In this episode:
Master Electrician Heath Eastman talks all about electrical work and what you should for when prepping for a home inspection. When you’re looking to buy a new house, it’s a good idea to go through the process to see what you’re getting yourself into. Inspecting the electrical work is an opportunity to get a sense of what you’ll have to work with and what things you need to be mindful of when making improvements down the line. Heath walks through what he would look at during a home inspection, so you can be better prepared for your own.
Then, the gang is once again looking at some Home Inspection Nightmares, including a photo Mark took of a vine that overtook his neighbor’s chimney, a creative soda can cap to a vent, and a stud wall with no structure.
Finally, General Contractor Tom Silva restores an antique door that is believed to be original to a 1918 home. The door has charm but it is fading from the sun, chipping from the original veneer over the door, and has lots of issues with the current door hardware. The homeowners wanted to sand it down and refinish it on their own, but they were afraid that they would ruin the intricate detail in the moulding.
Tom warns that working on doors like theirs can be a ton of work. The beading detail alone will take a long time to strip down properly. Making the proper adjustments to the hardware—especially if they opt to replace it—can be both expensive and time-consuming. Additionally, applying a finish would take a while. With this in mind, the homeowners decide to move forward with the project, so they get to work.
Open House | Electrical Inspection
Master Electrician, Heath Eastman, explains what to keep in mind during a home electrical inspection.
Where to find it?
Home Inspectors can usually help inspect the electrical in a house during the home inspection.
To test the receptacles to ensure they’re properly grounded, Heath used a voltage tester. The one he has is a RT110 Receptacle Tester by Klein Tools.
Home Inspection Nightmares | Tree-Wrapped Chimney
The gang is once again looking at some home inspection nightmares including: a photo Mason Mark McCullough took of a vine that overtook his neighbor’s chimney, a creative soda can cap to a vent, and a stud wall with no structure.
How to Restore an Antique Door
General Contractor Tom Silva helps two homeowners meticulously restore their original, 1918 front door using paint stripper, mahogany veneer, polyurethane finish, and a whole lot of love.
Where to find it?
To restore the original 1918 front door, Tom used a variety of tools and techniques:
To strip the trim detail of its old finish, Tom applied paint and varnish stripper by Max Strip. The stripper is eco-friendly and low VOC, which makes it safer to use indoors than a traditional paint stripper. The brass scrub brushes used to actually remove the finish can be found at any home center.
To repair the door and smooth out imperfections, Tom applied a few coats of Bondo Wood Filler, which is manufactured by 3M. He then sanded the door smooth using a random orbital sander ETS EC 150/5 EQ-Plus, which is manufactured by Festool.
To resurface the door, Tom applied a sheet of khaya mahogany peel-and-stick veneer from Boulter Plywood. The veneer can be cut with a utility knife and applied evenly using a roller, which can be found at any home center.
Tom replaced the old hardware with a full mortise Harrison entryset with a Providence knob in an oil-rubbed bronze finish, which was provided by Emtek. The tools required to replace the hardware, including the screwdriver and chisel, can be found at home centers.
Original Air Date: May 9, 2021 Season 19; Ep.22 23:42
Products and Services from this Episode
- Voltage tester manufacturer: Klein Tools
- Paint and varnish stripper manufacturer: Max Strip
- Wood filler manufacturer: 3M
- Random orbital sander manufacturer: Festool
- Peel-and-stick veneer manufacturer: Boulter Plywood
- Entryset hardware manufacturer: Emtek