The Money Pit Calls & Answers

If you have a deck that's in disrepair to point of being structurally unsound, you might have to tear it down and start from scratch. Get advice on how to make sure the deck you're rebuilding is structurally sound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you want to know how to add insulation to increase comfort and reduce your energy bils? Get advice on how to add insulation properly to make your home warmer in winter, and cooler in summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Once you repair your chimney, or do any kind of maintenance do you need to seal it? Learn about chimney repair and maintenance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Asphalt shingles are commonly used as a roofing material. Asphalt shingles can be prone to leaking roof in areas near chimney or roof valleys. Learn how to find a leak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Composite siding is common but does need to be painted from time to time. Learn how to paint composite siding when it needs a touch up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you have noticed birds flying in and out of your eaves, they may be living there. Learn how to prevent birds from nesting in the eaves of your house. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover waterproofing tips for various exterior surfaces, including tips on which sealers can actually cause more harm than good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Like many home hassles, moisture on garage floors is best treated by getting to the heart of the problem. Learn the most effective way to keep water from coming up through the concrete, and added steps - and products - for minimizing it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get DIY options and ideas for filling gaps between hardwood floors and the bottom of baseboards - including tips for installation and making them blend in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why the first steps toward preventing and fixing basement leaks take place outdoors - and not inside. Get rules of thumb for downspouts and soil grading that go a long way toward keeping foundations and basements dry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn which disc sander is recommended for DIY hardwood floor refinishing - and where to find it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out whether a driveway can be pretreated before it's pressure washed, and learn which products can help make the job easier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why installing the right-sized HVAC system is crucial to the system's function. Plus, get rules of thumb for choosing the right-sized unit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover which steps to take to efficiently and effectively swap out subflooring in a flood-proof room. Plus, learn the benefits of marine plywood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover a helpful resource - and rule of thumb - for determining whether mold needs to be treated by a pro. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn which steps to take to remove pet stains and odors from finished and unfinished hardwood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Whole-house dehumidifiers can help keep a basement dry, but they come with drawbacks - and safety hazards. Discover a crucial snag to look for before buying one. Plus, get tips for keeping moisture at bay without a whole-house Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out whether dividing electricity between two light fixtures is a job you try, or grounds for hiring a guy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out what to consider before adding a garage, and how the need for a new roof should factor into decision-making. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn about the cleaning product that, true to its name, removes calcium, lime, and rust from almost any surface - perfect for stained and rusty bathroom and kitchen fixtures and appliances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn the best way to pour concrete - and seal it - when building a garage, including money-saving tips on DIY portions of the process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get options for fixing a leaky sunroom roof without replacing it entirely - and the right products for the job. Plus, find out why it's a bad idea to cover metal roofs with rubber and shingles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out when and how to fix cracked floor tiles, and when those cracks are the sign of a bigger problem - and solution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get options for treating mold and moisture on a radiant barrier, and find out how radiant barriers hold up against other types of insulation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Pressure washing shingles is a short-term aesthetic solution, but ultimately does more harm than good. Find out how to keep cedar shingles looking good for years to come. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's important that wood subfloor stays dry. Learn what options exist for keeping water out when a vinyl floor separates from a bathtub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out what it takes to turn decks and porches into proper living spaces, and get ideas for adding comfort to those spaces for year-round use - for less. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to make sure you have enough ventilation in your attic without letting the elements in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn about T1-11 siding - how it serves two purposes and cuts down the steps you need to take before adding new siding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spray foam insulation is polyurethane-based, meaning it's tough to remove when it lands where it shouldn't. Get advice for removing spray foam from household surfaces inside and out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn why a closed cell insulation, like spray foam, can hold up in moisture prone areas better than fiberglass batts can. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When outdoor bricks crack, it's often evidence of moisture making its way into places it shouldn't. Learn how to seal cracks in outdoor fireplace buttresses, how to keep additional water from seeping in, and what to look for to make sure the Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn what to consider before adding a layer of paint to a wooden deck, and get tips on products that can help strip existing paint. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If an estimate for replacement windows doesn't include capping, it's a problem. Learn what you should expect from manufacturer estimates, and also what to look for as you shop different makes and models. Also get tips for deciding whether or not Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ice dams, or the collection of ice at a roof's edge, are a common wintertime occurence that cause leaks - and the need for big repairs. Get advice for avoiding ice dams in the future. And while ice dams cause big headaches, there is some silver Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Objectivity is key in a home energy auditor, who tests homes for efficiency and lets you know where hot and cold air are escaping - or getting in. Find out how to find an auditor that's independent, and isn't focused on selling services like Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Moss that grows on blacktop and cement can be stubborn. Learn which products are effective at cleaning it off - and keeping it away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When a major component of your HVAC system goes, like the compressor, learn how to determine if you should replace it, repair it or just get a whole new system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's crucial you understand exactly how your fireplace is configured before sealing off any section. Learn which questions to ask, and which conditions affect how the job is done. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to determine whether cracks in a hard plaster ceiling can be filled, or if the ceiling needs to be replastered - and whether you're up for the job. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When a home settles, it can throw off doors, making them impossible to close and latch. Learn how to rehang an exterior door, and the correct hardware to use for the job. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how protecting your shingles can affect its color as it ages - including how copper can keep mildew and algae from taking root in any location. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's generally advisable to remove old flooring and paint before adding new layers. But exceptions do exist. Learn how to determine whether layering floor types is acceptable or not. Plus, buyer beware: Discover the major pitfall of sheet vinyl Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are several ways to make a garage more efficient. Learn what options exist for adding insulation to garage doors, as well as other helpful hints for keeping garages warmer in cooler months. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn affordable ways to minimize drafts when new windows aren't an option. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Few options exist for fixing chemical burns and stains on Jacuzzi plastic. Stop drain cleaners from causing damage in the future: Toss those potentially harmful chemical drain cleaners for a new drain cleaner that works more like a pressure Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oil heat can be pricey and inefficient - but if gas isn't available, it might be your only option. Learn what options exist for adding efficiency to your heating system, including whether pellet stoves are a realistic option for a standard-sized Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Water that's hotter than expected isn't just annoying - it can be dangerous. Learn how to check - and control - your water heater's temperature, and never feel a scalding or freezing cold blast again with a product that keeps water temperature in Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A sink that drains slowly can mean one of several things. Discover the steps to take to determine the cause of - and fix - the problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When an asphalt driveway crumbles, it's most likely the result of shoddy installation. Learn which steps are key to long-lasting asphalt, and find out how to replace a driveway on a budget. Plus, discover in invaluable resource for any asphalt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices