Show Notes: Kitchen Sinks, Decks and Green Ideas – On the House
Home   >   Uncategorized   >   Show Notes: Kitchen Sinks, Decks and Green Ideas

Show Notes: Kitchen Sinks, Decks and Green Ideas

By on November 12, 2016

 The countdown to the holidays has begun. You may be shopping for a new kitchen sink, getting the deck ready for one last fall gathering or sprucing up with new flooring and paint. James and Morris have some timely tips for shopping, winterizing and holiday home fix ups.

Thank you to Mark, owner of  Korn King Gourmet Popcorn in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska for the tasty assortment of popcorn and the results of cleaning his popcorn  kettle with Flitz Metal Cleaner.

 

Now that we have a new President elect, it’s time to get the White House spruced up for it’s newest occupants. When the White House gets painted what color does it get painted and how many gallons does it take to get the job done?

The entire White House exterior (trim and body) is painted with 570 gallons of “Whisper White” exterior paint, made by Duron. This has been released by the White House, and also the documentary series Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work shows the White House preparing for the visit of the Queen of England and touching up with Duron Exterior Alkyd/Oil Gloss labeled “Whisper – 248”. Thirty-two layers of white paint (not likely all the same brand) were removed from the sandstone exterior in the 1992 renovation.

http://www.whitehousemuseum.org/special/questions.htm#paint

  

How To Choose The Right Kitchen Sink

Aspects to Consider When Buying a Kitchen Sink

Beyond materials, installation type and configuration here are some additional things to consider when choosing a sink for your kitchen.

  • Sink size depends on kitchen size. The size of your kitchen usually dictates the size of the sink you should choose. Small galley kitchens will, most likely, be overwhelmed by a large sink. The general rule of thumb is to choose a single bowl sink for a small kitchen and a double or triple bowl sink for larger kitchens.
  • Larger sinks may require customization. Make sure the sink you choose will fit in the base cabinet it is meant to be installed in. Most stock and semi-custom base cabinetry is made in varying widths, either 36” or up to 48”.
  • Have your faucet and sink accessory configuration planned out beforehand. You will need to know the type of faucet setup you’re going to use , or already have in the event you’re replacing an old sink. You will also need to decide whether you plan to use additional features like water treatment accessories and/or a soap dispenser for the purpose of specifying the correct number of holes in the sink.
  • Decide how you will use the sink on a day to day basis to determine what configuration will work best for you. If you hand wash your dishes most of the time, you may want a double bowl, one for washing and the other for rinsing/draining. However, if you use a dishwasher most of the time, and only wash large pots and pans, you may want a large single bowl.

Take the time to become familiar with all the new features in kitchen sinks and you will have a better chance finding a sink you will not only be happy with but one that will make your kitchen a more efficient work space.

http://www.faucetdepot.com/resources/choose-kitchen-sink.asp

 

Fall Is The Time To Winterize Your Deck 

If the summer has taken a toll on your deck or if you’ve just invested in a new one, now is the time to clean, restore and protect the wood from possible moisture damage during the winter months ahead. Here are some tips for winterizing your deck: 

Clean the deck thoroughly to remove dirt, fungus growth and gray surface wood with a formulated deck cleaner. Weathered gray wood, rust spots and stains from mildew, moss, algae and tannin bleed can ruin the look of your deck. Even newly built decks can require cleaning to remove invisible surface barriers that prevent the adhesion of stains and sealers.

Strip any deteriorating or unwanted finish. If the colored stain on your deck has seen better days, now is the time to strip your deck’s finish. Stain & Finish Removers remove both oil and latex solid or semi-transparent stains and clear finishes and prepare the wood for the reapplication of protective finishes and stains.

Seal your deck with a water repellent finish before the onslaught of winter. Water repellents stop rain, sleet, snow and ice from penetrating the wood surface, which can cause warping and cracking

http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infpai/infwinterizedeck.html

 

Learning About Green Building Materials

If you are planning to spruce your home up for the holidays you may want to consider using “green” products:

Flooring

Refinishing existing floors will be the “greenest choice.” If doing so, apply water-based, low-VOC sealers and stains.

If replacing flooring, the following options are all considered more environmentally sustainable: cork, bamboo, natural linoleum such as Marmoleum, and hardwood.

For carpet, look for ones that contain recycled content and/or the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus logo. The latter denotes that the product has been independently tested and found to produce low-VOC emissions.

If going with vinyl, pick one that does not contain phthalates, which are known endocrine-disruptors that are also potential carcinogens. (Both Lowes and Home Depot have committed to selling phthalates-free flooring by 2016.)

Paint and wall finishes

If you can only buy one green product, paint is a great choice, since it covers so much surface area in the home. Choose a low- or no-VOC variety to avoid exposure to off gassing while the paint cures and always ventilate the area well. (The highest period of emissions is when something is drying, with emission levels tending to reduce over time.)

Consumers can identify the actual VOC content via the label or the technical data sheet, rather than taking manufacturer or salesperson claims at face value. According to The Green Product Directory: “True low-VOC paints and primers contain less than 50 grams per liter (g/l) of VOCs for both flat and non-flat sheens.”

Paints and primers with 5 g/l of VOCs or less are considered to be no-VOC. You can also buy recycled paint in some states.

http://www.curbed.com/2016/11/4/13513960/green-building-design-best-products

          

Quick Tip: 

You May Have A Problem If: 

Hot outlets or switch plates. Even when an appliance is meant to produce heat (like a toaster or space heater), the outlet that powers it should never become hot. Electric current may make a switch plate slightly warm to the touch, but if the outlet is uncomfortably hot, turn off whatever is plugged in and try it in another outlet. If the outlet grows hot even without anything plugged in, it may be wired incorrectly. Consult an electrician, who may advise you to flip the breaker or remove the fuse for that outlet until your system can be serviced.

Buzzing. What does electricity sound like? When things are working properly, nothing. Generally electricity flows smoothly and quietly between connections. But loose prongs, outlets or fraying wire can all cause the current to jump, producing a buzzing sound in the process. If you’re sure a sound is originating at an outlet, stop using it and call an electrician. 

http://www.safebee.com/home/8-signs-you-may-have-problem-your-electrical-wiring

                                 

About onthehouse

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Pin It on Pinterest