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 a tip for replacing stair spindles and learn how to clean fabric blinds. (EricVega, Getty Images Signature/Adobe Stock)
Hour 1
Learn a fix for squeaky floors, plus how to clean fabric blinds and whirlpool jets.
Fix for Squeaky Floors
(Eduardocruzphoto, Getty Images)
Ryan’s noisy floors in his Illinois home are becoming a problem for his wife, who’s an RN who works nights and sleeps during the day.
“Almost everywhere you step it’s creaking and squeaking, and it carries throughout the house,” he says.
He wants to know if there’s a solution to fix the floors without removing them. The floors are fairly new floating luxury vinyl plank installed over a fully finished basement with a drop ceiling.
The squeaking sound is a result of friction, materials rubbing together. The mystery is whether the sound is coming from the floor or the subfloor underneath.
We suspect the squeaking is coming from the space where the subfloor meets the floor joists. Whenever putting down a new floor, always screw down the subfloor to prevent this squeaking.
The good news is Ryan has access to the subfloor from below.
To fix this, go into the basement and have someone walk on the floor above so you can see where the squeaking is coming from. Then, take a wooden shim, smear some wood glue on it, and tap it into the joint between the top of the joist and the underside of the plywood subfloor.
Don’t drive the shim in because it will raise the floor. Just tap it in enough to fill the space so the plywood doesn’t bounce up and down.
Try this in one or two places to see if it works. You’ll know almost immediately.
How to Clean Fabric Blinds
(Adobe Stock)
Marjorie in Pennsylvania has several custom-made fabric blinds in her home that need cleaning.
She asks, “Is there an easy, safe way to clean these blinds? They were very expensive and I don’t want to ruin them.”
We know it’s a pain to take them down, but the best way to clean them is to take them down and soak them in a bathtub. Use a mixture of warm water, oxygen bleach and Woolite. Oxygen bleach won’t bleach out the color.
Lightly scrub them with a soft bristle brush and hang them up to dry, preferably outside so the sun can help with the drying process. They’ll drain a lot of water before they’re finally dry.
If you can’t take them down, spray them with rug and upholstery cleaner. Spray it on, let it dry, then vacuum the blinds.
How to Clean Whirlpool Jets
(amriphoto, Getty Images Signature)
Every time Stephanie in Indiana turns on the jets in her Whirlpool tub, black stuff comes out.
“I have tried everything. I’ve tried vinegar, bleach, and blowing out the jets so they are empty, but nothing works. What would you recommend?” she asks.
These whirlpool jets are probably on a closed-loop system, which means that they won’t drain out completely when it’s turned off. As a result, the water stays in the loops in the line, and mildew will grow because it’s dark and wet in there.
Try this method to clean them:
Fill the tub with hot water (the hottest you can possibly get) two inches above the highest jet
Add a half gallon of distilled white vinegar
Run the jets at the highest speed for 15-20 minutes. This circulates the vinegar water through the jets
Drain the tub, then refill it with cold water (no vinegar)
Run the jets for another 10-15 minutes
Depending on how much built-up mildew is in the jets, you might need to repeat this process two or three times.
If this doesn’t work, call the manufacturer and see if they have a commercial product that they recommend.
Hour 2
Listen to a never-before-heard Simple Solution, a tip for replacing stair spindles and more.
Simple Solution for Catching Wood Chips
When drilling large holes, hang an umbrella upside down to catch the wood chips. (Marco Livolsi/photopal, Getty Images)
Trent in Vermont is running a new electrical cable across his basement, a total distance of nearly 40 feet. That means drilling more than two dozen 5/8-inch-diameter holes through the exposed floor joists in the basement ceiling.
“Do you guys have a simple solution for catching all the wood chips? If not, it’s going to be a real pain to clean up”
Of course, you can use a drop cloth to catch the wood chips, but you still run the risk of those wood chips spreading everywhere when moving it across the 40-foot span. You can also have someone follow you with the shop vac as you drill.
But what if you’re working alone? Here’s Joe’s Simple Solution:
Hang a small travel umbrella upside down from the joist that you’re drilling into. Secure it to the joist with a cable staple, nail or screw, so it’s directly below where you’re drilling.
The umbrella will catch the wood chips as you’re drilling, and you can easily dump the chips once the umbrella is full.
Replacing Stair Spindles
If the dowel joints are tight and you use the right interior glue, you don’t have to use finish nails to secure spindles. (EricVega, Getty Images Signature)
Sal from New Jersey is updating the stairs in his house to get rid of the carpeted treads and dated spindles.
“I’ve got new oak treads in place and the handrails are next. My question is about the spindles. They’re dowelled at the top and bottom so I assume they should be glued, but do I need to reinforce that with finish nails too?” he asks.
Some people do Sal, but if the dowel joints are tight and you use the right interior glue, you shouldn’t have to.
The advantage to using glue only is that there are no nail holes to fill so I would recommend using Titebond Original Wood Glue. This stuff quickly builds a bond stronger than the wood itself.
Squirt a little into the holes in the rail and treads, then use a small brush to spread some around on the dowel ends of each spindle. When you get 15 or 20 spindles glued into the handrail and the oak treads, the whole rail system will be super strong and you won’t have to fill nail holes or touch up paint.
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Save Fascia Board — If the wood fascia boards on your house are experiencing blistered paint, water staining or rot, it’s usually because rainwater running off the roof is dripping behind the gutters.
Fix this by slipping a 3/8-inch-thick by 3/4-inch-wide strip of PT wood, or better yet, a strip of composite or plastic lumber behind the existing metal drip edge. That will kick out the drip edge and divert rainwater into the gutter, not down the face of fascia.
Because lemons are acidic, they can kill bacteria, mold and germs. (Tina Hsu, corelens)
Clean and Disinfect Cutting Boards — Cut a lemon in half crosswise, and sprinkle coarse Kosher salt onto the cutting board. Then, use the cut side of the lemon to scrub the salt into the cutting board.
Scrub for 2-3 minutes, adding more salt, if necessary. Wipe the board clean and let it dry overnight.
If it’s a wooden cutting board, treat it with food-grade mineral oil (not vegetable oil) or butcher-block oil made specifically for wood.
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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Everyone loves the look of real wood flooring, but real wood can be easily damaged even with the best finish. Lifeproof’s new luxury vinyl plank flooring is designed to give you the look you want while it stands up to the bumps and scrapes of life.
This page contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product from these links, we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Lifeproof high-traffic vinyl has extreme scratch and dent resistance to protect your floor from wear and tear. (3 Echoes Content Studio)
Innovative rigid core technology makes this flooring more dent-resistant and hides subfloor imperfections. So, you can install it over most existing surfaces, like tile, wood, concrete and vinyl.
The flooring also comes with a pre-attached underlayment, which helps reduce sound and feels more comfortable under your feet.
Lifeproof luxury vinyl plank flooring is 100% waterproof, making it an affordable alternative to hardwood flooring that is easy to maintain and clean. (The Home Depot)
Because it’s waterproof, you can clean it with a wet or steam mop!
It has anti-microbial protection for the lifetime of the product that inhibits the growth of odor and stain-causing mold and mildew on both the top surface and the pad.
Lifeproof vinyl flooring is an easy DIY or professional installation. Simply drop, lock, and tap into place and the room is done. (The Home Depot)
Easy Installation
This vinyl plank flooring is easy to install — simply drop, lock, and tap into place and the room is done.
It doesn’t require any acclimation and can withstand extreme temperatures from -25 degrees F to 155 degrees F, so you can even install it in sunrooms.
Lifeproof Waterproof High Traffic Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring is available in 11 authentic wood look colors, and they’re backed by a Lifetime Residential Warranty.
Watch the video to learn all about this Best New Product!
