Garden Tool Maintenance

Simple maintenance can make your garden tools last longer. That saves you money! Simple maintenance can make your garden tools work better. That saves you time!

Wood handles
Wood handles need to be sanded and oiled usually once a year. Wipe off the handle to clean, and use little if any water. Use fine sand paper to smooth the surface. Remove any dust and rub linseed oil into the handle. Let it soak in. Use as much as it takes until it doesn't absorb any more. Wait about a half hour then wipe off any remaining oil with a clean, dry rag.

Fiberglass
Handles, step stools, etc. made of fiberglass need a little attention too. Wash with soap and water then dry.
Metal surfaces

Store metal tools such as shovels or pruners in a 5-gallon bucket filled with coarse sand to which oil (motor oil or vegetable oil) has been added. The small amount of oil that will transfer from the tool to the soil will break down without causing any harm.

You can use the same bucket as a cleaning step. Clean off as much dirt as you can then dig the tool up and down in the sand a few times to clean off remaining dirt and coat the head with oil. The oil coating prevent rust.
Remove light rust with a wire brush.

If the rust is a bit worse, you can sometimes remove it by soaking the tool in white vinegar; otherwise, use steel wool. Start with the least coarse grade you can to remove the rust. Once the rust is removed and the entire surface is clean, you can apply a rust-proofing primer. Steel wool and repaint any rough areas.

File the cutting edge of your metal tools to keep the blades sharp. Though it can be a tough job if it hasn’t been done for awhile even a badly sharpened tool is easier to use that a dull tool. If you regularly file your tools, it will take less strokes to keep a sharp edge.

Detailed filing instructions

Pruning tools
Clean the tool and its blades each time you use it. Use LiquidWrench products to keep hinges working freely.

Detailed filing instructions

For very expensive pruners, have them professionally sharpened or invest in a specialty tool to make sure you can sharpen them correctly.

WARNING!
Remember to always use safety glasses when working with files or power tools. One metal splinter can cause a lot of damage if it gets in your eye. Be safe!

Storage
Hanging your tools by their handles on a storage shed or garage wall not only keeps them out of the way but also prevents damage to sharpened edges. A 10-penny finish nail driven into a handy two-by-four is the easiest way to keep tools aloft. Drill 1/4-inch holes through the handles of axes, shovels, hoes, rakes and other long-handled tools to hang them on the nails. Be sure to keep the business end of the tool hanging toward the floor.

Gloves
A good well-fitted pair of gloves is a necessary tool in gardening. You must protect your hands from the sun, wind and cold. You must also protect your hands from soil borne pathogens and the cuts and scraps that would allow them easy access. However, gloves can also spread insects, their eggs, soil borne diseases and viruses. So you want to select gloves that can be washed and machined dried.

Deck Maintenance

Deck maintenance is not only important to the homeowner, it is important to the environment. Each year around 3 million new decks are built in the US. Each year another 3 million decks require repairs caused most often by lack of maintenance. These new and repaired decks are a huge drain on the nation’s forests! An average acre of forest yields wood for only two or three decks. So if all decks were properly maintained to make them last the decades they could last, as many as 6 million trees could be saved in 10 years. Let’s talk about maintenance!

Cleaning
Regular cleaning is key to maintenance.
• Sweep dirt and debris off the deck frequently. Leaves can stain a deck and retain moisture which can lead to mold and mildew.

Dry rot is a major deck problem. The fungus feeds on wood. Dry rot often leads to termite infestation. Dry rot requires wet wood. Keeping your deck free of debris which holds moisture will protect you.

• Use planters with feet to prevent stains and moisture retention.

• If your deck is built close to the ground, spread a polyethylene barrier over the soil to keep moisture from seeping up onto your deck.

• Good cleaning products:
Oxygen bleach
Deckwash made by www.Sherwin-Williams.com
Simple Wash made by www.Biowash.com
Stain Solver by AskaBuilder.com

You want a cleaner that will remove oxidation and dissolve hard to remove dirt. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Cleaning with a Power Washer
While it isn’t necessary, using a power washer can make the clean up job faster. But exercise caution! An inexperienced user can damage the deck. Also consider the impact of gasoline or electric powered machines on the environment.

• A proper power washer should provide at least 2000 psi but preferably 2400 psi. Don’t use higher pressure as you can raise the wood grain or even remove a layer of wood.

• For light cleaning, use a 25 degree tip. Use a 15 degree tip for heavier cleaning needs.

• Keep the wand 6-9 inches from the deck surface. Move it in a smooth pendulum motion.


Sealing the Deck
A new deck should not be sealed for the first year. The wood needs to dry out and the fibers need to open. You can treat the deck with a new wood treatment to promote proper weathering.

The deck must be clean before you seal. It also must be completely dry.

You can paint a deck, however, paint won’t hold up as well to foot traffic as a wood stain. Your deck will require less maintenance if you use paint only on railings and balustrades.

Brighteners aren’t required but they can revive the look of the wood. Try:
Revive by www.Sherwin-Williams.com
www.Ewoodcare.com for redwood decks

Wood sealants are most likely your best option.

• Clear Finishes – With no colorant for the wood, these finishes contain water repellant and sometimes preservatives. The best clear finishes contain oils that penetrate the wood and last longer.

• Semi-transparent Finishes – These alkyd stains are more opaque but allow the wood grain to show through. They will penetrate the wood but eventually will fade away.

• Solid Stains – Since the stains site on top of the wood they don’t wear as well. They will fade in traffic areas. They will need to be re-applied annually.

• Deck Finishes – The finishes contain oils or parafins to repel water. They soak into the wood and thus last longer. They also contain preservatives to prevent mildew and mold. UV inhibitors are included to project against sun damage and discoloration.

Regular maintenance can extend the life of your deck by tens of years. Don’t miss this opportunity to save yourself some money and to save some trees!

Clogged Bathtub Drains

I recently had the opportunity to share a bathroom with my nephew. Hmm. There are mysterious things in the bathroom of a 17 year old!! Most I chose not to ask about but the plugged drain in the shower definitely needed attention so I brought it up. That sent us searching for solutions. My sister was determined to find an environmentally friendly fix. I'd like to share our research with HouseTalk Show listeners.

This introductory article from the DoItYourself web site was a good starting point. I thought the suggestions at the end to keep the problem from reoccurring were very good.

Here's a good pictorial if you have a "Lift and Turn" drain from eHow.

If the above methods don't work and you feel the need for a drain cleaner, there are environmental friendly options.
Baking Soda
Eco-Friendly Drain Cleaners article from About.com

Pamela
a HouseTalk fan

Check Your Electrical System

In preparation for summer, now is a good time to check your electrical system. Below is a basic list. If you have more questions or need specific instructions for your home, call me Saturday morning!

• Trip and reset circuit breakers.
• Check all light bulbs to ensure they don't exceed the recommended wattage for the lamp or fixture.
• Consider using CFL bulbs whenever possible to increase your energy savings.
• Check electrical outlets and switches for loose hardware.
• Check power cords for frayed cables or damaged plugs.
• If there are small children in the home, use safety covers on any unused outlets.
• Replace surge protectors if needed.
  
• Check all fire extinguishers to ensure they are in working order.
• Check smoke detectors.
• Check CO2 detectors.
• Check the batteries in your flash lights in preparation for summer outages.
  

Tags: home maintenance

Coyotes Ticket Giveaway - HouseTalk Show, November 21

Coyotes Ticket Giveaway in First Hour (8am to 9am)!
Smokin' Second Hour... Turkey That Is!

This Saturday we have some great guests joining us. In the first hour (from 8 to 9 am) Maggie Norris from Arizona Wholesale Supply will join us and we will be talking about the latest and greatest in appliances. Maggie will be bringing 4 tickets for the December 7th Coyotes Hockey game to give away! Be sure to tune in while Maggie is on the air with us to learn what is new with appliances and to get a chance to win tickets to the December 7th Coyotes game!

Hour 2 (9 am to 10 am) Mark Emery from Barbeques Galore will answer any questions about outdoor cooking including Smoking a Turkey or Frying a Turkey. Some other things Mark will be discussing are things like cooking Pizza on a grill, what types of sauces or rubs should you use and much more.

Barbeques Galore supplies all the outdoor kitchen items your heart could desire including patio heaters, outdoor kitchens, grills and more. Check out their website for more information.

So, have any questions about the latest in washers, dryers, ranges, microwaves or more exotic appliances? Then be sure to join us for Hour 1 from 8 am to 9 am. Want to win some hockey tickets? If you snooze you lose! In Hour 1, Maggie from Arizona Wholesale Supply will answer all your questions about appliances and give away FREE tickets to the December 7th Coyotes game!

Want to learn how to smoke a Turkey? How about cooking Pizza on a grill? Is there a difference between lump Charcoal vs grocery store Charcoal? Maybe you want to find out what the latest is in grills? Whatever it is, Mark Emery from Barbeques Galore will have the answers in Hour 2 of HouseTalk from 9 am to 10 am this Saturday morning during HouseTalk on NewsTalk 960 am KKNT.

And once again, our call-in number is 602-508-0960.

I look forward to talking with you on the show. Make it a great day!

Warren

Guest Dean Oakley, Trane on HouseTalk Show Saturday, November 7, 2009

We have in studio the people that A/C and Heating technicians call for advice when they are stuck this week!

This Saturday morning we will be joined by Dean Oakley who is the head of Trane's operations in Arizona as well as well as a representative from Wolff Mechanical to help us with any questions we have regarding air conditioning and heating.

Learn about the most efficient way to heat your home with the Trane XC95m modulating furnace. Also learn how Trane's whole house air filtration system CleanEffects can even eliminate the flu virus from your home!

We will be discussing those items as well as taking your phone calls to 602-508-0960 for any questions you may have regarding your heating and air conditioning systems. Remember these are the guys that take the calls from air Conditioning and heating technicians when they are stuck!

Of course, as always you can feel free to call in with any questions you may have regarding any projects around your home, that's why I am there every Saturday morning.

I look forward to another good show with you!

Make it a great day!

Warren

Your Home Improvement Topic is Our Topic On HouseTalk Saturday, October 31, 2009

I will bring in a few topics of discussion this week as well as open the phones for your questions regarding any projects you need guidance with. One topic may be the guides that are available for HouseTalk listeners this Saturday.

I have written these guides because of YOU! Why? Let me explain: In the eight years plus of hosting HouseTalk, I have gotten some calls that were cries for help! These were a result of people somehow, someway ending up in a very bad situation in regard to satisfactorily getting some work completed on their homes. I have seen situations like room additions framed up and abandoned, bad window installations that left homeowners with multiple water leaks when the rains finally came, roofs that failed prematurely, bathrooms left gutted and way too much more! The point is that of course there are several great contractors out there but there are some that are not so great. How do you figure out which contractor to hire? This is exactly why I wrote these guides!

I wrote one guide on Remodeling, one on Window Replacement and one on Roofing. Now these guides are specific to the types of work my company, Trades Unlimited, does so if you ever have a need for any of those things be sure to call my office at 480-483-1775 or click here to go to my company, Trades Unlimited. There are many things in these guides that can be used regardless of what type of work you are having done such as questions to ask your contractor or items a contractor should provide and more.

To listen live online from 8-10 Saturday morning, click here. If you're in the Phoenix valley area, we're on KKNT960 AM. Let's talk on HouseTalk!

Make it a great day!

Warren