The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#2453 – Sticky Solutions: Tape for Any Project | Wood Deck vs. Brick Patio | Clean Drinking Water Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

In this show, get a grip on DIY projects with the right tape for every need, learn how to choose between building a deck or a patio, and enjoy clean, great-tasting water with an easy filtration system. Plus, hear answers to other home improvement questions from callers like you!

- Tape: When you need sticky solutions, this is where to get the right tape for every DIY project.

- Deck vs. Patio: Use these tips to decide whether a wood deck or a brick patio is right for your outdoor living space.

- Clean Water: Get clean, great-tasting water with an easy and compact water filtration system.

Q & A:

- Heated Floor: Jeanette has questions about the ease and expense of a DIY radiant heated floor. We suggest having it professionally installed and give tips on cutting costs.

- Fence: Ron wants to replace the wire fence to keep out wildlife. A chain-link metal fence would be the strongest option.

- Electrical: After changing her mind about basement lighting, Katherine needs to disconnect the live wiring and cover the fixture holes with plates or new drywall patches.

- Flagpole: Linda gets advice on how to attach a flagpole bracket to a porch column by drilling pilot holes, using longer screws, and adding a wood block on the uneven surface.

- Deck Cleaning: How can you clean cooking oil stains off a Trex deck? If using a TSP paste doesn’t work, Mark can flip the board over to the clean side.

- Windows: Can casement windows be replaced with double-hung windows? It may be easier for Russ to install better-quality casement windows.

- Concrete Stains: Winston can’t remove the stains on his concrete garage floor. Applying epoxy floor paint is an attractive and durable way to cover the surface.

ASK A QUESTION:

Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask.

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#2452 – DIY or Hire a Pro? How to Decide | Find and Seal Drafts | Granite Coatings for Any Surface Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Should you DIY or hire a pro? In this show, we’ll guide you through the decision-making process. Plus, with winter on the way, we’ve got top tips for sealing those sneaky drafts. And if you’re looking to add a granite finish to your floors or walls, we’ll show you how. Got a home reno or décor question? Listen in for expert advice!

- Hiring a Pro: Should you DIY or hire a professional for your home improvement project? How to decide.

- Drafts: Stop the breeze and save on energy bills by tracking down and sealing off chilly drafts.

- Granite: This durable granite coating gives the beauty and strength of natural stone to any surface.

Q & A:

- Odors: When the attic fan turns on, why does the house smell like sewage? Shelby needs to add ventilation to the attic to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide being pulled through the house.

- Cleaning Cement: Will scrubbing with a vinegar solution clean sidewalk stains? Julian may need to use a pressure washer and more effective cleaning products.

- Driveway Repair: Susan’s asphalt driveway was resurfaced, but was not pitched correctly and water is pooling into the house. She should install a curtain drain to divert the runoff.

- Pole Barn: Larry wonders about the durability of the posts of his old pole barn garage. If they’re ground contact pressure-treated wood and aren’t shifting, they should last just fine.

- Water Heater: Nancy wastes water waiting for it to get hot due to the distance between the water heater and the faucet. She has options, but they may not offer a good ROI.

- Staining Siding: The solid stain on Paul’s clapboard siding is bubbling up. He’ll need to remove the stain in that area and start over with an oil-based primer before re-staining.

- Plumbing Odor: Anthony noticed a sewer smell after getting a new washer and dryer. We’ve got tips for extending the trap so it holds more water to prevent bio-gases.

- Squeaky Floor: The floor under Pam’s carpeting is squeaking, but she learns an easy trick of the trade to find the floor joists and how to use the right nails to stop the squeak.

ASK A QUESTION:

Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask.

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#2451 – Skip the Wait: Hot Water on Demand | Insulation Innovations | Wood Floors for Damp Locations Sep 23, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

- Hot Water: Skip the wait and get hot water on demand with a hot water recirculating pump.

- Insulation: New innovations in insulation lower energy costs while keeping your home comfortable all year long.

- Flooring: Get the look of wood in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements with flooring engineered for damp locations.

Q & A:

- Insulation: Can Kathy prevent trapped moisture in the attic by adding insulation? What she really needs is more ventilation unless she decides to use spray foam insulation.

- Metal Roof: Dan’s porch tin roof gets very hot in summer. Applying a radiant coating designed for metal roofs will reflect the sun’s UV rays and reduce the heat.

- Contractor Dispute: A bad contractor trashed Beth’s home and walked off the job with all the materials. We recommend consulting an attorney and filing criminal charges for theft.

- Exterior Stairs: Matt wants to build DIY landscaping stairs. It’s a big project, and he gets tips for using concrete masonry units, pressure-treated wood, and more.

- Warranties: What kind of maintenance should be done on a new house? Diane can find a great checklist of what to do and should also check her new homebuyer warranties to see what’s covered.

- Brick Surface: Greg would like to install a brick veneer on his glazed block building. It can be done, but he should research what type of brick will adhere to that surface.

- Moisture: Moisture is bowing the hardwood floor in the room over the crawlspace. Jonathan gets advice on how to reduce the humidity inside the crawlspace.

ASK A QUESTION:

Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask.

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#2450 – Silent Steps: Fixing Squeaky Floors | Patio Heater Options | Water Heater Savings Sep 19, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Today, we discuss patio heaters to help you extend your outdoor season and address whether squeaky floors are a sign of a bigger issue, along with tips for fixing them. We also share energy-saving strategies for your water heater to cut down energy bills. Listen as we answer these and other home improvement questions!

- Squeaky Floors: Follow these steps to find solutions for squeaky floors.

- Patio Heaters: Extend your outdoor living season with patio heater options for year-round comfort.

- Water Heaters: Soak up the savings with these water heater efficiency tips.

Q & A:

- Cleaning Cabinets: Dan is trying to clean the grease off cabinets above the stove and microwave. We’ve got tips on how to use Murphy’s Oil Soap to clean the cabinets.

- Water Quality: Linda sees black particles in the water from her toilet and sink. We suggest cleaning the aerators on the faucet and installing a whole-house water filter.

- Pine Flooring: Daniel is installing pine flooring on his porch. We agree with his idea of staining the planks beforehand and offer tips on what fasteners to use.

- Brick Repair: One corner of the brick foundation is crumbling. Katherine gets advice on using products to repair the brick and mortar and matching the color of the surface.

- Driveway Runoff: Rain runoff on the sides of Randy’s driveway is exposing PVC pipe. We recommend digging out the dirt and filling the area with gravel that won’t wash away.

- Wasps: Gail is having a problem with wasps on the side of her house. Sticky wasp traps can be very effective, along with spraying strong scents that will repel the wasps.

- HVAC: Is it a good idea to replace an oil furnace with a heat pump? It can be expensive to replace the furnace and remove the oil tank, but improved heat pump technology has become less expensive and more efficient to use.

- Snow on Roof: Will putting a tarp over a log cabin roof help prevent snow buildup? It’s not that effective unless the snow is dry and light, and LaDonna will still need to use a roof rake.

- Central Vacuum: Water is appearing inside the central vacuum system pipes. Sean needs to insulate the pipes completely to prevent condensation from forming.

ASK A QUESTION:

Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask.

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#2449 - Sunny Side Up: ROI of Roof Solar Panels | Natural Dish Soap Recipe | DIY Block Fire Pit Sep 16, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

This week, we weigh the pros and cons of rooftop solar panels and share a simple recipe for homemade spray dish soap. Then, transform your backyard with a DIY fire pit that’s made easy with Pavestone building blocks. Plus, get expert answers to more home improvement questions for your next project!

- Solar Panels: Sunny savings or sunken costs? Learn the truth about the ROI of rooftop solar panels.

- Natural Cleaner: Clean up the savings with a natural dish soap recipe for bubbles on a budget.

- DIY Fire Pit: Rock your yard with a DIY fire pit using simple stone building blocks.

Q & A:

- Concrete Slab: Should Lee reinforce a poured concrete slab with rebar? It can’t hurt, but may not be needed if the soil base is prepped right with a mechanical tamper.

- Cement Floor: Linda wants to refinish a cement floor in an industrial area. She’ll need to scrape off any existing paint and then apply epoxy paint to seal the surface.

- HVAC: The second floor is always either too hot or too cold. Most heat loss is caused by leaky ducts, so David should have a sealant applied to make the HVAC system more efficient.

- Tree Roots: Big tree roots are in the way of a new deck. Nancy will need a stump grinder to remove the roots and can use fewer points of contact for the deck foundation.

- Fireplace or Stove: Matt wants to replace an ugly hearth fireplace with a wood stove. We recommend getting some structural advice to avoid affecting the chimney integrity.

- Linoleum Flooring: Mindy’s old linoleum floor is peeling. She should pull up the linoleum and any other layers under it before installing a new floor.

- Foundation Leak: Water is pooling between the foundation and a retaining wall, then seeping into the basement. Richard should intercept the runoff with a curtain drain.

- Insulation: Steve is curious about radiant barrier insulation, which is designed to reflect UV rays. We explain concerns about overheating and shortening the life of his roof.

ASK A QUESTION:

Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask.

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#2448 – Hearing Crickets? How to Stop the Chirp | Heating System Upgrades | Easy Leaky Toilet Repair Sep 12, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

In this episode, we reveal simple tricks to keep pesky crickets out of your house and how to decide if a new furnace is worth the investment. We also introduce an innovative product that makes fixing leaky toilets even easier, and answer home improvement questions to make your other DIY projects easier, too!

- Crickets: Stop the chirp with these tips for cricket control inside and outside your home.

- Heating Systems: Turn up the heat on savings with the right upgrade to your heating system.

- Leaky Toilet: An innovative product will have you flushed with success when it comes to repairing leaky toilet valves.

Q & A:

- Wax Stains: Sandy spilled hot wax on the carpet and furniture, but learns a neat hack for using a hot iron and a brown paper bag to remove the wax stain.

- Wall Tile: Does John need to replace the greenboard before retiling the bathroom walls? We recommend installing cement board instead, which will last indefinitely.

- Security: Colin wants a secure vault door for the reinforced cinderblock room he’s building. We suggest installing a heavy-duty commercial steel door with deadbolts.

- Sink Odor: There’s a bad smell coming from just one sink in Terry’s house. She gets tips on using oxygenated bleach and a bottle brush to clean bio-gases from the drain.

- HVAC System: Bob’s original hydro-air heating system is working fine, but there’s some condensation on the pump. That’s not unusual and he should keep having it serviced so it can last even longer.

- Lead Removal: How should Margaret remove ceramic tiles that contain lead? She would need an EPA-certified professional, or else she can recoat the tile with an epoxy finish to seal the surface.

- Plumbing: The shower water temperature constantly needs readjusting. Pat should install a pressure balance valve to regulate the imbalance between hot and cold water.

- Attic Insulation: Abraham has questions about ventilating a hot attic that has spray foam insulation and the effect on his air conditioning. He should check to see if enough insulation was installed.

- Bathtub Finish: The bathtub finish is wearing off and stained. Peggy won’t be able to touch up just those areas, but she could use a product to refinish the entire surface.

ASK A QUESTION:

Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask.

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#2447 – 10 Wreck-less Home Renovations | Textured Wall and Ceiling Repair | Stinky Sink Smells Sep 09, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

In this show, discover 10 low-dust home improvement projects, learn how to easily fix textured walls or ceilings, and find out how to eliminate sink odors with a simple hack. Plus, listen in as we offer expert answers to other home improvement questions from DIY callers!

- Home Renovation: Get ideas for 10 wreck-less home renovations that don’t require demolition.

- Textured Surfaces: Repair textured walls and ceilings easily and without the mess.

- Sink Odors: Learn how to send stinky sink odors down the drain with this simple solution.

Q & A:

- Refinishing Furniture: Sherry learns how to give an old wood dresser a new look by stripping off the paint and staining the surface.

- Wood Flooring: What should Andrew use to refinish his oak floor after sanding it? We recommend applying three coats of a clear oil-based polyurethane to restore the shine.

- Building a Deck: Cheryl wants to build a deck over a concrete slab, but that’s not a good foundation. She should break up the concrete and install proper footings.

- Insulation: The wall on the west side of Mike’s house gets very warm. We suggest installing an awning to deflect the sun or adding foam insulation and a layer of drywall.

- Fence Materials: What is the best material for building a fence in a moist area? Metal posts should be fine, but Hope can also use wood posts with stones instead of concrete footings.

- Woodchucks: Woodchucks are digging holes all over Al’s property. We have tips on luring them with fruit in a humane trap and then releasing them far away.

ASK A QUESTION:

Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask.

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#2446 – Rest Easy: How to Detox Your Mattress | Picking Paint Colors | Refinishing Hardwood Floors Sep 05, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Today, get advice on selecting the perfect paint colors, when to call in the pros for hardwood floor refinishing, and how to detox your mattress for a healthier sleep. Plus, we’re here to answer home improvement questions with helpful tips to help you tackle your projects like a pro!

- Mattress Care: Get tips on detoxing your mattress to avoid sleeping on a bed of bacteria.

- Paint Colors: Color your world by picking the right paint color for every project.

- Hardwood Floors: Know when to step aside and let a professional refinish your hardwood floors.

Q & A:

- Toilet Leak: Fred’s toilet won’t stop leaking, even after many attempts to fix it. The gasket may not have been replaced correctly, so we suggest using silicone to seal each connection.

- Painting Brick: Mary wants to paint her brick fireplace, but she may want to think twice and decorate around the brick instead, because painting brick can be a challenge.

- Replacing Grout: The grout is crumbling in Steve’s bluestone stoop. He gets step-by-step advice for removing the old grout and replacing it with new mortar.

- Cedar Siding: Does Lindsey need to replace the house wrap under her cedar siding? It’s not necessary, and we offer tips on an easier way to clean the cedar shingles.

- Baseboard Heating: How many feet of baseboard do you need to heat a room? Paul should use calculation programs or apps to determine the right size and how much heat his home needs.

- Wood Paneling: How can Rebecca give a new look to her wood paneling? Her best options are to prime and paint the paneling or cover it with a layer of drywall.

- Odors: Jim can’t get rid of the bad odor in his new home. Unless it’s a dead rodent, it’s probably bio-gases from bacteria that he needs to clean from the traps of his sinks and drains.

ASK A QUESTION:

Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask.

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

#2445 – Stay Current: Electrical Panel Upgrades | DIY Outdoor Masonry Ideas | Home Addition Planning Sep 02, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

In this show, we’ll offer tips for a successful home addition, reveal a surprisingly easy method to build stone features like fire pits and garden beds, and discuss the benefits of upgrading your electric panel. Plus, we’ve got expert advice for callers with home improvement questions you’ll want to hear!

- Electrical System: Find out 5 shocking reasons to stay current with an electrical panel upgrade.

- Outdoor Masonry Ideas: Building outdoor features is as easy as stacking blocks with this innovative DIY system.

- Home Additions: These are 3 things to consider when planning the right home addition.

Q & A:

- Pest Control: Cody is looking for an affordable way to control scorpions and bugs. Natural products like boric acid, cedar oil, and lavender plants are possible options.

- Roof and Attic Fan: Should Mary replace the attic fan with a new roof? We recommend using a ridge vent instead of an attic fan, but she can still use a whole-house fan.

- Popping Nails: Nails keep popping through the sheetrock. Bob should use screws instead, or overlap the head of the original nail with a second one to hold it in.

- Wildlife: Chipmunks are getting inside Linda’s steel building. We suggest adding siding material to cover any gaps and using spray foam insulation to fill them.

- Outdoor Septic: Peter’s soil stack vent freezes solid in winter. He should insulate the pipe up to the point where it exits the roof.

- Ceiling Mold: A roof leak left a mold stain on Wendy’s ceiling. She can clean it with a bleach solution, then use a good primer before repainting the ceiling.

- Water Heater: Harry is curious about tankless water heaters, but he should look at heat pump water heaters instead since he has an electrical system.

ASK A QUESTION:

Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask.

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

#2444 –Painting Brick? 4 Reasons Why It’s a Solid No | Home Builder Upgrades | Smart Lighting Tips Aug 29, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Today, we’ll give you four reasons to reconsider painting your exposed brick, and if you’re buying a new house, we reveal which builder upgrades are worth the investment and which ones you should DIY. Also, get advice on illuminating dark corners of your home. Plus, listen in for answers to home improvement questions for all kinds of DIY projects!

- Painting Brick: Before painting your exposed brick, find out 4 solid reasons why you shouldn’t.

- Home Upgrades: When building a new home, find out which upgrades make sense and when to DIY.

- Lighting: Expert tips shed light on how to brighten a home for style and safety.

Q & A:

- Light Switch: After installing new LED bulbs, Pammy’s light fixture doesn’t work at all. The problem is with her light switch, not the bulb.

- Old Cabinets: What is the best way to strip and refinish old kitchen cabinets? Bob gets step-by-step instructions on how to clean, strip, and stain wood cabinets.

- Damaged Floor: Lisa is feeling soft sunken spots under her carpet. She should pull back the carpet to check for structural damage and see if the padding is breaking down.

- Window Leak: Adam has a leak in the bay window under a skylight. We suggest ways to divert water running down the roof above the skylight and around the window.

- Discolored Brick Wall: A brick retaining wall is turning white from ground moisture that’s pulling up, evaporating, and leaving mineral deposits. Eunice can clean the efflorescence easily with white vinegar.

- Epoxy Paint: Judy tried to apply epoxy paint to the basement floor but it kept coming up. She should contact the manufacturer to see if it’s an unusual chemical reaction.

- Architects: Who should Linda consult about adding a bathroom and hobby room to an old farmhouse? We recommend consulting with a few architects to maintain the building’s style and structural integrity.

ASK A QUESTION:

Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask.

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