The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

SHOW NOTES: If you’re thinking about updating your kitchen but are concerned about the costs, we’re going to have tips on easy updates you can do over a weekend that can totally transform your space without the hassles. And it’s an age-old dilemma when your appliances break down: Fix ‘em, or replace them altogether? Our cheat sheet can help you save money and make the right choice. Plus, are you ready for a new washing machine? We’ll have tips to help you figure out which features are worth paying for and which you should skip. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Mayer from New Jersey has sticky Anderson windows that won’t open fully. Gail in Canada has a furnace that is dumping water into her crawl space soil. Scott from Georgia wants to know if he can install an attic ventilator even though he already has a ridge vent. Lisa in Michigan wants to know if her exhaust fan is for the whole house or just her bathroom. John from North Carolina is asking what the best spray foam insulation for his home is. June in Alaska has cracks in her bathroom ceramic tile and needs a solution. Bill in Texas has a problem with rusty grout in his tile shower. Jackie from Florida has a problem with her whirlpool dishwasher not working and have mold build up. Mike in Arkansas wants to know if he can combine the bath vent and the exhaust vent. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Ready for new kitchen cabinets? We’ll tell you how to choose new cabinets that’ll step up the space and not blow the budget. If you’ve ever stepped into a shower hoping for a strong flow - only to find a less than inspiring trickle, you know poor water pressure can be frustrating. But the power of a good shower may not be out of reach. We’ll share how to restore the flow We could all use a little more sunshine this time of year…spotless windows can help! We’ve got tips on how to clean your windows like a pro, and you won’t even need any paper towels. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Jan in California wants to know if she can put texture over backer paper. Bill from Tennessee needs advice for cleaning a pressure treated deck that is starting to turn black. Beth in Minnesota has a partially clogged toilet that she can’t fix. Darwin from Texas wants to know how to remove a rotted facia board without taking apart his gutter. Kathy in Delaware wants to know what is the best gutter option. Ed from Delaware has moisture in his basement that is producing an odor he can’t get rid of. Jerry in Massachusetts has a bang coming through her house and can’t seem to identify the source. Dave from West Virginia has questions about what type of water heater is best for him. Laura in Connecticut has a washing machine that is moving around too much. Brad from Pennsylvania wants to know if he should remove the insolation in a knee wall. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Are your feet feeling freezing tile floors in the morning? Tired of having icy toes no matter how many layers of socks you have on? There is an easy and reliable solution that can restore feeling to those frozen feet. If you’ve got an older home, you probably have an older chimney and those can be unsafe. We’ll walk you through the best options for improvement. Here’s an idea we can get behind: better toilet seats. From comfier to cleaner, there are plenty of affordable upgrades out there for your throne. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Mary in Massachusetts has a dishwasher that keeps backing up. Ian from North Carolina wants a cheap solution for soundproofing. Lulu in Delaware needs help installing a drip edge on her roof. Pete in Wisconsin is having an issue with his garage door opening unevenly. Paul from Texas wants to know if he can run two water heaters in series. Charlotte needs to know the best way to fix leaky windows. Lori in Pennsylvania wants to know the best option for a countertop. Jeffery from Wisconsin that will repair cracks with a caulk that will blend in. Dan in Washington is want to convert a garage into a Bed and Breakfast and wants to know what kind of city ordinances he should be aware of. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: If your bathroom is short on space we share easy ways for a small bathroom a makeover that makes every inch count. February is the best month to buy a mattress but figuring out the best deal for a comfortable place to lay your head is super confusing. We share what to look for - for a good night’s rest. Using window coverings strategically can help you stay warmer, or even cooler in the summer. We share smart ways to use your window coverings to spruce up your space without the need to be replaced. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Caesar in Chicago is looking for a DIY solution insulating around his washer and dryer. Rosalie wants some advice on installing an elevator in her home. Tom from Texas needs help choosing between a tankless and tank-in water heater. Ken in Wisconsin having a problem with ice-damning. Sharaine from Colorado wants to know the best way to deal with mold and mildew. Jacob in Kentucky needs a solution for water coming out too hot throughout his home. Zelda from North Carolina is wondering what’s a good option bathroom floor that isn’t laminate or tile. Deb in Illinois wants to know the pros and cons to a modular home. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Have you been feeling drafts all winter long and wondering if replacing old or drafty windows is a wise move? 7 key questions can help determine if this project is right for you. If you need to hang something heavy on a wall, it’s always best to connect into wood studs. But if you can’t find one, new fasteners may allow you to connect directly to the drywall. We share how to choose the right anchor for the job. One item that is probably floating around your junk draw right now is causing homes to go up in flames. We’ll share an important safety tip. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Gayla from California is trying to repair scratches in her Corian countertop. Randy in Arkansas wants to know if he can use a large vacuum to quickly remove old insulation in his home. Margie from Maryland needs to get rid of a smoke smell in her house. Dave wants to know how to remove a carpet without damaging the floor underneath. Tim from Minnesota is looking for a dimmer for LED lights. Laura in Connecticut is asking for the best primer to use on rust stains. Dave wants to put a cast iron insert into his fireplace and wants to know if it’s safe and DIY. Michelle from Pennsylvania wants a more efficient heating system in her home. John how to fix a toilet not flushing properly. Terry in Ohio says after replacing his hot water heater the a water has a rotten egg smell. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: If you’ve been thinking about a remodeling project and wondering what to do with your ceiling, a drop ceiling is probably not on your list! But these ceilings are not just the boring flat large tiles we’ve grown up with. We’ll share some amazing transformations that are possible with the newest innovations in these ceilings. You probably don’t think much about your home’s electrical panel until a circuit trips – and then you have to! Tripped circuits may be a sign your panel is ready for an upgrade, or just point to the need for a much less expensive repair. We’ll explain how to keep the power on for less. Hundreds of unsafe products get recalled each year. But with so many recalls, how do you know if you have recalled products in your own home? We’ll tell you about a free product recall website that can help. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Larry needs advice what to do about a bad contractor who did what sounds like pretty lousy work on his new home. Jan in Kansas wants to know how to fix cracks in her sheetrock walls that run from her dining room to her kitchen. Howard from Texas has a collapsing retaining wall that needs an immediate repair. Karen in Nebraska wants to know how to set up a timer for her front lights. James from Minnesota wants to know how to tell the age of a water heater. William in Texas has a crack in his double paned window and wants to know the best way to fix it. Mary from Missouri wants to know if she can install central air conditioning using existing duct work. David in Maryland need tips to clean mold from her driveway and stop it from coming back. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: The laundry room might seem safe enough, but anywhere there’s extreme heat and lots of water, there’s potential for trouble. We’ll walk you through the most common laundry room trouble spots and tell you how to prevent leaks, fires and breakdowns. If you are ready to shop for new appliances, there are two price tags you need to consider. The first is the price you pay and the second is the cost to operate that appliance. We’ll share tips on how the easy way to determine both and avoid surprise expenses. Winter weather can take a toll your home’s siding. We share simple siding repairs to restore missing, loose pieces plus how to get rid a season of dirt and grime for a fresh start come Spring. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Alvin has a home with serious structural settlement and wants to know if repair is a DIY project, and how to should be done. Darlene in Arizona is wants to know how to repair loose vinyl floor tiles in a laundry room. Greg from Tennessee want to know if you can put a metal roof on top of a shingle roof. Christine in Arkansas is asking if she can paint over some unfortunately colored tile in her bathroom. Mike in Vermont wants to know the best heated flooring he can install. Cumi from Wisconsin needs to remove black mold in her rental. Judy in Arkansas has a laminate floor that is bubbling up and doesn’t want to replace it, how can she repair it. Terry from Washington has an ice dam and is wondering how he can alleviate it. Kathy from Arkansas is curious about if Radon is a concern on a slab floor. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Adding a basement bathroom can make the space more useable and but below grade bathrooms need special designs in order to drain. We’ll share what you need to know to make sure your bathroom will “go with the flow”. When you ask for a 2x4 at the local lumber yard, did you now that the wood they give you actually measures a lot less? These days it’s not always easy to get what you pay for – and that includes buying lumber. We share why and how make sure your money goes as far as it can when buying materials. Wondering how much it costs to maintain a house? We share a simple formula to lay out what you should you budget for the cost of home repair and maintenance. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Nadine in Iowa has an unusually noisy countertop. Tyler from Indiana wants to know if he should do a full basement remodel to sell his house. Don in Illinois has a slippery sidewalk and wants to know if he can put a sealer on the sidewalk to give it more traction. Sandra from North Carolina wants to know if high quality air filters are worth the expense. Randy in Arkansas wants to replace the tub and install a handicap shower kit. Jessica from Missouri has a floor that has settled in the middle and needs tips on how to repair it. Barry is looking for the best air filter for his HVAC. Jane Ellen in Pennsylvania wants to know if double-pane or triple-pane windows are most efficient for her part of the country. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: If you are planning to make the switch from carpet to one of the many beautiful solid surface floors, getting the old carpet torn out can be a hassle. Worse, it can reveal problems that need to be fixed before the new floor can be installed. We’ll share how prep for your new floor like a pro. When it comes to maintaining your home, painting is a project that’s among the most basic of DIY projects. But it’s also a project that can go terribly wrong if you don’t take just three steps before your start. Learn how to avoid the most common painting mistakes. Ever had a bath or shower drain get clogged due to long hair getting stuck in it? we’ll share a $5 solution that’s so handy, you’ll want to start using it on all your sinks and showers. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Jennifer in Maryland needs a solution how to fill in a gap in siding. Kenny from Mississippi wants to know the best insulation for a tin roof. Penny in Illinois wants to know how to stop frost coming in through where her gas meter connects into her home. Trent’s wants to know how to remove a popcorn ceiling that is falling apart. Peter in Florida lost power in his bathroom and wants to know what’s causing his circuit to trip. Joyce from Alabama has a bathroom sink odor and needs a solution. Margie in Delaware found some stained wood under her carpet and wants to know how to repair them. James from Texas has a sudden issue with a water odor after getting a new water heater. Bela in Delaware wants to put architectural shingles on his aluminum roof to reduce the drainage noise. Jeff from Missouri failed to put a sealer on his patio and wants to know how he can retroactively fix this. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Natural stone countertops are beautiful but also require a ton of maintenance to keep them looking as good. We sort out whether these attractive kitchen surfaces are worth the hassle, along with some equally attractive but easier to care for alternatives. If getting rid of old wallpaper stands between you and your dream room, we can help! Learn the right steps to remove wallpaper quickly and easily. If you’re a pet-lover and taking on new decor or remodeling projects, we’ve share tips for the best pet friendly floor and walls surfaces. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Dave from California needs a recommendation for the best solar batteries for his new home. Dana in Georgia wants to know if mold in her home is an issue and how she can remove it. Jeff from Massachusetts wants to know the best insulation for a basement. Sylvia in Pennsylvania is curious if he can heat his terrazzo floor. Sparky from Georgia is replacing coaxial cable and is looking for the best possible way to do it. Anne in North Dakota has a hair line crack that has been growing over time and needs to find out if its active or not, and how best to fix it. Dennis from Michigan wants to know how to get hot water to his bathroom more quickly. Kathleen in Texas needs to know how well epoxy garage flooring works. Sue from Ohio is looking for products to keep ice and snow off her wheelchair ramp without damaging it. George in Colorado wants to if it’s necessary to clear the snow off his roof? Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Winter is rough on roofs so now is a good time to plan for any roof work that might be needed to be done come spring. We’ll share tips for a DIY roof check to know if a roof needs to be repaired or replaced - in today’s Smart Spending Tip. Got closets busting at the seams? We’ve got steps for a simple closet makeover that takes less than an hour or two to get done and will help you find the space you need. If you’d like to make your home more energy efficient, a home energy audit is a great place to start. We’ll share how details to get this done, and highlight a DIY option, just ahead. Say goodbye to the dark days of winter with the best lighting for your home. We share the bulbs and fixtures that deliver the brightest outlook for the days ahead. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Risa from Oregon needs a good gutter guard recommendation. John in Missouri is building a guest home and wants to know if it’s better to start from scratch or if he should use a prefab. Kathy from Massachusetts has chimney that is turning to dust and wants to know what she can do about it. Jim in Ohio wants to know his options for insulating his basement as well as noise-proof it. Fran from Tennessee needs a replacement for her French door. Chad in Iowa wants to prevent moisture in his bay windows. Cindy from Michigan wants to know her options for generating her own power to cut down on her bills. Sparky in Georgia has a water ring problem in one of his bathrooms that keeps coming back. Laura from South Carolina is installing anti-slip deck paint and is concerned about damaging the deck. Jack in Nebraska is putting a new floor into his basement and wants to know if he can put down engineered wood flooring. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Want to tackle a home improvement project but don’t have much time? Tom & Leslie share 5 fast hacks that take 30 minute or LESS to complete. Plus share a full list of 30 more home improvements you can do in under 30 minutes! Home fire risk goes up in the winter, but did you know that not all smoke detectors work with every type of fire? We’ll explain how to choose the best smoke detectors to make sure you’re protected. If you’re a renter, we share tips to help you save money heating your apartment that’ll make you a lot more comfortable and won’t require any major changes to your place, or risk losing your security deposit! Radon is a soil gas that is present under homes and can put your health at risk. We share how to know if radon levels are high in your area and what to do if they are. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Andrea in Pennsylvania has a sloping floor in her bathroom and doesn’t know how to fix it. David from Ohio is having a hard time keeping paint from peeling off his siding. Renee in Texas wants advice on repairing structural cracks in her townhouse. Linda from Rhode Island needs a good paint for her stone basement wall. Gary from Georgia wants to know how to harvest rainwater. Tony in Iowa has a cold water line that feels hot to touch. Patty from Illinois has a toilet that’s driving up her water bill and wants to how she can resolve this. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Thinking adding solar power to your home can reduce electricity costs? Not all panels deliver the same amount of electricity. Tom & Leslie explain which options deliver the most power and best savings. And if you like homes that feel bigger than they are, there’s a new trend in what’s known as a broken or semi-open floor plan beginning to catch on. Well top-line those details. With half of the winter behind us, it’s time to think about making sure your outdoor trees will bloom this spring. We’ve got tips on keeping trees alive through winter. Plus, answers to these home improvement questions: Pat in South Dakota wants to know more about vinyl flooring she’s looking to install on her first floor. Phillip from Massachusetts is replacing his cape cod roof and wants to know his options and if he should put in an ice guard. Carolyn down in Florida needs advice on repainting her metal garage door. Eric in Michigan is asking if gutters are needed if your home is on a concrete slab? Debs from Pennsylvania wants to know how to clean the ring around the drain of a sink. Mike in Arizona wants to know the best options are for replacing his old cedar siding. Lynn from Illinois how to replace a mailbox that is rusted and stuck in her brick. Rebecca in Tennessee wants to know how to repair a crack in her limestone chimney. Susan from Texas wants to know what kind of treatment should be done on a water well. Lydia in Maryland wants to know what is the best type of insulation she should put in her house. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Improving your insulation is the easiest and least expensive way to get comfortable and save money. To help, Tom & Leslie review the most popular types of insulation – including a new “itch-free” fiberglass insulation plus another that’s fire resistant to over 2000 degrees! A serious commercial stove can boost both your cooking powers, and your home's resale value. We’ll share what you need to know if you’re looking for one of these brawny commercial beauties in your kitchen. And are you laying your head down on a bed of bacteria every night? We have tips to help de-tox your mattress to keep IT clean and YOU, healthy. Plus how to spot and get rid of bedbugs. Plus, answers to these home improvement questions: Joan in California is ready for a kitchen remodel and doesn’t know where to start! Kirk from North Dakota is ready to convert incandescent bulbs to LED’s and needs to know how lumens compares to light bulb wattage. Jody in Delaware needs help fixing a foundation with dry lock that is peeling off. Robert in North Dakota wants to know what the best way to heat a big space. Carol from Ohio has a cutting project and needs to know what’s the best blade to cut a door with. Louis in Pennsylvania needs tips to choose the best replacement water heater. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Do you enjoy watching birds visit your yard in warmer weather, but miss them in the winter? Tom & Leslie share tips to help attract visits from your fine feathered friends all year long: even in the cold months! Need a workshop, maker space, sewing center or other studio space? We share tricks for carving out room for your past time using hidden space you may not even know you have! Cold floors can be very uncomfortable and raise your heating costs. We identify the top causes of cold floors and the easiest ways to warm those surfaces, and your feet! Got a smelly sink? We solve that one too with a hack that can help. Plus, here’s one for the rule-breakers out there. Leslie shares design rules that are worth breaking with amazing results. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: We help Kayla in Iowa who has a dehumidifier that keeps tripping her circuit breaker. Tom gives Manny from Rhode Island some money-saving advice about service contracts offered for water lines. Ellen in New York is working on a new floor and wants to know if she has to remove vinyl tile to install a new engineered hardwood floor. Jonathan from Tennessee wants to now the best way to insulate and heat his garage so he can use it as a work space all year long. Ever fix a crack in a wall or ceiling only to have it reappear over and over again? Linda has and gets a one-and-done solution from our expert hosts! Martin in Wisconsin wants to know if it’s possible to remove a load bearing wall to create more open space in her home. Devron from Missouri learns why the best way to make her home more energy efficient is to start with an energy audit. Tom & Leslie share several options to get it done. Steve in Illinois needs a gut check on an estimate for new windows. Tom and Leslie review the project and offer a checklist to use that’ll make sure he gets the best quality windows and the best price. Danuza from Georgia loves her fireplace so much she wants to know if she can open the back side to make double sided. Justin in Montana has smelly bath water he can’t find the source of. Expert host Tom Kraeutler, points to the problem instantly – and it’s not the bathroom at all that’s causing it! Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Icicles may be attractive, but they’re an early warning of some potentially serious roof leaks. Learn how to stop the leaks caused by ice dams and even get your homeowners insurance company to pay for a new roof! Painting is the easiest and least expensive way to completely change the look of a room. But many DIYers struggle when it comes to picking the best color for their project! We’ll share simple tips to help chose the perfect paint colors Did your furniture pick up a little extra wear and tear over the holidays? We’ve got hacks to fix water rings, dings and dents. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Joel from Michigan wants to know choose the best stud finder? Nancy in Arkansas needs help to fill a gap in hardwood floor and her front door threshold. Ken has wants to know what’s best way to repair water damaged sheetrock and wants to know if it’s a DIY project. Karen in Tennessee wants to know how to keep her house warm during the night using her thermal pane windows. Tony from Montana needs repairing a crumbling foundation. Kathryn in Colorado is having a mice problem in her unfinished downstairs and wants to know if the ultrasonic plugins work. Ben from Illinois how to prevent lime discharge pipe on his water heater. Nancy in Massachusetts has a garage door that isn’t closing properly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Buying a house in 2022? We’ve got 4 key questions you might want to ask the home seller before you move in. Kitchen floors can take a real beating, especially over the holidays. If your floors are ready for a refresh, we’ll share tips on the best kitchen flooring for this hardworking space. Undecking the halls is never fun, but you might be making it tougher than it has to be. Get hacks for taking down and storing holiday decorations quickly and easily. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Kathy in Indiana noticed that snow melts on her roof quicker in some areas more than others. She wonders if her heat pump is the cause? Its not, but she’s close! We explain why. Cheryl in Texas has plywood countertops and wants an affordable temporary option to replace it. Jim from Louisiana is concerned a loose brick wall in his garage and wants to know how to determine if it’s a structural problem. Laurie in Texas needs help matching the sheen of paint originally used on her cabinets. Ken from Michigan wants to know how to clean his water softener. Kris in Pennsylvania needs advice on fixing a small copper pipe leak leading to her radiator. Stuart from Rhode Island wants to know the best way to fix deteriorating concrete on the steps of his home. Barbara in Texas needs to repair a brick and mortar patio for her home and wants to know how to match the old mortar color with the new, and if this is a DIY project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: A wood stove is a fantastic way to stay warm in winter. But not all wood delivers the same heat. Learn how to supercharge your wood stove for max heat and which fuels can actually be unsafe to burn or can damage your stove. Natural stone countertops are a popular choice for kitchen renos - but they need a lot more care than most people know. We’ll reveal what type of stone countertop is hardest to maintain and reveal an alternative that delivers the same beauty with almost none of the daily maintenance. Hundreds of children are injured every year from furniture, TV’s or appliances that that tip over, especially when kids climb them. We share how to anchor large furniture to the wall and avoid a preventable problem. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Sue from Ohio needs help cleaning a carpet that has some mold on it. Jim in Delaware wants to know his options for replacing his shower stall. Melina in Texas is asking if she should be worried if new electrical wiring is too close to her wood stove. Julian from Illinois is noticing that his brick chimney is crumbling and wants to know how he can be proactive about it. Sandra in South Dakota is concerned about slippery floors and wants to know what type of floor tile is best for a bathroom. John from Missouri has a cracked garage floor and wants to know if “mud jacking” can help stop it from further deterioration. Jean in Iowa has water dripping in her furnace from condensation and wants to know how to stop it. Todd from Illinois is needs to know what type of repair product would be best to seal cracks in a driveway. Julie in Missouri needs a fix to prevent plumbing pipes from freezing inside her walls. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: If you need new furniture for the New Year but fear it may not be in the budget - Upcycling may be a great solution for a fresh look at a fraction of the cost. Tom & Leslie have tips to help you get started. If you are a renter, did you know that your possessions are usually NOT covered by your landlord’s insurance? We’ll tell you the one thing you can do to make sure your covered in the event of a flood, fire or other disaster. Doors that stick are an annoying problem that doesn’t really have to be. We’ll tell you how to make it go away once and for all. If you take on New Year’s Resolutions each year only to see them fizzle quickly, we show you how your house help you save money, eat better and get in shape! Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Laurie wants to know where to get a remote for her Chamberlain garage door. Mike in Iowa wants to know if he can additional insulation to his garage Cheryl from Texas wants to modernize her bathroom and replace her bathtub with a shower. Bob in Massachusetts wants to know if it’s cheaper to run natural gas instead of oil. Mary from Alabama needs help removing caulk from her floor. Greg in Virginia needs to know the best solution for hard water. Catherine from Wisconsin has an I-beam in her condo and wants to know how she can soundproof it. James in Oregon needs a solution to the wear and tear of his pocket doors. Clara from Kansas has concerns about her cleaning dryer venting. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Have you made energy saving improvements to your home that upped its “green” factor? Those improvements may help you sell your home more quickly than the competition. Tom & Leslie share improvements with the best ROI along with tips on how to present these when it comes time to sell. When the weather outside turns frightful, a fire might be delightful – but not if it drives up your heating costs! We have tips on simple steps to make your fireplace energy-efficient. You are probably inside more often than not this time of year… so how healthy is the air you’re breathing? Maybe not as healthy as you think! Find out how to cut down on dust, allergens and even germs with a whole house air cleaner. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Brian from Kentucky wants to know the pros and cons of various types of stucco. Gail in Georgia wants to know how to clean stains from her driveway that are caused by acorns. Pete from Ohio needs to know more about how a how tankless water heaters work. Donna in Texas wants to know if it’s time for her to replace her 25-year-old windows. John from Arkansas is calling to know if he needs to hire a chimney cleaning service annually or can he get away with skipping a couple years? Cynthia in South Dakota wants to know how the walls in her old home are constructed and if she’d do damage by removing them. Kurt from North Carolina needs to reinforce his floor and wants to know how to sister a floor joist. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: It’s not easy to keep track of every little thing in your home that requires attention upkeep. Well now, there’s an app for that! It’s been created by Consumer Reports and helps manage your home like a pro. Vinegar works well as for salads and cooking, but did you know there are many ways to use it to keep your home clean? We’ll share 5 ways to use vinegar to keep your appliances, your bathroom and even your tools clean and working well. The holidays leave little time for things to go wrong…but what happens when they do? We’ll have simple solutions to solve the most common holiday home improvement hassles just ahead. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Marlene in California is having a rotten egg smell from her master bathroom shower. William from Delaware has mice problem he needs to get rid of. Denise in Ohio is constantly battling condensation in her double pain windows and wants to know if there is a solution. Olin wants to some advice about installing wainscoting in his living room. Lane from Arizona wants to know if he can do a concrete countertop by himself. Renea in North Carolina needs to know how to weatherproofing her apartment windows and sliding glass door. Clair from Maine is having a problem with his water softener not working correctly Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Getting ready to refresh your home with some new décor for the year ahead? We’ll share 5 ways to save lots of money decorating your home sweet home for 2022! We know your kids are counting the minutes, but is your chimney ready for Santa – and for the colder temperatures right behind him? We’ve got advice for chimney repair and cleaning tips that keep your home safe and structurally sound. Lots of cleaning going in this month with all the holiday visits happening – one of the harder surfaces to get clean are tile floors. We’ve got some quick cleaning tips to help you get tile bright and clean tile floors in no time at all. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Laurie in Nevada wants to know how to repair a cement sink. Lawrence from Wisconsin needs help fixing a rotting porch post. Kathy in Florida is asking about a product to seal a door. Ames from Colorado has horizontal cracks in his masonry stucco siding. Nora in Texas needs help painting a textured wall. Peter from Florida needs a fix for covering up dents in a doorframe. Barb in Iowa is asking if they should switch from radiant system to an alternative. Orv from South Dakota has a stain that darker than he thought it would be and wants to undo it. Pam in Montana has a gurgling kitchen sink. Terry from Tennessee needs to fix his retaining wall in order to keep mud from leaking out from behind it. Shawnee in North Carolina is having a flooding issue in her backyard due to an underground spring. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: With the holidays almost here, many parents are already dreading the moment when neatly wrapped presents become incoming piles of toys. We share easy organizing tips to help. You can’t see it or smell it but according to the EPA, hundreds of people die accidentally each year from CO poisoning caused by heating systems -- We’ll have a way to keep you safe. Your basement may serve as your home’s storage area, an extra play space for the kids or even your laundry room … but basements are also a major source of wasted energy usage. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Mike in Iowa wants to know if he can lay foil face on top of existing insulation. Marlene from Iowa has a moisture issue on her windows every morning after she replaced her siding. Frank needs help fixing a foundation beam that has cracked diagonally. Ann in Georgia is needs help dealing with excessive dust in her house. Carol wants to paint her stained bathroom cabinets and wants to know how to remove the current stain from the cabinets. Tom from Texas had an oil leak on his driveway and wants to know how to get the stain out. Joan in Illinois wants to know what causes dry rot and how to identify if you have it. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: If you’d like to improve the energy efficiency of your home but wondered whether the improvements would pay off, the EPA now has a program that can prove the savings before the projects even started. Bathtubs can last a lifetime, but their finishes won’t! If your bathtub finish is worn, you don’t have to get rid of the whole tub. We share much less expensive solutions. As you do your gift shopping – have you noticed how many retailers offer the opportunity to purchase an “extended” warranty? These seem to be available on everything from a toaster to a television, but do they ever make sense? Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Robert in Alaska has water penetrating his foundation and wants to know how to stop this. Terri from Missouri is having a crack issue that won’t go away on her wall leading up to her vaulted ceiling and needs a permanent fix. John in New Jersey wants to know if he should flush his water heater annually. Leslie needs advice on cutting down a door. Brent in Texas has a question about using a ridge venting alongside gable vents. Ron from Tennessee has an issue dealing with moisture in his crawlspace and wants to know if an encapsulated system can help solve this. Vicki in Louisiana has an issue keeping the same water pressure with different temperatures. Nancy from Pennsylvania wants a more modern looking option instead of baseboard heating in her all-electric house. Andrew in North Carolina has a problem with his water drain in his shower making a gurgling noise when it drains. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Winter weather can be especially hard on your home’s plumbing system – especially if your pipes freeze and break. We’ll share simple tips to stop this from happening this holiday season. Now that we’ve sailed past Thanksgiving, Christmas is right around the corner so if you’re thinking about decking those halls – you might be wondering whether you should go with a fresh or fake tree this year. Coming up – we’ll talk pros and cons of each, including some tips on how to choose the freshest fresh tree available. If you have an older house with beautiful – but drafty – windows, then adding a storm window may be a smart move, especially because today’s storm windows have gone high-tech with coatings that make them even more efficient – details ahead. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Dena in Iowa has floor to ceiling brown paneling and wants to know how she can cover it up. Luke from North Carolina has floors that are buckling and wants to know how to fix it. Christy in Delaware has a back porch that has chipped away around her storm door. Rudy from Tennessee had a leaky roof that was fixed but still may have moisture in the drywall after having it replaced. Marilyn in South Dakota wants to know how to preserve kitchen cabinets from her old home and put them in her new home. John from New York wants to know how to slope soil away when there is an overwhelming grade from the property going into the house to deal with overflowing. Anna needs help with a sticky doors after having her doors repainted. Brian in Washington is having a problem with bleeding galvanized nails and wants to know how to fix it. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: As heating bills are starting to rise, we share are several low cost to no cost things you can do to keep them under control while also staying comfortable. Ready for a quick kitchen refresh? Kitchen backsplashes keep the walls behind your counters clean and updating them can be a fun and affordable project to do yourself. Hanging holiday lights only to find that half a string is out? Get fast, free and easy holiday light fixes to restore the festive spirit! Is your bathroom floor looking like it need a do-over? We share several new types of bathroom floors that you can install yourself over a weekend. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: David from Texas wants to know how to freshen up his concrete patio. Mindy needs advice on what product to use when fixing joints on her concrete porch. Mike in Arizona has worn out siding and wants to know if he should replace it or re-stain it. Natasha from Missouri has dents appearing in her corner molding and wants to know how to repair it. Roger in Arkansas wants to know if he can repair a faucet with parts from the store or does he have to buy it from the manufacturer? Traci from Ohio wants to know how she can keep the wind from blowing into her house during the winter months. Joyce in Illinois wants to know what type of flooring can hold up to her home daycare and still looks nice. Sharon from Tennessee has some questions about tankless water heaters. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Breathing fresh clean air inside your home is more important than ever but you don’t have to throw open windows to let in freezing air to get it. We share tips on the best air filters for a steady supply of fresh indoor air. With all the holiday meals happening now, have you noticed that when you run your dishwasher, are dishes coming out dirtier than when they went in? We’ll share tips for keeping your dishwasher working properly – and end once and for all the often-debated family question: Do you need to pre-rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher? One appliance that you may own, and you’ll never want to be without again, is your garbage disposer. But during the holidays, disposers get jammed more than any other time in the year. We’ll tell you about a super easy way to get it back in action. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Russell in Rhode Island is looking to replace the knobs on his kitchen cabinets and drawers. Diana from Arkansas has a broken beam in her house causing her kitchen to be unlevel. Glen in California wants to know if a propane stove can work in a natural gas home. Sam in South Carolina has a postformed countertop that’s getting in her way of putting a backsplash in her kitchen. Michael has an AC coil that isn’t draining properly and causing a leak. Marlise from Georgia has windows that have slipped out of their frame. Scott in Texas has mold around in windows when it starts to get cold and wants to know how to deal with it. Sarah from Iowa needs help getting rid of glued down carpet off of a wood subfloor. James in Ohio wants to know if it easier to install an electric furnace or an outdoor unit in his older home. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Painting is a project most homeowners are happy to tackle themselves. But it’s also a project that can go terribly wrong if you don’t take just three steps before you start. We’ll share pro tips for painting success. Looking for a simple way to cut heating and cooling costs? A smart programmable thermostat can cut both heating and cooling costs by 10%. Learn how to heat up your home on a budget. If you are thinking of updating your bedroom with a new mattress or furniture, we’ll have tips to make sure your purchase results in a better night’s sleep. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Maria from Hawaii has a shower that is leaking into her subflooring. Dennis in Nebraska wants to know the best treatment option for his 2-story wood deck. Kathy is asking, “Is it okay to paint a refrigerator?” Dave in Pennsylvania is putting a vinyl floor in his below grade basement and wants to know if he must put down a vapor barrier and should it be glued down or a floating floor? Cathy from California wants to know how easy it is to paint brick. Mike in Georgia wants to know how to refinish a stained and dirty floor. Michelle from Ohio is wondering how far a raised flower bed should be from the house to make sure she doesn’t get any flooding. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Kitchen renos peak after the holidays when the frustrations worn out kitchen layouts peak. If you’re planning a kitchen redo for 22, we’ll tell you how to choose new cabinets that’ll step up the space and not blow the budget. Are you ready to pick up a new snowblower before the first major snowstorm hits? Consumer Reports has you covered. Home and appliances reporter Paul Hope joins us with their picks of the best snowblowers on the market. Are messy pets creating a decorating dilemma? Afraid that anything you buy will be ruined by your well-meaning pooch? We’ll have tips to help you get the best of both worlds. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Tom from New Jersey asks, “what is the renovation definition for Return on Investment (ROI)?” Cindy in Florida wants to know if needs to strip her old epoxy paint before applying a new epoxy coating to her floor.. James from Nebraska is concerned about reports of fumes coming off spray foam insulation. Loretta is building a beach house with a crawlspace and looking for a moisture resistant flooring alternative to natural hardwood. Dennis in South Carolina wants to know what kind of mortar to use on an old stone home. Brenda in Michigan would like to know what type of wall board to use to avoid mold in her basement. Jim from Illinois has an old cedar deck and wants to know if he should power wash the deck? Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Are your kids’ rooms ready for a design refresh? We’ve got tips to help you design a room that can grow as fast as they do. Home repairs often come as a surprise for most owners, but did you know that many are predictable if you know when your home was built. We share hacks to help you determine your homes age, and the most common repairs to expect! And as we move toward winter, are you looking to get everybody up & active on those not-so-sunny days. Adding a game room may be the answer you’re searching for! Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Michelle wants to know what kind of flooring to use in her young son’s bathroom. Randy from Missouri is asking if removing his gable vents is from the attic is smart when adding new ridge vents? We give Eden in Arizona the best way to stop her garbage disposal backing up into her other sink. Ken from Illinois has a three-way light switch that isn’t working. Rosalind and Gary in Delaware want to know how to seal a marble table. Larry has some 30-year-old wallpaper that is starting to peal and needs a solution. Janet in South Carolina wants to extend her roof to cover a patio and needs to know the best way to attach the new roof to the old one. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Have you ever been surprised by a big electric bill? We’ll share the most common places energy is wasted. If you’re shopping for a home, buying an older home can be a good deal – but only if you’re ready for the restoration and repair that come along with the job. We’ll share tips for buying and repairing older homes. Do your faucets sound like they are crying out in pain? Faucets that sound like screams, squeal or whistle can get pretty annoying. We’ll share has silence noisy faucets for good. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Marilyn is wants to know whether it’s better to rent or buy for her military family. John from Missouri needs to fix plaster walls after having a leak behind the wall. Deane needs some tips on steel windows built into her wall and whether she should repair or replace them. Robert wants to know what to do when the insulation in his attic has settled. Wendy from West Virginia wants to know what the difference between a commercial and residential building in terms of codes. Stan in Massachusetts is needs advice on how to proceed with a ceiling leak caused by defective pipes in his plumbing. Kathy from Michigan wants to know why her cinderblock house causes paint to peel very easily. Gina has wants to know if she should install a high efficiency HVAC. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: If we had to name a project that can really change the look of a kitchen, or even a bath, replacing the countertop would be high on the list! But while removing and replacing a countertop is a costly and complicated project, simply restoring the surface with a stone coating is not. We show you how to do it in a weekend! There’s nothing like a good, steamy shower – BUT too much moisture can cause paint to peel, and mold to grow. We’ll share a solution to keep that moisture in check. Consumer Reports runs thousands of products through thousands of tests every year to find the ones that provide the best performance and value. But they also point out many to avoid. We’ll share appliances that earned the not-so-prestigious do-NOT-buy recommendation. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Brian from Delaware and wants to know more about the best water softening systems to get rid of hardwater. Marta in Iowa has concrete steps that are separating from her driveway and needs a solution. Doug in Texas has a 30-year-old home and wants to know the best way to add insulation to his attic. Susan from Pennsylvania wants to know how to scare off a woodpecker eating away her home. Anthony is calling in with an odor coming from his stove top. Alberta from Arkansas wants to make it easier to open up her vinyl drop down windows. David from Oklahoma is asking how to clean his HVAC vents without spreading dust throughout the house. Jeff in Delaware is having a sulfur odor coming from his well even after having a filter installed. Joyce from Missouri needs help refreshing the grout on her ceramic tile. Josh in California needs help replacing 45-year-old copper piping with Pex. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Thinking about updating your kitchen in time for holiday meals but concerned about the timing and costs? Get tips on easy updates you can do over a weekend that can totally transform your space without the hassles. If you love the personality of older homes, some of that personality can come out in the way of a noisy plumbing system! We’ll share the source and the solution to all that banging and clanging. Chilly weather may leave your home looking dark and dreary, but not if you spruce up your front porch for the color of the seasons. Get tips on adding rich colors with accessories and simple hardware switch-outs you can do yourself. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Joe in Rhode Island wants to know wants to know if he needs to add attic ventilation in a home with spray foam insulation. Julianne from Massachusetts wants to know how to fill in a crack between a garage and driveway. Richard in Washington is looking for tips on how to replace his broken composite siding. Sandra from Arkansas has a problem with a blocked vent pipe in her plumbing. Mike in Delaware is asking what the best way to remove and reuse hardwood flooring. Courtney from Pennsylvania wants to know the best way to add air conditioning to a cape cod house. Craig in Tennessee wants to know the best type of fireplace: vented or ventless? Carol from Minnesota is tired of carpeting and wants our recommendation for a kid friendly flooring for stairs. Thomas in New York wants to know if he has to treat his composite decking. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Fall weather may be refreshing but the cooler temperatures can also usher pests like stink bugs into the warmer spaces of your home. Get tips to keep these smelly invaders out. Weather-related power outages are becoming more frequent but choosing the right type of backup generator to power your home can be difficult. Consumer Reports Home & Appliances Reporter Paul Hope joins us with tips and the results of their latest testing. Are you faced with beautiful, old but drafty windows? New storm windows can help and now they’ve gone high tech with coatings that can keep the heat in. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Scott in Missouri needs to research building codes for fixups at some recently inherited rental properties. Corrinna in Arizona is wondering why she’s having electrical problems with multiple kitchen appliances failing at the same time. Eddie from Delaware needs help solving has a moisture problem in his bathroom’s ceiling. Debra from Pennsylvania wants to know if she should repaint with a primer after the basement had flooded. James in Oregon wants to know if he can lubricate pocket doors. Chris from Alaska wants to know how to build a hot tub into a deck. Marie in Florida wants to know if there is an easy to use window cleaning product. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: DIY is on the rise but according to a new survey, 40% of homeowners report their projects were more difficult than expected and 80% admit to making a mistake along the way. We’ll dig into the most common ways DIY goes wrong to make sure that doesn’t happen to you. With the chilly weather upon us – now is a great time to take on projects to improve your warmth and comfort as temperatures drop – starting with a little hot water heater maintenance to help make sure you never run out! If you’re missing the days of spending warm evenings outside on your deck or patio, there’s no need to stop. You can use your outdoor spaces for a bit longer if you know how to easily add heat to outdoor spaces. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Sandi in Texas would like to know how to add a textured surface to paint. Mike in Ohio needs some suggestions of what some emergency sources of heating if your furnace goes out. Jean from Tennessee wants to know how to paint stucco siding. George in Texas needs help fixing some half-inch cracks in his driveway. John is wants to know what kind of sealant to use on his cement fireplace cap Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES Are winter winds streaming through your windows? We share a step-by-step checklist to help make sure you are not wasting a single energy dollar! Painting a room is a fun and inexpensive home improvement project that can make a big impact. But while most people spend a lot of time picking the perfect color for their rooms, choosing the perfect paint sheen is just as important! We’ll share tips on how the best sheen to make your project shine. Is doing a DIY project with your spouse a sure-fire way to add stress to your home life? We’ll share the results of a new survey that reveals how relationships survived when doing-it-yourself, means doing it together. If your driveway looks like a sea of cracking and shifting waves, we’ll share some DIY tips to help fix it up for the long winter ahead. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Katherine wants to know what she can do patch up unused electrical outlets without the help of an electrician. Andrew in Arkansas wants to add a garage or a car port into his basement and is concerned about disturbing a wall. Allison in Illinois is asking, “How to manage water between her house and her neighbors?”. Dante from Rhode Island wants to know what to do if he is struggling to match a paint color in his room. Linda in Ohio asks, “Is it possible to get a generator in an apartment?”. Lee from Arkansas is wondering when the best time to put her house on the market. Dana in Massachusetts is asking a problem with paint peeling, even after applying primer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: There’s no shortage of ways to make your home energy efficient – but what if there was a way to build a home that was already efficient? Tom and Leslie explain the very successful “Energy Star Homes” program plus answer your home improvement questions. They call it “fall” for a reason… and if raking leaves is the last thing you want to do with your weekend, we’ve got tips, techniques and tools that make leaf collection much easier. Halloween is right around the corner! Find out how to make sure your sidewalks, walkways and driveway are safe for your littlest Halloween Trick or Treaters. And with the holiday baking season ahead, there’s no worse time to have your oven break down. We share how to troubleshoot your oven, before stomachs start grumbling. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Susan from Texas’ curb is starting to crack and needs a solution. Jack in Michigan has a strange noise coming from his pipes after using the washer and sump pump. Tony from Montana wants advice on how to hook up a generator to his home. Linda in Alabama is asking what to use to stain her concrete porch. Holly from Ohio has cracks in her basement and changes color after heavy rains. Jim from Arizona wants to know if it’s possible to insulate a sink? Christine in Alaska wants to know how to insulate the floor above her unheated crawlspace. Georgia from Pennsylvania has a problem with humidity in her stone house. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: In a strong home sellers-market, selling your home “as-is” is a popular way to avoid buyer demands for repairs. But that strategy often backfires and hurts your chances of getting the best price for your home. We share a better strategy to get the best price with the least hassles. Whether your furniture is heirloom or Ikea, it’s likely to take a few hits from time to time - especially if you have kids! But while the water rings, dings, dents and furniture scratches are inevitable – they are also easy to fix! Do you need to hire a contractor, but afraid you’ll get a bad apple? You can weed out the unqualified or reliable GCs by asking the right questions – we share an easy-to-follow checklist that walks you through. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Casey from Oklahoma wants to know how to properly seal a pressure treated deck. Nancy in Pennsylvania is wondering, how do you identify asbestos in her ceiling tiles? Ed in Iowa wants to know if he has an insulation problem with his cathedral ceiling. Janiese from Kansas wants to know if she needs to seal epoxy grout. John from Connecticut is asking what the best flooring is to put on top of concrete? Wendy in Georgia needs better weather stripping for her metal door. Dave in Alaska is having trouble with a floor in a multi-family home. Leah from Kansas has concrete porch that keeps cracking to do earthquakes and wants to know which product to use to fill the cracks. Mike from North Dakota wants to know if he needs to put in drywall and insulation in his detached garage. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: A survey of 32,000 homes by Zillow showed painting with the right colors can help your home sell faster and make you more money in any real estate market. We’ll share the paint colors that really pay off. Garage floors need to be one of the most durable floor surfaces in any house. They have to take the punishment of hot tires in the summer or dripping road salt in the winter, plus a ton of storage needs. We’ll share a finish that’s tough, durable and slip-resistant AND DIY! As the weather turns chilly, it might be time to light your fireplace for the first time this season. We’ll have the how-to you need to know to make sure your chimney, damper, and firebox are all safe. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Sam from Tennessee has a water pressure problem with his bathtub. Laura is having an erosion problem with her sloped yard and wants to know what the best way to stop it is. Dave from Washington wants to know if insulation tape he is using is fire safe? Diane in South Dakota is having a problem with an uneven subfloor. Louise is having salt deposit stains on her mailbox and wants to know the cause and how to clean it. Darrin in Iowa is getting a frost on his basement wall and wants to know the cause. Dorothy from New Jersey wants to know how to deal with Centipedes and Crickets in her basement. Floyd from Iowa whether or not to put a plastic vapor barrier in a crawl space and if he should close his basement vents. Janiese in Kansas is asking if she needs to seal an epoxy grout? Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: If you enjoyed garden-fresh veggies all Spring and Summer, now is the time to plant cool weather crops that thrive in autumn’s cooler weather. Learn what grows best straight through to the first frost. Adding shrubbery to the front of your house adds curb appeal and the cooler Fall weather offers plenty of time for the roots to grow deep before next summer’s heat sets in. Get step-by-step tips to get this project done. Whether you live in a climate that’s warm or cold, insulation is the key to keeping your home comfortable. But most homes simply don’t have enough. We’ll share a new product that’ll allow you to get the insulation job done fast and safe – and without any special tools. If you’re planning to add a new fence, learn the easiest way to set posts without mixing any concrete. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Tommy from Nebraska wants to know what the best dryer vent hose is. Mike in North Carolina needs to fix a crack on his garage wall and a void under the apron of the driveway. Deb from Missouri wants to know the best way to install new molding on a plaster wall. Carl in South Carolina put a tile floor in his laundry room and now having a hard time keeping the door open. Linda from Michigan wants do an extension to a barn and wants to know how to find an architect for it. Sylvia in Ohio wants to know how to remove a glue down carpeting from plywood without ruining the floor. Nelson from Delaware had asphalt paving put in and wants to know whether to use a water or oil base seal coat? Audrey in South Dakota is inquiring about Bondera Tile Mat Set. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Spotted a roof leak and wondering if your roof can be repaired or needs a complete replacement? We’ll tell you how to know. It doesn’t matter if you heat by gas, oil, propane or electric, it’s time to get your heating system serviced. We share key components that have to be checked to make sure the system remains safe and efficient. If there’s a way to do a home improvement project that’s fast, simple, safe, costs less and makes a positive impact, that project would be a no-brainer—right? We share one energy saving project that does just that. As the weather cools down, we share five easy Fall weekend projects to get your home ready for winter. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Pat in Illinois is needs help with a drainage issue due to large gutters and downspouts. Mary from Alaska wants to know if her new HardiBoard siding was correctly installed. Barry in Iowa wants to know how put in a door sill so he can install carpeting. Eunice in Arkansas has a masonry retaining wall with white stains and wants to know the cause and possible solution. John in Minnesota wants to convert his sauna into a shower and wants to know what to replace the walls with. Anna in Hawaii wants to fix a badly painted door that won’t open properly. Arthur in Tennessee is needs help stripping older brick from a building built in the 1890s. Peggy in Louisiana wants to know how to seal between vinyl siding and a concrete foundation. James from Illinois wants to know the best way to build an in-ground firepit. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Hiring a gutter company to install gutter guards can be ridiculously expensive. But buying the product and then either installing the gutter covers yourself -- or hiring a handyman to do the installation -- can be far less expensive. We walk you through the project. Laminate countertops can give you the look of natural stone without the price – but they’re not quite as durable. But the good news is that laminate tops are actually pretty easy to repair. We’ll share some tricks of the trade to keep your tops -- in tip-top shape Are you ready to give your walls a new look just in time for fall – we’ve got tips on wall coverings that can add interest and color to your décor. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Betsy in Georgia wants to know how to replace popcorn ceiling. Leonard in South Carolina wants to make a structural repair and asking if he needs a flinch plate for the header he is looking to install? Judy in Iowa is trying to make sure she has the right ventilation in her attic and if her vapor barrier was installed properly. Rick in Pennsylvania needs helping getting candle wax off a deck. Ester in South Dakota wants advice on putting small windows on a metal garden shed. Pat from Pennsylvania needs help with a leak in his garage ceiling. Julie in Colorado wants to know how energy efficient is a heat pump in a fully electric house. Joseph is wondering why electric outlets not working in his room despite the fan and lights working. Mary in North Dakota has a crumbling concrete floor after water damage and wants to know how to fix it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Ready to blast away piles of leaves this Fall? Paul Hope, the Home & Appliance Editor from Consumer Reports, dishes on this season’s best leaf blowers including some that won’t wake the neighborhood! As we move closer to Fall, we move closer to Fall storms which can bring on MOLD! But is getting rid of mold a DIY project, or do you always need a pro? The answer is – it depends! We’ll share DIY tips to help clear the air. If you’ve been putting off insulation because it’s always been an itchy and difficult job, we’ll share a new product that is as soft as cotton to handle. When temperatures drop: mice, rats and other rodents make their way into homes for relief from the chill – we have tips on how to keep them away. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Brent from West Virginia wants to know how to fix uneven heat in a split-level house. Sheila in Oklahoma wants to know if it’s possible to paint a countertop. Elizabeth in New Jersey is having a water pressure issue with her outdoor shower. Cody from Texas needs to know the best way to fix a disconnected dryer vent. Margaret from Virginia has a civil war era home and wants to know the best way to safely clean and protect her wood floors. Ryan from Georgia wants to know why his cold water pipes run hot water! Linda in Rhode Island wants to know what the proper procedure is for shutting down her AC system for the winter. Judith in Arkansas is concerned about a crack in her brick wall and wants to know if she can just seal it or if she has to replace the whole wall. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Everyone wants a perfect remodel but home improvement and perfect are two words that you don’t often hear in the same sentence! We share tips on how to avoid the hidden surprises that come with the territory. Home prices are up and that means successful home buyers may not have much money left for unexpected repairs once they close on the house. Service contracts can help handle a lot of those surprise costs. We explain the options. Terrazzo has been proven as a floor that is both durable and beautiful. But while traditional terrazzo is costly and expensive to install, stone-based terrazzo coating systems are not – and they’re super easy to install. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Susan from Montana wants to know how to fix the pitch on her driveway so it will drain properly. Ron in Florida wants to diagnosis the cause of his water heater overheating and tripping his circuit breaker. Jeanette from Colorado wants to know if radiant flooring is a good option in a cold climate. Richard from Illinois wants to stop his retaining wall from leaking. Pam in Colorado wants to fix a squeaky floor underneath her carpet. Rebecca from Kansas wants to know how to cover her wood paneling with drywall. Tom from New Jersey wants to know if fixing the seal on his double pane window is a DIY project? Donna from Arkansas wants to know how to soundproof a duplex wall. Mac in Missouri wants to know if he should leave his pool cleaning system on all year. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. 88WFtnPbKTQKye3O5g4y Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Hate waiting for your shower water to heat up? Hot water recirculation pumps can help, delivering hot water to faucets almost immediately. We’ll tell you how it works and what it takes to install one in your own house. Do dishes come out of your dishwasher dirtier than when they went in? The culprit could be a clogged drain valve that’s easy to fix. We’ll tell you how! Want to be comfortable this winter? Adding insulation is the most cost effective and smartest energy saving improvement. But fiberglass is itchy and hard to work with, right? Now there’s a new generation of fiberglass insulation that is easy to handle and as soft as cotton, making this project far simpler to get done. Plus, if you want to avoid a frozen mess, now’s the time for lawn sprinkler systems to be winterized. We’ll explain what needs to happen to make sure the system is set for the winter. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Randel from West Virginia wants some solutions for his damp and humid basement. Lillian from Florida is having a worm problem and wants to know if it is a concern. Dane from Tennessee is asking “Which lightbulb is the most energy efficient?” Marcy from Nebraska has concerns over what projects to do before she should sell her house. Courtney in Pennsylvania asks, “What is the best ducting for her Cape Cod home?” Linda is a renter in Ohio and wants to know what she can do to be more energy efficient in a rental apartment. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Are you living with the heating system that was in your house when you bought it? Old furnaces and boilers can be inefficient. We help you figure out if a replacement or conversion to another tup of heat is worth it. If you’ve shopped for a house in what’s been a crazy market, you probably spent more than you wanted to. That leaves little for hidden home repairs that can cost you big bucks. We identify the top home buying hazards to watch out for. 90% of homes in America are wasting energy dollars due to a lack of adequate insulation. We’ll share where all that lost energy is going and how to cut the waste and increase comfort. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Keri from Nebraska wants to know whether to go upstairs or downstairs with her new bathroom. Kevin from Ohio needs help dealing with ants taking over his property. Rochelle from Nebraska need to replace her facia board and replace gutters Ed from Arkansas is asking if it’s safe to use coal in a regular fireplace. Kumar from Delaware is having a crack issue in his new concrete foundation and wants to know how to fix it. Sherry from Georgia is trying refresh and re-stain an old wooden dresser. Joe from Delaware wants to know more about metal roofing. Natalie from Wisconsin wants to know if she can repair her vinyl windows or if she has to look for new ones. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: For renters, heat is a big expense you might feel you can’t change. We’ll share tips to save money heating your apartment that won’t require any major changes and make you a lot more comfortable. Do have a deck with cracked or splintery boards that needs a refresh? We share tips on the easiest way to repair deck boards and re-stain the deck for the season ahead. Is your driveway worn, chipped or suffering from nasty oil stains? We’ve got a sure-fire solution to clean up driveway stains for good and restore the surface. We’ve all watched the horrible fires that have consumed the west. As more homes are built in wildfire-prone areas, consumers are selecting building materials differently, including insulation. We highlight the new trend and the more fire-resistant products that should be considered. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Joe from NY is having an excessive dust problem and wants to know if it is caused by his heating system. Angela from Georgia wanted to know if it’s possible to paint over a vinyl floor in his kitchen. Richard from California wants to know if he can repair water damaged drywall. Linda from Rhode Island is having a hard time adding a flagpole to her home. Brian needs help dealing with yellow jackets being attached to cat food he puts out. Sam from Indiana has cedar fencing he is about to plant and wants to know if he should stain the fence to prevent rot. Laura from South Dakota needs help with a leaky basement caused by heavy rain. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Just about time to wrap up gardening for the year. But if you had a greenhouse, you can extend your gardening well into the Fall! Plus, you can start back up even earlier next spring. We’ll share the best DIY Greenhouse Kits to hook you up with a 4-season crop of veggies. When you flick on the bathroom light first thing in the morning, do you scare yourself? That frightening reflection may not actually be all you – just bad bathroom lighting. We’ll share tips to help you improve your natural glow. Is painting a fireplace ever a good idea? We walk you through the pros and cons. Before winter arrives, it’s time to make sure your outdoor concrete surfaces are protected from cracks, worn-out surfaces and stains. We’ll share an easy way to do just that. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Russ from Iowa needs to replace a casement window and wants to know if he can put double windows instead. Valerie from Arizona wants to know if she can fix a cracked ceramic tile without replacing the entire floor. Ricky from Nebraska is trying to figure out what is attacking his lilac and crabapple tree. We offer him and effective, safe pesticide solution. Lynn from Delaware wants to know how to stop a water leak coming in where two water pipes are joined in her basement. We share a simple DIY fix using epoxy rated for plastic. Lori from Tennessee wants to know how to fix a concrete floor crack. David wants to know if he should insulate his garage after he puts AC in his garage for the first time. Ellie from Wisconsin needs to know where to start with installing wall shelving in her new home’s bathroom. Steve is wanting to rip out some shag carpeting and replace it with engineered planks into his RV Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Buying new replacement windows can be confusing. But if you learn how to read a single label that’s required for every new window, finding the best window becomes instantly simplified. We walk you through what to look for. Leftover paint can feel like a headache when every other aspect of a project is done. But with a little imagination and creative flair, we share ideas to use paint that is left over to give your home extra appeal…and have lots of fun in the process. A firewood pile can become a termite buffet if the firewood mixes with moisture or is stacked too close to the structures on your property. We’ll share tips for the best way to store firewood so it's ready to deliver the most heat when you need it. Fall is the perfect season to take on key home improvements and do home maintenance that can help avoid serious issues that can happen in colder weather. We share a pre-winter checklist to help. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Sue from Rhode Island is looking for solution to get a paint stain off of her deck. Isaac in Washington wants to know if radon is a problem for his home that’s built as a slab on grade. Hope from Illinois wants to build a fence but is concerned about the moisture in her yard. Abraham in New Jersey wants to know if he can save on air conditioning if he ventilates his attic. Judith in Arkansas wants to know the cause of crack in her brick wall and know how to fix it. Charley in is asking if it's time for him to move from two water heaters to a single tankless one. Ken has a tree that is growing next to his foundation he is concerned about. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: As we head into Fall, it’s a good time to assess your home’s insulation needs. Most homes simply don’t have enough and that results in higher than necessary heating bills as well as a very uncomfortable space. We’ll share a new insulation product that’ll allow you to get the insulation job done fast and safe. Fall is also the time of year when beautiful foliage assembles into a rotted rooftop mess when gutters get clogged! We’ll explain how a clogged gutter can lead to everything from washed out landscaping to a seriously damaged foundation. Plus, we look at the most popular gutter guards and talk about what works and gutter guards to avoid. Termites typically show up in Spring but one homeowner learned the hard way that’s not always the case. Find out what happened when thousands of termite wings were discovered near a basement window and how to get rid of termites. Construction adhesive can be a handy product for heavy duty projects like gluing a mirror to a wall or house numbers to brick, and many similar situations. But while it’s super strong it is also super messy. Now there’s a new double-sided construction adhesive tape can hold 300 lbs with no mess. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Rebecca from Kansas wants to know how to get a drywall look on top of wood paneling. Chet from Michigan is curious if you can put a radiant barrier as insulation. Mindy from Kentucky is asking if she can get rid of linoleum flooring. Ron is having a mouse problem in his walls. Cheryl is calling about dealing with a deck being built over a concrete patio that is broken up by a tree root. Roxanne from Ontario wants to fix a leak on her roof of her upper duplex. David from South Dakota wants to know if he must caulk in between the J-channel and window frame. Rose Marie in New Jersey is having a hard time with her garage door lightbulb going out and wants to know how to fix it. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices