Fix It 101

Knowing where the essential valves and switches in your home is very important. This piece of information is the difference between a little bit of water from a busted pipe or $50,000 in repair cost from a flooded home. As Pam, Jeff, and Jason talk about these shut-off valves a rare conversation about Jeff's record collection comes to the forefront and takes things in a totally new direction. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Getting organized for the new year is great to tackle during this weird time for the seasons here in Mississippi. You have plenty of time to tackle inside organizing before the outside of your house starts calling your name. Today on the show, in between talking about microbial growth, finding the right contractor, and set-n-forget it sprays, we share tips for hanging new cabinets and shelves. Getting organized is better when everything has a space to call home. Let's work! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

With a few weeks between live shows, it is only right that one of our hosts comes to the back with a remodeled kitchen. What else would a handyman do with so much time off? Now that Jason, Pam, and Jeff are back together to answer another round of home improvement questions they also share the reasons "new" does not always mean "best". See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The new year is here and now is the time to plan your year of home improvement. As the saying goes, “Rome was not built in a day”. If you start now and plan your fixes or improvements, it will not seem like a rush job when it is time to do the work. Pam, Jeff, and Jason are all back for the first handyman hangout session of the year. After catching up on Pam's holiday ramp build and Jason's shower fix, they dive into one of Jeff's favorite topics, the tankless water heater. Let's work! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The year known as 2020 is ending, and if you want to start the new year off in the right direction, now is the time to plan your 2021 DIY projects out. The holidays are a great time to take an inventory of your home spot the places you want to change.On this edition of Fix It 101 Jason and Pam answer your DIY questions about repurposed doors, leaky roofs, and explain the difference between drill bits and the materials they are made of. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Most homeowners do not think of insurance until it's time to file a claim. So today, Fix It 101 brings homeowners insurance front and center with agent Spencer Radcliff from the Rusty Healy Agency. He along with Pam, Jeff, and Jason talk about coverage options, the always crafty flood insurance policy, and which deductible is right for you. Also, the handyman hangout answers your general home improvement questions. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It is December in Mississippi and the weather is just perfect for any home improvement projects you can think of. Today on the show Pam, Jeff, and Jason field calls about the proper way to remodel older homes, reangling doors, and removing excess moisture from a house. They also discuss the proper uses for a sawzall and share timely tips to keep your home nice and toasty all winter long. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The holiday season is here and most DIYers would love to have to have something new and shiny under the tree. Today Jason shares a few gift ideas for the handyperson in your life and reveals to a callers that some of the best american made tools are from Mississippi. Also on todays show Pam and Jeff help answer general home improvement questions about freezing pipes, crawl spaces, and patio options. And as always a listener calls in and gives the handyman hangout a very timely tip. Let's work! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The handyman hangout was closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, but we did not want to leave you empty handed. Here is a look back at some of our favorite and most interesting calls we have received throughout the year. From critters to cabinets and Jeff's distain for a garbage disposal this edition of Fix It 101 brings together a true reflection of the show. Sound advice, funny exchanges, and lots of DIY spirit. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Every Fix It 101 show is "supposed" to have a theme or topic of focus. But often times we get an early call that will swing the show into another direction. With Jeff Salmons returning to the show after his coastal duties, we welcome Todd Sandridge from Superior Foundation Services to talk about home foundation problems. Yet after one hot water heater question, we quickly had a change in plans. We did manage to talk with Todd about a few common foundation problems found in the state, but for most of the program hot water heaters are the star of the show. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Every home improvement project does not go as planned. Sometimes they really can turn into a true nightmare. First, Jason shares a story about when a simple fix turned into a very expensive mistake. Next, Pam shares her nightmare situation that includes a bathroom, a water shut off valve and a claw footed tub. Also throughout the show they give (and get) advice about foundation repair, exterior painting, and other home issues. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For this special "Drive Time" edition of Fix It 101 we call on our good friend,Andrew Hitchcock from Fondren Small Engine Repair. He shares tips about properly storing your lawnmower for the winter and.the usual suspects answer your home improvement emails.To show your support for Fix it 101 and MPB Think Radio visit our website, MPBonline.org or call 1-888-372-4483. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On this edition of Fix It 101 we welcome back Timmy McClendon from A/C Remedies. A regular guest to the program he sits in while Jeff Salmons is out again. As an A/C guy he has a unique perspective on this time of year when temperatures are cooling off and air conditioners are not being used as heavily. He, Pam, and Jason tackle another round of home improvement questions and gets a big thumbs up from a listener at the end of the program. Let's work! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sed Bledsoe of Fireplace Chimney Sweep Solutions wants your chimney to stay clean, but does not want you to get dirty during the process. Not an easy diy job, but there are tips that can keep your chimney healthy and ready for your next winter fire. Throughout the show Pam and Jason answer your diy questions and hear from Sed about chimney and lint trap cleaning. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

To store or not to store? That is the question when it comes to attic space. Jeff is so much against using attic as storage that it ranks next to garbage disposals on his "Why would you do this?" list. So when a caller ask for advice about this situation there is really only one answer that will suffice. Also after another round of home improvement advice from Pam, Jeff, and Jason we also hear how a recent car buying experience left Jason wanting a more unrefined experience. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hurricane season is going strong and one of the biggest concerns is flooding, especially for low lying areas. Today on the show we share tips for dealing with flood waters and how to enter a home after taking on lots of water. Pam, Jeff, and Jason also lend their advice to caller who is having flooring issues in an one hundred year old home. Plus Jason shares a few reason why floating shelves require a stud finder. Let's work!CDC Guidelines for Reentering a Flooded Home See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Labor Day has past, and we are now on the other side of summer looking toward fall in your home. The cooler temps,  the leaves falling from the trees, and whole new set of maintenance items. So today we work through a few emails that speak to this time of year and take a look at somethings every new homeowner should do after completing the sale. Also at the end of the show Jeff helps a caller by explaining why constructing a wheelchair ramp properly (the first time) is so important. Links discussed during this episode:Mississippi State Board of Contractors Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On Fix It 101 we encourage DIY solutions when appropriate but sometimes the job calls for a certified contractor. The Mississippi Housing Institute provides education, both online and classroom courses to keep contractors certified here in the state of Mississippi. Today we speak with executive director of the MS Housing Institute, Kim Jent about their programs and why hiring certified builders and re-modelers helps everyone involved with the industry. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hurricane Marco and Laura have created less than favorable conditions for Mississippi and our neighbors in the Gulf. With many storms things are often unpredictable and here at Fix It 101 we want to make sure you are prepared. On this episode we tell you what FEMA suggest everyone should have in their emergency kits and where you can find certified contractors that are always in high demand after a storm. Also Pam, Jeff, and Jason answer another round of home improvement questions about vinyl floors, mold, and more. Let's work!Online Resources for Mississippi Certified Contractors:www.msboc.us - Mississippi State Board of Contractorswww.cpbms.com - Mississippi Housing Institute See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This year with social distancing and shelter in place orders our homes have been put through the ringer. With not many places to go every crack seems bigger, every squeak sounds louder, and the home improvement stores are doing better than ever for those reasons. On this episode of Fix It 101 Pam, Jeff, & Jason give advice about buying a whole home generator, helping a rotting deck, and the best screen room material options. Let's work! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.