Handy Ma'am Hotline

In this episode of Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury and Maggie debate on what a caller means by a "storm door", and Mercury works to solve the problem for both cases. Mercury also discusses the best way to get an accurate paint sample for matching, different ways to loosen a deadbolt that seems to not want to turn, a renter with a landlord that refuses to fix a cracked ceiling AND REMOVE BATS FROM THE...

This week on Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury talks about safely drilling into concrete walls, why she doesn't use chemicals to clear clogged sinks, cracks in the wall, installing rain barrels on old homes, and what to do with a funky sh*there, haha! Watch Mercury's full Drywall Repair YouTube video here for more tips and tricks: https://youtu.be/P8lMl98zj5I Find the tools recommended here: https://ww...

This week on the Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury tackles a bathroom reno that's outside of her comfort zone, replacing an exterior door handle (and garage door safety), shares an apartment maintenance checklist for long-term renters, removing tape off of a door, and fixing a hole in a wall. Find the tools recommended here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/mercurystardust Don't forget to call in or text wi...

This week on the Handy Ma'am Hotline Mercury tackles questions about repairing a wall after the curtain rod was used as a swing by a kiddo, how to get over the fear of ladders so you can do DIY projects up high, what to do when your plastic drain cleaner breaks in the pipe, how to fill nail holes in hardwood after removing carpet, and how to remove scuff marks off walls without repainting! Watch M...

This week on the Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury tackles how to finish an attic that has blown insulation, a wall that was painted with splatter like an art project, painting a cement floor in the basement, and fixing a cedar fence that is falling over. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. iFixit is celebrating their 20th anniversary and 20 years of...

This week on the Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury helps listeners fix a hot water stem that's not giving enough water pressure, tips on cleaning a bathroom and dryer vent for safety, fixing a wonky drawer, hanging a puzzle as a renter and not damaging the wall, and answers questions about spray painting vs using a roller. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-20...

This week on the Handy Ma'am Hotline Mercury tackles how to repaint a wall that was previously painted poorly, going into great details to remove the lines you often get with a roller, and cutting in around trim, ceilings, etc. She also teaches how to fix a floor transition strip that's broken, troubleshooting a shower that won't get hot, how renter's can hang things without holes or peeling drywa...

Welcome to the Handy Ma'am Hotline! This week Mercury reflects on raising $2 million dollars for trans healthcare with Point of Pride. She also answers questions from a newbie DIYer who wonders if a bidet install is easy enough for them to do, she helps with a light that seemingly has no screws in order to replace the lightbulb, she helps a tenant who has a moldy smell coming from their vents and...

Did you know we have an After-Show Pre-Show on Patreon? Every week we before we record an episode, Mercury and Maggie chat about life, politics, the trans experience, mom-hood, and so much more. It's truly the unfiltered Mercury Half Hour! It plays each week after the full episode on Patreon. Hence, the After-Show Pre-Show! In honor of our $2 Million fundraiser, Mercury is taking this week off and...

This week Mercury got a call that she just had to help, so she got the caller on the phone directly to ask them questions and see if she could help them! She also covered feeling safe as a trans person in your home, what to do with a basement that keeps flooding, how to make your home more accessible, and how to care for yourself as a trans person in modern America. Don't forget to call in or text...

This week on the Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury tackles one of the most unusual questions she's gotten so far: a landlord who refuses to evict raccoons from the attic! She also talks about how to soundproof a townhome that is sandwiched in between two noisy neighbors, commiserates with a caller who has a bathroom that needs a total renovation due to improper installation and using the wrong material...

This week on the Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury talks all about caulk. You know, the silicone kind. That goes on your bathroom fixtures and tubs! Get your mind out of the gutter, haha! Learn how to remove caulking, apply it so it will actually stay on and look professional, and troubleshoot when your caulking cracks or gaps. You'll also learn about tips and tricks for hiring a contractor, as well as...

Here at the Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury takes your questions submitted to 608-205-8768 via voicemail and text messages. This week she answers questions about a sink backing up into a garbage disposal, fixing cracked ceilings in a condo, how to prioritize projects as a new homeowner, removing popcorn ceilings, and how to talk to your landlord about a damaged counter that can't be repaired. Want yo...

Welcome back to the Handy Ma'am Hotline! This week Mercury helps someone who's cats knocked down a fireplace mantel, a homeowner who wants to paint their kitchen cabinets, a first time renter who's on the hunt for an apartment, a brand new homeowner who's plumbing was done...a little wonky...and a tile renovation that is a bit outside of her wheelhouse! Don't forget to call in or text with your qu...

This week Mercury teaches how to find out what's behind a wall so you can hang a TV, covering up an exposed ceiling in the basement, fixing scratched hardwood floors so you can get your deposit back, remedying flooded carpets, and helping a mom keep her home safe for her and her son. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. It’s Fixit Feb! And iFixit...

This week on Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury tackles questions from renters and homeowners, and each of those have their own unique set of problems and solutions! She answers questions about cleaning a dryer vent that's on a second story, fixing old window cranks that's aren't opening windows anymore, safely removing mounting tape & fixing the drywall when it doesn't come off properly, remounting...

This episode on the Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury talks about why you might not be able to switch a ceiling light for a ceiling fan, but also gives encouragement to try if you feel brave! She also answers a question about water softeners, getting a sink stopper to start working again, how to explain things in a kind way, and what to do about the nasty bits that fall between the oven and counter. Do...

This week Mercury gets real, talking about the anxiety renter's can feel when letting a landlord or maintenance tech into their home. She also teaches how to put in new faucets, fix a fallen sink, tries to figure out what might be causing flickering with dimmable lights, and making sure the water level in your toilet is where you want it to be. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions f...

Today on the Handy Ma'am Hotline, Mercury tries a new fun strategy where she doesn't hear the questions in advance! She's going in fully fresh and giving you her best answers off the cuff. Learn about pocket doors, sliding glass doors in the bathroom, hanging things on concrete walls, renovating tile countertops, and fixing a furniture oopsie. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions fo...

In this episode some of our callers take on their mansplaining husbands, who does Mercury side with?? Listen to find out! She also talks about kitchen caulking, insulating old homes (aka even one more reason why landlords drive her mad), replacing a shower diverter, the best use of bathroom fans, and fixing a storm door with too many holes in it. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions...

Welcome back to another episode of the Handy Ma'am Hotline! This week Mercury tackles some questions about drywall anchors and drilling, ceiling fans and cold houses, and answers a sweet question from a listener about life advice learned through maintenance. Don't forget to call in or text with your questions for the next episode! 608-205-8768. We also wanted to say thank you to our new sponsor, I...

Happy New Year! This week we ring in the new year with a fun podcast answering questions about bidets, removing popcorn ceiling, replacing an oven door, and how to get started on DIY-ing in your own home. We also wanted to say thank you to our new sponsor, IFIXIT, who fights for your right to repair and makes really cool tools. Whether you need to fix your phone, laptop, or vacuum, iFixit has thou...

This is the last episode of 2022! Mercury shares her feelings about her last burlesque show that she hosted on December 16th. Didn't catch it? No problem! You can get the replay here: https://mercurystardustmedia.com/merch/p/replay-mercurys-final-show She also shares some of her favorite Handy Ma'am tips and tricks, as well as her hopes and goals for 2023. Don't forget to call in with your questio...

Help us wish Mercury a very happy 35th birthday with her birthday episode! We start off with answering a few questions about mold and mildew in the bathroom. On the walls, the grout, and the caulk...eww! Mercury dishes on all the things to do to reduce mold and mildew, even if that means moving out. Then stay tuned for some questions about Mercury in honor of her birthday. Like how incredibly diff...

This week Mercury continues to tackle those pesky jobs landlords won't do, or that renter's are too afraid to ask them to do. From fixing bi-fold closet doors, to slow draining sinks, replacing a stuck faucet, and fixing the weather stripping on a door in Alaska! Don't forget to call in with your questions for next week! 608-205-8768. We also have some links to share some goodies: Find extended ve...