The Money Pit Calls & Answers

Bathroom plumbing configured above social areas can lead to some loud - and uncomfortable - moments. Learn what options exist for hearing less from a toilet located directly above a family room. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When designing a small shower and in need of a pan below industry standard, find out why RV pans and accessories provide a clever alternative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips for sidestepping a missing garage-door remote control, as well as for finding and buying a new, compatible remote. Also, learn how to open and close your garage door using your smartphone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out whether a gas stove can share a regulator with a hot water heater and furnace - and whether this is a DIY job, or one best handled by a pro. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If air-conditioning isn't cooling properly, there are a number of possible causes - and solutions. Find out what to look for, who to call, and what to consider before replacing electric air conditioning and heat pumps with a fossil-fuel Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips for identifying a sawdust-like deposit under carpets. Also, debunking myths about dry rot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When freezing temperatures hit, vacant homes must be carefully managed. Learn when to drain hot water heaters and plumbing to avoid freezing and broken pipes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Deteriorating concrete floor? Learn why patching compound - and not more concrete - is the best fix for crumbling or flaking concrete floors. Plus, tips on painting concrete floors and preventing leaks in basements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get product suggestions for removing a rust stain from a porcelain toilet bowl. Also, one small, easy step that's key to stain removal success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Recirculating hot water around the clock will prevent frozen pipes - but not efficiently. Discover other cost-effective and energy-efficient options for keeping pipes thawed through the winter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Removing shingles before putting down new ones is an advisable but costly addition to roof replacement. Learn more about the trade-off that comes from layering shingles, and questions to consider before making your decision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how ceramic tile can be laid on mid-century crumbling linoleum or vinyl floor without first adding a cement floor, and when to check for asbestos content in the old floor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

High-efficiency furnaces generate a lot of moisture. Find out the best way to repair condensation leaks, as well as how often to service a high-efficiency furnace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out whether it's safe to add insulation around gas lines and other exterior pipes to minimize the cold air drafts they bring into a house. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get insights on what might be causing a patch of roofing to remain mysteriously too warm for snow to accumulate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A leaking popcorn ceiling spells trouble if you plan to keep it! Learn which products work best for patching a flaking popcorn ceiling, and tips for applying and blending it in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Old homes often have sagging floors - learn whether its possible to level sagging floors and where to start. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tempting as it is to direct collected water into existing plumbing, find out why connecting a sump pump to a sewer line is a bad - and potentially messy - idea. Get tips, too, on advisable ways of discarding collected water. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn which variables to consider when deciding how many panes to shop for in new windows. Also, other efficiency standards to keep in mind when replacing windows - including which windows to buy and install first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn to avoid costly mistakes when repairing foundation cracks and how to make sure your repair will preserve the value of your home. Find out what professional is most qualified to lend a hand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to determine whether attic insulation is still up to snuff - and, if not, whether it needs to be replaced, or just supplemented. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Metal roofs are costly, so are they worth the investment? Learn the pros and cons of these investment-grade roofs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Solar panels and windmills do wonders for monthly energy bills, but up-front installation costs make them non-options for most homeowners. Find out where to look for rebates to offset costs, and discover easier ways to reduce monthly costs using Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out which types of wood flooring can withstand basement moisture, and which to avoid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Determine whether a curtain drain is the best solution for your wet driveway - and get step-by-step instructions for building it yourself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out whether a noisy breaker box is status normal or a sign of potential fire danger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to restore the flow to low-flow showerheads. Get tips on what to look for before replacing showerheads, and how to determine showerhead manufacturers whose earth-friendly products are reliable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get helpful tips for using miter saws to make tricky angle cuts to fit handrails between posts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why bathroom drains can emit very strong odors due to biogass - and what to do about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When a natural gas hot water heater is located too far from plumbing features, tankless water heaters are a worthwhile alternative. Find out whether it makes sense to supplement an existing tank heater with a tankless system, or if replacing the Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn which saws work - and which don't - for installing baseboard molding. Also, tips for creating the perfect miter cut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wallpaper removal is never easy, but removing it without damaging drywall is crucial. Learn which products can help ease wallpaper removal, and how to apply them. Also, get tips for priming and sanding walls once wallpaper is down. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn which questions to ask before installing a new thermostat, and the ins and outs of often-confusing heat pump operation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Swamp coolers - or evaporative coolers - work best in hot, dry climates, but that doesn't necessarily mean they should be placed in the sun. Discover optimal placement for this evaporative cooling product. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips for selecting and applying mold-resistant bathroom caulk. Also, discover how humidistats work hand-in-hand with exhaust fans to decrease bathroom humidity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Unlike pure marble, composite marble surfaces can't be restored by polish. Discover cleaning tips for keeping composite surface glazes scratch-free, as well as whether restoration options exist for your weathered composite countertops. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to landscape over septic tank fields without damaging the system, and get tips on refilling small sink holes resulting from tank installation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Easy spray cleaners can rid steel siding of mold, mildew, moss, and algae. Find out whether similar options exist for cleaning good, old fashioned dirt off your steel exterior. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Determine whether your water supply requires treatment. Also, get tips on installing and protecting a water softener located outside of your home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An exterior dryer vent that opens to a deck isn't ideal, but find out whether any of the alterate options - and their trade-offs - make redirecting worthwhile. Also, learn more about little-known punch-out holes on the sides of some dryers, which Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A dry floor is crucial to polyurethane application. Learn to determine whether recently dampened hardwood is ready for its next coat, and get tips on polyurethane selection and application. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out whether a clogged shower drain should be shrugged off by prospective homebuyers, or could be a sign of bigger mechanical problems. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn which garage door surfaces can be repainted to undo effects of sun damage and oxidation. Also, pick up tips on priming the doors and applying a topcoat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When a wood stove chimney causes leaking, consider how often it's used before choosing a plan of action. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A kitchen renovation can add value to your house, but stress to your wallet. Learn where to find moderately priced kitchen cabinets, and get ideas for giving your existing cabinets a budget-friendly facelift. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get an easy rule of thumb for determing whether concrete will crack under the weight of contained water - in this case, an aquaponic garden. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get options for reducing drafts from older windows, and well as factors to consider when deciding whether to replace them altogether. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Creating a mud floor base can prevent floor tile from cracking - and can also help level a sloped room. Learn what it's made of and how to apply, and also precautionary tips on flooring around appliances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Applying textured paint to exterior composite siding isn't an ideal long-term solution, but can be used to achieve the look you're after. Get tips on choosing a paint and preparing the siding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out under what conditions an electrical fuse panel should be installed on a home's exterior - and whether or not it requires extra protection. Also, get tips for fuse box safety. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices