The Money Pit Calls & Answers

Learn about composite decking. Composite decking is low-maintenance, durable, and comes in a variety of colors to suit your home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn about OSB (oriented strand board). Get tips on how to preserve OSB on your exterior walls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn about electronic air cleaners. Central air conditioning filters may not catch all airborne particles, but an electronic air cleaner picks up what is left behind. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn about EPDM roofing. EPDM roofing is rubberized and can shield your roof from erosion and harsh weather effects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on replacing water-damaged floors in your bathroom. Any decaying that began on the plywood ceases when the water evaporates, so priming and sealing isn't necessary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on patching and painting your concrete foundation. Use an epoxy patchign material to fix the holes, then prime and paint on a dry day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out what to do if you notice that your hardwood floors are uneven. Find a certified Home Inspector at ASHI.org to see if you have a sinking foundation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on removing mirrors from your walls. When removing mirrors, always make sure to wear safety goggles and gloves in case the mirror shatters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out if your dryer vent can recycle the unused hot air into your home. Visit Energystar.gov to learn more about energy audits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to save your house from sinking by using gutters. Gutters collect water from the roof and run it away from the foundation perimeter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out what type of flooring is the safest for those who are wheelchair-bound. Laminate or hardwood flooring is durable and easy to roll around over. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on how to replace damaged roof shingles. Use a flat bar to apply new shinglesto your roof. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to identify mold on a leaky roof. Mold is not always easily identifiable by smell and can weaken your roof's sheathing and wood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn about whole-home dehumidifiers. Whole-home dehumidifiers maintain proper humidity and eliminates the mildwew smell some basements get. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to get rid of sewer flies in your basement. Sewer flies eat drain debris and turn into dust when crushed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on roofing and shingles. Learn how to choose and apply shingles to your roof and how to maintain your roof. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on fixing your refrigerator. Use the help of an online repair website like Repairclinic.com to walk you through home appliance repairs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to rehang your front door. A settled foundation can leave you with a tight fitting front door that may need to be rehung or cut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on insulating your windows. Use a temporary caulk to seal windows shut in the winter and peel it off in the spring when the weather begins to warm up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on insulating an older home. Learn different techniques for installing insulation and finding the right insulation for an older home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn about fogged windows and broken seals in thermal-pane windows. Broken seals may cause condensation but this doesn't impact energy efficiency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to clean algae and moss from your roof and if power washing your roof is a good idea to get tough stains off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on how to fix a broken vent pipe in your home's bathroom. A broken vent pipe can circulate an unpleasant sewage-type odor and can be fixed without demolition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn about quaity, cost, and resale in relation to modular homes. Modular homes are manufactured in a controlled environment and provide excellent resale properties. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on controlling pests with undetectable chemicals. Ants and other pests can be taken care of by a professional exterminator. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how using PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) in your copper pipes can prevent leaks after your plumbing project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn why Leslie and Tom suggest you don't put wall to wall carpet in your basement. Basement carpet attracts mold because it is in a below-grade space. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn about how some plumbers are now pressing pipes instead of soldering them together. Pipe pressing technology information can be seen at Ridgid.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn what product to use when filling cracks in your wood floor. If there is no subfloor, wood filler will dry up and crumble under pressure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on choosing the fight finish for your brick fireplace. Brick is easy to paint and can be made to look like stone with certain veneers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to test and fix your leaky shower. A damaged shower pan may be the cause of the leak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to vent your charcoal exhaust microwave properly. Using metal ducts is safer than plastic ducts and metal ducts can be custom made for your home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to reduce the humidity in your home. Using a whole-home dehumidifier can help take out some of the humidity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to clean lichens from your roof. Like most other roofing growths (like algae and moss), lichens can be cleaned with a mildicide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on cleaning your foundation walls with a pressure washer and mildicide. Put the pressure washer on the low setting to prevent damage to the grout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to paint over stains on your laminate kitchen countertop and how to get the look of granite on your kitche countertop. Visit Gianigranite.com for more information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on refinishing and staining your old worn wooden deck or fence. Find the right stain for your deck or fence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why there may be dead grass around your septic tank. Get tips on how to revive the dead grass around your septic tank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out what the mystery stains on your carpet may be and how to get rid of them. Sometimes your carpet may just need a replacement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how using wood filler can work better than filling cracks in your wood floor with sawdust and glue. Wood filler will stain evenly with the wood, where sawdust won't take on the same stain color. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on cleaning the algae off of your deck. Use a mildicide and a floor brush to clean, then let it dry and you're ready to stain your deck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to fill gaps in your wooden floors. Sometimes these gaps can be important air paths in your home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to get rid of mold on your basement carpet. Sometimes taking out the carpet is the first step. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out what may be causing your roof vent or chimney to make noise. Get tips on eliminating the noise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on how to prevent your garage doors from swelling. Use caulk to seal cracks that can let in water and moist air and if all else fails, get a new garage door. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out which type of generator is best for your home. Learn about gasless and natural gas generators and the benefits of both. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on fixing your buckling kitchen floor. Finding out what type of floor is under your current kitchen floor is the first step to fixing buckling problems. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why your washing machine might be overflowing and clogging. Get tips on how to fix your clogged washing machine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices