This week, learn why a glass cooktop can shatter and hear the easy way to remove acorns from your yard. (Adobe Stock/matzaball, Getty Images Signature)
Hour 1
Hear how much money you can save by installing luxury vinyl tile yourself, what to do about thermal expansion gaps in crown molding and more.
Save Big by Installing LVT Yourself
Got a tight budget? You can save hundreds by installing luxury vinyl tile yourself. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Luxury vinyl tile is a great option for homeowners looking for a durable, waterproof, and easy-to-clean flooring option.
Also, it’s one of the most affordable flooring options, making it a great choice for budget-conscious homeowners. Joe researched the costs and here’s what he found:
Most people pay on average $1,400 to have 200 square feet of vinyl plank flooring installed. However, you can buy luxury vinyl for $2.50-$4 per square foot at The Home Depot.
So, if you install it yourself, it could only cost you between $500-800. That’s a saving, on average, of $600-900 over a professionally installed job!
You don’t need any special tools to install luxury vinyl tile. A box cutter is all it takes to cut the tiles.
The number one mistake people make when installing is cutting it tight against a wall. All floating floors require an expansion space — you’ll need anywhere from a quarter inch to half an inch.
Run the luxury vinyl tile up to the baseboard and cover the gap with shoe molding. Just be sure to secure the shoe molding to the baseboard.
Follow the directions exactly regarding any underlayment. Depending on the type you buy, the underlayment could already be attached.
Changes in humidity or temperature can cause gaps in crown molding. (Chris Vogler)
This is the first winter that Chris in Alabama has spent in his new home, and he’s seeing the effects of thermal expansion. Over the past months, he says significant gaps have shown up in the crown molding throughout the house.
“Should I ask my builder to correct the issue? If the gaps are filled will it cause the molding to buckle when it gets warmer?” he asks.
It’s amazing how much materials in a home expand and contract, and probably nowhere is it more evident than when you’re looking at crown molding.
These gaps will usually close on their own once warmer weather comes back around. If you have some gaps that are very pronounced, here’s what you can do:
Nail it in place: Use a nail gun to secure the crown molding to the wall.
Fill it with caulk: Instead of using traditional caulk, carefully apply an acrylic latex caulk. The trick is to barely feed it into the cracked area, so that when it does close back, it remains flexible. The gap will still appear but it won’t be as deep or as noticeable.
Hour 2
Listen to learn the easy way to remove acorns from your yard, why a glass cooktop can shatter, what you need to do to cover terracotta tile and more.
Eliminating an Acorn Overload
Removing acorns from your yard can be a tricky task, but with some patience and the right tools, you can get the job done. (matzaball, Getty Images Signature)
This is nuts! A homeowner says he has more than 250,000 acorns in his front yard.
“Besides raking, which I hate, how can I pick up the acorns? My self-propelled lawnmower doesn’t have the power to pick them up. Is there a piece of equipment suitable for the job?” he asks.
Here’s what you can use to remove from a yard:
Leaf blower: A leaf blower can blow the acorns into a pile, making them easier to collect. Bonus tip: Use a tarp to contain the acorns while blowing them, making cleanup even easier!
Lawn vacuum: A lawn vacuum can suck up acorns and remove them from the yard. These can be pricey, so see if you can rent one, or hire a landscaper who owns one to use in your yard.
To eliminate this problem in the future, prevent the acorns from falling in the first place. If possible, remove the tree or prune it so that it does not produce as many acorns.
Some chemical treatments can prevent acorn production, but only a professional arborist should apply them.
Keep in mind — removing acorns can be time-consuming and you might need to repeat it as new acorns fall. Always wear safety gear to protect yourself from falling acorns and be aware of insects or critters in the acorns or hiding in the tree.
‘Why Did My Glass Cooktop Shatter?’
A glass stovetop can shatter for several reasons, including sudden temperature changes, improper installation and manufacturing defects. (Adobe Stock)
A homeowner says the tempered glass on his gas cooktop suddenly shattered the other day, even though it wasn’t on and he didn’t drop anything onto it.
“What would cause that to happen?” he asks.
Tempered glass is designed to be strong and durable, but it can shatter unexpectedly for several reasons. Some of the most common causes of tempered glass shattering include:
Improper installation: If the cooktop is not installed correctly, it can put stress on the glass and cause it to shatter. For instance, if the countertop is overlapping the cooktop, it could put some stress on the top, eventually causing it to shatter.
Thermal stress: If the cooktop or the glass is exposed to rapid changes in temperature, such as from a hot pot being placed on a cold cooktop or vice versa, it can cause thermal stress and cause the glass to shatter.
Manufacturing defects: Sometimes, tempered glass can have manufacturing defects that make it more prone to shattering. If this is the case, report it to the manufacturer.
You can call a professional to replace the glass cooktop, but it might be expensive. Consider replacing it with a stove that doesn’t have a glass cooktop.
To prevent a glass cooktop from shattering, follow these tips:
Don’t place a hot pot on a cold cooktop or turn the cooktop on high and immediately place a cold pot on it. This can cause thermal stress and can cause the glass to shatter.
Use cookware with flat bottoms to distribute heat evenly and prevent warping or bending.
Do not slide cookware across the cooktop, as it can scratch or chip the glass.
Do =n’t place heavy objects, such as cast iron pans or pressure cookers, on the cooktop as they can cause impact damage.
Clean the cooktop regularly with a mild detergent and a non-abrasive sponge or cloth to remove any dirt, grime or stains.
Use a stovetop cover to protect the cooktop from scratches or stains when not in use.
Do not overheat the cooktop, as it can cause the glass to overheat and shatter.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the care and use of your cooktop.
Covering Terracotta Tile
Terracotta tile can be cold to the touch, which may not be comfortable for some people, especially during the winter. (Michelle West)
A homeowner has terracotta tiles throughout her second-floor California condo.
“The surface is too hard, very uncomfortable!” she says. “Can we have more comfortable flooring installed on top? It seems like removal will be very expensive, disruptive and noisy.”
Because traditional terracotta flooring has such an irregular surface, you’ll want to apply a self-leveling underlayment to create a smooth, even surface for installing another type of flooring over it.
You might run into the problem of raising the floor height too much to where it can block appliances from opening or make them not level with your cabinets and counters. Check the height of the new flooring to make sure this won’t happen after you’ve installed it.
There are several options for covering terracotta tiles, including:
Vinyl flooring: Vinyl flooring can be installed over the existing tiles and is durable and easy to clean.
Engineered hardwood flooring: Engineered hardwood flooring can be installed over the existing tiles and provide a warm and natural look.
Laminate flooring: Laminate flooring can also be installed over the existing tiles and is available in many styles and colors.
Floating floor: A floating floor is a type of flooring that is not attached to the subfloor, this type of flooring can be installed over the terracotta tiles and can be made of different materials like laminate, engineered hardwood, or cork.
Consult with a professional flooring specialist to determine the best option for your specific situation.
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Simple Solutions
Need to remove standing water from a clogged sink? This toy doubles as a siphon pump! (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Pool-Toy Plumbing Tool — Before repairing most plumbing clogs, you must first remove any standing water. Now, you could use a sponge or wet/dry vac, but here’s another option: take a kid’s water-squirting toy, commonly called a water blaster, and use it like a siphon pump. Simply place the nozzle of the toy into the water and draw back on the handle to suck up the water. Then you can squirt it into a bucket, toilet or tub. This is great for sink clogs, toilet clogs, or if you have a malfunctioning washing machine that has water standing in the tub.
Filtering paint through a window screen catches any impurities or particles. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Paint Screen Saver — When using paint from a previously opened can, it’s best to pass the paint through a filter to screen out dried paint chips and other small bits of debris. You can buy disposable paint filters, but they’re flimsy, not reusable and the paint flows through much too slowly. Instead, use a piece of vinyl insect screening. Cut the screen about 12 or 14in. square, secure it to a new, clean paint can with three small spring clamps, and then pour the old paint through the screen. When done, rinse out the screen with a garden hose and save it for the next paint job.
This week, hear how to replace two small windows with a large one and learn why cold weather can make propane less effective. (PC Photography, Getty Images/gmnicholas, Getty Images Signature)
Note: Audio from the latest episode of “The Today’s Homeowner Radio Show” is available Sundays after 4 p.m. CST.
Hour 1
Hear how to install laminate flooring around a door jamb, repair cracks in plaster and more.
Installing Laminate Flooring Around Door Jambs
To install laminate flooring around door jambs, you’ll need to trim the jamb with a saw so the flooring can slip under it. (Ocskaymark, Getty Images)
A caller asks: “How do you cut laminate flooring to fit neatly around door jambs in a cased opening between two rooms?”
Most of the time, you’re not cutting the flooring, but you’re cutting the bottom of the jamb where it hits the floor.
A tool called a jamb saw is perfect for doing this. It’s like a circular saw, but the blade is turned 90 degrees so you can easily slide it into the jamb. You can rent one of these from a home center.
If you don’t want to rent a jamb saw, you can take a scrap piece of the flooring and put it on the subfloor against the jamb to get its exact height. If there’s any type of underlayment that goes under the laminate flooring, put that under it as well.
Then, use a reciprocating saw or a hand saw to cut a little bit off of the jamb so the flooring can slip under it. The thickness of the blade should leave enough room for the laminate flooring to expand and contract.
If you see a crack in your plaster, don’t panic! Small cracks can be repaired fairly easily. (Courtesy of Wes Burchell)
“What’s the best way to repair this old plaster wall?
Working with plaster is a little like working with drywall, but the final finish can be tricky to match.
The first thing you need to do is scrape out the crack using the pointed tip of a can opener. What you’re doing is widening that crack into a v-shaped opening to hold more plaster compound. Make it at least a quarter-inch wide.
Then, vacuum the dust out of the crack and clean the surface around it with a damp towel to remove any dust.
Then, you use joint compound or patching plaster to fill in the crack.
Once the crack is patched, prime and paint it to match the rest of the wall. With any paint repair, don’t just paint the repair area. Spread the paint out at least a couple of feet in each direction.
Hear a caller’s Simple Solution suggestion: how to replace two small windows with a large one, and more.
Simple Solution Suggestion
The effervescent action of denture tablets loosens buildup in a drain and makes it easier to flush away. (LdF, Getty Images Signature/laymul, Getty Images)
Diane McClaskey in Missouri has a potential Simple Solution suggestion for cleaning a sink drain.
After removing the pop-up stopper, add six to eight denture cleaning tablets to the drain, and add just a little water. Wait to let the cleaning begin, and add a little water as needed until clean.
The effervescent action will help to break up any dirt or grime and leave your sink sparkling clean!
So why would this work? The main ingredient in denture cleaning tablets is sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda.
Replacing two small windows with a large one is a great way to let in more light and improve your home’s curb appeal. (PC Photography, Getty Images)
A caller wants to replace two small windows with a larger one in her living. There’s a six-inch wall in between the windows, and she was told she needed to put in a header.
“I don’t know how to do this. Can you explain please?” she asks.
When you take a window out, you need to replace it with something to fill that void. A header basically is a 2-by-4 to a 2-by-12. A header spans horizontally above the window to support its weight. This prevents the ceiling joists, roof rafters, and anything above that might be bearing down on the window from sagging.
However, it’s a very tricky project. First, you have to access that area, and that’s done by cutting the drywall or plaster away from the inside above the upper part of the window opening so you’ll have room to cut out whatever’s there and put in the new beam.
Unless you’re very good at carpentry work, I suggest calling a professional to do this. The last thing you want is any sagging on the window down the road.
A professional can also ensure the new window is sealed properly to avoid drafts and energy loss.
Call your local home builder’s association and ask for their recommendations.
Can Cold Temps Damage a Propane Tank?
Cold temperatures can cause propane to become less effective. (gmnicholas, Getty Images Signature)
A caller says: “I have a backup propane tank that I store in my garage. It’s been there for over a year. I can’t get my grill to start with it. Does storing the tank for that long in a cold garage damage it?”
In order to keep propane in a liquid state, it has to be stored under pressure. Cold temperatures can cause the liquid propane to condense, which can then decrease the pressure inside the tank.
Propane turns to a liquid at -42 degrees C; if it gets that cold or colder, the pressure inside your propane tank will drop, eventually reaching a point where it is too low to effectively light a grill or other appliances, according to Lansing Ice and Fuel.
Bring it inside and let it warm up and check the level of gas. When in doubt, take it to get it refilled.
In the future, to keep the pressure higher, keep the tank at least 30 percent full at all times, and use a small insulated frame shelter to protect the tank from colder temperatures.
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Simple Solutions
Using a power drill to wrap nylon string around a spool will speed up the process and lessen the likelihood of tangles. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Fast and Neat Way to Wind String onto a Spool — A spool of nylon string can be used for many things — general crafting, fishing and hunting, and laying mason lines.
The string is easy to unwind off the spool, but it’s not as easy to get back on after you’ve used it. Winding it by hand back onto the spool can lead to tangles and uneven distribution. And eventually, you’ve got an unusable mess that you have to cut up. Here’s a much better, and faster, solution:
Take a screw and drive it through the end of the plastic housing that the spool is on. Then, chuck it into a drill.
Turn on the drill to the lowest setting, and just like that, you can now use the power of the drill to put the line back on the spool.
It only takes a few seconds to wind the nylon string back onto the spool! As you’re winding up the nylon string, slowly move it back and forth along the spool. This way, you don’t overload one side or the other, and the string winds up neatly every time.
A toilet bowl cleaner’s spout makes it perfect for pouring into grout lines. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Inexpensive Alternative to Commercial Grout Cleaners — If you have tile in your home, chances are you’ve spent some time cleaning grout. While there are several grout cleaning products on the market, you might have something in your home right now that works just as well — toilet bowl cleaner.
Regular old toilet bowl cleaner that comes in a squeeze bottle can clean grout! Toilet bowl cleaner contains bleach, so it will not only lighten grout stains, but it will also kill any mold or mildew.
Plus, toilet bowl cleaner is cheaper than grout cleaner.
We’re helping a couple who aren’t strangers to do-it-yourself projects.
Matt and Lindsey Binion bought their mid-1950s house in the midtown area of Mobile, Ala., a few years ago and have been busy making it their own ever since.
After completely renovating their kitchen because of a water leak, they installed their old kitchen cabinets in the laundry room to give it a bit of a facelift. However, its overall look and functionality need some improvement. So, we’re here to help!
The Projects
The new cabinet configuration works with the room instead of against it. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Rearrange the Cabinets
Matt and Lindsey were on the right path when they repurposed the old kitchen cabinets for storage, but their configuration just wasn’t working for the room.
There were large gaps between the cabinets and the walls, and items ended up being placed all around. The room was treated more like an indoor garage than a laundry room.
So, we reposition them and remove some to create storage that makes sense for what the couple needed from it.
Then we sand, prime and paint the cabinets a fresh new color.
Lindsay won’t have to wash clothes in the kitchen sink now that she has a utility sink in the laundry room. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Add a Utility Sink
In a house with four boys, a laundry room with a utility sink is a must.
Lindsey has been using their new kitchen sink to wash their boys’ muddy clothes after sports practices. And after handwashing, she has no place to hang clothes to dry.
To install the utility sink, we first moved the water and dryer so we could access the plumbing. Unfortunately, we found some water damage behind the wall.
Unbeknownst to the couple, water had been dripping from the cross-linked polyethylene, or PEX, line for a few days. We immediately cap the line with a Sharkbite cap until the plumber arrives to install the sink.
Our plumber uses an oscillating saw to cut the PVC pipe so it can be rerouted to the sink. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
When our plumber arrives, we cut a hole in the drywall so he can access the pipes and reroute them to the spot the sink will be. The plumber then runs the new drain line for the sink and extends the water supply lines from the spot where we capped the leak.
We then replace the drywall around the new pipes and finally install the laundry sink cabinet and sink.
The luxury vinyl tile is the same flooring in the kitchen, so now the two rooms are connected. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Replace Flooring
The tile grout on the laundry room floor is coming loose, so we’re going to replace it with some leftover luxury vinyl tile that the couple used in their kitchen renovation.
Thankfully, we caught the water leak in the hex pipe just in time for us to treat the subfloor with antimicrobial spray and let it dry overnight. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
After we remove the tiles and backer board with a pry bar, we find a wet spot on the subfloor where the PEX pipe was leaking. Because we caught the water leak early, we won’t have to replace the subfloor. We use some dehumidifiers and fans to dry it out overnight, and then treat it with an antimicrobial spray to make sure no mold comes up through the floor.
To level out the subfloor, we mix some floor patch compound that he spreads over the surface to fill in low spots and smooth out the transitions. We then installed the rectangular luxury vinyl tile long-ways in the room to complement the narrow room.
The new cabinet has room for everyone’s laundry basket, plus plenty of countertop space for folding. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Install Countertops and Cubbies
Matt and Lindsey used a piece of plywood as a makeshift countertop for the repurposed kitchen cabinets. But, the plywood wasn’t a prime surface for folding laundry, so the couple was forced to pile laundry in the living room and fold them from their couch.
To make this counter space more functional, we first install 1-by-2 cleats to support a new butcher block countertop as well as a shelf unit that will organize the kids’ laundry baskets.
We use 3/4-inch plywood and 1×2 boards to create the cubbies for the laundry baskets. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
For our shelf unit, we cut our wood pieces on a table saw outside and assemble them with nails and wood glue. We then attach them to the cleat we installed next to the base cabinets.
Polyurethane seals the butcher block countertop so it’s more durable. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Next, Lindsey coats the butcher block with polyurethane. After that’s dry, we install the countertop over the shelving unit and base cabinets.
Matt and Lindsey had a decent-sized laundry room with lots of storage space, but because it had been thrown together with salvage materials from an emergency kitchen renovation, the surfaces all looked a little worse for wear and the room lacked the thoughtful organization and visual appeal they really wanted for the space.
But now, the old recycled cabinets have a clean new look and a simplified layout that works with the room rather than overpowering it. The new luxury vinyl tile flooring has replaced the old cracked ceramic tiles and connects the room to the rest of the house.
The laundry sink makes the family’s everyday chores easier and less stressful, especially with the hanging space directly above it and the new countertop is both attractive and useful for a family with lots of laundry to fold.
Plus. We did it all for less than $2,000 in materials.
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The tile we’re using has a built-in pad so there’s no need to install an underlayment. Start in a corner of the longest wall in the room, placing the tiles with the tongue side out.
The tongue on luxury vinyl tile is the small flat edge on one side of the tile that’s angled to lock into the bottom side of another tile (the groove side).
Cut the outer boards down to ensure you have equal-sized pieces on either side of the room. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
To ensure we have equal-sized cut pieces on either side of the room, we cut our first row of tiles down to 8 and 3/4 inches.
Luxury vinyl tile expands and contracts, so give it some room by spacing it about 3/8 of an inch away from the wall. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Space each piece about 3/8 of an inch from the wall so there’s room for expansion. For this luxury vinyl tile, we’re aligning them with the base molding because it’s a little wider than that measurement.
On the first row, you’ll only need to snap the end joints together. For the next row, align the end joint then tilt the tile down so the longer joint lines up.
Staggering the rows prevents unattractive gaps between the luxury vinyl tile. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Offset each new row by half from the previous one before tapping both joints in place with a rubber mallet.
You don’t have to use a saw to cut luxury vinyl tile. Simply score it with a utility knife and snap it off. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
When you need to cut the tile, simply align the tile and mark the edges at the obstacle, then connect the lines using a speed square. Cuts can be made with a saw or with a utility knife to score and snap the tiles.
This week, hear how to fill in scratches on a wood floor, relevel a brick walkway, and more. (Joanne Millum/Terri Dudley)
Hour 1
Listen to hear how to fill in scratches on a wood floor, relevel a brick walkway, and more.
Fixing Scratched Floors
Scratches on wood floors are an eyesore, but you can lessen the look of them. (Joanne Millum)
Joanne Millum has beautiful hardwood floors in her mid-century home. Unfortunately, when a repairman moved the fridge to check a filter, it left gouges and scratches across the wood grain.
She wants to know: “Is there any way to fix that? One side is worse than the other.”
The only way to completely get rid of scratches is to refinish the floor.
But first, go to The Home Depot and get some Rejuvenate Wood Floor Restorer. This product is like a cleaner/filler for wood floors.
Clean your wood floors first, and apply it to the damaged area. This will help blend in the scratches to the rest of the floor.
Here’s our suggestion for preventing future scratches near the fridge — Cut a thin piece of paneling to the width of the refrigerator, and store it in the garage. Whenever you need to take the fridge out, tip it and slide the paneling under it to prevent any scratches.
Releveling an Uneven Brick Walkway
These unlevel bricks on this walkway are a tripping hazard. (Terri Dudley)
Tree roots have shifted the bricks on Terri Dudley’s walkway, and it’s now become a tripping hazard. The tree has since been cut down, but the roots are still intact around the stump and under the walkway.
“I am a widow with a disabled daughter. Do you have any suggestions on how to make it safe?” she asks.
In a situation like this, it’s hard to tell what can fix the problem until you start removing the bricks. Depending on how the bricks are installed, it could damage the bricks bringing them out of there unless they’re loosely laid.
Don’t touch the bricks that are flat and smooth. Remove all of the ones that are displaced, and use a reciprocating saw to cut the root from the walkway. Pack in some soil or some crushed rocks, and replace the bricks. Fill in any voids with sand.
This may not get it 100 percent level, but it will eliminate the trip hazard.
Hour 2
Listen to learn how to fix peeling paint, drill into tile, correct gaps in bamboo floors and more.
Fix for Peeling Paint in a Bathroom
Warm, moist air can cause paint to peel from walls. (Taveesaksri, Getty Images)
The paint is peeling off the ceiling in Philip Costa’s bathroom. He says the ceiling was plastered with a swirled pattern, and only a few areas are peeling.
“Do you have any ideas on how to fix this,” he asks.
First, you need to make sure your exhaust fan is working to remove all the hot, moist air in the bathroom.
The problem with exhaust fans is they get dirty and become ineffective. Try this test: take one square piece of toilet paper, turn the fan on, then hold it about an inch away from the grill. It should attach itself immediately to the fan, indicating the fan is drawing air up.
Make sure the exhaust fan is vented all the way to the outside. Make sure the air is coming out outside.
First, scrap all the paint off and sand the ceiling. Next, paint the whole ceiling with a bonding primer. Then, repaint it with two coats of acrylic latex paint. This binds it well.
This, coupled with making sure the hot, moist air is vented out, should eliminate the peeling paint.
Tip for Drilling into Tile
When drilling through tile, apply masking tape to keep the drill bit in place. (Getty Images)
Louis Sanchez just remodeled her master bathroom, which included tiling around the three walls of the toilet alcove. The tile extends up about 36 inches and is trimmed along the top edge with a natural-stone chair rail.
Before installing the tile, the toilet paper holder was screwed to the drywall.
“How would you suggest I attach the holder to the tile? I’m pretty handy, but I’m concerned about cracking our brand-new tile job.”
Trying to drill through a ceramic tile surround can be a challenge. The slick, glazed surface makes the masonry drill bit walk all over the tile.
I’ve heard some suggestions about using a nail to tap a slight indentation in the tile for a starting point, but this may end up cracking your tile.
Instead, try this: Place an “X” made from masking tape on the spot you want to drill. Use a pencil to mark the location on the top of the tape. The paper surface of the tape will keep your drill bit in place, allowing you to drill the hole where you need it.
Once drilled, simply remove the tape, and you’re ready to install the toilet paper holder. I recommend using a toggle bolt that goes through the tile into the cavity in the wall.
Of course, if you’re worried about ruining the new tile, you can do away with the attached toilet paper holder and opt for a free-standing one instead.
Gaps in Bamboo Floors
Bamboo flooring can expand and contract like regular hardwood. (gyro, Getty Images)
Cathy Cooly had bamboo hardwood floors installed in her dining in 2013. She’s since noticed a gap that’s about 4 feet long and about 1/8-inch wide.
“What can I do to stop it from gapping or what can I do to remove the gap in the floor?” she asks.
A bamboo hardwood floor is typically glued down, so you can’t move the boards as you can with laminate floating floors.
You can try to fill in the gap with wood putty, but consider that the gap could be caused by thermal expansion.
In the wintertime, wood contracts, so that could be why the gap is noticeable. If you wait until summer, the wood might expand and fill the gap on its own.
Fill it with something flexible, like caulk to accommodate for the expansion.
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Simple Solutions
Carving jack-o-lanterns offers an opportunity to show your creative side. Give that pumpkin a personality — but light it without a flame! (DepositPhotos)
Jack-O’-Lantern Tips — After carving your Halloween pumpkin, dip it into an ice bath with one cup of bleach. Let it soak for several minutes, then dry it off and rub petroleum jelly onto the edges of all the cutouts.
This will help seal in moisture and make your jack-o’-lantern stay fresh throughout the holiday.
Many modern range hoods have LED lights that are flush with the surface, making them difficult to remove for replacement or cleaning. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Bulb Removal Tip — Many modern range hoods have LED lights that are flush with the surface, making them difficult to remove for replacement or cleaning.
Plus, the bulbs aren’t threaded into a socket, but instead must be pushed up into the housing and rotated slightly to disengage it from two protruding lugs.
So, here’s how to remove flush bulbs: Take a length of duct tape and pinch it in the middle to create a T-shape with a tab that will serve as a handle. Stick the tape to the bulb, push up and twist it counter-clockwise.
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