The Home Fix Show

Solar powered window shades; replacing a septic tank and drain field; painting a door; replacing electrical outlets; don't try to outguess a home buyer; fixing a hardwood floor chip; life of a LED bulb.  

Ed from Solar Concepts sits in with Joe to talk about whole house fans, solar and hybrid attic ventilators, SolaTube and Velux skylights.  Joe reviews the newest cost vs value study and explores redwood vs cedar.   

Kirez from Footprints Flooring joins Joe to talk about the flooring installation business.  Also, Joe talks about Sashco eXact Color caulking; smoke detectors; and tries to convince a caller not to install his own natural gas line. 

Joe reviews the new Duracell Hybrid flashlights; shares advice from a Pergola expert; talks about staining cedar fence; and advises us on how to talk with contractors.  Callers ask about stain removal on composition decking, and water heater expansion tanks.   

Teri Jo talks with us about the Habitat ReStores.  Joe also talks with a caller about replumbing her house; water leak detection; wood screen doors; change orders; soffit vents and airflow testing.

Joe gives advice about refinishing a wood deck; home inspectors and home inspections; Idaho Power rate programs; removing old work; and a confession to listeners.   

Stanley Johnson from Heating Equipment Company sits in with Joe to explain how air conditioning not only works, but getting systems repaired and how to interact with them for more comfort.   

Scott and Joe talk about replumbing a house, RO systems, hose bib issues, copper vs PEX, and slow flushing toilets. 

Andrew and Will from Idaho Roofing Contractors help us understand roofing our homes, the products and the process.  Joe also talks about sprinkler system heat stress and Durham's Water Putty. 

How we keep cool; replacing a wax ring; cleaning bathroom drains; air nailers; preparing a house for a long absence; fourth of July fire safety. 

Hear the story of a construction project that has its share of problems.  What can we learn from this? Also, the Idaho Bicentennial Capsule is missing!  And dealing with a roof leak.   

Grace from High Desert Hardwood in Eagle, ID, joins Joe on the show to talk about the variety of hardwoods that are available in her store, as well as the best usages and some of the most creative projects that she has seen.  Joe also discusses compressors and what might be a good choice for you, and the right caulking for the right job. 

Roof maintenance; garage doors; crawl space; insulation; sprinkler systems.  And Joe's advice for dealing with door-to-door salespeople.    

John Clark with EarthCraft Construction talks about when a builder turns over a new house to a new owner. Also- Home owner associations, replacing windows, frost free hydrants, and wood fence post installations.

A Caller discloses multiple problems with a 5-year-old house and Joe discusses the issue of poor building. Also, dryer vent cleaning, energy saving tips, water in crawl space, gate frames, screen rollers, and whole house surge protection.

Searching for a Winged Weeder; staining a fence; getting a house ready to sell; gutter guards; DIY Pex; sprinkler system adjustments; cleaning a grill.   

Seamus form Idaho Concrete Lifting talks about lifting and repairing concrete flatware and foundations.  Also, adjusting screen door closers, patching concrete, adding insulation.  

Mark Rall talks about being a specialist in door installation and repair and closing the business for retirement.  Joe also talks about building patio covers. 

Cement siding problems; on demand water heaters; selecting hoses; cleaning vinyl windows.  And Jon Clark from EarthCraft Construction talks about how homes are designed and built. 

How carpet is made, choosing new carpet, and cleaning tile and upholstery.  Also, calls on solar viability, giving a house a bath, and spray-on roof coatings.     

Scott from Master Plumbing is busy today!  Calls on draining and flushing water heaters; noises; washer hook-ups; expansion tanks; and leaking pop off valves.  Joe talks about hoses and whole house fans. 

Concrete wall vapor barriers; hardwood floor refinishing; fans and air circulation; turning on your sprinkler system; flood irrigation caution; leaking window; and choosing gravel.  

Joe broadcasts from the Ronald McDonald House fundraiser at Restoration Rods in Boise.  Interviews with automotive leaders and product suppliers.  

Drew and Alex from Glass Glow Idaho window washing sit in and talk about their growing new small business.  Then Cody from Hunter Rain Gutters talks with us about repairs, maintenance, filters and screens. 

Ben from Cutting Edge Kitchens joins Joe to discuss materials and the process of getting kitchens and bathrooms remodeled, primarily focusing on contractor communications and expectations.  Also, wood floor vents, and good news on "Sneers and Cheers". 

Ken Burgess fills us in on House Bill 768 asking for improvements to the Contractor Registration Act.  Austin Stewart tells us about window coverings from Budget Blinds.  

For Consumer Protection Week, Joe talks about what can be done better in construction to minimize Consumer complaints, what causes them, and who is responsible.  

Joe interviewed Chad from Decked Out Decks about outdoor decks and living areas, materials, and design elements.  Also, Joe talks about storage unit rentals. 

Ivy with Blue Ribbon Painting sits in with Joe to talk about interior and exterior painting and painters.  Joe also warns about scam language used in offers for window replacements.    

Joe has a conversation with Bret Murphy from Boise River Insurance about the changing face of homeowners insurance, what is covered, and what we should stay on top of.  Then, he speaks with the guys from Idaho Roofing Contractors about the coming roofing season, selecting your contractor, watching out for bad information, and proper product selection.

Joe reviews the KTVB news coverage of Contractor Registration issues and talks about one more thing that Idaho needs to do to protect consumers.  Also, why you need to inspect your crawl space, how to get a clean paint line, water dripping from bath fans, and gas fireplace problems.

Joe talks with Mary and Dean from Sasquatch Contracting about the remodeling industry, planning, getting large scale projects done, and what type of systems they have in place to deliver successful end results.  Joe also discusses additional Living in Place considerations we should not put off to the last minute. 

Two scams to avoid; frozen water pipes; radon testing; draft location; bathroom floors; strange smell; contractor liens; and Beer Can Appreciation Day! 

Power outage preparation; firewood storage; water shutoffs; drill bits; patching LVP; home show advice from Cutting Edge Kitchens. 

Subcontractor's liens; adding or modifying door and window openings; storage organization tips; stainless steel sinks; tub to shower conversions.  

Joe discusses getting a contractor to finish a job; fixing a faucet and shower valve; water leak detection system; home shows and project planning; solar hot water. 

What to think about as you plan out a project involving contractors.  Also, floor covering replacement, dangerous fireplace, and repairing sink chips.   

Last minute gift ideas; fixing scratches and dings in woodwork and cabinets; moisture on windows; mice; and should we get ducts cleaned. 

Chris and Will from Idaho Roofing Contractors sit in today to answer questions about roofing, reroofing, warranties and repair.  Joe also talks about trimming off doors and patching a ceiling after plumbing work.     

Hear from many of the HomeFix family of sponsors as they drop off toys for the Toys for Tots collection event.  Some tips and traditions.     

Kent Mortensen from System Kleen Duct Cleaning talks about small business and the service trades as a great option for those starting out in life.  Joe goes through the Bucket of Essentials as a great gift item.   

Joe gives marketing advice to contractors; we meet Kip Blair an inventor; and hear from Brad Toft about the need for more contractor oversight.  

Jon from Earthcraft Construction teaches us about straw bale home construction.  Scott from Master Plumbing answers listener questions about plastic pipe failures, auto leak detection systems, water softeners, on demand water heaters, septic back-ups.     

Re-pipe a house; weather stripping; ice melt warnings; roof coatings; and live from Heritage Reflections.     

Joe Gets us prepared for cold weather! What happens in case of a power outage, reminder to blow out your sprinkler lines and unhook hoses, how to complain to your contractor and he shared the entire contents of his traveling tool bag!

Brent with Dryer Vent Wizard takes us through vent cleaning, dryer performance, maintenance and connections.  Joe vents about contractors pricing by the hour and square foot cost.  Also, gutter cleaning inspecting.  

Short Show today. Monte from Woodcraft gives us all the details on the October 4-5 Woodworking and Maker Expo!

Facebook scam offers; cracking concrete; sump pump failure; pinholes in shingles; Cheers and Sneers; Sherwin Williams color of the year; foundation vents; hose storage; microwave noise mystery.    

Attic fans; skylights; whole house fans.  Contractor complaints; chimney repair; cordless tool battery advice.     

Real estate update with Matt Bauscher; painting entry doors; blue prints; concrete crack filling; sprinkler blow outs; dog doors; take a home inventory.