The Money Pit Calls & Answers

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

Painting exterior stucco can produce quality, long-lasting results - if you prep the stucco properly beforehand. Learn which steps to take for the best look possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A bad paint job that results in sticky doors means starting again from the top. Learn how to remove that old paint and redo the job correctly. Plus, discover an effective paint remover that's safe for indoor use. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hanging gutters sometimes requires bending back shingles - but it's not the only way to install them. Get options for installing gutters when shingles are made of cement and have no give. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover which options exist for keeping your home warm, and safe, in the event the power goes - an emergency scenario both Tom and Leslie dealt with during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out which types of grout require sealing - and which resist absorption on their own. Plus, learn the best way to clean water stains from grout of any kind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simply sealing a wood porch won't do the trick. Learn what to apply to keep wood from being ravaged by UV rays. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Moisture from basement soil can lead to mold and mildew problems in your home. Find out how a plastic vapor barrier can help - and which portions of the crawlspace it should cover. Plus, get advice on whether crawlspace vents should be left open or Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Painting a concrete floor can help keep moisture to a minimum, even if you plan to lay flooring or carpet over it. Find out how to seal for maximum effectiveness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Unlike mold, efflorescence is harmless - but no more fun to look at. Learn how to prevent this mineral buildup, and, when prevention isn't possible, how to clean it from surfaces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Repurposing carpet is an option, but might not make as much economic sense as hoped. FInd out what to consider before repurposing rather than replacing with new carpet, from seams to padding to the cost of installation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cathedral ceilings are great on the eyes but not the utility bill. Learn how to permanently cool warmer rooms without putting too added stress on your HVAC system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Water can cause concrete to crack, but it's not the only possible cause of those splits. Learn how to diagnose - and fix - the problem. Plus, a tip for keeping water from pooling on garage floors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Not all paints can endure year-round exposure to the elements. Get advice for which spray paint works best on outdoor furniture, and tips for storing that furniture for minimal wear and tear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to repair a popcorn ceiling that's stained in some parts, crumbling in others. Learn what product to use on damaged sections, and how to successfully apply paint to the popcorn texture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn what to look for before removing a hearth, including crucial tips for chimney safety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to remove carpet from patio concrete, and discover why brick pavers are an attractive option for patio surfaces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn what to consider before ripping up layers of linoleum flooring - or laying new floor overtop it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Don't rely on sealant to keep water from getting into your home. Get tips for keeping the water away from the foundating in the first place, including DIY drains and landscaping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get ideas for distributing heat evenly through a split-level home, including radiators, baseboards, and heat pumps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get inexpensive ideas for adding light to a dark space - including hallways, which can usually be lit using existing electrical outlets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Figure out how water is getting into a chimney and fireplace. Also, get tips on hiring chimney repair experts and removing mildew and mold caused by moisture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn what the causes might be when carpet feels like it's sinking beneath your feet, and discover how to quiet that loud, squeaky hardwood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Drainage issues reveal themselves in many ways. Find out why water coming up through a floor isn't necessarily groundwater. Also, DIY advice for keeping your basement dry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to prepare an area for epoxy, and discover what steps to take when the epoxy doesn't "take." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how routine HVAC maintainance can eliminate and pinpoint odor sources. Plus, a product designed specifically to eliminate foul smells. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out what to consider before painting fireplace brick, including preparing existing brick and removing the paint once you're done with the painted look. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get options for finishing dirt floors in outdoor structures, including tips on floating poured concrete. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Forget harsh chemicals! Use natural household items to get rid of small bugs in your home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A musty-smelling bathroom means mold could be right around the corner. Find out how to properly ventilate your bathroom to keep spores from forming. If mold's already visible - or if you want an extra line of prevention - learn cleaning methods for Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Unless there's a crack in the porcelain, a leaky toilet tank usually results from an ill-fitting seal. Get an easy trick for securing leaky toilet connections without new hardware. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mold will grow anyplace where there's sufficient moisture, air, and food - which means outdoor structures made of natural materials need to be properly ventilated. Discover options for preventing and removing mold in an outdoor pole building, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Moisture beading on a laminate floor could mean condensation, or water coming up from the suface beneath it. Get help pinpointing the problem and advice for eliminating it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how and whether a damaged ceiling plaster is salvagable, and get tips on removing old lathe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Removing one wood stain to apply another is tricky, but can be done. Get tips for proper wood stain stripping and advice for applying that updated look. Plus, find out which cabinets can be stripped, and which can't withstand the Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The simple reason your dishwasher stops running after filling - and how to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn the DIY-friendly way to smooth over cracks and gaps in sheetrock. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Take the right steps before painting a wood surface to get results that last for years. From the best paint and primer to the order you should apply them, find out how to paint a wood deck ceiling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out which cleaning products work best on pressure-treated wood, and hear what Tom and Leslie have to say about dry cleaning outdoor wood structures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover the two most common approaches to installing residential ponds. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out which product work bests on dirty, weathered, pressure-treated wood play structures, and added tips for playset and swingset safety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn the best way to prepare water stains for paint, and find out when you should file a claim with homeowners insurance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Flat versus pitched, metal versus shingle... there are countless decisions to make when considering a new roof. Find out what you can do to discourage water from collecting on a flat roof, and the pros and cons of a roof made of metal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Not all floors - and floor cleaners - are created equal. Discover which cleaning product contains less moisture than most, making it safe for older, antique hardwood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are common and uncommon ways to clear condensation from between paned window. Hear one caller's unusual method, as well as more proven steps you can take. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When a dryer vent tube disconnects or leaks, wet laundry is the least of your concerns. Find out what steps need to be taken to fix this fire hazard. Plus, learn what happens to insulation's R-value - or thermal resistance - once it gets damp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out whether painting kitchen countertops - whether than replacing them - is a worthwhile option, and steps to take before tackling the job. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tankless water heaters save money and energy, but not every house is a fit. Find out which fuel source works best with tankless technology. And learn about heat pump water heaters, which are also more efficient than a standard electric water Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn whether blown in insulation can be added to a garage ceiling to make the garage more comfortable to work in, as well as to reduce cold drafts in the room above.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out whether leaks in a fifteen-year-old flat asphalt roof are worth fixing, or if the best bet is to replace it altogether- and with what? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices