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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE HARDWARE SHOW
TOOL AND PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2021 NATIONAL HARDWARE SHOW IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
1 GRABO
MFG: Grabo WEB: www.grabo.com INFO: The Nemo GRABO is the world's first portable vacuum lifter. When carrying objects without a handle, you no longer have to rely on bulky and complex heavy-lifters or worry about unreliable, manual suction cups for the job. With GRABO you get the best of both worlds and a maximum lifting load of 375 pounds.
2 EKOPEL 2K BATHTUB REFINISHING KIT
MFG: Ekopel WEB: www.ekopel2k.com INFO: This DIY refinishing kit takes the expense out of bathtub improvement. Perfect for tubs, sinks, showers, the product is fumes-free and made without harmful chemicals. Ekopel’s long-lasting, oil-free glaze never peels. It provides a thick, full-seal coating that restores tub surfaces to a “like new” bright gloss. Free videos take the mystery out of re-glazing, guiding you through the prep, the application, and finishing steps. If you can follow instructions, you can DIY recast your tub in 2 to 4 hours. The kits include a foam roller with covers, scooper boxes, and easy-pouring, safe-to-use Ekopel 2K enamel.
3 THE STINGER PAINT BRUSH
MFG: Stinger Brush WEB: www.stingerbrush.com INFO: The Stinger Brush includes an innovative Stinger Tip, a performance applicator which allows for easy release of paint and quick cleanup. Designed especially for cutting in corners and edges, the addition of extended filaments enables better control and excels in the easy release of paint on rough surfaces and heavier material.
4 TRILED MOSQUITO REPELLENT LIGHT BULBS
MFG: triLED WEB: www.triled-technology.com INFO: The triLED Technology lighting solutions work as a chemical-free mosquito repellent. The patented 1850k ambiance is engineered to deter mosquitoes within a 150 sq. ft. zone, so you and your family can stop applying unpleasant chemicals on your skin. No chemicals, zapping, or spraying needed.
5 FREEZE MISER
MFG: Freeze Miser WEB: www.freezemiser.com INFO: Although the usual winter faucet covers, fabric faucet socks, and the manual drip method can protect an outdoor faucet if temperatures don’t drop too low, they often don’t provide enough protection to prevent pipes and faucets from freezing. Blue Penguin’s Freeze Miser prevents pipe freezing, no matter how cold the temperatures or for how long. It’s made of sturdy brass, stainless steel and cold impact-resistant polypropylene. Unlike the manual drip method that requires a constant rate of water dripping, the engineering of the Freeze Miser releases only the minimal amount of water to prevent your faucet from freezing. Its patented design allows it to sense the internal water temperature, allowing no water to drip until the water temperature drops below 37°F/3°C.
6 TRIGGERFIRE STAPLER
MFG: Surebonder WEB: www.surebonder.com INFO: The Surebonder TriggerFire staple gun allows for powerful one-handed stapling without having to squeeze the handle in awkward positions. Simply set the green dial to trigger mode and squeeze the handle. You are now primed to fire a staple with the pull of a trigger. In Normal Mode, simply squeeze the handle to fire (same process as a "normal" staple gun). The TriggerFire feature is handy for use in tight spaces or hard-to-reach places. The gun is compatible with both Surebonder #4 staples and Arrow T50 staples.
7 FORNEY EASY WELD 140 MP WELDER
MFG: Forney WEB: www.forneyind.com INFO: The Forney Easy Weld 140 MP is a multi-process welder that can easily be switched between MIG, DC TIG and Stick welding. This unit is built tough with an all-metal case and metal wire drive assembly. The Forney Easy Weld 140 MP is big enough to handle two and ten pound rolls of wire, and features infinite voltage and wire feed speed controls to help dial in the perfect weld. With this welder, you can use gas or gasless wire up to .035 inch, and up to 1/8-in. stick electrodes.
8 MR. COOL
MFG: Mr. Cool WEB: www.mrcool.com INFO: Mr. Cool is a ductless mini-split air conditioner and heat pump that delivers high-efficiency air comfort anywhere you need it. When it comes to doing it yourself, the MRCOOL 3rd Generation Enhanced DIY is for made you. The included 25-ft. precharged lineset allows you to install this innovative ductless system without special tools, equipment or training. You can control your Mr. Cool anywhere with your Apple or Android smart device and an Internet connection. The new MRCOOL Smart HVAC controller module and app fully support Google Assistant & Amazon Alexa out of the box.
9 MONKEY GRIP
MFG: Monkey Grip WEB: www.monkeyrung.com INFO: The Monkey Grip is a hands-free ladder accessory for extension ladders. It keeps your tools handy and saves you trips up and down your ladder, allowing you to maintain three-point contact for safety. The solid aluminum rod is anodized and bright-dipped to eliminate electric current and maximize durability. The Monkey Grip locks securely through the rung of extension ladders featuring a solid rubberized grip, hitch pin and thumb screw. Rated to hold up to 15 lbs.
10 PULSE SHOWER SYSTEMS
MFG: PULSE ShowerSpas, Inc. WEB: www.pulseshowerspas.com INFO: Easily upgrade your old shower to a spa-like experience by retrofitting your old faucet with pre-plumbed plumbing fixtures from PULSE ShowerSpas, Inc. The Lanai Shower System (pictured) offers easy drill-less installation, an 8-inch showerhead, three-function handshower, and three PULSE PowerSpray body jets. Use any two functions at the same time. Adjust the handshower height with the integrated slide bar.
LABOR SHORTAGE WEAKENS HOUSING SUPPLY AND AFFORDABILITY
A lack of skilled construction labor is a key limiting factor for improving housing inventory and affordability, according to a new report by
the Home Builders Institute (HBI). Additionally, the report cautions that the required number of construction workers to keep up with demand is approximately 740,000 new workers per year for the next three years.
“The construction industry needs more than 61,000 new hires every month if we are to keep up with both industry growth and the loss of workers either through retirement or simply leaving the sector for good,” said HBI president and CEO Ed Brady. “From 2022 through 2024, this total represents a need for an additional 2.2 million new hires for construction. That’s a staggering number.”
Meanwhile, the report shows home sales outpacing home construction, resulting in growing backlog and supply-chain bottlenecks. More than 12 million new households have been formed since the beginning of 2012, while approximately only 10 million new homes for ownership and rent were built during the same time.
“The U.S. is experiencing a historically low supply of homes for sale, especially at the lower price points that newly formed households tend to need,” Brady said. "For residential construction to expand and housing affordability to increase, more skilled building trade workers must be recruited and trained for the home building sector.”
The report, based on research of NAHB’s Economics Group, provides an overview of the state of the
nation’s construction labor market. Other key findings include:
• The number of open construction sector jobs currently averages between 300,000 to 400,000 each month.
• Half of payroll workers in construction earn more than $50,460 annually and the top 25% make at least $71,000. In comparison, the U.S. median wage is $49,150 while the top 25% make at least $67,410.
• Construction employment currently totals 7.42 million. Residential construction represents 3.1 million of this total amount.
• Self-employment in construction is currently 22% of the labor force, down from 26% in 2010.
• The share of immigrants in construction trades is 30%.
• Women make up a slightly growing share of the construction employment, up to 10.9% in 2020 from 10.3% in 2019.
• The median age of construction workers is 41. However, due to aging trends, the share of construction workers aged 25 to 54 decreased from 72.2% in 2015 to 69.0% in 2019.
HOLIDAY LIGHT HOME INSPECTION
As this holiday season kicks off, many of us head outside to hang strings of holiday lights in our yards and on our home exterior.
During the process of hanging lights, homeowners also discover important home repair issues.
Here are the top seven home issues you can find while hanging holiday lights, courtesy of the basement and foundation experts at Groundworks.
1. Electrical outlets
Electrical issues are usually the first problem discovered when hanging light strings. Outdoor outlets exposed to the elements are more likely to become damaged. For example, a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) may have been tripped if a mouse chewed through a wire or the circuit came in contact with water. A loose connection or exposed wiring could result in an electric shock.
2. Circuit breakers
Homeowners may discover issues with the home's circuit breaker box. You might need a diagram of which circuits are connected to which outlets or appliances. This can help you avoid overloading a single circuit. Do the math to find out how many light strands can be plugged in together without overloading the circuits. Remember that LED Christmas lights generally use less electricity, which helps avoid blown fuses.
3. Overgrown shrubs
Homeowners may also discover foliage problems on the exterior of the house. Plants should be at least two feet from your house to protect its foundation. If you discover overgrown shrubs, you may want to mark your calendar for March or April, which is the best time to prune bushes. If you have overgrown evergreens,
you can give them a light trim around the holidays and use that greenery for home decorations.
4. Roof or gutter issues
If you're using a ladder to hang Christmas lights, you'll be able to get a close look at your roof and gutters. You may discover that gutters are clogged and not catching rainwater, causing a situation where water could be pooling right next to your foundation. You might also discover missing shingles on your roof or a sagging roof, two other indications that your home could be at risk for water damage. Address these issues immediately. Avoid additional damage by using light clips on the edge of your gutter while hanging Christmas lights.
5. Chimney separation
Your chimney or portions of the house may be out of plumb or starting to tilt. These are signs of foundation problems. The classic test is to hold a string with a small weight on it from the top edge of the house. Because the string will always fall straight downward, you can easily determine if there is a tilt to a portion of the home. For a tilting chimney, you might see a gap where it is pulling away from the house. This can indicate your home is settling unevenly or sinking into the ground. A settling foundation can affect the essential load-bearing structure of your home, so this is not a DIY repair. Consult a foundation expert to help identify the causes of the problems and find the best way to protect your home. The strongest repairs can anchor your foundation to the bedrock below your home, ensuring lifetime stability.
6. Pest damage
While hanging light strands on your home, you may also discover various signs of pest damage. Along the eaves, you could find woodpecker holes in need of repair or wasp nests that need removing. Where the house meets the ground, you might find signs of termites or ants that require pesticide.
7. Siding damage or wood rot
When hanging lights, you may notice deterioration, damage, or wood rot on your siding or window frames. This means your home could be vulnerable to water damage, which can result in moisture or flooding in your basement or crawl space. As the weather turns cold, the damaged siding could allow water inside the walls, cracking the concrete when it freezes. Start your repairs by replacing rotted wood and repairing the siding. You may also benefit from the additional protection of basement waterproofing or crawlspace encapsulation.
Learn more at www.groundworkscompanies.com
FIRST-YEAR HOME REPAIRS NOT UNCOMMON
Buying a new home is an exciting time, but if you're moving into a previously occupied home, you may end up spending over $7,000 to fix mistakes made by a previous homeowner. According to data from a new HomeAdvisor study which surveyed 1,900 homeowners about their experiences:
• 85% of homeowners have had to fix at least one problem they were unaware of during the buying process.
• On average, new homeowners spend over $7,168 on repairs in the first year alone and $15,489 throughout their time in the home.
• The spaces that need the most repairs: 1. Bathroom 2. Kitchen 3. Bedroom
• The most common issues that needed repair involved electrical, drainage and roofing.
• 44% hired a contractor to handle the repairs and another 35% did the repairs themselves.
NEWSWIRE
The NAHB International Builders' Show (IBS) is the premier, once-a-year event that connects, educates and shapes the residential construction industry. The show is a hub for new product launches, construction demos, industry thought-leader sessions, workshops and more. IBS 2022 will take place in-person February 8-10 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Learn more at www.buildersshow.com.
Co-located with IBS in Orlando will be the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), an interactive platform that showcases the latest products, trends and technologies. One pass will provide access to both exhibits. Learn more at www.kbis.com.
ASK MATT
QUESTION: How can I bend drywall?
Remove stickers, tape,caulk, putty, grime & more!
ANSWER: The thinner the drywall panel (AKA gypsum board), the more it flexes. The 1/4-inch panels can bend to a 5-foot radius. Special high-flex gypsum board has a heavier face paper and a stronger liner paper than regular 1/4-in. drywall. It’s easier to bend and more resistant to cracking from structural changes (typically applied in double layers, with staggered seams). To bend drywall panels to a smaller radius, you can use a paint roller or spray bottle and water to dampen the panel. Allow the panel to lay flat for at least an hour to absorb moisture into the gypsum core. Bend as needed, but be careful because wet drywall is easy to damage. Once it completely dries, the panel will regain its rigidity. (Note: When wetting drywall, use plenty of airflow to dry the boards completely after installation or mildew and mold can develop.) For even tighter curves, you can use a utility knife to score the back of 1/2-in. drywall width-wise to give it more flexibility. Cut the panel to size, then make parallel cuts from edge to edge, spaced 1/2 to 1 inch apart. Break the core at the cuts to create a flexible length of drywall that bends along the YOUR FAVORITE paper face.
NON-SCRATCH SCRAPER
WIDER!TOOL JUST GOT QUESTION: Is it possible to plug a generator into a house’s electrical outlet to power the home wiring? ANSWER: Do not use the generator Save Time and to “backfeed” power into your home Effort When Cleaning electrical system. Trying to power your Small Surfaces, home’s electrical wiring by “backfeedEdges & Grooves! ing”—where you plug the generator into a wall outlet—is very dangerous. You NEW ORIGINAL MODEL AND WIDE BLADE FEATURES: could hurt utility workers and neighbors ROUNDED TIPS —BETTER SCRAPER THAN A FINGERNAIL served by the same transformer. Backfeeding bypasses built-in circuit FLAT-EDGED TIPS—WON’T devices, so you could damage your SCRATCH LIKE A SCREWDRIVER electronics or start an electrical fire.
POINTED TIPS—BETTER THAN A TOOTHPICK FOR CLEANING
GROOVES AND CORNERS Need more info? Visit Matt’s blog at HomeImprovementAndRepairs.com.
Available in original 2-packs, 5-packs and new wide blade 3-packs
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