The Fixie Chick blog
Brenna Hartmann is the co-founder of Fixin'Chix Inc., a do-it-yourself enterprise that includes a comprehensive home improvement website; how-to workshops, seminars and publications; and a product line. Brenna is dedicated to empowering women "do-it herselfers" (DIHers) who have the passion and desire to improve their homes. Brenna writes the popular Fixie Chick home improvement column found in Home & Yard Handbook, and is the co-host of "Home & Yard Radio with the Fixie Chick" on 950 ESPN. Brenna lives in Webster with her husband and two children.
Check Your To-Do List
Check your To-Do list for this important, but often overlooked fall fix-up.
Inspect your driveway, (concrete or black-top), for any cracks. Patch them before the freezing temperatures arrive! When water seeps in those cracks this winter, it will surely freeze. As we all know, water expands when it freezes. The expansion of frozen water in your driveway puts you at risk for heaving black-top and concrete and a potentially expensive fix next spring.
Just about any home improvement store will carry concrete and asphalt repair kits made specifically for us do-it-ourselfers. Be sure to read the manufacturers instructions thoroughly. AND REMEMBER, surface preparation is key!
Enjoy the beautiful weekend!
-The Fixie Chick
Proper Maintenance for Clothes Dryers
Proper maintenance for clothes dryers involves removing the lint from the traps, vents, and surrounding areas of the dryer.
If you notice heavy clothes such as blue jeans or towels taking a long time to dry, or clothes feel hotter than usual at the end of the cycle, then a clogged dryer vent exhaust is likely the problem.
If your dryer vent hose is crushed or you if notice any holes or tears, replacing the hose is VERY easy to do. See my new vent hose above. You should also inspect your exterior hood vent for clogs, cracks and caulk. It is VERY inexpensive and EASY to replace the hood as well. See my new hood above. Use a mildew resistant caulk to close gaps between the hood and your home's siding.
TIP: Clean the siding with rubbing alcohol to improve the bonding surface.
TIP: You can have your caulk tinted to match your siding!
Since cleaning and repairing my dryer vent exhaust, I have noticed that my laundry dries much faster. I feel safe from a dryer fire and I know I'm saving energy.
CHECK:As a good fire safety practice, combustibles such as clothing, boxes, and other items should not be placed near or around the clothes dryer.
Keep fire extinguishers and working smoke alarms near the clothes dryer.
The exhaust should vent directly outside the house.
Good luck with your next home improvement!
-The Fixie Chick
Dear Friends
Dear Friends,
Unfortunalely, I have had a family emergency and will be unable to post to this blog until Sunday 9/23. I am still working on my dryer vent replacement and am anxious to share my finished project with you. In the meantime, please check behind your dryer and inspect the vent hose. If it is vinyl, please replace it right away. Vinyl dryer hoses were recently out lawed as they are considered flammable and will add fuel to a dryer fire. The vent from your dryer to the outside of your home must be rigid alumium hose or flexible foil hose.
Check back on Sunday evening for my step by step dryer vent installation.
-The Fixie Chick
It's Important to Inspect YOUR Dryer Vent too!
Each time I venture out to my garden bench, I unavoidably pass my dryer vent exhaust.
The cracked hood surrounded by moss and mold covered caulk and rusted screws never fails to catch my attention. Knowing that hot and cold air must be escaping through that hole has put this home repair on the top of my fall to-do list.
What originally began as an aesthetic and energy saving fifteen-dollar-fix, has turned into a little research and a lot of shocking statistics!
This past January, the USFA (United States Fire Administration), released a report regarding residential building clothes dryer fires. Between the years 2002-2004, an annual average of 12,700 clothes dryer fires occurred in residential buildings. These fires were responsible for an estimated 15 civilian fire deaths, 300 civilian fire injuries, and $88 million in property loss each year.
According to this report:
Clothes dryer fires account for about 15,600 structure fires, 15 deaths, and 400 injuries annually.
Eighty percent of clothes dryer fires in structures occur in residential buildings.
Annually, 12,700 clothes dryer fires occur in residential buildings resulting in 15 deaths and 300 injuries.
"Failure to clean" is the leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in residential buildings.
New home construction trends place clothes dryers and washing machines in more hazardous locations away from outside walls such as bedrooms, second-floor hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens.
Reluctantly I am sharing my 'before' pictures today. Don't' judge me by my laundry room:) Tomorrow I will clean and replace my interior dryer vent hose and exterior hood vent. I will show my step-by-step process along with some important information from the USFA on how to keep your home safe from dryer fires on Thursday.
-The Fixie Chick.
P.S. Did you know that campers often collect and carry dryer lint? It is so flammable, it is useful in starting a campfire!
Save Energy & Increase Safety without Sacrificing Ambience
Note: The picture to the right is the OLD lantern, I painted the post and the sensor bronze to match the new light and update the look for Mom. The first picture on the left is the finished project.
I am saving my dryer project for next week. In the meantime, I thought this would be a fun and easy project to share with you. Plus it will give you something to do this weekend:)
Recently my Mom asked me if I could replace her exterior lamp post lantern for her. The one she had was old. It was missing some of the glass inserts and unattractive to say the least. As I was shopping for the new lantern, I came across a fairly new product called dual-light post motion sensor. It was less than $20, so I decided to buy it and see what it was all about.
The motion sensor is simply a fixture that installs in between the lamp post and the lantern. It allows you to set a timer for the lamp post, ie., dusk to dawn, 3 hours, 6 hours. The sensor automatically detects dusk and turns the lantern on for the set amount of time. Additionally, (this is the cool part), when the sensor detects motion, it causes the lantern to illuminate the bulb brighter. You can also set the amount of time the brighter illumination will stay in effect, ie., 1 minute, 5 minutes, etc.
The installation process is as easy as turning off the power, disconnecting the lantern from the post, connecting the sensor to the post and then the lantern to the sensor. Instructions for installation are included.
Installing a dual-bright motion sensor to your new or existing lamp post eliminates the need for those unsightly flood lights, increasing curb appeal for your home. Using the sensor timer saves energy and increases safety by turning electricity on and off only at pre-selected times. Last but not least, you can save even more money and energy by using an ENERGY STAR TM bulb!
My Mom loves the new look and she really likes the convenience of not having to switch the light on and off manually. If she returns home after dark, the light will already be on and when she falls asleep in her chair :), the light will automatically turn off! Brilliant (no pun intended).
Happy Home Improving.
-The Fixie Chick
PS. See a live video of the installation here:
AND look to the October issue of Home&Yard Handbook for a full article and instructions on this project.
Fixie Chick Quick Tips:
Check with your town to see if you need a permit for this project.
Contact a licensed electrician if necessary.
Read all installation requirements and instructions fully.
Note which direction you place the sensor and level of sensitivity, especially if you live in a high traffic area.
Before & After Powder Room
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica published in 1911, During the period when the hair or wig was worn "powdered" or whitened, houses had a special room set apart for the process, known as the powdering-room.
Hence the name powder room!
Okay-I'm finished, but...
Okay, I'm finished with my powder-room makeover...but I a tad over my $200 budget. I'm okay with that though, I simply justify my over-spending. I know that I spent more than I allotted for on products, but I did all the work myself. So what I spent on my new anti-microbial, easy-clean, speed connect faucet (in satin nickle finish), I saved by not paying a plumber. And what I spent on my gorgeous mini-chandelier, I saved by not paying an electrician. I hope my husband will agree.
Oh!, so what if he doesn't?! This, the bathroom most used in our home, is fabulous. Like a piece of fine art, it's an investment and a conversation piece too.
I splurged a bit on the faucet ($140.40). My justification: It was super easy to install and the finish is treated so that it repels germs and bacteria, with only water necessary to clean it, I'll save money on cleaning supplies and I'm not pouring harsh chemicals down the drain.
While I was shopping for a few more painting supplies ($3.74), I decided to replace the brass door handle and hinges to match the nickle finish on the new hardware and fixtures. ($31.24). My justification: I've come this far, I may as well go farther. It made sense to make the whole room uniform.
Here's the breakdown of the project in full:
Chandelier $105.98
Paint $5.97
Ceiling Medallion $ 24.97
Faucet $130.00
2 Door Hinges $7.96
1 Door Lever $20.97
Twin Pack Paint Rollers $3.47
Tax $23.94
Total $$323.26
Well worth every penny! See the before and after pictures above!
Please come back on Thursday, and learn how I replaced my dirty, cracked and inefficient dryer vent.
-The Fixie Chick
A Little Bit of Progress
Well, it's Thursday and with back-to-school and other commitments, I have neglected my half-bath project. I guess you could say I'm mid-way to done. Here are the photos of my progress so far.
I have painted the bottom half of the wall, below the border. Refinished my brass vanity light with a hammered brushed nickle effect, and prepared the ceiling for the chandelier.
I have yet to make it back to the home center to purchase the faucet and paint rollers to finish the job.
My goal is to make my purchases tomorrow evening and finish the bath on Saturday. I am still hoping to stay near my $200 budget. Wish me luck:)
Tune in to the WHAM Home Repair Clinic on Saturday 9/8 at 8 am. I'll be talking to listeners about this project and what project to look forward to next!
Be sure to watch the 13WHAM morning news on 9/11 at 6am. I'll be showing viewers my latest green find!!
-The Fixie Chick
Labor of Love
So, how did you spend your Labor Day?
Did you really take the day off, or did you "work" around the house? I consider my "work" around the house a labor of love.
So this labor day, I started a new project I've been wanting to get to for at least a year - my powder room. It seems to me that the primary bathroom my guests, my family and I use -the powder room - should be the nicest one. I've decided to keep my beach theme, but add a fresh coat of paint, a new faucet, (I'm getting the SpeedConnect one with the anti-microbial ever-clean finish!!!), and my favorite part, a new chandelier. My budget for the whole project is $200 and I plan to do it myself.
Above are my before pictures, and as I progress throughout the week, I'll share my progress with you.
So far, I have painted the ceiling with paint & supplies I had on hand, disconnected the ugly ventilation fan --(Unnecessary! There is no "steam" in that room and trust me, it really doesn't help eliminate any foul smells:)!!), I have prepared the old fan and light box for my new chandelier, mounted a ceiling medallion, and painted the bottom half of the room. At the last minute, I decided to paint my brass vanity light fixture with some textured, brushed nickle colored spray paint that I found in the basement. It will match the chandelier I chose and didn't cost me any of my budget.
Chandelier $105.98
Paint $5.97
Ceiling Medallion $ 24.97
Tax $10.95
Total spent so far $147.87
I still have to get the faucet and I need two new paint rollers. I can't complain about buying new rollers, I've already used them twice!
I'm not sure my $52.00 budget will cover it. I'll let you know on Thursday!
-The Fixie Chick
