Repcolite Home Improvement Show

Because it's New Year's Day, we decided to run one of our favorite episodes from the past. Here's our episode on Failure! SEGMENT 1: Backing out of Color Mistakes SEGMENTS 2 and 3: The Invention of the Telegraph SEGMENT 4: Unique Accent Walls

For the first time, we're running a full-blown Christmas special! Merry Christmas, everyone! SEGMENT 1: Family Traditions SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Christmas Traditions from Around the World In these segments, we explore a number of remarkably strange traditions, including a tradition from Spain that you almost have to hear to believe . . . . SEGMENT 4: Christmas Movie Debate What's the Best Christmas movie out there? Is Die Hard REALLY a Christmas film? How does "The Grinch" fare in our opinions? We dig into all of these weighty matters and more....

SEGMENTS 1 and 2: Mel Trotter Ministries In this segment we're on the phone with Beth Fisher and Regina Dix from Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, talking about the homelessness situation and what we can all do. https://www.meltrotter.org/give (Here's the link if you'd like to help out with a donation!) SEGMENT 3: Last Minute Gifts Every year around this time, we sit down with Jeff Rietveld from Out of the Box Games, Toys, and Puzzles to get his take on the best games for the season. Here's the 2021 list! https://ootbgames.com/ (Find more info about Out of the Box here!) SEGMENT 4: Christmas Contest Finale Today we dole out the last 4 clues in our Christmas Scavenger Hunt. https://www.repcolite.com/2021-christmas-sweepstakes/ (Find the Entry Form here!) https://bistrobellavita.com/ (More info about Bistro Bella Vita)

SEGMENT 1: To Flush or Not to Flush? Flushing the hot water heater is a common recommendation when you peruse DIY forums. However . . . there are a couple things to consider before you jump into that seemingly simple DIY project. SEGMENT 2: Miracle Dryer Balls Hailey is dealing with a lot of static electricity at home--especially in the laundry. And she's stumbled on a simple laundry room item that may help! https://www.amazon.com/SnugPad-Dryer-Natural-Fabric-Softener/dp/B074PFTJTZ/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?keywords=dryer+balls&qid=1639145319&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExSFhXSFkyV09IVUk3JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDE5OTM2Sk42SFZDTjBOQVNFJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxNjQ4MjkyNVlZWjhXMlRYSkNFJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== (Check these Wool Dryer Balls out here!) SEGMENT 3: Wood Staining Tips As we discuss in the segment, stains are sensitive! And by that, we mean the final color of any particular on wood stain is determined by more than just the

SEGMENT 1: The Hot Water Heater Fiasco Hot water heaters don't last forever! And when they go . . . well, they really can go! Dan's 10 year old hot water heater burst on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and in about 30 minutes the 1/2 the basement had an inch of water over the floor. On the show, we dug into some of the lessons learned . . . and really, it's all about being prepared. Here are some ideas (and these work for ANY water-related fiasco): Know how to shut down your water heater in case of an emergency Locate the water shut off valves and make your whole family aware Get a good wet/dry vac and a submersible pump (if you don't have a sump pump pit) If you don't have a "go-to" plumber now, find one . . . when you don't have an emergency SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Quick Holiday Transformations There's not a ton of time left before Christmas and New Year's, so we didn't want to dig into all kinds of huge paint projects. Instead, we decided to focus on some quick transformations for you home. SEGMENT 4: Christmas

SEGMENT 1: Surfactant Leaching Surfactant leaching is a somewhat common issue in newly painted bathrooms with high humidity. It can look TERRIBLE on your walls . . . but it's easy to take care of! SEGMENTS 2-4: Home Repair Services Home Repair Services is an organization in Kent County that we feel everyone needs to know about! We'll do our best as we spend three segments talking with Executive Director, Joel Ruiter.

SEGMENT 1: The Wishbone's Strange History We all know the Thanksgiving tradition of two people pulling apart the wishbone to see who gets the wish . . . but do you know where this strange tradition comes from? Tune in to find out! SEGMENT 2: Holiday Survival Guide Whether you're a person who enjoys big Holiday gatherings or not, they can be a little stressful. We put together a Holiday Survival Gide that is sure to make family gatherings more enjoyable for both hosts and guests. SEGMENTS 3 and 4: Brilliant Gift Recommendations This is our 5th Annual Gift Guide and Dan is trying desperately to "win". Sadly, he comes up short again . . . . Gifts for the Whole Family Hailey: https://www.meijergardens.org/membership/ (Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park Family Membership) Dan: Home Theater (you can do it well AND cheaper than you may think!) https://www.amazon.com/YABER-V6-Bluetooth-Projector-1920×1080P/dp/B08HLLQV1J/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=yaber+projector+y6&qid=1636726622&qsid=144-1723617-6692443&am

SEGMENT 1: Holiday Cleaning Tips The Holidays are closing in and those of us who are hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas parties are starting to pull our homes together for guests. If cleaning is a big "To-Do" on your list, we've got some tips for getting some key areas in your home sparkling! And here are links to the cleaners we mentioned: https://www.amazon.com/Zep-Heavy-Duty-Cleaner-ZUCITCA24-Restaurant/dp/B07ZG5TQNQ/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=zep+heavy+duty+degreaser&qid=1636723177&qsid=136-7744912-9048309&sr=8-5&sres=B079ZJQ7ZK%2CB07X3X1RQJ%2CB07ZG5TQNQ%2CB07TK3WVF1%2CB00D8OLMI4%2CB07P5WDKN9%2CB08Q1RDMB8%2CB0013B1Y0U%2CB079ZP5TCN%2CB00FQT5SIO%2CB001PNEVK6%2CB07WK89K45%2CB00999HUL0%2CB00CLVC414%2CB00RAQENBY%2CB07R921BJW&srpt=CLEANING_AGENT (Zep Heavy Duty Degreaser) https://www.amazon.com/Method-Heavy-Degreaser-Cleaner-Lemongrass/dp/B08BM2BMYH/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=method+heavy+duty+degreaser&qid=1636723211&qsid=136-7744912-9048309&sr=8-3&sres=B06ZZF3FV2%2CB08BM2BMYH%2CB093DWRGV

SEGMENT 1: Paint Hack Attack Life hacks are all over the internet! And many of them are just terrible ideas . . . . One "paint hack from the pros" that we ran across involved pounding holes in the rim of your paint can. We talk about why that's such a bad idea. SEGMENT 2: Color of the Year 2022 Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year for 2022 is October Mist. It's a great color that "plays nice" with so many other colors! It's easy to work with and might be something to consider as you plan your next paint project. https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/color-overview/color-palettes/color-of-the-year-2022 (Benjamin Moore Color Trends 2022) SEGMENT 3: Tablescapes Made Easy Putting together a centerpiece for your holiday table is easy. You just have to start with a few basic concepts and work from there! SEGMENT 4: Avoiding Scams It's pretty much always "Scam Season". We've all run into them from time to time and some of us have been hooked and taken for a ride. We talk about some current scams going on in the Holland

Segment 1: The Best Leaf Tarp When you have a lot of leaves to deal with in the fall, you get creative! You look for new solutions everywhere. Well, I stumbled into what I think is the best leaf tarp out there. And it's actually a dump truck tarp. We'll tell you why we like it so much. https://www.amazon.com/Truck-Vinyl-Coated-Tarps-Pocket/dp/B0178J6IYC/ref=sr_1_7?crid=14F1ZG1I1KRBL&dchild=1&keywords=dump+truck+tarp&qid=1635513793&qsid=136-7744912-9048309&sprefix=dump+truck+tarp%2Caps%2C322&sr=8-7&sres=B0029WA6XS%2CB07ZPDSK68%2CB0178J6IYC%2CB07MD6CXB9%2CB085WD218T%2CB085HCXPQB%2CB07N96GHMN%2CB082J61KGK%2CB01MCYNASC%2CB07ND2HVV2%2CB07THQYZTW%2CB07N95VFZS%2CB08G2YPMXW%2CB0973DH1HW%2CB085RHWYV3%2CB07ND3GWGY%2CB081CBM1LG%2CB085DBXGY1%2CB07ND2J1KD%2CB07QWMQ9WJ&srpt=TARP (Here's the tarp we were referencing) Segment 2: 10 Minutes with Your Refrigerator Our refrigerators don't ask for much! But one thing we can do to possibly extend their life is to periodically clean the condenser co

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This episode, we explore the concept of failure. So often we fear it and do everything to avoid it . . . but it's part of life! And it's part of every great endeavor. But, not every instance of failure or complication we encounter should be handled in exactly the same way.... SEGMENT 1: Backing out of Color Mistakes When choosing colors, most of us put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into making the right choice! But even then . . . sometimes when we roll the new paint onto the walls, we wonder if we've made the right call! If you've ever been in that situation and have worried you made the wrong "color call" . . . here are a few considerations: FIRST: Colors change as they dry down — sometimes dramatically - so give the paint time to dry before you react too quickly! SECOND: Colors are affected by our surroundings! If the wall is a different color, and you view the new color framed with that older color, your impression of your new color may not be accurate at all. You may need to paint an entire section, c

SEGMENT 1: Instagram Contest SEGMENT 2: Supporting the Arts in Grand Rapids with Lions and Rabbits SEGMENT 3: Drill Bits 101 SEGMENT 4: The History of Trim

SEGMENT 1: Escape Rooms Out of the Box Games and Toys is a gem of West Michigan! They have an AMAZING selection of unique games and toys. The Zeeland location has something extra special we needed to experience for ourselves...an Escape Room! Learn about what an escape room entails and if we made it out in time! https://ootbgames.com (Out of the Box) has 3 locations. Find them in Kentwood, Zeeland and Holland.  The Zeeland Location is the only store with Escape Rooms. These rooms can hold 6-12 people depending on which room you choose. They also vary in difficulty and are friendly for a variety of ages and skill levels.  Escape Rooms are designed around a theme and require you to work as a team to solve the puzzles and riddles in order to make it out. SEGMENT 2: Unusual Trim Colors Usually the first color that comes to mind when painting trim is "white" but we want to challenge that convention. Using a color other than white on trim can actually be the best of both worlds. We discuss when / whe

Segments 1 & 2: Art Appreciation 101 ArtPrize is back for it’s 10th year! We discuss the process of viewing art and ways to create a better connection with what is in front of us. We encourage everyone to go out and enjoy the events and festivities.  https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-long-people-spend-art-museums (How Long Do People Really Spend Looking at Art in Museums) https://www.artprize.org (Artprize) https://www.meijergardens.org/calendar/member-opening-vlm/ (The Sword in the Sphinx) Segment 3: Dealing with Grubs Innocent looking problems in the yard can turn out to be a whole lot of yuck. Are those brown patches of grass pointing to a bigger problem? Find out what to look for and how to fix it.  https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/how_to_choose_and_when_to_apply_grub_control_products_for_your_lawn (How to Choose and When to Apply Grub Control Products to Your Yard ) https://tomlinsonbomberger.com/blog/how-late-can-i-put-down-grub-control/ (How Late Can I Put Down Grub Control) http

Due to a bit of a crazy week, we ended up handpicking some of our favorite segments from the past! SEGMENTS 1 and 2: Composting 101 Fall is on the way and it's the perfect time to start composting! If you've never tried your hand at this, check out these segments. We've got all the info you need to jump in with confidence! SEGMENT 3: The Fireplace Paint Job The fireplace in my home is composed of 80's brick. You know the look. It's dark, it's overpowering . . . it's dated. Well, we painted it and the results are amazing. It's a project EVERYONE can tackle . . . but there are a few things you'll want to know. We cover all of that! SEGMENT 4: Refrigerator Makeover This is an unusual one, but every now and then, someone asks! The question? Can I paint my refrigerator? Of course! We'll tell you how....

Segments 1 and 2: The Arctic Tern Project We speak with James Van't Slot about a major DIY project he undertook a number of years back: building a sailboat! https://goo.gl/photos/DSrhFBAvPVaA4bPK9 (Click here if you'd like to check out the images James captured during every step of the project!) Segment 3: Renovation Loans with Stockton Mortgage Amanda Lehman from Stockton Mortgage gets us all up to speed on a loan that could help you snag your dream home! Segment 4: Solo Stove and RepcoLite's September Contest We're heading into fall and that means campfires! If you've never heard of a Solo Stove Fire Pit before, we highlight the main reasons you'll want on. Number one on the list? It's smokeless! On top of that, we talk about a new contest that will run in all of our stores this September, giving you a chance to win one!

SEGMENT 1: Safety First Dan rips his pants...and to put it all behind him we recount a few stories that might help you slow down. We are all guilty of rushing and not taking proper safety precautions...but is it worth it? SEGMENT 2: Dealing with Paint Shortages Product shortages are the never ending story right now in almost every industry. We are joined by Kevin Herman; Benjamin Moore Territory Rep to get the scoop on what we are experiencing in the paint industry. We will leave you with a few things to keep in mind during your next visit. SEGMENT 3: Home Buying Hope Hailey got a house! It’s been months of searching but it’s finally happened. We go through her house buying journey and what she learned along the way. If you are looking or thinking about looking for a house these tips might help. SEGMENT 4: The Order of Decorating Whether you are decorating an entire house or just a room, the task can be daunting. The trick that can help you is; working “in order”. Many of us paint first but there are some

https://www.repcolite.com/episode-226-unfinished-business-painting-vinyl-floors-touch-up-science-stud-finders (CLICK HERE FOR THIS EPISODE'S SHOW NOTES) SEGMENT 1: Unfinished Business We have made some promises over the year and we haven’t forgotten! Learn weather that raving review of EGO Lawn Equipment has stood the test time. Plus an extra tip that we forgot to include in the camera as a tool segment. SEGMENT 2: Painting Vinyl Floors I've seen more and more pictures on instagram and pinterest showing painted vinyl and linoleum floors in kitchens and bathrooms. It’s a simple project with a huge impact especially if you have a limited budget. However, it’s not a perfect solution, tune in to learn what they don't show on instagram.  SEGMENT 3: Touch-up Paint Recently we had a listener reach out about touching up paint in her living room. She used the same color and finish but the touch up paint did not blend in and she was back at square one. Learn what you can do now that will save you from the same fa

https://www.repcolite.com/Episode-225:-Rotting-Lunchbox-Story,-Fireplace-Makeover,-Window-Treatment-Bloopers (CLICK HERE FOR THIS EPISODE'S SHOW NOTES) SEGMENT 1: Rotting Lunchbox Story I am sure now is the time we are going through school supplies, backpacks and lunch boxes to sort the chaos that came home the last day of school.  Some of us may be discovering there was a lunch box with a truly disgusting surprise. If you find yourself in that situation...there are some tools that might save the day. SEGMENTS 2 and 3: Fireplace Makeover Painting a brick fireplace is a big commitment but it also makes a giant impact on a space. We have talked about projects like this in the past so we decided to tackle it ourselves and LOVE the results. Tune in to hear about what we learned after we started painting and what tools you need to avoid our mistakes. SEGMENT 4: Window Treatment Bloopers Judy Cisler from Gotcha Covered custom window treatments joins us in the studio to discuss some famous mistakes people hav