1. On the Air - Listen to Us Anytime, Anywhere
2. Ask Tom & Leslie - Clear Counter Solution
3. Short Cuts - Fire Action Plan
4. Fun Fact - Prevent Dryer Fires
5. Dot Common Sense - Location, Location, Location!
6. On the Wire - Fall Clean Up

back to the top

ASK TOM & LESLIE

This week's question comes to us from Roxanne Hawes from Falling Waters, West Virginia. She asks, "I've seen Leslie make countertops with two liquid chemicals and I wanted to know what they were. They put matchbox cars in one 50's black and white room. I really wanted to do this in the basement. We've since bought a countertop, but would still like the recipe for the acrylic."

Roxanne, we're so glad that you liked the 50's retro counter top Leslie made on "While You Were Out". She says, "I used an acrylic resin that comes in a kit called Envirotex Lite. It is self-leveling and non-yellowing and really easy to apply. I got our kits at Michaels, but you can find it at most art and craft supply stores. Some of the lighter items are going to want to move when you are filling with the resin so be sure to secure them down to the counter top before you begin. Also, we crafted an edge to the counter that was removed after the resin cured, so it didn't spill while still liquid. Be sure to do this in a well-ventilated area because it is potent. Have a great time with the project you can put just about anything in it, even photos.

back to the top

GOT A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR MONEY PIT?

1. The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.MoneyPit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
2. Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
3. Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.

Each year around this time, schools, communities and businesses pay special attention to fire safety. But keeping safe from fires is a year round project. The following steps should be taken regularly:

• Have your chimney and fireplace professionally inspected each year. Creosote buildup in your chimney can put you at high risk for a chimney fire.
• Never leave food cooking on a stove top unattended - cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries each year.
• Don't overload your electric sockets.
• Use space heaters safely, keep flammables at least three feet from the heater. Keep pets and children away. Better yet, consider a new product that takes the space heater and puts it above you, out of harm's way. It's called a Reiker Room Conditioner and it's a ceiling fan that both heats and cools a room. Check out www.HeatingFans.com.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Develop and practice a fire escape plan.
• Have operating smoke detectors on every level of your home, replace batteries and test regularly.
• Keep fire extinguishers in your kitchen, garage and near the furnace - and know how to use them.

back to the top

FUN FACT

There are more than 15,000 drier fires each year, all caused by lint buildup. Lack of routine maintenance is the top cause. To keep your dryer safe and running right, follow these easy tips:

-Clean the lint filter after each load.

-Don't run your dryer when no one is home.

-Keep the laundry area clear and clutter-free.

-Vent your dryer to the outside and check routinely to make sure the exhaust isn't blocked.

-Use rigid or corrugated metal vent ducts. Don't use plastic or foil spiral ducts which catch lint more easily.

-Plug your dryer into an outlet appropriate for your dryer's electrical needs.

-If your clothes are taking longer to dry than usual, it could be a sign of trouble. Call a repairperson.

back to the top

DOT COMMON SENSE

Location, Location, Location is usually first and foremost for anyone buying a home. With consumers using the Internet for increasingly sophisticated research, it is no surprise that the trend toward looking for a home online is growing exponentially. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors 74% of homebuyers use the Internet when looking for a home.

To enable consumers to gather as much information as they can before meeting with a real estate professional, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Corporation has redeveloped its Web site with new functions and services to help consumers search for, identify, visualize and compare homes easier and faster. You'll find an enhanced library of national listings, which provides users with access to available properties across the country from all real estate companies through relationships between Coldwell Banker affiliates and their local Multiple Listing Services (MLS). There's also a new, image-based mapping system that allows consumers to visualize selected properties in relation to the rest of the neighborhood and region, as well as other potential properties for sale. This function allows the user to see exactly where homes are located, including their proximity to major thoroughfares. And you can save all the information from your searches to keep at your fingertips as you need them. Visit www.ColdwellBanker.com.

back to the top

ON THE WIRE

If you think a few leaves and twigs in your gutter are harmless, think again. Clean gutters are the single most important key to avoiding major and expensive home repairs. Gutters perform one duty: controlling the water around your home. And if debris keeps them from doing their job, then you can wind up with some serious problems. For example, clogged gutters are the number one cause of basement water problems. Roof water overflows and accumulates around the foundation. If this happens, basement leaks may be moments away. Excess water against the foundation wall can weaken the footing and lead to cracks. This is particularly true in the colder months when built-up water at the foundation freezes and causes a condition known as "frost-heave" which can cause severe cracks to foundation walls. Water backing up from clogged gutters will cause moisture damage to the wood fascia around the house. If the leak is not eliminated by cleaning the gutters, the rotted area will get worse quickly. In winter, ice-dams can form on top of clogged gutters. Then snow builds up across the top of the gutter and freezes. During the next thaw, water running off the roof is blocked by the frozen snow and backs up into the house. This can lead to major wall and ceiling damage. Any newly installed plants, grass or trees can be killed by excess water. Overflowing gutters can cause severe erosion and put an early end to young plantings.

If you think your gutters need a good tune up, here are some important steps to follow:

• SAFETY FIRST - If you are not comfortable with heights or don't use tall ladders regularly, this is not a job for you. Consider hiring a handyman to help. If you decide to do the job yourself, watch out for hidden hazards like electric lines and bees nests.
• CLEAN GUTTERS - Using a ladder, work gloves and a hose, clear the gutters beginning at one end and moving to the other. Always work from the ladder and not from the roof, where you could fall off. If you find any loose gutter sections, tighten them up as you go along. It may help to have a supply of long lag bolts to use when replacing loose or missing gutter spikes. Lag bolts won't pull out like spikes, so you usually don't have to do this more than once.
• SPRAY SPOUTS - When you get to the end of the gutter where the spout is, spray the hose down it to make sure it's clear. If the spout is clogged, water will back up and cause problems. Clearing clogged spout can be a chore. Try removing the debris from both ends and flushing out the rest with a hose. If this doesn't work you may need to take the spout apart to clear it. Once the spouts are clear, make sure the discharge end is extended at least 4 to 6 feet away from the house to avoid problems.
• INSTALL GUTTER GUARDS - Once the gutter system is cleaned and properly adjusted, consider installing gutter guards to avoid a repeat performance in the future. There are many types of guards available. Results can be varied. Screens can be effective in the short run but eventually allow debris to get through. Clogs will reoccur and can be even harder to clear since the screens will need to be removed first. There are a number of leaf blocking guards available. These look like a metal louver that is installed above the gutter. The louvers allow water to leak into the gutter while washing leaves over the side. While highly effective, these often cost three times as much as the gutter system itself. Another option is The Gutter Brush. It's a brush-like product that slips inside where it stops leaves from clogging the downspouts while allowing water to slip right through. It inexpensive and is easy to install yourself. For more information go to www.Gutterbrush.com.

back to the top SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH A FRIEND!

Simply forward this Email. And invite friends to register to receive this E-newsletter each week. If you would like to unsubscribe from our weekly newsletter, please refer to the unsubscribe directions at the bottom of this newsletter.

Copyright 2005 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.