The Money Pit Calls & Answers

Learn which questions to ask before contacting a manufacturer about delaminating engineered hardwood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get advice for fixing those drywall cracks before they get worse - and doing it right the first time. Plus, if you're living in a townhouse or another multi-family form of ownership, structural fixes might not be your responsibility. Get tips on Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Excess humidity is common in sunrooms. Discover an unexpected way to keep it to a minimum. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Knob-and-tube is an outmoded and dangerous form of electrical wiring. Learn why you should replace it, and how to do it with minimal damage to walls in your home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you're looking to heat an outdoor structure like a barn, you can get advice on the best heating system and fuel to do that. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn the purpose and benefits of argon gas between panes or glass in energy-efficient windows, and get additional tips on buying replacement windows for your home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn a basic formula for estimating heat differences between flourescent and incandescent lighting, and get Money Pit's recommendation on the type of lightbulb that's best for your wallet - and Mother Nature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn what to consider before adding climate control and insulation to a home addition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to deduce whether cracked flooring tile is the result of problems with the grout, or the underlayment. Plus, get advice for dealing with the floor's installer after a botched installation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to use cement board to fill spaces in a wooden subfloor - and, when it's complete, the correct way to glue floor tile to board. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tackless strips are used to adhere carpet to hardwood floors, but their holes stay behind even after that carpet's been removed. Learn the best way to fill and mask them so they blend in with the newly-revealed hardwood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wood-burning stoves are appealing, but require many safety measures. Learn what to consider before adding one to your home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn what to consider as you kick off your research into solar power - including information on tax rebates and incentives, and how to determine whether solar is the right choice for your home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn what to look for in a propane water heater, and a handy tip for cutting utility costs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Solar power can provide long-term savings and even profit, but understanding and shopping this newer technology - and its providers - can be tricky. Find out how to navigate the solar industry and find a company you can trust. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover a product that lets you repair rock salt damage without expensive masonry work. Plus, learn about the alternative to traditional sodium chloride rock salt that will prevent expensive damage to concrete sidwalks, stairs and walkways in the Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Septic systems can make grass grow - but can do the opposite, too. Find out what dead vegetation near a septic tank or septic field means about your septic system - and how to remedy the problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn the one-step solution to preventing condensation in an exhaust fan light - and find out why it's happening in the first place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn what options exist for adding moisture to your air's home, and discover a company whose air quality products - from filters to humidifiers - stand the test of time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to fill a gap in an aggregate cement patio - both in terms of filling it effectively without cracking and matching the existing color and look. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to properly prep wood paneling before painting it, including steps to make sure it's free of build-up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A patched roof requiring ongoing maintenance might not be worth the constant cost. Learn how to weigh roof replacement versus repair. Plus, learn what to consider before installing a new roof in cold weather climates, and get advice for what to Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Solving window condensation depends on the type of window. Find out how to navigate condenation on thermal-pane as well as double- and triple-paned windows, as well as what's causing the problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Odors from ductwork can mean any one of many things. Discover ways to pin down the exact problem, including a valuable website that helps homeowners identify tough-to-pinpoint causes and solutions for common household dilemmas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover the number one cause of bathroom drain odors, and many options for treating - and preventing - them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There's an easy way to determine whether your water is hard or soft - and if your water softener is functioning properly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Foul odors from hot water spigots and faucets have a simple explanation - and solution. Find out the fix, and whether or not it's DIY-friendly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Removing dried materials from any pane of glass can be nervewracking - but especially nervewracking when that glass is hundreds of years old. Learn proven techniques for removing putty, glaze, paint and other substances from windows old and new - Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Concrete countertops are an affordable alternative to granite, but can be tough to build. Get what you need to know before tackling this project on your own. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out best practices for hanging flat wood siding without removing the old siding beneath it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Repurposing or "upcycling" wooden pallets is a hot new trend in home design. Learn how to determine whether a pallet has been treated with heat, or if it might contain methyl bromide - a checmical some homeowners hesitate to bring Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are short-term fixes, but not long-term solutions, for windows that condense on the inside. Find out what's causing the frost, and get ways to fix it for now - and for the long haul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A temperature drop in your shower can make you cold and hot (with anger!) all at once. Discover an easy and affordable mechanical solution for keeping that water warm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to diagnose the cause of a sagging hardwood floor - and what it will take to fix it. Plus, learn how you can bring back oak's finish. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most garages are sloped so water drains out the doors. When this isn't the case, there are other options for minimizing the water that collects and pools. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Painting cedar siding is no easy task - so make sure your hard work goes a long way! Learn how to prep the siding for the best adhesion, and discover which paint will endure the tests of time and weather. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If it's not installed properly, a manufactured fireplace can bring let off more chill than heat. Learn what you can do to stop those fireplace drafts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When mice become a problem, catching them is secondary to keeping them out of your house in the first place. Get easy tips for deterring rodents from your home, and advice on the best place to set bait stations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out the best order for painting walls and baseboards or trim, and some prep tips that make interior painting much easier. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out whether a whole-house fan should be removed to increase efficiency, and what can be done to better insulate an attic. Plus, learn how to keep insulation out of soffit vents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The goal is minimal maintenance, but utility-free getaways are just as prone to mold as any other building - and more so if they're closed up for long periods of time. Find out how to minimize moisture and keep molding from taking Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Converting to LED lighting is a fantastic investment not only for the earth, but for your wallet. Get advice on hunting down harder-to-find LEDs, and what to consider before purchasing LED tube lights for older flourescent fixtures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn which type of caulk works best when applied in below-freezing temperatures, and get helpful advice on applying it effectively - what to look out for, how to ease the process, and an on-the-job product for keeping it warm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get wallet-friendly tips for removing stubborn layers of wallpaper and the adhesive that holds it in place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how ceramic disc technology works in faucets - its benefits, maintenance needs, and its durability. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Removing wood wall paneling is the best long-term design solution. Learn how to do it, and what might be behind those decades-old panels. However, painting is an easier way to get an updated look. Discover how to apply paint the correct way so it Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn what causes floors to squeak, what you can do to fix them - and the ideal time to tackle the job. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Excessive bathroom humidity can be traced to one or more sources. Discover which factors to look into, and learn about the benefits of installing humidity sensors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When an exterior door doesn't meet the weatherstripping on the door frame, it can do a number on efficiency. Find out what the options are for bringing the two closer together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Regrouting doesn't have to involve removing every trace of existing grout. Learn how much of it needs to be removed, and discover the key to keeping replacement grout looking fresh and clean. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices