Show Notes for August 29, 2009

What the Carey Bros. & Rebecca Cole are Talking About:
This week, the Carey Brothers and Rebecca Cole discussed a new promotion, Cash for Clunkers – home improvement style. We also had breaking news on a huge nationwide recall alert for window blinds and shades, be sure to listen to see if you are affected. The trio were also joined by a former regular of the show, lifestyle expert Laurel Blair, she stops by to talk about indoor air quality and air purification systems. If that’s not enough, On The House continued giving away free stuff – with our hourly giveaways and the announcement of our new big sweepstakes!

Also:
CLEAN MILDEW & MOLD FROM EXTERIOR
Mildew on painted or washable surfaces: 1/3 cup of powdered laundry detergent, one quart of liquid chlorine bleach and three quarts of warm water. Add the bleach to the water first, then the detergent. Even though this solution is mild, make certain to wear safety goggles, rubber gloves and have plenty of ventilation. CAUTION: Never mix bleach with ammonia since the combination of the two creates a lethal gas similar to mustard gas.
Apply the solution to the affected areas with a sponge or nylon scrub brush. Leave it on long enough for the black stains to turn white, but don't allow it to dry. Finally, rinse the entire area with fresh water.
If painting is planned, it should be performed soon after the cleaning to avoid future contamination of the surface that could flourish under the new coat of paint. For further protection look for paint that contains a mildewcide. Mildewcides can also be added to most paints.
Aside from proper cleanup there are several other measures that one can take to prevent the return of mildew. Ventilation tops the list! Good air circulation throughout the home will prohibit moisture from building, which is the prime breeding ground for mildew. Opening windows, attic and crawl space ventilation, and exhaust fans in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry are just a few examples of the many ways in which ventilation can be improved.
Sunlight is another major enemy to mildew. Large trees and shrubbery that surround a home should be cut back in order for the sun to dry out dampness that may be occurring on the roof or on exterior siding, which will likely result in the development of mildew. Whereas mildew isn't harmful to wood, the conditions that favor mildew also favor other fungi that do destroy wood. Eliminating damp conditions on the exterior will also help to clear up mildew that may exist on the interior.

SQUEAKY FLOOR SOLUTION
Trying to analyze and repair a squeak in a beautifully finished hardwood floor that's inaccessible from down below because it's located on the second floor can be tricky. In theory, floors squeak when boards move up and down on a nail or rub against each other when weight is applied. The first thing to diagnose is the type of squeak you have. Is it a whole section of floor that has loosened? If so, locate the joists below with a stud finder; drill pilot holes in at a 45-degree angle; drive 2-1/2 inch finish nails into the joists; and putty over them. If two boards are rubbing together, try "lubricating" them with talcum powder, melted wax or graphite. If that fails, angled nailing might work. Be sure to nail into a joist.

More Information:
• Stainhandler - clean your roof & deck easily with the environmentally friendly cleaner.

• Polyseamseal - the best silicone sealant on the market, check out their “Speed Seal” and “Ever Bright” lines.

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

• W∙H∙Y Trap - captures 21 species of wasps, hornets and yellowjackets. RESCUE! Makes pest control smarter.

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

• Oreck Air Purifier - Check out Chef Jamie’s website for great recipe ideas.

• Toys 'R' Us launches Cash for Clunkers, baby-style - From USA Today.

• Home appliances to get Cash for Clunkers-like rebate - From CNET.com.

• Recall of the Week - Huge Recall of Window Blinds/Shades.

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!