to be protected.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:37 What to Look For
- 0:51 Workman’s Comp
- 1:13 How to Check Their Insurance
Why should you repaint your ceilings? It's funny, I get asked regularly to come and repaint just the ceilings and not the walls around our customer's residences. So precisely why does this occur?
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:20 Reasons to Paint Your Ceiling
- 0:50 Why Hire a Professional
- 1:50 Tip for Painting Your Ceiling
DIY or hiring a contractor might seem an easy answer. Either you are handy or otherwise, right? Well, often you might be very handy but the project might be out of your league in other ways.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:22 Knowledge
- 0:31 Tools
- 0:38 Time
- 0:42 Patience
- 0:50 Budget
Why does your ceiling require repair? Over the past 30+ years, I've witnessed many types of damage to ceilings in our customer's homes. So this might really help you out to tell what kind of problem you are actually experiencing.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:27 Water Stains
- 1:30 Mold
Older houses quite often contain darker trim. Folks like to change the look of it, and so painting can be a good option. Occasionally though, the baseboard is beaten up from regular wear and tear. So removing and replacing it might be a far better option. The great thing about replacing the baseboard is that you'll have something that is really a lot more your style as opposed to what's been in your residence.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:16 Paint or Replace
- 0:42 Downside to Painting
- 0:55 Nice Thing About Replacing
Exactly how often should you repaint or restain your front door? Let's talk about your front door. As the saying goes, you only get one chance to make a good first impression and also when visitors come to your house you want to make it as appealing as possible. That is why maintaining your front door constantly is necessary.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:35 What Type of Door Do You Have?
- 0:50 Wood Door
- 1:45 Metal Door
- 1:57 Fiberglass Door
Let us discuss the 4 different types of decking material which are getting installed around the midwest region of the United States. Let’s look at the expenses, repair and maintenance routine, benefits, and drawbacks.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 1:02 The 4 Main Decking Materials
- 1:31 Pressure Treated Lumber
- 5:24 Cedar
- 9:08 Ipe
- 14:33 Composite Decking
Deck stripping is certainly a big process. And frankly, really should be accomplished only by a professional deck contractor. There certainly are a few reasons you might want to think about deck stripping. If you dislike the present color, your current deck product is failing by unwanted peeling, or else you wish to revert to a natural tone, well then having your deck stripped down is the solution.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:26 Reasons to Strip Your Deck
- 1:15 When to Do It
What are the major differences between selecting hardwood flooring and laminate flooring? Hardwood flooring is ordinarily 2 1/4 unfinished red oak, tongue and groove. It is not for the DIY project and ought to be set up by a professional flooring company. Laminate flooring is definitely much more affordable. It is pre-finished in a controlled environment so it will supply you with a very consistent look and also it is easier to install than hardwood flooring.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 1:22 Unfinished Red Oak
- 3:31 Pre-Finished Oak
- 7:36 Laminate Flooring
- 10:35 Engineered Flooring
It is definitely that time of year and you very likely need the outside of your home repainted or perhaps stained. Just one of the largest challenges our clients appear to have is actually deciding on exterior paint colors. Mainly it is due to the fact that it really is such a large investment, they simply don't want to choose the "wrong" paint or stain color. Let's address a number of things to help you out.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 1:21 Different Home Styles
- 2:57 What to Focus on First
- 4:06 Contemporary Style Homes
- 6:39 Cape Cod Style Homes
- 9:32 Colonial & Georgia Colonial Style Homes
- 11:46 Tudor & Victorian Style Homes
- 15:19 Tips
Chicago remodeling contractor, Mark Lotz, has been in the remodeling and painting business for 30+ years and has been actually working in the industry for an additional 8 years prior to that with his father, Bill. Being absolutely the industry leader, Mark is definitely the expert in each home improvement area.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:28 How I Started
- 2:34 My Family & History
- 7:02 My Goals
There are really many different tile options to choose from. Which one is right for your needs? Learn the pros and cons along with exactly where to set up the most common tile types: ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:30 Different Tile Types
- 1:15 Ceramic Tile
- 3:31 Porcelain Tile
- 6:35 Marble & Other Natural Stone
- 10:23 Glass Stone Mosaic
- 11:46 Trends
It is time to renovate your old and out of date bathroom. I have actually been to lots of residences and most complain about their large, whirlpool tub that they hardly ever use. Most of my clients are actually removing the old whirlpool tub and having me install a large, walk-in shower. But since they possess a little extra room to use because they got rid of the huge tub, we are generally putting in built in shower bench and seats.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 1:11 Foot Niche
- 1:50 Fold Out Seat
- 2:42 Stand Alone Seat
- 4:05 Larger Bench Seats
- 5:37 Trends
Should I DIY or hire a contractor? This might really seem like a simple question to address. Either you are really handy or otherwise, right? Well, in some cases you may be very handy but the job may be out of your league and it might possibly be time to contact a professional.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 1:00 Reasons You May Want to DIY
- 2:22 How A Professional Can Come in Handy
- 5:36 Benefits of Hiring a Professional
- 5:58 A Good Rule of thumb
- 6:34 Budget
A lot of people seriously need to be maintaining their deck on a more frequent basis than most realize. However, to start with you really need to recognize what sort of decking material you possess in order to understand how to care for it. If decks are really maintained adequately and also frequently, they can easily last 20-30 years, with some trivial repairs along the road.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 1:31 Wolmanized Lumber
- 2:02 Cedar & Redwood
- 2:40 Composite Decking
- 2:58 Ipe Decking
- 3:48 Cleaning
- 5:40 Sanding
- 7:12 Staining
- 9:38 Types of Stain
- 10:21 Maintenance Schedule
Changing the basement into a bedroom is really a great idea. Among one of the most effective house additions you might do, in my opinion. It might not bring you 90% return-on-investment, but the ROI from the various uses for the area exceed 100%. But why choose to install a bedroom inside your basement? One of the most practical methods to acquire additional space at home is definitely to make a bedroom inside your basement.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:20 Reasons for a Bedroom Basement
- 0:57 Other Ideas
Handling dust when remodeling or painting can actually be a reality. That is, supposing that you choose the best professional contractor or maybe you know the correct dust control methods to apply. I would like to talk with you about having an excellent and livable remodel.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:56 How to Contain the Dust
- 3:39 Surface Protection
- 9:35 Buildclean Air Scrubber
Anytime you receive 2 or 3 estimates the prices can vary so much, you do not know which particular contractor you ought to trust and sign a contract with. I always say, start with your gut and select who you really like and also trust the most. But if ever the cost is really your sole decision-making resource, then let's look at some guidelines.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:44 Certificate of Insurance
- 0:53 What Materials Do They Use
- 1:04 How Specific are They
- 1:14 How Responsible are They
- 1:35 Were They on Time for the Estimate
Is there seriously a big difference when sitting down upon a comfort height toilet? How can 1-2 inches of extra height on your toilet make it so much more desirable? Let us discuss a few perks along with add-ons that you should really think about when updating your bathrooms with updated toilets.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:40 Height
- 1:19 Soft Close & Other Add-ons
- 1:56 Tips
What tools are actually available to help you decide on interior paint colors? The majority of my clients get a little bit overwhelmed when it comes down to picking their interior paint. They don't know where to turn , exactly who to call, or even how to go about the process. Keep it basic. Sometimes going to your local paint store is really your best option. I 'd encourage you to visit a professional paint store and not a big box store. The nearby Sherwin Williams or perhaps J.C. Licht store will have employees there who know what the present color trends are and can guide you in the right direction.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:39 Color Visualizers
- 1:04 Internet
- 1:24 Paint Charts
What is the best selection when it comes to your specific interior paint job-- cheap paint vs expensive paint? Within your nearby paint store, there certainly is a sea of selections. Talk to a paint professional that works inside the store to really help you out. A couple of factors to consider when deciding cheap paint vs pricey paint are your budget plan, how much paint will be required, the quality of paint, and the finish you want.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:38 Knowing Your Project Details
- 1:05 Ceiling Paint
- 1:18 Wall & Trimwork Paint
- 1:32 When to Use Cheaper Paint
If you are going to have a remodeling project done in your home, you may be wondering how you are going to control all the dust. This is a really good question. Controlling dust is one of the biggest challenges when it comes to remodeling. Here’s what we like to do.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:25 Floors
- 0:55 Moving Items
- 1:12 Covering Everything
- 1:41 Old Red
The design trend of staining your woodwork is coming back. Paint your millwork or trimwork has been the trend for the past 15 years. But the millwork, also known as casework, is returning to staining the wood.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:34 Trends
- 2:45 Stain Products
- 3:28 Steps for Staining
What are the 2 must-haves that everybody is setting up in their bathrooms: custom shower seat and get bars! When you posses a bigger shower, you have room for a shower seat and grab bars. Let’s find out why they are so important.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:32 Examples of How They Can Be Useful
- 2:05 Some things to Consider When Remodeling Your Shower
- 2:50 Bench Seats
- 4:24 Grab Bars
- 6:00 Shower Wands
- 6:53 Conclusion
You have visited your local paint shop and see the various types of painters tape, however you don't know which one you ought to make use of. Let's keep it simple and attempt not to complicate it. Find out Mark's go-to painters tape.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:35 The Tape I Like to Use
- 0:51 Tape Tips
- 1:45 Painting Tips
Wish to have the list of the very best interior paint roller covers for doing interior painting? Discover which roller cover to utilize for ceiling and walls, doors & trim, places that are hard to reach, and even an exceptional exterior roller cover.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:24 Covers for Ceilings & Walls
- 1:00 Cover Sizes
- 1:34 Other Covers for Interiors
- 1:47 Covers for Hard to Reach Areas
- 2:01 Easy to Use Rollers & Covers
Advantages of quartz countertops are endless, and today we are going to discuss Cambria quartz countertops. One benefit is how resilient they are compared to granite or marble. Cambria offers 19 different edge profiles to choose from with matching Benjamin Moore paint colors. So you can't go wrong with painting after the countertop is installed!
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:25 Cambria
- 1:14 What is Quartz?
- 2:14 Cambria Quartz Colors
- 3:23 Pros
- 5:50 Edge Profiles
- 10:30 What I Love About Cambria
Bathroom shower grab bars are a fantastic way to offer you assurance and added security. Don't wait until you need it. You will find having grab bars in your bathroom before you have a surgical treatment, a fall, or a serious health problem extremely helpful.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:15 Reasons to Install Grab Bars
Let’s go over the 4 most common bathroom problems and the best bathroom paint to use. When wanting to do a simple bathroom update, change out your current bathroom light fixtures, install a new shower door and exhaust fan for the best way to get rid of excessive moisture in the room.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:33 Peeling Paint
- 1:41 Mold
- 3:58 Hairspray & Tooth Paste
- 5:11 Benjamin Moore Paint
- 6:32 Sherwin Williams Paint
- 7:11 Tips for DIYers
- 7:54 Light Fixtures
- 8:36 Shower Doors
- 9:24 Exhaust Fan
- 11:47 Caulking
- 13:24 New Product
What are the main reasons to redesign your basement? Discover your reason and renovate the basement to best suit your needs. You most likely will not get a 100% return-on-investment, but you will get additional memories from this brand-new space.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:17 One Great Thing About Basement Remodeling
- 0:27 Entertainment Area
- 0:43 Home Office
- 0:56 Final Tips
Your everyday life determines what role your basement plays in your home. The majority of people do not have enough light in their basement, so consider installing some LED lights. And if your basement floods, having a polyaspartic floor finish applied can really help. And add an entertainment area for the household and visitors.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:30 Determine Your Needs
- 3:46 Ceiling & Lighting Ideas
- 4:45 Walls
- 5:50 Window Wells
- 6:04 Flooring
- 9:26 Other Ideas
Wallpaper is coming back and super popular now. But if you want to remove your old wallpaper to paint, you’ll need to prepare the walls properly before painting. Otherwise, you’ll have a huge problem on your hands. This podcast talks about how to prepare the walls properly for painting after wallpaper removal.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:20 Wallpaper & Paste Removal
- 0:43 Wall Repairs
- 1:00 Priming the Walls & Painting
Vinyl siding is amazing. But it can fade and lose its color. Or you might get bored of the color over 10 or more years, especially if you want to change up the roof color. This podcast goes over how you go about painting your vinyl siding due to color changes you’d like to make or if the color fades over time.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:49 Reasons to Paint
- 2:01 Cleaning the Siding
- 3:20 What Color
- 5:40 Painting
Have you walked into a lighting store? It’s like an ocean of lighting types to pick from. This podcast focuses on just lED recessed lighting, and why it’s one of my favorite types of lights to install in your home. It will cost way less because it uses much less energy.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:39 What’s Different About LED
- 1:27 Recessed Lights
- 3:29 Biggest Downside
- 4:00 A Great Thing About Recessed
- 4:40 Sizes of Recessed Lights
- 6:08 Major Benefit of LED
It can be scary hiring a contractor. But what’s even worse is how to deal with problems, if they arise. Sometimes understanding the four personality types can help work through the issues. Learn what personality type you are and your contractor is: sanguin, melancholic, phlegmatic, and choleric. When you understand these, it will help get you through any situation.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 1:00 Personality Types
- 2:48 An Example and how to deal with it
- 3:49 Role Reversal
- 4:23 If You Can’t Resolve It
- 5:07 Make Sure They Understand Your Expectations
- 6:03 What I & My Team Like to Do
- 6:57 The Sign of a True Professional
- 7:57 Try to Resolve It
Wood entry doors and wood garage doors are gorgeous, but they do require some upkeep. Find out in this podcast some of Mark’s secrets of the professional painters on the best products to use on these wood doors. Here’s one quick hint: Mark loves Sikkens products and they have a wonderful 3-part system. But listen to the whole podcast for more advice.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:50 A Product I Like to Use
- 2:51 Preparation & Application
- 4:59 What Makes Sikkens so Unique
- 5:37 Tips for Using Sikkens
- 6:30 Maintenance
Seniors aging in place have a wide range of budget options to fix up or make improvements on their home’s exterior. Many seniors find installing seated benches in their showers with grab bars as a great safety home improvement. And adding in ramps from their garage to the laundry room a huge added benefit as well as slip-resistant epoxy garage floors.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:22 What is Aging in Place
- 2:40 The Front Door
- 4:41 Garage & Entrance
- 6:38 Shower & Shower Q & A
- 11:38 Shower Seat Benches
- 12:28 Comfort Height Toilets
- 12:36 Concluding Tips & Ideas
Garage floors can be dirty and ugly. But there are ways to make them look better. Most couples need better solutions for their garage for slip-free flooring to being stain resistant. Here is a great solution for you.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:31 Lower Quality
- 0:50 Two Part Epoxy
- 1:12 Multiple Application Epoxy
- 1:29 Professional or DIY
- 1:44 Some Benefits of Epoxy
Want the full list of the best interior painting products for your DIY projects? Let’s get right down to business and give you the full list of my best interior paint products I use on most of my projects over the past 32 years.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:41 Primers
- 3:07 Ceiling Paint
- 4:45 Wall Paint
- 7:54 Trim Paint
- 10:16 A Few Tips
Most homeowners want to paint their kitchen cabinets as a cost-effective solution to replacing with brand new ones. It is a great idea and friendly on your wallet. But you should be careful, though, because if you are hard on your kitchen, the paint can eventually chip or wear away with regular cleaning.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:16 Why Fo You Want to Paint
- 0:49 Painting Process
- 1:40 Quick Tip
- 2:07 Downsides
Is there a hard and fast rule to when you should paint the interior of of your home? Not really. You can paint when you want to change the color, when the walls get banged and scuffed. And sometimes just as a good maintenance of the rooms. Most homeowners, I find, repaint their interior about every four to six years, depending upon the room and wear and tear.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:17 How Often Should You Paint
- 3:23 Before Parties
- 4:11 When Selling or Moving
- 5:30 Wear and Tear
- 7:26 Most Cost Effective Way to Change the Look of Your House
- 8:44 Best Quality Paint for Wear and Tear
When wanting to remodel your master bathroom, you have endless styles and options. Most are ditching their soaker tubs and smaller showers for large walk-in showers with benches. But let's go through a list of what are the most popular ideas for your master bathroom.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:30 What we're seeing
- 2:03 Poured Shower Pans
- 5:20 Technology in Bathrooms
If you plan on remodeling your kitchen, you'll need to update your kitchen sink. But what are the latest kitchen sink styles and trends? And honestly, you'll need to pick the right sink style for your family and lifestyle. But let's go through some of the most popular sink styles.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:20 Styles and Types
- 0:52 Depth and Number of Bowls
- 1:19 Trends and Durability
Kitchen islands can now have end caps added to them. This can give you much needed storage for a variety of things. Displaying your patters or spices, adding in a wine rack, or making a dog food station in the end cap is a great idea. By adding a kitchen island end cap, your kitchen will really stand out.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:25 What are Islands for
- 1:28 End Cap Near your Stove
- 3:32 A Place for Your Pets
- 4:32 Other Ideas for Your Island
Painting a 2-story foyer can be a bit daunting. Managing your dust is essential so that you don't get it all over your furniture, lights, stairs, carpeting and flooring. And making sure you have the right ladders for the height of the room is essential. And the final step is getting the right products and tools ready too.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:53 Preparation
- 5:00 Equipment
- 8:54 Paint Selection
- 10:19 Color Selection
- 11:40 Tips
Once in a while you'll need to clean your walls and ceilings. Especially if you have kids, grandchildren, or pets! What can be frustrating is when you just get your home painted, and then someone gets the walls all dirty. Sometimes things can't be avoided, such as spiders needing to be killed or your grandkids tossed a football while you weren't looking. So let's go over how to get your walls and ceilings clean in between paint jobs.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:20 Right After Getting Dirty
- 0:30 When They've Been Dirty for a While
- 1:06 Tips for Cleaning
Read over your instruction on the cleaning solution. And apply the agent on the deck. Agitate the deck with a brush and thoroughly rinse the deck clean. And I'd suggest the average homeowner not use a power washer to clean the deck, only because if you use the wrong tip, you could gouge the wood. Be ready to apply a bit of sweat and tears until the next time you have out a professional company to clean and stain the deck. You'll be happy you kept it clean in between the years.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:43 Preparation
- 0:58 How to Clean Your Deck
Woodpeckers can achieve notches and holes in your exterior siding and are a huge pain to residents. What may you do if you have woodpecker holes on your home's siding? It is amazing to see how much harm animals, insects, and birds can do to your home. Let's go over the procedures or approaches to repair and also safeguard your home from woodpecker hole damages.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:40 How to Treat the Holes
Have you ever thought about what are the secret resources of the expert painters? Check out Mark's most favorite painting and improvement devices that everyone should have in their basement, vehicle or toolbox.
Quick Episode Summary:
- 0:54 5 in 1 Tool
- 2:50 Spray and Walk Away
- 5:10 Tip of the Day
- 8:17 1 Do and 1 Don't