its hammertime! 12.18.2010

Listen this saturday for a special holiday edition of the show, Jack Civiletto is my special guest! Jack will entertain us with holiday classics in the Frank Sinatra style! Thats this Saturday the 18th at 10am on WBEN 930 am

It's Hammertime! 10.22.10

Be sure to tune in this Saturday morning for a special expanded edition of the Home Improvement Hour as I invite John Koerner back for his annual visit. John is an expert in ghost folklore and he will help you decide.....is your house haunted??

Be sure to tune in! We are on til noon and I will take all of your home improvement questions as well!

its hammertime! 10.1.2010

Heating season is upon us and its time for me to remind you that you should have a plug in style carbon monoxide detector located near the sleeping area of your home. Its important to place it there so that you can hear it if it sounds as opposed to placing it near the furnace.

Carbon Monxide is odorless and colorless and will kill you in high concentrations. It is produced from unspent fuels that include natural gas and fuels. Anyone could be subjected to CO, in any setting, including a new home.

Its better to be safe than sorry, so install a CO detector today. They are available at VALU HOME CENTERS.

MY HEATHLY HOME airs on 9/4 at 3pm on WUTV Fox 29 and again on 9/5 at 6:30pm it also airs on 9/4 at 7:30pm on WNYO and again on 9/5 at 4pm!

Be sure to tune in to see the Group WorkCamps efforts on the east side of Buffalo in repainting as well as learn about the proper techniques for working with lead paint.

its hammertime! 8.14.2010

Tune in this Saturday morning for the HOME IMPROVEMENT HOUR ON WBEN, Domenic will take all your home improvement questions at 10 am eastern.

Also, be sure to stay tuned for a special announcement as to the premier of Domenic's new TV show, YOUR HEALTHY HOME on FOX 29! It is tentatively scheduled to air on 9/4/2010.

its hammertime! 7.11.10

This week we explored the proper installation techniques for a concrete driveway and the pitfalls that befall the installation process. My guests where Tom Saia from Seneca Materials and Steve Tatli from Buffalo Crushed Stone

its hammertime! 7.3.10

Join us Saturday at 10 am, on WBEN News Talk 930 for a very special edition of Hammertime.



This Saturday my sons, Phil and Nick will be joining me in studio to discuss the differences between all glass sunroom enclosures and sunrooms built using a conventional wood frame construction.



As you all know, we at Cortese Bros. are now a proud dealer of the Betterliving Sunroom line. Although we have always been tried and true wood builders we find that there are a number of benefits to a sunroom construction that don't just have to do with the way they are built!



If you are thinking about adding a little more space, or just want to start enjoying your backyard, join us Saturday at 10 am as we discuss these substantial benefits of being a sunroom owner!



If you like what you hear, don't hesitate to call and make an appointment to start enjoying your brand new Betterliving Sunroom!



Call us today at 716.683.2100, and remember always listen every Saturday morning at 10am for the Home Improvement Hour with Domenic Cortese on WBEN!

its hammertime! 6.19.10

Happy Fathers Day to all the Dads!

This weeks show is split between two topics.

Scott Stoberl will be on from Dutch Boy talking about the new Refresh Paint.

Also, we will be talking to the students from the UB school of Architecture that designed a reuse for an turn of the century house on Howell St, in the Black Rock area of Buffalo.

Listen every Saturday morning at 10am for the Home Improvement Hour with Domenic Cortese on WBEN!

its hammertime! 6.05.10

A very special post NOLA trip show today with special guest, Robert Green, who has been called the 'face of the lower ninth ward'. Robert survived the storm surge on the morning of August 29, 2005 after the levy was breached by the surge and a runaway barge. The lower 9th quickly flooded and the rising water and current pushed homes off their footings. He and his family scrambled to the attic and then pushed through to the roof. The family members included Robert's elderly and ill mother as well as his young grand daughter. The house began to move with the current and was thrown against other neighboring homes as well as trees. The baby slipped away from Robert's tight grasp and was never seen again. His mother, as well, succumbed to the conditions and passed away on the roof, where he had to leave her.

Be sure to tune in the Saturday morning as well discuss the terrible conditions that Robert survived and how he became know as the 'face of the lower 9th ward'. Additionally, we will be discussing the rebuilding efforts and the work of actor, Brad Pitt with Make It Right 9.

its hammertime! 5.22.10

We broadcast today from Adams Nursury on Genesee St in Lancaster. Barb and Jack Domin are great hosts and Adams is the place to go for all you planting needs.

Off on Monday to New Orleans to work on Katrina housing along with my wife, Diane and several other fellow alum from Canisius College. We will be working along side Catholic Charities volunteers and staff. I will report back to you after we return, but be sure to listen in next Saturday, May 29th when I call in from New Orleans.

A very special show for you on June 19th! Join me as I welcome my sons, Phil and Nick to the studio to talk about their roles in our company. Nick will also be highlighting our new Better Living with Cortese sunroom and product line which includes Patio covers and retractable awnings. Be sure to listen and call in!!

And, be sure to listen every Saturday morning at 10am eastern for the HOME IMPROVEMENT HOUR on NewsRadio 930 WBEN.

its hammertime! 5.08.10

Today we talked about natural cleaning products and items you have around the house that help prevent indoor air pollution. Many chemicals release harmful gases into the air.

According to the EPA's, "The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality", there is a growing body of evidence that outgassing of chemicals in our homes is leading to contaminated indoor air quality.

What can you do to promote safer and cleaner indoor air? Why not decrease the amount of chemical cleaners you use and try these natural cleaning products:

Lemons: The acid in lemons cuts through grease and the scent is fresh and pleasing. Lemons do contain limonene,so keep this in mind if you have asthma, they could irrate your lungs.

Vinegar: White vinegar is a fantastic degreaser.

Baking Soda: A natural abrasive for cleaning hard surfaces, Dont use on a surface that may scratch easily. Mix with equal parts of water to create a paste.

Vinegar and Baking Soda: Mixed together, this compound creates a volatile reaction that could unclog your drain. Mix equal parts and pour down the drain, let sit for 30 minutes and then rinse.

Olive Oil: use as an alternative to furniture polish.

Tea Tree Oil: a natural antibacterial can be used as a disinfectant and antifungal. Use to clean up mold and mildew, Mix 10 drops in 2 cups of water to use.

Borax: Sodium Borate is a mineral that is used in many commercial cleaning products. It has strong anti-fungal properties and is a natural killer for ants and roaches. Mix with water in a spray bottle for easy cleaning in the kitchen and bath.


Listen to the Home Improvement Hour every Saturday at 10am on WBEN 930am for more great home improvement tips from Domenic Cortese!

its hammertime! 5.08.10

Todays show is from the new branch of Lakeshore Savings Bank, on Dick Road near George Urban, yes right on our corner, hey maybe we should switch! Come on by and meet branch manager, John Huber, and ask your home improvement questions!!

its hammertime! 4.24.10

today on hammertime we talked about lawns! Mike Harris from the Scotts Company. You should have applied the first step in the series of four to your lawn by now, especially if you want to control crabgrass. We also talked about lawn mower maintenance and safety. Consider sharpening your blades twice a season and be sure to check and change your oil and spark plugs! At the end of the season, be sure to run the gas out of the mower or add gas stabilizer. Mulchers are are great way to avoid bagging and add nutrients to the lawn.

Listen ever week to the Home Improvement Hour on WBEN and be sure to call in as well. Every Saturday at 10am eastern on WBEN!

It's Hammertime! 4.17.10

Author- craftsman Bruce Johnson was our special guest this Saturday. Bruce has introduced do it yourselfers to the world of wood finishing and antique restoration. As the official spokesperson for Minwax, he motivates people to take the initiative to beautify their surroundings!

Through many books, magazine articles, as well as frequent appearances on national televison talk shows, Johnson is recognized as an authority in the do-it-yourself community. Appearing on PBS, HGTV, The Discovery Channel, and current houst of DIY Woodworking and Build a Log Cabin, on the DIY Cable Network, Johnson has brought the craft of wood working to the forefront of the American home.

Hammertime! 4.17.10

It's Hammertime! 4.10.10

Open phones all two hours long! Call today if you have had a hard time getting through in the past! This show is for you......

Its Hammertime! 4.3.10

Special show this week centered on the new Lead Certification requirements that take effect on 4.22.10. As of that date, the EPA requires that renovators conducting renovations must be certified. This requirement is for all home improvement activity that disturbs more than 6 sf of interior or 20 sf of exterior lead paint in houses built before 1978. You must now test for the presence of lead and if it exists, take the correct measures to prevent contamination of the workmen and the homeowners.

In studio to discuss this important subject will be:

Wylie Davidson, Store Manager, Dival Safety and Supplies

Tom Muscarella, Senior Public Health Sanitarian from The Erie County Health Department

Cara Matteliano, Vice President, program from The Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo

Jeff Valone, Executive Commerical Estimator, Try Lock Roofing Co, representing The Home Improvement Council

Please post any questions, or email me, Domenic Cortese, and I will gladly respond!

Thank You for visiting the Cortese Corner!

Its Hammertime! 3.27.10

Todays broadcast is center court at Plantasia! My guest is Mike Harris from Scotts.

Its Hammertime 3.20.10

Today we learned about manufactured homes from Ron Mielke with ABC Mobile Home Service There are definte differences in construction between this style of building as compared to stick framed homes!

It's Hammertime! 3.13.10

Great show on WBEN 930 today! David Stapleton from David Homes, and even more famous from his participation on ABC's hit show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was with us in studio again to talk about our newest project to beautify our great city of Buffalo!

We also had some great questions this week! However, If I wasn't able to get to your question this week, please feel free to ask here and I will respond as quickly as I can!

Domenic Cortese
Cortese Brothers Construction
Betterliving with Cortese
WBEN News Talk 930