Chip Wade - Expert Craftsman

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great holiday season and resolved to make 2012 their most impressive DIY year yet. Maybe you’re ready to take on some landscaping in the yard or do some custom wood-cutting for the kid’s bedroom. Whatever the project, make this the year you conquer that pesky to-do list.

If you’re ready to tackle an installation project, make sure you visit my page on the newly redesigned Mohawk Flooring website. We put together some video clips aimed at helping you prep for the task that are worth taking a look at- or two.

We’ve got videos on: Hardwood Installation Tips, SmartStrand Carpet, Tile Flooring, Tile Installation, and Laminate Installation. And the Mohawk website has some valuable additional information such as Flooring Guides and Measurement Tips to consider as well.

Do a little research before you begin and you might just impress yourself at what you are able to accomplish. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and always exercise proper safety precautions. Make sure to email me your before and after project pics- Good luck!

It’s almost Thanksgiving and that means the fall weather will soon be transitioning to winter weather. As the temperature drops, make sure your home is keeping the warm air in and the cool air out. This process, known as winterization, can be accomplished in your home with some simple but important steps. Let’s go over my quick refresher course when it comes to successful winterization:

1. Fill All Obvious Cracks: Check your home’s exterior walls, around the tops of exterior door frames, outlets and switches on perimeter walls for cracks. Use an elastomeric caulk to seal any holes under 1/4″ and use expanding foam sealer for larger holes. Use outlet gaskets and new weather stripping for your outlets and doors.
2. Check Attic Insulation: Check the areas touching heated space like your ceiling joists and walls adjacent to finished spaces. If you can see the framing members you are probably losing too much energy. Check what the R-value is on your current insulation and add strategically where it may be lacking.
3. Spray For Bugs: Don’t underestimate the damage that pests can do not just in your home, but around your home as well when left unattended for seasons at a time. Keep the rodents, termites, ants and other insects at bay by calling in your pest control expert for their seasonal service.
4. Replace Old Windows: If replacement is not in your budget, try a cost effective window winter insulation kit. Just remember- completely cover the entire window including the trim for maximum effectiveness.
5. Check Your Heater: Buy a large pack of air filters and change monthly during the heating months. Call a professional if you have not had your heating system looked at in the last two years. Install an updated thermostat that allows you to program your heating to fit your schedule.

I had a blast taking part in a live chat on Twitter for HGTV Magazine yesterday. I got to answer DIY and home repair questions in addition to sharing about projects around my house. Here’s a glimpse into some of the topics we covered in the chat, cleaned up for grammar and spelling since we’re typing on the fly!

We want to know what’s the most common home repair question you get?
Most of the questions I get revolve around getting the most out of your main living spaces. Like your master bedroom and kitchen.

@JaySaint Question for Chip: I’m new in town. How do I know if my contractor is any good?
Don’t hire a contractor that has only done additions to build your deck… Etc. Find someone who has built many decks you like. You always have to see work done previously by a contractor.

@sgbarber How do you recommend storing a dual cartridge respirator and after a single use?
You want to clean them and let them dry. Store in a cool dry place away from contaminants. You can even keep them in a plastic bag.
@sgbarber At 3M, we like to help remind consumers to change their furnace filters before they get too loaded.
Agreed! Changing your filter regularly helps not only your air quality but helps extend the life of your furnace.

@blueeyedrj What’s the best way to unclog the kitchen sink drain?
To unclog I always check the trap first by disconnecting it. If not blocked there, I will go do a solution…If all else fails I go to mechanical means… A plumbing snake.
@blueeyedrj same thing for toilet and tub clogs?
It’s sometimes too difficult to get to a tub trap. So I often start with the snake in the tub as it is usually hair. For the toilet, the plunger is king, then you move to the snake…. But try to sucker your spouse into doing that one!

How do you get windows open that are painted shut?
You first want to wait for a low humidity day so the windows are contracted. Relieve all perimeter paint with a razor and gently tap till open.

What are the 5 tools no homeowner can be without?
Loaded question… I love tools, but every home owner should have a quality cordless drill set, tape measure, circ saw, Sander, set of pliers.

Americans took a survey and the #1 project on their list is De-Clutter. This is a great idea because so many products in our home have unsightly cables that mess up the space. I have a quick and easy solution to remitting that: It’s cutting out the back of your base molding to hide all those unsightly cords.

To conceal your cords within your base molding, you need to get your Dremel 4000. Remove the nose cap and insert it into the router base attachment with straight-edge guide. Once it’s secure, put it down on your work piece, power it up, and punch down. Now you’re ready to slip your cord right in and attach the base molding.

Instead of having all the wires run across the floor and up the walls, its time to conceal them behind your base board. All you have to do is run your wire, pull it taut, now it’s time to install your base board with your notch slot.

For my advice on tackling your project to-do list this year, visit me on the Dremel Facebook page or download these projects steps at Dremel.com!

October is right around the corner and as many know October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. However, this is an important issue year-round and Mohawk is taking charge with their Decorate for the Cure initiative.

Mohawk SmartCushion is the premium carpet cushion that gives homes added comfort and protection. Well now, that protection even extends to the ones you love. From June 2011 to December 2012, Mohawk will contribute a minimum guaranteed donation of $100,000 from the sale of SmartCushion to Susan G. Komen for the Cure™ to help fund ongoing breast cancer research.

How important is this research? Well, consider that the number of women over 40 who now receive regular mammograms has more than doubled. In the US alone, the five-year survival rates for early-detected breast cancer has increased to almost 100%. And America’s 2.5 million breast cancer survivors are the largest group of cancer survivors today.

If you’re interested in purchasing SmartCushion for your home, you can use the Mohawk Store Locator to find the retailer nearest you. Every little bit counts in the fight against breast cancer!