Let's Talk... HOME repair!
92 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 months ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratingsSeattle Contractor and owner of Amyworks, Amy Ecklund, and homeowner and DIY'er Alicia Healey discuss a broad range of home repair, remodeling and home appliance issues. Topics, guests and your questions! Lighthearted, humorous and frank discussion to demystify your home!
The first episodes were recorded in late 2019 right before COVID restrictions hit the United States. We're back with NEW episodes starting in June 2021!
Send your home repair, remodeling or home appliance questions to [email protected]
Topics include:
Appliances, tools, tips and tricks, working with contractors, remodeling advice, new design elements, reports from the field!
Recorded at The Winterblue Room studio in Seattle, WA
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Episodes
39 Design and pricing - Alicia’s basement remodel project
January 06, 2022 13:00 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MBAlicia and Amy are joined by Kayla, AmyWorks’ project manager, to discuss Alicia’s basement remodel. The Winter Blue Room recording studio was a house that was converted to commercial space. Alicia talks about her dream to convert the basement into possibly a small living space and all that goes into planning a brand new space. She talks about her new perimeter drain and then adding a kitchen, bathroom, new concrete floor and how it all goes together. Alicia is working as her own general...
38 Very Peri - Sprightly, joyous attitude
December 30, 2021 16:00 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MBDeep dive: In Episode 17 we touched on leak detection from the water meter. Let's get a little deeper on how to determine where the leak may be. Amy shares that there was an electronic alert from the water meter sent to the water company due to usage detected every hour for a seven day period. Usage was up as well. How to determine if there is a leak - find the water meter. Clean off the glass. Typically two indicators and numbers. Low flow indicator will spin quickly when water is flowi...
37 More Terms - not Alicia's finest hour
December 23, 2021 13:00 - 21 minutes - 20 MBUpdate on DADU – Amy gives the latest on the Seattle DADU build. Coming right along. Alicia’s Favorite – Terms relating to anything about the home. 1. Plumber’s putty 2. Pipe dope 3. Adjustable slip nut wrench or spud closet wrench 4. Wainscoting 5. Niche 6. Kelvin unit of measure that relates to the color of a light source - the higher the number the closer it is to replicating bright sunlight 7. J-box 8. Etagere - freestanding or hanging set of open shelves, design...
36 Aww The Color of the Wind
December 16, 2021 13:00 - 29 minutes - 26.7 MBWinter home maintenance tasks · Check washing machine hoses and replace rubber hoses if older than 2 years · Check vent fans in the bathroom, kitchen and laundry. · Clean dryer vent inside and out. Color of the year for 2022 · Benjamin Moore - October Mist 1495, “silver-green stem of a flower” · Sherwin Williams – Evergreen Fog, a strikingly soft and soothing green · Lucky Colors of 2022 – Year of the Tiger – red, green, yellow and blue. More speci...
35 Happy Hour – Students from Woodworking 101
December 09, 2021 13:00 - 31 minutes - 28.4 MBOn this episode Amy and Alicia have as guests Kayla D’Aprile (of Kayla’s corner) and four of her students (Kennedy, Zoe, Anna and ???) that are taking her Woodworking for Women class at the local Seattle Central College. We talk about tool fears and intimidation and the challenges they’ve faced in the class. We also asked where they find their information when faced with questions about tools-related subjects and home repair. YouTube was the main go-to source. Finally, the question was asked...
34 Perks and Pitfalls
December 02, 2021 13:00 - 27 minutes - 25.3 MBClient Story: Amy shares a story about a recently purchased home by a client that has an undisclosed/hidden leak that comes to light on their very first day in the new-to-them home. Home warranty – coverage for appliances and systems in your home. Can be on new or older homes. Home inspection – a home inspection is typically done pre-purchase but can also be done at any time during homeownership. This is a good way to know how things are aging in your home and what things should be taken c...
33 Painting a Room
November 25, 2021 13:00 - 35 minutes - 32.8 MBProject update: There’s significant progress in the DADU that the AmyWorks Inc. team is working on. Foundation is done. The framing is complete along with the trusses in place. Up next is the roof and windows. Stay tuned! Deep Dive: Alicia and Amy talk about the steps to getting a top quality paint job. The vast majority of the work is in the prep i.e. cleaning, masking, patching, caulking and cutting-in. Take the time to do the prep and you will have a beautiful paint job that will keep y...
32 Where’s the Water Coming From
November 18, 2021 13:00 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MBWhere’s the Water Coming From (part 1) From the field: Amy shares the woos of homeownership as they talk about the issues and repairs they are discovering in AmyWorks’ new office which was built in 1910. There’s mystery water in the basement, a leaky roof and more! Oh, and there’s the story of the stolen tools and guitar. Tools/Tips/Tricks: Big tip if you have a stinky bathroom sink and cleaning with vinegar, baking soda, or Drano doesn’t help. Maybe the culprit is the overflow. Tools –...
31 Cohousing with Special Guest Katie McCamant
November 11, 2021 13:00 - 48 minutes - 55.1 MBFrom the Field: Kayla and Amy give a review of an app supported stud finder, Walabot. There are mixed reviews and preferences for the tried and true stud finder. Magnetic style with no bells, density style or the app supported style…what’s your favorite for a stud finder? Special guest: Katie McCamant, from Cohousing Solutions joins Alicia and Amy on a Zoom call to talk about the beginnings of cohousing, what does cohousing mean, how does it work and where can you find more information. ...
30 Terms, Maintenance and Cohousing Teaser
November 04, 2021 13:00 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MBConstruction terms: Alicia’s favorite – can you explain what these terms mean? What do stringer, riser and tread have in common? Is there a difference between drywall, Sheetrock and green board? Maintenance: Give your refrigerator some love. Along with cleaning the coils (check out this video) there are a few other things to check to keep it running efficiently. Door seal, temperature check for the fridge and freezer and keep it full all help for your unit to be more energy efficient. A...
29 Lid Up Lid Down
October 28, 2021 13:00 - 23 minutes - 21.2 MBProject update Amy gives an update of the DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit) project that AmyWorks is undertaking in North Seattle. Hung up on concrete pour and the Seattle weather. Forecast for rain. Deep Dive Inexpensive bathroom upgrades. Can’t afford a full bathroom remodel? Check out these tips to give your bathroom a facelift. Re-grouting can make a huge difference along with new caulk in the corners. Maybe you need some new storage ideas – recessed cabinet or glass shelves co...
28 Don't be Afraid of Pilot Holes
October 21, 2021 13:30 - 26 minutes - 24.2 MBDeep Dive: Hanging blinds and curtains – Remember talking about king stud, jack stud and header from our previous episode? Now’s the time to visualize that as you hang your new blinds or curtain rod. Amy and Alicia talk about stud finders and wall anchors in order to be successful with the project. What about pilot holes? Questions: When dealing with painted walls that have had a lot of exposure to cigarette smoke, what’s the best way to clean and/or paint them? Amy talks about a person...
27 Replacing Tiles and Lifting Toilets
October 14, 2021 12:00 - 25 minutes - 22.8 MBFrom the Field: Kayla (of Kayla’s Corner) joins us from the field to talk about some interesting remodeling projects and the some of the ups and downs facing the construction industry at this time. Does your project include windows? Get them ordered sooner rather than later. Also Kayla shares about the Woodworking for Women class now going on at Seattle Central College that she is teaching. Ever seen a twisted shelf? Question from a listener: What can be done to replace a cracked tile ...
26 What’s the chute for?
October 07, 2021 15:15 - 17 minutes - 16.3 MBEpisode 26 – What’s the chute for? Client’s story: Amy describes a recent kitchen remodel where the homeowner took on some of the contractor’s role. What would they do differently in the future if they were undertaking another remodeling project? Maintenance for the upcoming Halloween holiday: What’s the chute for? Alicia finds out how to be socially distant when trick or treating. Also covered are some fall clean up tips to keep things safe for the trick or treaters. Kayla’s Corner: Amy ...
25 Happy Hour with the Amyworks Team - Lightening Round!
September 30, 2021 11:00 - 52 minutes - 59.6 MBWe welcome back the Amyworks team for our Let's Talk Home Repair Happy Hour! Lightening round of questions - what will we ask our favorite renovators?? What's your favorite tool? What was your biggest mistake on the job? Just a couple of the intriguing questions asked!
24 What does that mean??
September 23, 2021 11:30 - 43 minutes - 49.5 MBEpisode 24. What does that mean?? First up, Amy gives a quick update of the ongoing DADU project. CONSTRUCTION TERMS: Do you know all those terms that get thrown around to explain something home-related? Amy quizzes Alicia on terms like beam and girder. What’s a water hammer arrestor? What’s PVC and is it different than CPVC? Test your own knowledge. A new segment…"Kayla’s corner". We get answers to some of the questions we have in past episodes. Thank you If you have any questions, corr...
23 It's FALL! maintenance (inside) and more
September 16, 2021 13:00 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBEpisode 23 Fall maintenance part 2 and more. Yet another informative episode this week, and we're continuing with Fall home maintenance. Amy and Alicia discuss easy ways to check for drafts coming in from exterior doors. (The caulking episode referred to is Episode 3.) Next Amy explains why you need to drain your hot water heater more frequently than you'd think, and how it'll make your life easier in the long run. While you're thinking of your hot water heater, does the scent of rotten e...
22 Dishwasher Leaks and Smart Homes
September 09, 2021 13:00 - 30 minutes - 34.7 MBClient story: A leaky, portable dishwasher and how it lives to clean another plate. Seasonal home maintenance: What should you be doing to keep your house well maintained? Amy and Alicia share several outside tasks to schedule and complete in the coming autumn months. Listener question: What does it mean to have a SMART HOME? Amy and Alicia are going to take this opportunity to learn about the many components that can make a smart home. Amy gets schooled on the Ring doorbell and what all t...
21 Deep Dive: Bathrooms Part 2 (130 Decisions!)
September 02, 2021 13:00 - 34 minutes - 31.3 MBPart 2 of our Deep Dive into Bathrooms is precisely that; the theoretical demo is complete and now it's time to start building your ideal bathroom. Amy gives us an introduction to the logistics of building a bathroom from the studs and just how many options are available to you for the roughly 130 decisions you'll need to make. What kind of shower or tub to install? What about the sink? Exhaust fans? Shower doors? Amy gets into it all. Alicia gives us a gem of advice on how to potentia...
20. Deep Dive - Everything Bathrooms Part 1
August 26, 2021 13:00 - 37 minutes - 34.5 MBEpisode 20: Deep Dive - Everything Bathrooms Part 1 Project update: Amy gives an update on the new DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit) that AmyWorks is starting in a north Seattle neighborhood. Deep Dive: Bathroom remodel – Amy and Alicia dig into all the pieces involved in undertaking a full bathroom renovation. Can your domestic relationship handle the stress? What’s involved in the demolition phase? Have you thought about the possibility of lead-based paint or asbestos being pres...
20 Deep Dive - Everything Bathrooms Part 1
August 26, 2021 13:00 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBEpisode 20: Deep Dive - Everything Bathrooms Part 1 Project update: Amy gives an update on the new DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit) that AmyWorks is starting in a north Seattle neighborhood. Deep Dive: Bathroom remodel – Amy and Alicia dig into all the pieces involved in undertaking a full bathroom renovation. Can your domestic relationship handle the stress? What’s involved in the demolition phase? Have you thought about the possibility of lead-based paint or asbestos being ...
19 Special Guest! Katie Kadwell from Weary Stone Farm
August 19, 2021 13:00 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBEpisode 19: Special Guest: Katie Kadwell from Weary Stone Farm Your edible urban oasis. All things raised-bed kitchen gardens! Master Gardener Katie Kadwell talks about her journey founding Weary Stone Farm and how she helps home gardeners design, build, grow and harvest their own backyard feast. Helpful gardening tips and further resources available through Weary Stone Farm. Get ready for your winter garden! Links: https://www.wearystonefarm.com/ http://www.tilthalliance.org/ (garde...
19. Special Guest! Katie Kadwell from Weary Stone Farm
August 19, 2021 13:00 - 31 minutes - 29 MBEpisode 19: Special Guest: Katie Kadwell from Weary Stone Farm Your edible urban oasis. All things raised-bed kitchen gardens! Master Gardener Katie Kadwell talks about her journey founding Weary Stone Farm and how she helps home gardeners design, build, grow and harvest their own backyard feast. Helpful gardening tips and further resources available through Weary Stone Farm. Get ready for your winter garden! Links: https://www.wearystonefarm.com/ http://www.tilthalliance.org/ (garden info in...
18: Why is Tom Brady in August’s AARP magazine?
August 12, 2021 13:00 - 30 minutes - 41.4 MBEpisode 18: Why is Tom Brady in August’s AARP magazine? · From the field - Amy and Alicia talk to Shannon Hogan, carpenter for AmyWorks, while she’s working on a fancy, new bathroom with fun accoutrements. · Questions from our listeners - “Can I install my TV wall mount in drywall?” and “Can I replace a flush mount light with a veiling fan?” · Tools, Tricks and Tips – from an unlikely source along with Tom Brady, Amy shares some fun money and energy saving tips for around the hou...
18 Why is Tom Brady in August’s AARP magazine?
August 12, 2021 13:00 - 30 minutes - 42.5 MBEpisode 18: Why is Tom Brady in August’s AARP magazine? · From the field - Amy and Alicia talk to Shannon Hogan, carpenter for AmyWorks, while she’s working on a fancy, new bathroom with fun accoutrements. · Questions from our listeners - “Can I install my TV wall mount in drywall?” and “Can I replace a flush mount light with a veiling fan?” · Tools, Tricks and Tips – from an unlikely source along with Tom Brady, Amy shares some fun money and energy saving tips for around the...
17 Know your House
August 05, 2021 13:00 - 35 minutes - 48.6 MBThis week Amy and Alicia talk about knowing where your mechanical systems are in your house; and maintenance and safety tips for each. · Do you know where your water shut off valve is and does it work? · How to troubleshoot a whole house water leak without waiting for a sky high water bill. · Where is your electrical panel? · Do the wires sag too much from the utility pole to your house? Amy gives you a tip on what to do if you’re concerned about the sag. · Go to www...
16 Home Repair Happy Hour
July 29, 2021 17:15 - 51 minutes - 70.9 MBIf "Let's Talk...Home Repair " had been created only to publish this episode, it would be a worthy endeavor. This episode is a little different, but in the best way possible . Alicia and Amy welcome 3 special guests: Susan (Construction Estimator), Shannon (Carpenter) and Kayla (Project Manager) all members of the Amyworks team. Rather than listener questions, this week Alicia masterfully guides the conversation around the challenges facing the workforce in construction trades, and more sp...
15 Deep dive into doors!
July 22, 2021 13:00 - 20 minutes - 28.6 MBEpisode 15 – Deep dive into doors! Our latest episode explores the world of doors, DADUs and disposals. Amy kicks things off by sharing an exciting new project for AmyWorks, a DADU (Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit)! She clears up some misconceptions about the trending living space. Alicia and Amy then take a deep dive into the surprisingly complex world of doors. Which material should your exterior door be constructed from or does it matter? How about your interior doors? Is it somethin...
14 "Earn and Learn" Special Guest Courtney Gebhart
July 15, 2021 13:00 - 34 minutes - 47.8 MBAlicia and Amy welcome special guest Courtney Gebhart of Blue Sound Construction to announce a brand new training opportunity from Seattle Colleges. Courtney has created a new micropathway that she refers to as an "earn and learn" trade program to get more people into residential construction carpentry. Students hired by industry partners (like AmyWorks) will receive on the job education as well as standard in the classroom learning. At the completion of this 12-month program, students will ...
13 Special Guest Coonoor Behal -“Outsource that Sh*t”
July 08, 2021 13:00 - 37 minutes - 51.8 MBAmy and Alicia welcome Coonoor Behal, entrepreneur, author, and recent client of AmyWorks. Coonoor talks about her roots, going back to rural Ohio and heading to the big city on the east coast as soon as she was old enough and now living in Seattle for the past 5 years or so. Coonoor has a small business, Mindhatch LLC (www.mindhatchllc.com) where she does innovation and creativity consulting with businesses and non-profits. Mindhatch also offers a new improv application for diversity, equi...
12 The Leaking Sink Saga
July 01, 2021 13:00 - 29 minutes - 40.4 MBEpisode 12 – The Leaking Sink Saga This week on Let's Talk...Home Repair! Amy recalls a dripping sink mystery and repair saga. The story reminds us all that sometimes even professionals with the hands-on know-how can run into time-consuming issues. Amy and Alicia reiterate the need for seasonal maintenance and give us a great list for the summertime: 1) Leaky faucet? Address it! 2) Check under all sinks for signs of a possible leak. 3) Clean your dryer vent using a vent cleaning brus...
11 Deep Dive: Refinishing a basement
June 24, 2021 13:00 - 38 minutes - 53.4 MBEpisode 11: Deep dive into basement remodeling. · Update on AmyWorks’ master bath remodel that entailed taking a closet and incorporating it into expanding the bathroom. · Alicia and Amy talk about turning a rough basement into a finished basement. This includes putting in a bathroom with a sewage ejection pump. · What are the requirements for egress if there’s a bedroom or is it just a playroom? Check the code. · Suggestions for moving or replacing the mechanical co...
10 Special Guest! Selena Fitch - Remodel Designer
June 17, 2021 13:00 - 47 minutes - 65.5 MBAlicia and Amy have an in-depth conversation with Selena Fitch of Fitch Design Company. Selena is an interior designer in the Seattle area that has a design process for her clients from creating drawings to submitting plans for permits. They discuss how the pandemic has affected the remodeling market and homeowners’ desires to make renovations. Also, how the pricing of materials and housing overall has affected homeowners’ decisions on staying in their current house and making drastic change...
09 Tools, Ticks and Trips
June 10, 2021 13:00 - 32 minutes - 45 MBFROM THE FIELD · Talking to Project Manager, Susan, from AmyWorks. Susan talks to us about the lumber prices and how is it affecting the home building and remodeling industry. · A new home built today costs $36,000 more today than the exact same house built a year ago due to the increased lumber costs. · Tariffs, mill closings and Covid…we’re all left wondering when it will start to turn around. · Building and remodeling doesn’t have to cease, just think about material al...
08 Zing Pop or Zing
June 03, 2021 16:00 - 43 minutes - 59.7 MBEpisode 8 (Season 2). Zing Pop or Zing Welcome back! We are now post-Covid (mostly) and starting season 2 of “Let’s Talk…Home Repair”. Client stories: · Amy talks about a recent project where the client had a gurgling plumbing issue when all the repairs were complete. · Amy then shares a sewer story at her home. What does your sewer card show for your home? · Alicia tells us about her kitchen project that was completed during Covid. Home maintenance: · Check out ...
07 It's Like a Rainstick
November 29, 2019 16:00 - 24 minutes - 33.6 MBQuestions from listeners but first one from Amy... Fire extinguisher for your family’s safety... a. Do you have one? b. Do you know where it is? c. How old is it? d. What kind of fires does it extinguish? e. How do you dispose of it if is has expired? Bathroom exhaust fans a. Replace or repair? b. Can a fan be installed in an older home? c. Cleaning Maintenance: Caulking and weatherstripping. Test for drafts on a blustery day using a burning incense. Kerf weatherstrip...
06 Electrical minisode: Be safe and use a power strip!
November 22, 2019 16:00 - 12 minutes - 17.7 MBIn this episode… Alicia and Amy talk about changing a standard light switch to a dimmable light switch and what to think about before embarking on the task. Be safe! Are your light bulbs and/or fixtures rated for a dimmer switch? Be sure of this before changing things up. Alicia gives a tutorial on changing a switch – step by step. Use wire nuts to connect wires securely. Thinking about adding outlets to a room? There are some requirements on how many are allowed. Know the code. Think ...
05 Who Ya Gonna Call?!
November 15, 2019 16:00 - 31 minutes - 43.6 MBWhat we got to talkin' about: Alicia and Amy talk about who to hire to do your seasonal home maintenance for you when you don’t want to do AND where to find them i.e. Nextdoor, Craigslist? If you’ve lived in your home for years and want to know the health of your home or if there are major issues you’re unaware about, hire a home inspector to do a full house inspection. Budgeting for home maintenance projects and how to calculate a good dollar amount to set aside every year. Furnace/HVAC...
04 Listeners' Questions: Decking, gutters and pests
November 08, 2019 16:00 - 21 minutes - 30.1 MBQuestions from listeners What kind of decking is recommended for a deck that seems to need stained or painted nearly every year? Composite decking vs real wood decking ¨ What to do with clogged downspouts? ¨ Amy talks about the result of a client’s misguided downspout. ¨ Ladder safety when cleaning the gutters. Be careful! ¨ Pest problems and what do you do? ¨ Questions about home repair, tools or maintenance? Send them to [email protected]
03 Deep Dive: Basic Tools (and update on cleaning refrigerator coils)
November 01, 2019 16:00 - 25 minutes - 35.1 MBAlicia and Amy tell their stories about cleaning their refrigerator coils Toolbox and tool suggestions for all homeowner! o Toolbox o Multi-bit screwdriver o Wrenches o Drill vs Impact driver o Putty knives o Safety equipment Painting a straight line with caulk – check out this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5JqqAFMGzo Using local tool lending libraries for those tools you may not want to buy or that you’ll only use once or twice.
02 Deep Dive: Hot Water Heaters, Washers and Dryers, OH MY!
October 25, 2019 16:00 - 20 minutes - 18.7 MBFollow-up on hot water tanks. Price and installation costs. Problems with front-loading washing machines and how to tackle them. Performing maintenance on your dryer more than cleaning out the lint basket. Do you need a booster fan for your dryer duct? Alicia’s first dryer story. (wait... there is more than one?!) More problem-solving for your washer and dryer. Electronics, belts, balancing and elements.
01 Let's Talk Home Repair
October 11, 2019 16:00 - 29 minutes - 40.2 MBEpisode 01 Let’s talk home repair - recorded October 10, 2019 Questions for Amy o Replace or repair your garbage disposal? o Repairing a hot water tank and how long do they last. o Alicia tells about her dishwasher fiasco o Email your questions to [email protected] Home maintenance o Clean refrigerator coils. Check out this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgHcsDMbMNs&t=15s Remodeling tips o Is your relationship ready for the chaos? Are you and your partner on the same ...