The HIR staff gets advance word on cool new product announcements, and we’re here to share it with you! Diablo Step Drill Bits for Impact Drivers The building industry is quickly transitioning from cordless drill drivers to impact drivers. With a standard step drill bit, the tip and cutting edges wear out quickly, and to prevent bit walking, users must pre-drill a starter hole prior to using the bit. Standard step bits used with an impact driver are also susceptible to damage or breakage because they weren’t designed for the tool. Diablo’s new impact-ready Step Drill Bits are designed to be “best in the world” in terms of durability, speed and accuracy, eliminating the problems users have with standard step drill bits. The new bits feature a Split Point Tip that stays sharper longer for easy on-point drilling, with no pre-drilling necessary and up to six times longer life. The bits also feature Accu-Grind Technology, a process that delivers strict angle tolerances on each step for minimal bit wear and up to two times faster drilling and hole-making. Visit www.diablotools.com. Wilton Tradesman XC Vise Wilton expands the Tradesman XC Vise to include two new models with jaw widths of 4-1/2 and 5-1/2 inches. The smaller size vises are a result of customer demand to meet the needs of smaller spaces on work trucks. The Tradesman XC vises are designed to handle the elements with the ability to work in the most extreme environments.Nicknamed the “bullet” due to its cylinder-shaped design, the Tradesman XC’s sealed construction features a precision slide bar, rugged jaw and pipe inserts, and a large, heavy-duty machined anvil. Key components are drenched with an electroless nickel coating to prolong life in corrosive environments. Visit www.wiltontools.com. The Scrigit Scraper The Scrigit Scraper is a pen-shaped, non-scratch cleaning tool that provides a quick and convenient way to remove small amounts of unwanted substances from household and automotive surfaces, edges and grooves. The Scrigit Scraper can be used instead of fingernails and metal tools to quickly clean off small areas of unwanted substances, such as grime, caulk, putty, candle wax, latex paint splatters, dried food, adhesive stickers, labels and tape. The tool is two scrapers in one. A rounded tip simulates the effective scraping shape of a fingernail and is great for scraping off small spots, cleaning curved surfaces, and removing adhesive labels, stickers and tape. The flat-edged tip is best for getting into tight spaces and cleaning off unwanted materials from flat surfaces, edges, corners and door tracks. Made in the USA of a durable plastic resin that easily washes clean and won’t conduct electricity, the Scrigit Scraper is available in 2-packs and 5-packs. Visit www.scrigit-scraper.com. DryerWallVent The gaping hole of an uncovered dryer vent is the perfect welcoming home for pests, and is wide open to the elements. The updated DryerWallVent is designed to withstand the elements, fend off critters, and perform reliably thanks to patent-pending features such as a secondary backing plate. For retrofit installs, there’s no telling what you’ll find when the old vent is removed: too-large holes, bent and misshapen pipes, etc. Should the easy-to-install process of the DryerWallVent prove a challenge in these instances, that’s when the secondary backing plate saves the day. A larger footprint and four integrated screw holes ensure a proper, tight, squirrel-defeating fit. And birds are no match for the integrated rubber bumper magnets of the DryerWallVent. Manufactured in the USA of heavy gauge, galvanized, powder-coated steel, the DryerWallVent won’t fade, crack or get crushed. Visit www.dryerwallvent.com. Arrow Fastener E21 Electric Staple Gun The Arrow E21 cordless electric staple gun features a soft, overmolded grip, a cordless JT21 electric tacker, and a convenient stapler base for easy storage. The staple gun boasts a three-hour battery life and can shoot up to 1,000 shots on one charge. The E21’s lithium-ion battery platform makes it ideal for light-duty projects, such as upholstery and crafting, and any application where AC current and cords are a limitation. Additionally, the E21 is one of the first electrical tools to use Arrow Fastener’s popular JT21 light-wire staples and can fire up to 30 staples per minute, including 1/4-, 5/16- and 3/8-in. staples. Visit www.arrowfastener.com. SpectrumV Holographic Bird Gel Got bird problems? SpectrumV Holographic Bird Gel is an easy, economical and effective sensory bird-control solution. Each easy-to-apply PVC disc contains an innovative non-toxic gel that uses a combination of sight, sense and smell that repels birds, keeping them away from edges, ledges and more. Use on rooflines, I-beams, railings, gutters, window sills, HVAC units, and other places where nuisance birds may congregate. Visit www.birdbgone.com. QuickShip Programs for Tarkett Flooring Tarkett is making a wider variety of expertly curated flooring products available for fast delivery through the expansion of its QuickShip Express (ships in 2 days) and standard QuickShip (ships in 10 days) programs. Dealers, architects and designers are now able to select from hundreds of the company’s top-selling products across a broad selection of flooring solutions, including carpet tile, Powerbond, broadloom, LVT, wall base and transition accessories, with the assurance the products will ship within 2 or 10 business days. Visit visit www.tarkettna.com. #construction #remodel #tools #homeimprovement #DIY #toolsofthetrade #newproducts #remodeling

A set of extractor bits can remove a wide range of damaged screw sizes. If you use cheap screws, improperly sized driver bits, or too much torque when fastening, you can easily strip out the head of screw. We’ve all been there. Once the screw head is damaged, a screwdriver can’t turn it, so the screw gets stuck in place. What to do now?! When faced with these type of aggravations, I turn to a set of Extractor bits, which are specially designed to turn damaged screws for removal. You’ll find these specialty bits under the names Alden Grabit bits or Ontel SpeedOut Bits. How it works: Extractor bits remove most damaged screws such as Hex, Phillips, Torx, Square Drive; sizes No.4 – 24 from wood, plastic or metal up to 3 inches in length. These two-step drill bits each feature a Burnishing Tip and a Removal Tip. To prepare a damaged screw for extraction, first chuck the bit into a drill with the Burnishing Tip showing. Set drill for reverse (counterclockwise). Place burnishing end of tool into damaged screw, slowly clean inside screw head until smooth (forming a cone). Next, remove the bit and flip it around, replacing it into the drill chuck. While maintaining the reverse setting, place the threaded Remover Tip of tool into the now-smooth screw head. Apply firm downward pressure and drill at slow speed. Apply the lowest level of power to the hand drill. The Remover Tip will thread into screw head and remove. The Burnishing Tip will dig out a cone shape in the head of the stripped screw. The reverse threads of the Removal Tip will bite into the inner walls of the cone and turn the screw for removal. Extractor bits can also remove threaded inserts (with no need to burnish the hole first). Removing threaded insert with SpeedOut Bit. #grabit #speedout #removescrew #damagedscrew #screwremoval #alden #ontel #extractorbit #strippedscrew #drillbits #drillbit #grabitpro

The HIR staff reviews the Sawstop Jobsite Pro table saw. If a picture says a thousand words, then a video says a million. Right? #homes #tools #carpentry #builder #jobsitepro #powertools #jobsite #homeimprovement #sawstop #DIY #contractor #tablesaw #pro #remodeling

Judging from the many shower designs on display at the 2020 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the popular dual showerhead design is here to stay. Now, Delta offers an easy way for homeowners to upgrade their existing shower to the dual-head style without altering the plumbing behind the wall. The Delta HydroRain H2Okinetic Two-in-One Shower Head with Hand Shower simply threads onto your shower arm like a standard head. The power of the rain-can and hand shower spreads the spray distribution for a more immersive, “spa-like” feel, which more and more homeowners have come to request. The integrated hand shower stays put every time thanks to magnetic docking. The rain-can tilts to direct flow, while the adjustable hand shower has variable settings to feel like more water, warmth and intensity without using more water. We added this to one of the family bathrooms, and installation couldn’t be simpler. — Matt Weber DIY Tip: Use thread-seal tape at all threaded plumbing connections. Wrap the tape in the same direction you’ll be screwing the fixture on, so the fixture won’t unwrap the tape when you connect it. The Delta HydroRain H2Okinetic shower head simply screws onto the shower arm. Use a wrench to tighten the coupling. Delta offers a fixed dual head, but we prefer the hose extension because it helps when bathing our young kids. Connect the hand shower with another threaded connection, and you’re ready to shower. The dual directional flow spreads the water distribution for a more immersive feel. #shower #remodel #deltafaucet #showerhead #twoinone #hydrorain #faucet #homeimprovement #hydrokinetic #delta #DIY #deltafaucet #remodeling

Our #blog has made the “Top 100 for 2020” in the Home Improvement category at Feedspot! This is Big News for a blog that’s only a couple months old. We thank all of our supporters for making this possible! Click the image below to follow the link! We’ve the Top 100 Home Improvement Blogs at Feedspot! #Top100 #homeimprovement #blog #DIY #remodeling

Planning to build a new deck? From ledger and posts to beam and joists, Mark breaks it all down as he builds it up. For many years, the HIR team has worked with contributing writer, home-improvement guru, and deck-builder extraordinaire Mark Clement of @MyFixitUpLife. Check out his website for cool how-to stories and handy videos like this one, on how to frame your next deck! #construction #deckframing #doityourself #build #builder #deckposts #homeimprovement #DIY #deckledger #decking #howto #decks #deckframe

How to Reduce Property Damage during a Storm (guest post courtesy Mike Gulla, VP of Underwriting at Hippo Insurance) Storm protection tips for your house from Hippo Insurance. While not all high winds amount to hurricanes and tornadoes, on its own, wind can amount to serious headaches and property damage for homeowners. Most homes can withstand gusts up to 40 or 50 miles per hour, but severe weather winds have been known to exceed 100 miles per hour. This has made extreme wind and hail account for the largest share of property damage claims in the U.S, and are the most frequent to occur. However, some additional foresight by homeowners can mitigate these losses and the headaches that can come with them. Thinking ahead can ensure you and your home are protected. Here, we’re sharing some of the most important measures you can take now to avoid windblown problems later. Extreme wind and hail account for the largest share of property damage claims in the U.S. Steps to Take Now Survey your property and identify anything that’s not bolted down. Items like patio furniture and trampolines surprise thousands of homeowners every year by taking flight during storms and drawing a lot more damage than the cost of the item itself. Larger items like these and even tool and storage sheds should be anchored to the ground with cables or chains; smaller items like barbeques, sports equipment and toys should be moved to a secure place indoors. Check your yard for debris, like brittle tree branches or trees in need of pruning – or even weak trees themselves – to prevent breakage and falling trees that can cause damage to your home or your neighbor’s home. You can typically dispose of yard waste through your local waste management pick-up, but depending on the amount may need to rent a chipper, take it to the dump yourself or even hire a local crew for help (search for local area yard was or junk removal services). Fact: The National Severe Storms Laboratory reports that branches begin to break and blow away when winds reach approximately 40 miles per hour, while whole trees may be uprooted at around 55 miles per hour. Check your home’s exterior for areas with “wear and tear”. Detached weather stripping on windows and doors, loose hinges, loose rain gutters, thinner barriers like garage doors, roof tiles and shingles are small fixes that can offer big protection in case of high wind events. These things are best maintained on an ongoing basis for myriad reasons, including the potential savings they can bring on your homeowners’ insurance policy. Have an emergency kit stocked with three days of supplies – food, water, batteries, cash, medications, flashlight and first aid – is something to always have on hand. In cases of winter winds, having your snow shovel or snow blower at the ready beforehand will prepare you to clear packed snow that is blown against your home, potentially blocking important ventilation areas. Keeping this kit in an easily accessible place means one less thing to stress about when winds begin to blow. Take inventory of your home and belongings and make sure that your homeowners’ insurance policy provides enough coverage to replace anything lost in a storm. Some collections, valuables, antiques and other things will require official appraisals for coverage, so do your due diligence with your insurance company prior to any concerns. Make sure your insurance policy is up to the task of covering potentially extensive damage caused by severe wind and storms. Some policies guarantee replacement costs or actual cash value but come with limitations or stipulations that can leave you under-insured. Assess the likelihood of your home’s location to encounter high winds and make sure you have a policy — and/or multiple policies — in place to account for this. When High Winds are Imminent The National Weather Service, The Weather Channel mobile app and even your local news stations’ websites and apps are excellent resources for the most up-to-date alerts. In many cases, these sources will also offer specific tips and real-time options for residents in affected areas, ranging anywhere from ways to quickly secure your home to processes for reporting downed power lines and trees. If there’s an official wind advisory in your area, turn your attention to the interior of your home, moving breakable and valuable items away from windows and smaller items to secure areas. If winds are expected to be strong enough to knock out power temporarily, consider reducing the temperature of your refrigerator or putting refrigerated items in the freezer to help preserve food a bit longer. In these cases, it’s also good to have a battery-powered radio handy so you can continue to monitor updates without the Internet. Finally, check your homeowners’ insurance policy and have a copy of it in a convenient place. Pro Tip: Be aware of any specifications your homeowners’ insurance policy makes for storms and wind occurrences. Be sure to secure any applicable items, like cars or outbuildings, in accordance with your policy to avoid any confusion if you need to file a claim. Assessing the Damage After the Storm Should you need to file a claim, the first step is to contact your insurance company immediately. Describe the damage and ensure that you are covered, then have the insurance adjuster assess the damage as soon as possible to determine whether the damage exceeds your deductible. If it does not, you’ll need to decide whether to move forward with the claims process. If the assessed cost of the damage does exceed your deductible, fill out any claim forms as soon as you receive them to expedite the repairs process. Read carefully the details of your policy in regard to required specifications your insurer may have for rebuilding or repairing. There may be parameters in regard to which contractors, landscapers, architects, debris removal services and other professionals your policy will cover. Similarly, additional living expenses could be covered under your policy, so make sure you know the details and limitations of these allowances. Like all weather-related phenomena, severe winds cannot be controlled and can change unpredictably. Preparing for such power and unpredictability can shield you from significant losses. #roofdamage #severewind #extremewind #HomeInsurance #stormdamage #storm #coverage #storminsurance #insuranceclaim #winddamage #HippoInsurance #weather #homeownerinsurance #Insurance

Tips from a Pro! Our friend and long-time contributing writer Rob Robillard of Concord Carpenter fame has an article on his blog that offers professional insight into how to take the pain out of painting cabinets and furniture that’s been finished with a polyurethane top coat. His trick? Careful attention to detail along with a little “liquid sandpaper.” My wife Shanna is determined to paint our “poly-ed” kitchen cabinets, and I plan to follow Rob’s lead once the time comes. I thought it would be nice to plug the article here, for those of you with the same project on your to-do list. — Matt Visit Rob Robillard’s blog and read the article for free! #paint #remodel #doityourself #paintoverpolyurethane #Painting #DIY #paintingtips #robrobillard #howto #remodeling

When painting with a roller, maintain a “wet edge” and work into the previously painted area. When priming and/or painting walls, the first step is to paint the edges. If using painter’s tape, avoid pushing paint into the tape with the brush, which can cause the paint lines to bleed. Most professional painters cut in the edges with only a paint brush, using no tape. To do so, dip the brush only 1 to 2 inches into the paint to load it. Use the brush to draw a straight line roughly 2 inches wide to separate two paint colors—such as a wall bordering the ceiling or door casing. Begin by letting the paint brush open up into a semi-oval and bring it into the line you are cutting. Apply as little pressure to the bristles as possible. Always keep the brush fully loaded and follow the line until the paint begins to break up. Then repeat, working into the previously painted area. This technique is usually performed while the painter holds their breath, and it’s more difficult to get right than it sounds. Keep a damp cloth handy so you can wipe away drips and mistakes immediately before the paint dries. When cutting in a paint project, work out of a small container rather than the paint can. This reduces mess and contaminants, and helps to keep the brush loaded with only a small, workable amount of paint. To complete the field of the wall, use a paint roller. Extension handles of varying lengths can make application by roller easier and more ergonomic. For best results, apply the paint in successive columns. With a loaded roller, proceed along the wall painting one column at a time–one stroke all the way up, another all the way down, then back up again for each column. Move on to the next column. After three columns, it’s important to back-roll the paint back into the new coating, maintaining a wet edge on the wall. It is this back-rolling technique that achieves the millage of the paint, which is the even and continuous thickness of the coating. Working back into the previously painted area will help avoid lap marks. For a seamless finish, paint one wall completely before moving on to another. Remove any painter’s tape while the paint is still wet. For further coats, reapply new tape. Allow the paint to dry before applying further coats. Keep in mind that although your paint container says the paint dries in 2 hours, that indication is for conditions of 70 degrees and 70-percent humidity. In low humidity, paint can dry in less than an hour. In high humidity, it can take a whole day. Not waiting to apply the second coat can result in peeling paint or visible brush strokes. For trim work like crown molding and baseboards, sand the surface between coats for an ultra-smooth finish. This will prevent a grainy texture and prevent any underlying paint color or sheen from showing through. Two coats of topcoat always achieve best results. All paint “covers” in one coat, but doesn’t necessarily “hide” in one coat. This can be a function of the surface and application or color. Apply two coats for maximum millage and durability. Cleanup & Storage During your project, wrap paintbrushes tightly in kitchen foil or cling film so air can’t get to them, and they’ll be ready for use later. After your project is over, clean your brushes with water and a “brush comb” to remove any traces of paint and align the bristles before they dry. Add a little fabric softener to your water for cleaning brushes and rollers to help release paint better than soap. Then, store your brushes in their original covers or plastic film. If you store leftover paint in a dry, temperature-controlled room, it should last until the can rusts. Avoid storing in the attic where it can get too hot or in an outdoor shed where it can freeze. Air exposure will dry out paint, so it might help to transfer leftover paint into a smaller container for long-term storage. After the paint project is complete, avoid washing your walls with a damp cloth until two weeks after the final coat dries. Of course, projects don’t always go as planned, and accidents can happen. There’s no point in crying over spilled latex paint. The keys to complete stain removal are speed and lots of water. As Richard Hamilton of Home Fix Up, is fond of saying: “Dilution is the solution!” Fast blotting with an absorbent towel and repeated rinsing can work, even on carpet. Use a shop vac (with filter removed) to suction away the thinned paint and water from the spill. BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! Be sure to check out the other two articles in our painting series: Interior Painting: The Prep Work Interior Painting: The Planning Phase #homedecor #application #paint #doityourself #roller #homeimprovement #Painting #DIY #paintingtips #howto #brush #remodeling

One of my most popular videos is one I made several years ago. It shows how to replace old deck boards with wood-plastic composite decking from Timbertech, which I fastened with a hidden clip system. It has been viewed more than 1,125,000 times! You’re welcome, Timbertech! Matt Weber replaces old decking with Timbertech composite boards. #doityourself #hiddenfastener #homeimprovement #DIY #compositedeck #timbertech #decks #remodeling

The International Builders’ Show has an contest each year for “best product,” and the 2020 winner for Best in Show is the Enginuity Micro-CHP, which is a souped-up water heater that produces electricity. Evaluating more than 350 entries in nine categories, 28 industry and media judges considered the products’ innovation, functionality, design and builder/consumer friendliness to make the list. The Micro-CHP also won Best Energy Efficient Product and Best Home Technology Product. Micro-CHP; photo copyright Enginuity Power Systems The idea is to replace your gas hot water heater with the Micro-CHP and cut your power bill. Here’s an explanation from the Enginuity Power Systems website: “Providing power for the system is our patented ‘mirror-balanced’ four-stroke opposed piston engine. This quiet running, efficient engine makes the most of every cubic foot of natural gas, turning this clean fuel into energy right where the energy is needed, and heating your home’s water with ease. So, reduce your use of the grid without having to give up comfort and convenience, and save big on your electric bills at the same time. Check with your local energy supplier to see what rebates and incentives they have for combined heat and power.” Find out more about the Micro-CHP by visiting Enginuity. #internationalbuildersshow #enginuity #saveenergy #naturalgas #homeimprovement #microCHP #IBS2020 #offthegrid #energyefficiency

When it comes to the ambitious DIY’er, the big question that runs through everyone’s mind when considering a new home-improvement project is a simple but profound one: Can I do that? It’s a very subjective question, and the line between “Yes I can” and “No I can’t” is different for everyone. When it comes to what you can and can’t do, there’s a lot to unpack. For one thing, the HIR staff is of the mindset that with enough determination and perseverance, you can do anything. The sky is the limit. But is it worth your time investment to learn a new skill-set you’ll never use again to complete a single job? Can you justify the cost of specialized tools required for a certain project? Will you be biting off more than you can chew by tackling a big job alone, when a pro would be using a multi-man crew? Any smart DIY’er will also assess their personal physical and psychological limitations. (As for me, I don’t like heights, so I don’t spend much time doing roof work.) Everyday Americans often misunderstand how much physical labor and hard-earned skill is required for most construction-related contractor jobs. The team at CraftJack surveyed 1,609 contractors and 652 consumers, asking them to rank 32 types of contractor work to find out what sort of work is most physically grueling and what’s hardest to learn and master. The Results At a glance, it appears that both consumers and contractors resoundingly agree that roofing and demolition are the most physically demanding trade jobs. Consumers and contractors also agreed that electrical, carpentry and HVAC are the three toughest trades to learn and master. Of all the trades, you might be surprised to learn that painters most frequently said their job is the most physically demanding. Flooring contractors said their specialty was the most difficult to master. #construction #doityourself #builder #homeimprovement #demolition #craftjack #DIY #contractor #remodeling