Show Notes for November 14, 2009

What the Carey Bros. & Rebecca Cole are Talking About:
After weeks of promotion, the Carey Brothers & Rebecca Cole announced the winners of the Premier Care in Bathing Walk-In Bathtub/Shower Makeover Sweepstakes. Two lucky grand prize winners won $25,000 worth of bathtub remodels. On The House also featured our weekly giveaways. The hosts were all in the giving spirit - giving prizes and giving helpful advice to callers from around the country. So read the show notes for tips on caulking around your home.

Also:
REMOVING OLD CAULK?
Caulking defends your home against the elements, but over time it weathers, becomes brittle and needs to be removed. Until now, homeowners had one choice only, and that was scraping and gouging out old caulk. The older the sealant, the harder and nastier the job became. Today there is a new way to "soften up" what was once a nasty home-improvement job. A new indoor/outdoor caulk remover is a gel-like goo that softens virtually any caulk. For easy, no-hassle removal, just pour a 1/8-inch bead on the old caulk. For latex wait about two hours longer than for silicone or acrylics (about seven hours), then just scoop it out; it will be as soft as new. Then trim off any residue with a razor blade or sharp utility knife. Caulk remover makes a tough job much easier.

CAULKING DEEP CRACKS
To caulk a crack, all you do is fill it, right? Yes, but not if the crack is a deep one. You need to do something else first in this case. It's OK to use high-quality caulk on cracks up to about 1/8-inch wide and 1/2-inch deep, but caulk alone should never be used to fill larger gaps. Deep or wide crevices should be lined with foam backer rod first. Use a putty knife to force the flexible backer into the crack until it sits at least 1/4 inch below the surface. Then fill with caulk. Backer rod will help support the bead and prevents caulk from sinking down as it ages and dries. This technique is especially useful for windows, doors and brick walls. Foam backer rod is sold in various diameters and lengths at hardware stores.

CAULK TO STOP WATER DAMAGE
A bath is more susceptible to water damage than any other room in your home. Faucet
and drain leaks, seeping toilet gaskets, and cracks where walls meet tubs or shower pans are all causes of water damage. Leaky showers are another. You can stop potential water damage by frequently inspecting all these areas -- especially showers and tubs. If you find a spot that looks suspect, remove old grout with a screwdriver or grout saw. Vacuum thoroughly, and use a siliconized caulking compound to make a waterproof connection. Caulking can be found in a wide range of standard and exotic colors. If you have ceramic tile, just look around; you'll likely find a perfect match. Prevent water damage by checking bathroom seams and joints -- immediately!

More Information:
• White Lightning caulks & sealants - Protect, beautify, and save energy with all the lines of their premium caulking.

• The Drain Claw - Slow Drains? The Drain Claw is the fastest, easiest way to remove hair from bath drains.

• Premier Care in Bathing - Find out more bout the best walk-in bathtub/showers available.

• Tahoe Creamery - Tahoe Creamery produces all natural, gourmet ice cream equal to the fresh purity of Lake Tahoe.

• Versa Lift & Versa Rail - Byers Products Group makes the Versa Lift attic storage lift and Versa Rail attic ladder safety railing. These products revolutionize home storage by providing push-button access to all the available storage room just overhead in many homes.

• Chef Jamie Gwen - Check out Chef Jamie’s website for great recipe ideas.

• Home Buyer Tax Credit: 10 Things to Know - From Yahoo.com.

• 1.5 lbs. of nails pulled from Peruvian's stomach - From the Associated Press.

• ImagineTile.com - Online source for custom ceramic tile.

• Classic Metal Roofs - Metal roofs that last a lifetime.

• Noritz - Tankless water heater technology.

• Green Tip of the Week - A weekly series featuring easy tips to “green” your home.

• Home Maintenance For Dummies, 2nd Edition - A hands-on, step-by-step guide to properly maintaining your home, written by the Carey Brothers.

• Facebook - Become a Fan of On The House.

• Twitter - Follow On The House via Twitter.

• Recall of the Week - Maclaren USA Recalls to Repair Strollers Following Fingertip Amputations.

If you need any more information about today's program, please contact us or post on our new Home Improvement Forum and we'll try to help you find what you need. Thanks for listening to On The House with the Carey Brothers!