Are Govee Wi-Fi Water Sensors really waterproof? I don’t have high powered jets to duplicate the test for the IP66 waterproof rating, but I CAN test it against some real potential scenarios (so you don’t have to learn the hard way with your sensors).

WHERE TO FIND REVIEWS & PRICES:
○ Govee (direct) - https://govee.sjv.io/bay6Rg --this month (March) there is an additional code you can enter for a 10% discount
○ Amazon - https://amzn.to/3tP1lkO

Fair warning, Govee released a newer version since this video was released. You can check the v2 version here: https://govee.sjv.io/LXYBDV --I just bought it (Dec 2023) an unboxing/review is coming soon.

NEXT VIDEOS:
○ Leak Sensors Comparison - Coming Soon
○ The BEST Location for a Water Sensor - https://youtu.be/-243KuFB94o

DISCLAIMER / HONESTY POLICY: The links in this description are affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. You are not obligated to do so, but it does fund these videos in hopes of helping you protect your home and there is no additional charge to you.

COME SAY HI!
○ Blog: https://www.justneedspaint.com/
○ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justneedspaint/
○ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/justneedspaint
○ Subscribe (video every Friday): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0N25mGNkqUYS0AjfkoraUw?sub_confirmation=1

Optimizing leak sensor placement so #1 a leak is caught faster and #2 you don’t accidentally killing a sensor if a leak occurs.

WHERE TO FIND REVIEWS & PRICES:
○ Govee Wi-Fi Leak Sensor (direct) - https://govee.sjv.io/bay6Rg --this month (March) there is an additional code you can enter for a 10% discount
○ Govee Wi-Fi Leak Sensor on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3tP1lkO
○ GoveeLife Water Leak Detector 2 (direct) - https://govee.sjv.io/LXYBDV
○ GoveeLife Water Leak Detector 2 on Amazon - https://amzn.to/48TiY2e
○ Phyn Smart Water Sensor - https://www.phyn.com/smart-water-sensor/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=margaretr
○ Resideo RWD21 Reusable Water Leak Alarm - https://amzn.to/3Irltxi
○ My little sensor is from XtremeMats and came with my under sink mat, but for the price, I’d get FloodBuzz if I needed this style leak alarm: https://amzn.to/3P6qb7L

NEXT VIDEOS:
○ Leak Sensors Comparison - Coming Soon
○ What is a Sink Mat & Comparison - https://youtu.be/wGpcGULa71Q

DISCLAIMER / HONESTY POLICY: The links in this description are affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. You are not obligated to do so, but it does fund these videos in hopes of helping you protect your home and there is no additional charge to you.

COME SAY HI!
○ Blog: https://www.justneedspaint.com/
○ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justneedspaint/
○ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/justneedspaint
○ Subscribe (video every Friday): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0N25mGNkqUYS0AjfkoraUw?sub_confirmation=1

Checking out the GoveeLife Water Leak Detector 2 which includes a gateway and 4 leak sensors. Sharing the unboxing as well as possible problems in the setup process.

WHERE TO FIND REVIEWS & PRICES:
○ Govee (direct) - https://govee.sjv.io/LXYBDV
○ Amazon - https://amzn.to/48TiY2e

NEXT VIDEOS:
○ Govee 2 Sensor Review - Coming Soon
○ Govee v1 vs v2 - Coming Later
○ Leak Sensors Comparison - Coming After That

DISCLAIMER / HONESTY POLICY: The links in this description are affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. You are not obligated to do so, but it does fund these videos in hopes of helping you protect your home and there is no additional charge to you.

COME SAY HI!
○ Blog: https://www.justneedspaint.com/
○ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justneedspaint/
○ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/justneedspaint
○ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0N25mGNkqUYS0AjfkoraUw?sub_confirmation=1

Sharing what happened to my second Phyn Plus 2nd Gen device this last year and why I have a Phyn Plus plumbing blank on the house...again.

The journey started with a pin hole leak in the copper plumbing under our slab foundation. We installed Flo Technology's Flo device in April of 2019. The switch was made from Flo to Phyn in November of 2021 and I have been testing Flo and Phyn devices ever since.

RELATED PLAYLIST:
○ Leak Detection - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?alist=PLzio78R2Y1xnNOr1Hv2UCVAZsWF0X-S2L

OUR GO-TO PLUMBING LEAK DEBUGGING/PREVENTION PRODUCTS:
○ Cheap, Yet Effective Water Pressure Gauge - https://amzn.to/3iX50Sz
○ Favorite Under Sink Mat - WeatherTech SinkMat: https://amzn.to/46B3vn1
○ Favorite Wi-Fi Leak Alarm (at this point due to price and not having a whole house water monitor) Govee Wi-Fi Water Sensor 3 Pack: compare prices on Govee (direct) - https://govee.sjv.io/bay6Rg and Amazon - https://amzn.to/3tP1lkO
○ Aquor’s House Hydrant - https://amzn.to/3fmeSTX
○ Project Camera: V3 Wyze Cam - https://amzn.to/3dvctHV with this economical SD card https://amzn.to/2PvxxG9 and it has an outdoor rating with the special outdoor rated cord: https://amzn.to/3KFcrNF

DISCLAIMER: The links in this description may be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. You are not obligated to do so, but it does fund these videos in hopes of helping you protect your home and there is no additional charge to you.

COME SAY HI!

Blog: https://www.justneedspaint.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justneedspaint/
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/justneedspaint

Checking out the Govee WiFi Water Sensor 3 Pack. Sharing the unboxing as well as a hiccup in the setup process.

WHERE TO FIND REVIEWS & PRICES:
○ Govee (direct) - https://govee.sjv.io/bay6Rg
○ Amazon - https://amzn.to/3tP1lkO

NEXT VIDEOS:
○ Leak Sensors Comparison - Coming Soon
○ Govee Sensor Review - Coming Soon

DISCLAIMER / HONESTY POLICY: The links in this description are affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. You are not obligated to do so, but it does fund these videos in hopes of helping you protect your home and there is no additional charge to you.

COME SAY HI!
○ Blog: https://www.justneedspaint.com/
○ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justneedspaint/
○ Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/justneedspaint
○ Subscribe (video every Friday): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0N25mGNkqUYS0AjfkoraUw?sub_confirmation=1

A countertop overhang guide: Real numbers. Real design decisions. Real examples (kitchen & bathroom countertops!).

How much countertop overhang is best for your project depends on many factors:
○ Door thickness.
○ If the cabinet doors are inset.
○ If there is a lip on the countertop.
○ The profile on the countertop.
○ Any other surrounding items (doorways, door swing, wall shape) that may dictate a different measurement.

NEXT VIDEOS:
○ Should You Use Flat Pebble Mosaic on a Shower Floor? - https://youtu.be/uHJX81Ifs_U
○ Preview Your Shower Storage [FREE & NO REGRETS] - https://youtu.be/-E9wCXumBns
○ How to Choose the BEST Shower Squeegee [DROP TEST] - https://youtu.be/hhArFIt9Qho
○ Should You Install a Shower Niche in an Exterior Wall? - https://youtu.be/QFPLl1I8GDc
○ How to Choose the BEST Shower Curb Top - https://youtu.be/OcfL9WIbecg
○ Prefab Backsplash as a Shower Curb Top? - https://youtu.be/vJxXzUJc6bg

COME SAY HI!
Blog: https://www.justneedspaint.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justneedspaint/
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/justneedspaint

This video covers stripping old layers of paint off a front door. The specific door in the video is a fiberglass door. These same methods can be applied to other types of exterior doors such as wood and metal where you are concerned about the finish surface.

As for the tools and materials involved...I did some comparison shopping. Here are the best prices as of 6/3/2020 just comparing between Amazon and Home Depot (all affiliate links, but hey, this is where I spend my money too!):

Materials:
* Max Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper: https://amzn.to/37ZITW1
* Denatured Alcohol: https://amzn.to/2Y1TuwP --you probably won't need a gallon even if you are at the stripping paint off the door stage, but if you think you do, check out Home Depot instead: https://homedepot.sjv.io/eYM9r

Tools:
* Paint Remover Tool: Home Depot: in-store only if it is available https://homedepot.sjv.io/Y7MdO or Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YnwOaD
* Plastic to cover the paint stripper. A garbage bag will do if you don't have fancy rolls of 3mm or 6mm plastic.
* Shop Cloths / old t-shirt
* Gloves
* Goggles
* Your elbow grease
* Patience--This is the step that takes the longest!

The reason why we chose Max Strip is because it WILL NOT eat into fiberglass, but still effective on most types of paint. This fiberglass front door had old latex paint peeling off, another spotty layer of oil based paint with the factory finish below the old door knocker. All layers of paint needed to be removed to create a professional looking new finish (2 coats of alkyd on top of 2 coats of Kilz 2 primer).

Most paint strippers say they should not be used on fiberglass. The PH balance is too acidic and will eat on through the fiberglass.

We picked Max Strip Paint & Varnish Stripper. I’d pick it again.

Here’s our situation and why it may or may not work for you.

It explicitly states it is not designed to remove automotive and factory finished paints. My front door once had a factory finished paint. The sun took off the factory finished clear coat. It also took off most of the next repaint job with an oil based color coat as well. Then more recent homeowners put on an additional single coat of latex paint with no primer. Then the sun baked it for over ten years to the point where it started flaking.

So it’s not like the paint stripper had a hard job.

This is probably why it only took 3-15 minutes to take off each layer, rather than the “Most Painted Surfaces: 30 min. To 1 hour”

YMMV

And remember, no one will judge if you just want to skip this process and just get a new front door. It is a good option as well.

For additional information:
Stripping Paint Off a Fiberglass Door
https://www.justneedspaint.com/stripping-paint-off-a-fiberglass-door/

Related Videos:
Use a Flat Knife Razor to Chip Old Flakes of Paint? Yes! | Prep Fiberglass for Paint | Strip Paint
https://youtu.be/j9Zgrv02pEw
Timelapse: Repaint a Front Door | Exterior Door Painting | Strip, Prime, Sand, Color | Fiberglass
https://www.bitchute.com/video/nOfH002RPho/

Is your espresso machine steam wand not working? Specifically, is water leaking out of the milk frother?

You don’t want a new machine and you don’t want to do without...you (and I) have both become accustomed to having glorious espresso in the morning. BUT you also don’t want to go to the ER because you (or someone else in your home) got burned by scalding hot water shooting out the steam wand as heat and pressure build.

I had been using this Capresso espresso machine for months before the steam wand leak began and then it continually worsened to a “can’t put this off any longer” task over the course of a couple weeks.

The good news is, you probably only need two things to fix your milk frother leak (whether or not you have a Capresso espresso machine or a different brand):

* Water
* Vinegar

Both of which, you probably already have.

*Note #1: Read the owners manual before going this route. Some machines require a certain kind of cleaning solution, citric acid or different ratio of vinegar to water.

*Note #2: This experience is based on a Capresso Espresso machine, but the problem--and more importantly--the fix, is a universal one.

The forum where I found the cleaning recommendation:
https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/21591/Steam+wand+leaking.+Not+enough+pressure+for+a+good+shot!

This tutorial will guide you through the steps I took to install a child swing seat and hinges on a 4' x 8" beam on my back porch.

Now that you’ve determined the perfect spot, it’s time to switch out of the flip flops and pull out your ladder, tape measure and a pencil. All the thinking is done and this part goes fast!

Materials:

The swing seat:
https://www.menards.com/main/outdoors/swing-sets-playsets/swing-sets-playset-accessories/swing-seat/91283/p-1561962414857.htm

The heavy duty swing hinges (affiliate):
https://amzn.to/3dAVmmm

The structural screws (affiliate):
https://homedepot.sjv.io/EMPd4

Tools:

Safety glasses
Drill
T30 drill bit
Drill bit extension - The lag bolt screw on the hinges WILL shave some plastic off your drill otherwise!
Ladder
Tape measure
Pencil

More info:
https://www.justneedspaint.com/quarantine-child-entertainment-porch-swing-set/quarantine-child-entertainment-porch-swing-set
https://www.justneedspaint.com/quarantine-child-entertainment-porch-swing-set/tips-before-buying-child-porch-swing-set

This is the one Alfred DB2 review to rule them all--yes, I just referenced Lord of the Rings.

In this mother of all smart lock reviews you’ll discover what an Alfred DB2 is when you had no idea Alfred was anything other than the butler in Batman. Oh, and also, why the Alfred DB2 is the best smart lock in 2020.

But butler is right! Butler meets bouncer, as Alfred Inc. coined.

Smart, badass, classy, and GOOOOOOD LOOKING.

No, it isn’t a cell phone strapped to your door. The Alfred DB2 is functional jewelry on your front door.

THANK YOU to Alfred for taking a chance on a newbie BitChute video producer and sending me a review unit. The rest is my own unpaid opinion, but having spent some time visiting with all the lock manufacturers we could find at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, I’ll spoil the surprise--I knew I was going to like this one and honestly, I wouldn’t have changed what I already had--a proven and true Schlage Keypad Deadbolt--for any other lock (except an Alfred DB1).

The link for pricing--do you really need additional reviews? ;-)
To CYA, it's an affiliate link (so I might earn a few cents for this effort): https://amzn.to/2VqcRj1

The promised blog post for more information:
https://www.justneedspaint.com/alfred-db2-review-best-smart-lock/

DB2 Unboxing video:
https://youtu.be/bfBEJrNCopE

In this review you’ll get:
Hands-on previews of every last feature.
Live testing.
Side-by-side comparisons to other smart locks on the market (Schlage, Kwikset, Yale, Baldwin, Hampton).
References to The Matrix and Lord of the Rings.
Body slams.
Gold and red nailpolish.
Mathematical arguments.
Weightlifting.
Dented Rockstar beverages.
Rockwool power blocks.
My neighbor cutting metal.
Santa Claus.

What does all that seemingly random checklist have in common?

Everything to do with simplifying entry into your house. Increasing safety and security, flexibility to change the lock at a moments notice, not worrying about batteries going out, and making sure everyone has access only when needed (I’m looking at you Santa Claus!), and getting the word out on the hottest and best smart lock on the market. IMHO this is also the smartest smart lock on the market.

The video is broken out to highlight the unique set of features Alfred built into the DB2:

Scenario #1: The embedded passcode.
Scenario #2: One-touch entry.
Scenario #3: The emergency backup power micro USB port.
Scenario #4: The ability to push any key for three seconds for the deadbolt to lock.
Scenario #5: The protective silicone gasket.
Scenario #6: If you have arthritis or a hard time twisting objects.
Scenario #7: What if someone steals your phone?!?

And everything else crammed into 3 minutes.

Enjoy!

Now you know why this smart lock is also the one lock to rule them all too. The Alfred DB2 is the hottest and best smart lock on the market!

This is a fun swing seat unboxing video, with kid reactions that might make you want to consider one for yourself. Second reaction: now my two-year-old no longer cries for the swing when we go past a COVID-19 closed playground.

With Cornonavirus induced shelter-in-places, kids are at home 24/7 climbing the walls. We all need entertainment and physical activity. If you have littles, like me, they don’t understand the caution tape wrapped around their favorite park equipment.

Your very own swing seat installed on your front porch or back patio is one answer to closed playgrounds.

Thanks again, brother and sister!

The swing seat:
https://www.menards.com/main/outdoors/swing-sets-playsets/swing-sets-playset-accessories/swing-seat/91283/p-1561962414857.htm

The heavy duty swing hinges (affiliate):
https://amzn.to/3dAVmmm

The structural screws (affiliate):
https://homedepot.sjv.io/EMPd4

More info:
https://www.justneedspaint.com/quarantine-child-entertainment-porch-swing-set/

A smart lock that looks like a cell phone? How is it possible that a smart lock that looks this good does not have an unboxing video!

No more!

What's in the box? How easy is the install? Any gotchas?

All answered in these 14 minutes.

Upon discovering Alfred locks at the 2020 International Builder Show / Kitchen and Bath Industry show, I realized this was a game changer in the smart lock market. I had to try one (THANK YOU Alfred for sending me one to review! FYI, the rest of this is unpaid and my own opinion). Once I had the unit in hand, I also discovered--in this era of unboxing videos--it is a terrible shame that there is not an unboxing video of the Alfred DB2.

For pricing / reviews:
https://amzn.to/2VqcRj1

The promised blog post for more information:
https://www.justneedspaint.com/alfred-db2-review-best-smart-lock/

But you are just looking at the outside here--the official review video comes out next week.

My apologies for leaving you hanging because I can't do justice to the features on this smart lock in less than 20 minutes. And no one is going to sit through 35 minutes of glorious, gorgeous, geeky goodness with an unboxing/install piled onto action packed adventure on my doorstep. OK, maybe an unboxing and review would have been fine, but there are some important lessons I encountered and I hope you don't repeat when installing your Alfred DB2!

So you are looking for a new front door lock. One of your questions might be, “How loud is THIS smart lock?” The sound of a motorized lock can be an unexpected (and perhaps unhappy!) byproduct when moving from a keyed lock to a keyless entry lock.

As promised, I attended the International Builder Show / Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in January. My husband and I attempted to spot every last door lock manufacturer on the show floor. Our endeavor: get video on all the keyless entry locks to capture their sound.

It was a real life scavenger hunt!

Here are all the locks we found, highlighted in the following video in the order we found them along with a link so you can check out prices/reviews:
Schlage Encode https://amzn.to/34kCTa5
Schlage Connect Smart Deadbolt https://amzn.to/3aQZP3e
Schlage Keypad Deadbolt https://amzn.to/2XpSOCu
Kwikset Halo Contemporary Touchscreen https://amzn.to/2Rmph93
Kwikset Halo Traditional Keypad https://amzn.to/34lzZlA
Alfred DB1 https://amzn.to/2UOWYlU
Alfred DB2 https://amzn.to/2x0WLTH
BenjiLock by Hampton Luca Deadbolt --not available yet
Yale Assure Lock Touchscreen https://amzn.to/34oxS0u
Yale Assure Lock SL https://amzn.to/2xXS6SB
Baldwin Minneapolis Touchscreen Electronic Deadbolt https://amzn.to/34kEgFL

By no means is this an exhaustive list. I'm am sure we also missed other vendors at the show.

And let's be real: it is also impossible for a store to have all locks available to view--there just isn't enough space in the store. There also is not enough demand to have a store dedicated to smart locks--just online, which is much harder to give you a warm and fuzzy feeling prior to choosing a lock.

In any case, I hope you find this information helpful to make your own decision a little easier.

There is one thing for certain about any foundation: it is only a matter of time before it moves. Unlike a slab foundation cracking, a pier and beam foundation has the additional flexibility to dip and rise like a roller coaster. When it comes to repairs, you want to choose a pier and beam foundation repair contractor who can spot the source of the problem and get you back to level. Many of these also apply to slab on grade foundation repair contractors as well.

1. Try to know where the problems are in your pier and beam foundation before picking up the phone.
2. Get recommendations.
3. Get more than one bid.
4. Make sure you are on the same page as the pier and beam foundation repair companies.
5. Make a checklist for each company you interview and ask this same set of questions. I've included our checklist along with an explanation behind why we asked each question in this blog post:
https://www.justneedspaint.com/choosing-a-pier-and-beam-foundation-repair-contractor/
6. Expect it to cost more and the damage to be more extensive than expected.
7. Go with your gut.

These points should prepare you for choosing the right pier and beam foundation repair contractor. Hopefully, yours goes well without any project creep. If not, at least you picked a good one.

I also realize my lips were super chapped after I took the video. Sigh. That’s life in the wintertime for me.

Also, there was some major drywall dust on my shirt and face. We’re working on selling the house above the crawlspace and I was sanding some drywall repairs (caused by the foundation repairs) prior to this “break” involving a video shoot.

Minimize drywall repairs when you use a flexible drill bit to run new electrical through studs and fire block.

Here is the blog post mentioned in the video for more tips:
https://www.justneedspaint.com/run-new-electrical-through-studs-use-flexible-drill-bit/

As with many of our projects, we did some research, but discovered (the hard way) some of our own tips to use a flexible drill bit. Use these sanity saving tips to make your drop easier!

A flexible drill bit is also known as a flex shank drill bit, bell hanger drill bit, flexible installer drill bit with an auger tip. Whatever you want to call this kind of drill bit, it is a lengthy piece of steel that you attach on to the end of your drill and then attempt to hit the stud (not the drywall). When you encounter a fire block half way down the wall you generally want a 72" drill bit to handle the distance and give you some flexiblity coming from the top or side.

Tip #1 Wear safety gear.
Tip #2: Angle is the real game changer when using a flexible drill bit.
Tip #3: You’ll need a hole big enough to work with.
Tip #4: Push as hard as you can horizontally so the tip of the flexible drill bit is angled down.
Tip #5: Drill in short spurts.
Tip #6: Have a spotter inside.
Tip #7. There are two very useful holes on a long flexible drill bit.
Tip #8: The fiberglass glow stick will probably need to be longer than the flexible drill bit.
Tip #9: You'll need a bullet nose attachment to run new electrical through studs or fire block with fiberglass glow sticks.
Tip #10: Pay attention to which end of the glow stick extends to the line you want to fish.
Tip #11: The long flex bit with an auger tip needs to be wider than the mechanism used to fish the wire.
Tip #12: Did I just make a hole in fireblock? Isn’t it supposed to be sealed? --definitely check out the post for this answer.

Flexible drill bits are one of those esoteric tools you rarely use, but are really necessary when you need them. Whether you choose a
flex shank..

Repainting a front door is more than just grabbing your brush and new color.

To make a old door with peeling paint look new you have to:
* Remove the old layers of paint first by stripping off the old paint.
* Then add two layers of primer.
* Next, sand the primer for a smoother color coat.
* Roll / brush on the first layer of paint, sand in between, then add the final layer of paint.

With these steps you get a professional grade finish that will last far longer than the last paint jobs combined.

This timelapse is the first video in a playlist to give you the overall idea for what it takes to repaint a fiberglass exterior door.

If you do not have peeling, chalky or otherwise failing paint you can get away with sanding and painting...more details in next week's blog post!

Full disclosure on the thumbnail: the "after" photo also looks better because the screen door was also refreshed from beige to white. A future video / blog combo to come...

Is water leaking down into your ceiling and walls because either:

a. Your main condensate line froze on this hot and humid day.
b. Your main condensate line is blocked from insulation dust and other debris.
AND
Your emergency drain line coming off the catch pan below the A/C unit is clogged.

Do you live in an area where there is a mud dauber population? If so, that clog may be the result of a mud dauber nest. Made of hardened dirt, a mud dauber nest can easily block an entire 3/4" drain line.

Since your backup line is rarely used and has nothing obstructing it from the outside, it is the perfect home for an insect nest. However, the mud dauber nest is especially dangerous because it is hard and has few holes, unlike a bee or wasp nest.

There is a fast and easy way to PREVENT this from happening?

Yes!

The Dauber Stopper is your answer.

You can check it out here: https://amzn.to/2LGyN4j

Yes, that's an affiliate link.

For more information and pictures:

https://www.justneedspaint.com/prevent-another-emergency-drain-line-clog/

Please add the results of what's blocking your emergency drain line in the comments below!

Did anyone notice the mud dauber nest right on the wall next to me? Bonus points for you!

This video is not endorsed by Modern AC products in any way, other than they gave us a Dauber Stopper as a sample at the Houston Home & Garden Show. They didn't know us from anyone else visiting their booth and had no clue we'd do anything other than put it on our house. However, the law concerning video content reads "and/or where that third party's brand, message, or product is integrated directly into the content." Yup, this video takes a good look at the Dauber Stopper as a good solution to a problem. So despite the fact I am not compensated for this video, I've added the "includes paid promotion" popup despite a lack of pay in order to CYA.