Shows
Thumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 66: Smrt guyFacebook experts, ethernet cable in a wireless world, tracking down a water problem, and an update on the basement renovation.2022-02-2220 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 65: Slow and steady wins the raceHome improvement television shows often distort your perception of how long a renovation should take. But you can't compare yourself to a slick television production. And there are advantages to a project taking longer than anticipated.2022-01-1622 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 64: A look back at 2021A look back at our home improvement accomplishments in 2021, update on the current progress with the basement renovation and my final verdict on whether or not the tankless water heater delivers on its promise of energy savings. Plus one drawback of the tankless water heater that caught us a bit by surprise.2021-12-2015 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 63: Sparky’s Adventures Part 2- DIY ElectricalThis episode is all about the process of doing your own electrical work in Ontario Canada, from filing a Notification of Electrical Work with the Electrical Safety Authority to the rough-in inspection.2021-12-1121 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 62: Sparky’s Adventures – DIY Electrical – Part 1Sparky is slang for an electrician, which I am not. However, I have done my own electrical work. This episode covers some of the reasons why you may or may not want to (or, should or should not) do your own electrical work.2021-11-2422 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 61: The 5-word solution to my biggest problem
I had a few questions about new rules in the electrical code, so I asked a licensed electrical contractor. It did not go well. Find out how five Japanese words might have saved our relationship.
Links and resources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igPIk79wAPg Viva La Dirt League: "The problem with workplace jargon: acronyms" (and be sure to check out the rest of their videos).
The Simpsons clip is from "To Surveil with Love" S21E20 (audio recorded from YouTube).
Electrical Code Simplified- House Wiring Guide by PS Knight is an indispensable guide for homeowners doing their own...2021-11-0621 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 60: Product placement, no compensation
This is not a paid endorsement... In this episode of the podcast, I share two products I found after hours of searching for solutions to specific problems I was facing with my home improvements.
Xcel IGA
I needed to attach the bottom plate of a stud wall to a concrete slab without using mechanical fasteners and construction adhesive was the obvious solution. Xcel makes a variety of adhesives and their IGA product is the best construction adhesive that I have ever used. You can find more information on their websites:
Canada: https://XcelProducts.ca
Europe: https://excelproducts.co.uk
United...2021-10-2322 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 59: Basement renovation update
Renovation in the time of Covid.... I already work slow enough and that's without a 2 month-long lockdown during a pandemic. The basement is now ready for drywall and in this episode of the podcast, I review the steps that got me to this point.
* Framing: The joy of relying on someone else to pick lumber when curb-side pickup was the only option.* Electrical: Not much to say in this episode, but I did it myself and it has passed the rough-in inspection.* Plumbing: Why I chose to hire a plumber and how failure to take my own advice led to...2021-10-0720 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 58: It’s a scam
There is no shortage of scam products on the internet. One prominent example is Ted's Woodworking which has been offering 16000 woodworking plans for a ridiculously low price for the last decade. Other ads feature inventors who strike out on their own after creating innovative air conditioners, drones or vacuum attachments and their stories are all oddly similar. Plus the one sure way you can get an impressive endorsement for your own product.
If you are interested in what other people are saying about Ted's Woodworking, I recommend checking out the following videos:
Steve Ramsey (Woodworking for Mere Mortals): https://youtu...2021-06-0427 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 57: The ONLY way to finish a basement
You want your basement to feel like the rest of your house. It should be dry, and comfortable. However, the basement is NOT like the rest of the house. The basement is in a hole in the ground.
The simple fact is that there are many different ways to finish a basement-- and none are perfect. The ideal solution for a warm dry basement is a subject of much debate. I talk about a few of the popular options and the one that was recommended by the insulation company we are hiring.
Also in this episode, I talk about trying...2021-05-1335 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 56: Order of operations, energy audit, rethinking layout
Often, there are several moving parts in a renovation and figuring out which tasks need to be done before other tasks can get confusing. At least for me. I have gained a lot of respect for general contractors who choreograph these things on a regular basis.
Who doesn't like getting money back? We are going to qualify for some home efficiency rebates. The first step is a home energy audit, which needs to be done before any upgrades begin.
And finally, sometimes all you need is another set of eyes to help you see the obvious. I have been trying...2021-04-2217 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 55: House and garage HVAC
Stuff is happening. Big stuff. In this episode of the podcast, I talk about our choice of furnace and air conditioner for the house, why I decided on a split ductless system for the garage-workshop, and our reasoning for ditching our hot water tank and going with a tankless water heater.
Help support this podcast by clicking through our link when you shop at Amazon: https://amzn.to/3dIV7ay2021-04-0823 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 54: Everyone’s a Critic
How do you react when someone tells you that something you did is "all wrong?"
In early March 2021, I received a comment on "Installing a Suspended Ceiling," a page that has been on Thumbandhammer.com in one form or another since about 2002.
In this episode of the podcast I discuss that comment and my reactions to it.
You can read that now heavily revised post here: https://www.thumbandhammer.com/installing-suspended-ceiling/2021-03-2526 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 53: The cost of procrastination
If getting stuck in the snow taught us anything, it's that we have to replace our furnace this year. Plus I do a little surgery in the basement.2021-03-0423 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 52: That’s good pod!
Looking for a new home improvement or DIY podcast to listen to? Here are my personal favorites that you may enjoy, too.
Links are to the podcast webpages. Or search for them in your favorite podcast app.
Ask This Old House (Chris Ermides): https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/podcasts
Ace on the House (Adam Carolla, Eric Stromer): https://aceontheroof.com/category/podcast/
Ask the Builder (Tim Carter): https://www.askthebuilder.com/podcast/
The Money Pit Home Improvement Radio Show (Tom Kreautler, Leslie Segrete): https://www.moneypit.com/guides/subscribe-the-money-pit-podcast/
Home Improvement Show with Jon Eakes: https://joneakes.com/radio-shows
Home...2021-02-1827 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 51: HOAs with John from AZDIYguy
The first time I came across John's blog, years ago, he had written about an encounter he had with his Homeowners Association which involved an order to remove a structure from his property “in a workmanlike manner.”
I've come across news stories about people running afoul of their HOAs by painting their house the wrong color, or putting up Christmas decorations that were deemed too tacky. But I've never experienced what it's like living in an HOA community or talked to anyone who has. Until now.
John's HOA encounters
We talk about some of these "infractions" in our conversation, but it's...2021-02-0832 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 50: A weight has been lifted
Re-fi, baby!
Paying down a mortgage isn't necessarily the end all be all. In fact, by increasing our mortgage, we could end up further ahead in the long run. And in the short term, well, we're finally getting relief from the financial pressure we've been feeling for the past few years.
Also in this episode: lessons learned from a road rage incident.
To support this podcast, contributions may be made at the following link:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thumbandhammer2021-01-2226 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 49: The cheap comes out expensive
We are always looking for ways to save a buck. But it's a fine line between cutting costs and cutting corners and often saving a buck now will cost you more in the long run.
Topics discussed in this episode
* A lesson learned from repairing our van's exhaust system.* How I saved money (or NOT) by DIYing some landscaping.* How much is YOUR time worth? * The perils of cheap materials or cheap labor.* The risks of attempting to save money by not pulling permits.
2021-01-0723 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 44: Home improvements that can hurt your property value Thanks to the pandemic, people have been spending more time at home. More time spent at home means more time looking around and seeing what home improvements are needed. And more time spent at home means more time to DIY. Not necessarily bad things, mind you. We have all seen those articles about the home improvements that give you the biggest return on your investment. But what about the ones that can actually decrease the value of your home? Back in July, I came across a couple of articles that were written in partnership with UK sofa and carpet specialist...2020-10-2930 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp 43: What’s new with Vickiann and her crappy houseShe's back! I am happy to welcome Vickianne, from MyCrappyHouse.com back to the podcast. We talk about how she has been making her crappy house less crappy and answer some very important questions. What has she been up to? What's the deal with Schmoopy? What's changed thanks to the pandemic? There are knots and bows to be tied and maybe, someday, a tome about her home to be written(?) and she talks about all of it on this episode.2020-10-1532 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp 42: As Seen on TV- Stuff infomercials sold meThere was a time, before Netflix and other streaming services, that some of the only entertainment available in the wee hours of the morning was the infomercial. These half hour programs designed to sell you something that you didn't know you wanted or needed until they told you that you did.
And some of these advertisements worked on me, for better or for worse.
In the interest of decluttering and downsizing and general financial stuff, I would like to share with you some of the purchases I made over the years either directly from an infomercial, or inspired by an...2020-10-0127 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 41: Don’t feed the animalsIn this episode of the podcast, I share a handful of tales of nature and the nature-adjacent, along with a bit of advice if you happen to live adjacent to nature (hopefully the title doesn't give too much away).2020-09-1724 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 40: Catching up with Thumb and HammerThis first episode back after a long hiatus does not have a central theme. It is more of a mish-mash of assorted ideas that you may find interesting including a bit of plumbing, a new (to me) table saw and some real estate news.2020-09-0326 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp 39.7: Announcement: Return of the podcastThe Thumb and Hammer Podcast will return in September. I had actually contemplated sun-downing the podcast and the website but after a lot of thought, and some encouragement from unexpected sources, I am pleased to announce that the podcast is coming back. Expect the first new episode Thursday September 3, 2020. New episodes will be released every other Thursday.2020-08-0305 min
Thumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 39.5: Special AnnouncementA brief explanation about the podcast schedule and a request for your help to make the Thumb and Hammer Home Improvement Podcast the best it can be.2019-07-1604 min
Thumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp 39: Good enough is good enough for nowUntil you can afford a major renovation, do you live with what you have or can you justify spending money on something destined for the landfill?2019-04-2830 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp. 38: The Tale of the DoorThis is the tale of our new front door, from the sale to installation to service and the mistakes that were made along the way by the parties2019-04-0333 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp 37: The meaning of makingA response to an article on Mashable "11 DIY videos absolutely no one asked for." So, why do makers make what they make the way they make anyway?2019-03-1729 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp 36: Over and Under ImprovingSpending too much money, pricing yourself out of the market, or not spending enough money, hurting your property value. And whether it really matters.2019-02-2431 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp 35: H2Woes- Fixing Wet BasementsIn this episode of the podcast, we look at two popular waterproofing methods plus the steps you can take to avoid such drastic measures to solve your wet basment problems.2019-02-0234 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp 34: The wild and wacky world of drywallMaking sense of the different types of drywall, drywall compound, mesh vs paper tape and drywall tools.2019-01-1530 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp 33: Year in Review 2018An election, a TV show and a board game. Looking back at news topics that as a homeowner, I found to be significant or interesting.2018-12-3028 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp 32: Money woes and DIY dilemmasIn this podcast episode, I look at how we so quickly maxed out our credit cards and how saving $600 by DIYing a project could potentially cost much more.2018-12-2330 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp 31: Tales from the Open HouseThe open house connects sellers and buyers and connects real estate agents with clients. I take a look back at some of the more memorable open houses that I have attended over the last quarter century and talk about some of the mistakes that were made.2018-10-2831 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp 30: It’s only temporaryHow we freed up some money each month and put some extra cash in our pockets. In order to do that, we had to accept that "short-term" setbacks stopped being short-term long ago. Adjustments had to be made.2018-10-0740 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp 29: Love thy neighborFrom nosy neighbors to noisy neighbors, we all have them. How well we get along with our neighbors is fundamental to the enjoyment of our property. At what point does our right to use and enjoy our property infringe on the rights of our neighbors?2018-04-0228 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp 28: Mortality Sucks: Death, estates and letting go of stuffThe death of a loved one is something we all face sooner or later. There are memories and emotions involved, and there is also the more business side of things, from handling the funeral to figuring out what happens to all the stuff that is left behind. In this episode of the podcast, I share my personal experience surrounding my father's death and taking care of the estate.2018-03-0639 minThumb and Hammer Home Improvement PodcastEp 27: Lies, deception and home ownershipThe dream is to own your own home. But who is selling that dream? And why? Should you listen to them? Is your house really an investment, or is it a liability?2018-02-1931 min