This week, we’re talking about getting green grass, cleaning stubborn, stuck-on food on a glass-top stove, and solving the mystery of what’s stuck on a power tool cord.
Get a Green Lawn
There’s nothing more satisfying than an instant lawn. The only way to do that is to lay down some fresh sod.
I’m visiting my daughter to lay some zoysia grass sod in her yard this week, so I thought I’d share my tips on how to successfully get that green grass to stick.
If you want all new grass in your yard, don’t lay down fresh sod on top of an existing sod lawn. The new roots of the sod will need to penetrate into the soil, and a blanket of existing sod will be another barrier for them.
Eliminate any vegetation you can by raking it or tilling it. You can rent a tiller from The Home Depot for less than $100 a day (prices vary based on your location). Rotate and cultivate the soil about four to five inches deep.
After that, add some bagged compost and rake it again. Water the soil and, finally, put the sod down.
Get all the sod down as soon as you can because you don’t want your exposed soil to sprout any new growth. Then, you’ll be back to square one.
Once you’ve laid your sod, take care of it like any other lawn. Water it regularly until it’s established. Mow it, but never remove more than a third of the height of the grass.
Another alternative to laying down sod is hydroseeding. This process involves spraying a watery mixture containing seed, mulch and fertilizer. Because this mixture is so rich in nutrients, new grass will sprout fast, and it will stick to any surface you spray it.
You usually see highway workers spraying this along the sides of highways to replenish bare spots. However, you can rent a hydroseeder from a lawn equipment company and do it yourself, or hire a landscaper to do it.
The most budget-friendly way to get a green lawn is to overseed it. Be sure to water it frequently to guarantee new grass grows.
Skip to [1:24] for the full segment on the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show.
How to Clean a Glass-Top Stove
Erin McDonald in Dallas, Texas, bought a new glass-top stove last year, and she’s having a terrible time cleaning it. Burnt-on food and spills just won’t budge.
How can she clean her new stove without damaging the glass top?
You can buy a kit specifically designed for cleaning glass-top stoves. Cerama Bryte has a three-piece kit with everything you need to clean it.
If you don’t want to buy a kit, you can do it yourself with household items you have on hand.
First, make sure the stovetop is cool. Use a plant mister to spray the stovetop with distilled white vinegar. Then, sprinkle on a coating of baking soda. Take a terry cloth rag or microfiber cloth, dip it in hot water, and set it on the stovetop. Wait 15-10 minutes and wipe away the baking soda with another cloth.
If you have any caked-on particles, use a plastic putty knife to scrape off the food particles. Afterward, spray it with more vinegar to wipe it clean.
Do this frequently, and it will be easy to keep your glass-top stove clean.
Skip to [47:03] for the full segment on the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show.
What is This Cylinder on My Power Cord?
Mikey Ray in Temple, Texas, just bought two new power tools and both have a round black plastic cylinder on the power cords. Since the cylinder slides up and down, it always seems to be in the way.
So, what is this thing and what does it do?
The cylinder he’s referring to is called an Emtag. Emtags are cylindrical-shaped anti-theft devices manufactured by B&G International. This same company also manufactures the security devices you see on clothing, hardware packaging, laundry detergent and wine and liquor bottles.
You can remove these tags and it won’t affect the functionality of your power tools. Surprisingly, a pair of pliers or a screwdriver will crack it open, and it will come off in two pieces. Be careful to not damage the cord when you remove it.
Skip to [52:46] for the full segment on the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show.
Also on this episode:
- Repairing Cracks in Stucco
- Cleaning Red-Clay Stains Off White Brick
- Recreating This Accent Wall
- Replacing a Whole House Generator
- Adding Exhaust Fans Along a Roof
- Repairing Peeling Drywall Tape
- A Caller’s Tip for Preventing Rust on a Swamp Cooler
- Advice on Range Hood Exhaust
- Installing Expansion-Joint Material to a Concrete Driveway
- Repairing a Drain in Clay Tile
- Removing Paint From Brass Without Damaging Patina
- Opening Up a Kitchen
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