Electrical Innovations & Memorable Gift Ideas Print

(Tip from a listener, Jose on a question from last segment: Some utility companies will come out & check your water pressure for free, so verify that before you spend any money)

Callers:

• Mike - His oranges are not turning color yet and he's concerned he did something wrong.

Recommendation - Most of the fruit is not ready yet, so he has no reason to worry. Just wait a few more weeks.

• Sue - She found large green caterpillar's all over her fruit trees and she thinks what they are but doesn't know how to get rid of them?

Recommendation - This has been a big year for caterpillar's around the valley. There are several options for treating them, including B.T. or a product called, spinosad.

Callers:

• Carla - She's always wanted to start a garden and needs some guidance for her situation.

Recommendation - Start small! Build a raised bed out of Belgard Pavers from Superlite that's easy to work in that's about 4x4 foot that holds up to 16 plants. Fill the space with "Mel's Mix" soil and get to work! 

We interview Jennifer from the city of Scottsdale on a new pamphlet from, Water Use It Wisely.  Help find common leaks around your home.

• Use this guide and stop wasting water!
• We take a letter from a listener and investigate leaks at their home!
• Check out the interactive games for kids, here.

Caller:

• Adam - He recently got chickens and wants advice on starting a compost pile from the waste for his garden.

Recommendation - Jay breaks down the simple process and all the options based on his yard size.  Mixture is key and turning it at the appropriate times.

Caller:

• Beth - She has several blackberry bush and says she's a "lucky gardener, not a good gardener."  She wants to know when she should prune them?

Recommendation - You can be pretty severe with blackberries. The best time to do that is between now and Christmas.

• Bill - His honeysuckle the leaves are turning yellow and he's concerned he's doing something wrong.  Do we know what's happening?

Recommendation - It sounds like he's over-watering, common problem here in Arizona. Turn that timer way down after the summer. (About a 1/4 of what you use during summer months)

If you need plants for you yard or gardening tips before the holidays, visit Jay at Harper's Nursery and Landscaping Company!

The Mighty Electricians join us to talk about new electrical innovations!

Before you work on ANY electrical components around your home, you need to verify and correctly label everything in your main electrical panel.

• The guys break down the process of re-labeling your breaker box, so it's accurate.
• We share common problems with older homes.
• Safe ways to upgrade older homes so it's safe.
• If electricity scares you at all, step back!!!! & call an electrician!

Romey's Digital Newsroom:

• Beatrice - her home has metal siding and wants to know what kind of paint she should use?

Recommendation - Dale Wade from PPG Paints says prep is the key and primer is the most important step. There is no paint specifically made for metal. If you want to save BIG $$$ on paint, click here for a coupon for Rosie listener's.

• Richard - He has a 12 year old garage door with a broken spring. Should he replace one or do both?

Recommendation - Darrel from A-Authentic Garage  recommends doing both. If one broke, the 2nd is usually right behind. Also, if you replace one, the warranty is only good for one year. If you do both, you get a 5 year warranty.

We talk with John & John from the Mighty Electricians about new innovations in electrical components, like the GFI with a built-in light, and what you might run into while you do the work:

• What if you find an old metal electric boxes?
• What about older wiring with the green ground wire run to the outlet?
• Quick connect makes it easy to put extra wires in place safely.

Callers:

• Frank - The burners on his electric stove aren't working and he wants to know if it's worth replacing the burner or should he just buy a new stove?

Recommendation - Call an appliance repair company. This doesn't sound like an electrical issue and fixing the stove should be cheaper than buying an entirely new appliance.

• Don - His home has aluminum wiring and wants to know if he can mix the new copper wiring in his home or if he should re-wire his whole home?

Recommendation - This is a common issue and converting to copper pigtails and we talk through the process to verify what you've got and it's safe.

**We share common problems and how to upgrade safely.

Sign Up for the Sanderson Ford Arizona Staycation, here!

Win a chance to stay at the Copper Queen Hotel and a gift pack from our partners, the Cactus Candy Company! 

Callers:

• Bob - He has a question about getting an out building wired with electricity without conduit?

Recommendation - There are lots of rules and it does not sound safe. It's very unlikely this will meet code. Buried wire and conduit are usually required. Call the Mighty Electricians at 602-421-3095!

*We continue our discussion from last segment about wiring out buildings. This is a very common issue with homeowner's installing electricity that is both unsafe and won't meet code.

*Tip from John; Don't ever turn off the MAIN breaker to your home unless it's an emergency. In the desert, a lot of panels won't turn back on and will be a costly fix.

REMEMBER!  IF ELECTRICITY SCARES YOU, DON'T WORK ON IT!!

If you have more electrical questions or need work done at your home, call The Mighty Electricians at 480-854-2005.

Create a Memorable Christmas Gift This Year!

We talk with Patrick Jones from Rockler Woodworking and Hardware for tips and suggestions on creating a lifetime memory for the holidays this year.

• Patrick Shares their company story that starts in Minnesota.
• They've been in Arizona for 16 years!
• What they offer....Tools, Materials and classes.
• If you're not near a store, visit them online here.

Even a simple project creates a lifetime memory and we share a few stories from the crew and Mr. Jones. No one remembers a gadget after a few years. They WILL remember if you took the time to build something personal. 

(Clock Kits are very easy to build and creates a unique personal gift, Use fun wood from Porter Barn Wood!)

*Rosie shares his successful gift idea from a few years back; a personalized oversize cutting board.

*Download building plans from Rockler, here.

We list all of the different kits and plans that might help guide you when it comes to building a unique gift for Christmas this year.

Caller:

• Bill - No question....he shares what he did for his children. He built a cradle for each of his grandchildren and how they are being handed down through the generations. He's just starting to refinish them for great-grandchildren now.

(Bill gets it! These gifts create memories)

**Think about creating a gift for the outside too!

How about building a guitar?!?  Buy a kit and it's easier than you think. FUN!!!

Tip: Using exotic woods adds to it's uniqueness and sometimes inspire the actual project.

Other Ideas for the Not so Handy Woodworker:

• Create a family Calender for the whole family with photos & birthdays for everyone.
• Jennifer & Rosie loved the advent calendar their daughter, Rachel made for them.

Caller:

•  Janet - She shares a gift her husband built for their grandchildren and how much they mean all these years later. A rocking horse and a snow sled he built with the kids. (The time spent together is invaluable..lifelong memories)

*Have a Veteran in the family? How about customized gifts honoring their service?

*Creating a pen requires a lathe, but once you've got the tools you can create all kinds of fun projects.

*How about giving your skills away for the holidays? Fix up Grandma's cabinets! (Or yours before the in-laws arrive)

*Paint sprayers save time and make for great transformations.

Caller:

• Jim - He had a relative build an oak crib for his daughter and now it's a crib for his grand-daughter.

Recommendation - This is exactly why we brought this up today! It'll be special and handed down through generations!

*Rosie's gonna buy a lathe so he can build a duck call for the grand-kids!

*We share tips on applying glue for projects. Staining over glue is a nightmare.

Caller:

• Charles - He has an idea for listener's. His wife makes pyrography. This is probably  not for the novice woodworker, but a very cool gift idea. 

Thanks to Patrick Rockler Woodworking & Hardware for joining us today!

Join Rosie On The House Every Saturday Morning from 8 to 11!!!