The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#2393 – Soap Opera: Best and Worst Laundry Detergents | Great Kitchen Layouts | Home Repairs by Age Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Learn about laundry, layouts, and longevity on today’s show, as we discuss the best and worst laundry detergents, kitchen layouts that maximize space and functionality, and how the age of your home influences needed repairs. Tune in for all this and more home improvement questions and answers!

- Laundry Detergent: If clean laundry is an ongoing drama, you may need to use a better detergent.

- Kitchen Design: When updating your kitchen, be sure the layout offers improved functionality.

- Home Repairs by Age: Find out how the age of your home can determine when you’re likely to need certain repairs.

Q & A:

- Types of Roofing: Should Debbie choose a shingle or metal roof? Metal roofs will last a lifetime, but the ROI will depend upon how long she plans to live in the house.

- Driveway Stains: Rubber marks are impossible to remove from an asphalt driveway. Ryan gets some DIY tips to reseal the driveway to cover them up.

- Insulation: Old attic insulation is dried out and falling down. Claudia can replace it but should consider installing spray foam insulation in the rafters as a great alternative.

- Woodpeckers: Persistent woodpeckers are drilling holes in Bruce’s cedar siding. Tin pie plates, strips of black plastic, and hot sauce are a few ways he may dissuade them.

- Hot Water: It takes too long for hot water to get to the kitchen sink and upstairs bathroom, even with a recirculating pump near the water heater. Jim should consider installing a tankless water heater with smart technology.

- Lighting: Laurie wants to change an old fluorescent light fixture in the closet to LED and gets details on how to determine the amount of lumens she needs.

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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#2392 – Rest Easy: Buying the Right Mattress | Tips for Weed Warfare | DIY Drywall Repairs That Last Feb 29, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Sleep soundly after listening to tips on buying the right mattress at the best price, banishing weeds from your garden, and tackling drywall repairs like a pro. Whether you’re a DIY expert or a novice, you’ll want to hear answers to these and more of our callers’ home improvement questions on this episode!

- Buying a Mattress: Rest easy with tips on how to buy the right mattress and when to get the best deals.

- Weed Control: Spring is the season for weed warfare, so find out how to eliminate dandelions and other green invaders.

- Drywall Repairs: Keep cracks, holes, and nail pops from returning with the right DIY drywall repairs.

Q & A:

- Enclosed Porch: Marla wants to enclose an old porch with lots of columns. We suggest having an architect create a design that won’t ruin the look of the house.

- Water Heater: Louis wants the best gas water heater that will last a long time. We recommend a more efficient model with an electric ignition or a tankless water heater.

- Crawlspace: Should you dig down in a crawlspace to create more room? Sara learns why it’s a bad idea that could undermine the foundation and how to create a Yankee basement.

- Plumbing: What is needed to restart water that’s been turned off for a long time? Keith gets step-by-step instructions for turning on the water and checking for plumbing leaks.

- Foundation: Brendan’s raised house was sagging and he had it leveled, but questions advice for adding sand. He should be more concerned with managing water around the perimeter to prevent movement.

- Elevator: Want to install an elevator in your home? It’s becoming a popular option, and Rosalie will only need to block out a small space with access on each floor.

- Home Warranty: Larry calls in with an update on problems he’s had with a new home that weren’t covered by a home warranty and thanks us for giving him good advice.

- Flooring Repair: LuAnn needs to repair and replace a floor that was damaged by pets. Before installing a new floor, she must use an oil-based primer to seal the subfloor.

- Door Repair: The finger joints are starting to decay on Fred’s glass pane door. We suggest some products he can use to repair the door instead of replacing it.

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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#2391 – Power Up: When to Get an Electrical Upgrade | Heating Fuel Options | Sealing Attic Access Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Get tips on aspects of home energy management, from signs it’s time for an electrical upgrade to the nuances between various home heating fuels to ways of sealing and insulating your attic access panels! Plus, we’ve got home improvement advice for callers on a wide range of topics that you’ll want to know!

- Electrical Upgrade: Get ready to power up and know when it’s time to get an electrical upgrade.

- Heating Options: Learn the differences between oil, gas, propane, and electric heating options.

- Attic Access: Prevent energy loss by sealing and insulating your attic access panel.

Q & A:

- Shaking Washing Machine: Laura’s washing machine is shimmying on her laminate floor. She should make sure the appliance is level and balanced and use anti-vibration pads under the appliance.

- Cleaning Stainless Steel: Tom is frustrated by stains on the stainless steel appliances. They look great but need to be polished regularly with a recommended product.

-Pipe Insulation: MaryAnn’s uninsulated laundry room is too cold! We suggest insulating the pipes to avoid freezing and adding a baseboard heater to warm the room.

- Heated Floor: David is renovating a brownstone home and gets advice on how to add radiant heating under the floor.

- Radon: Is radon a potential hazard in a home built on a slab foundation? The risk is lower, but it would be easy for Kathy to get a DIY radon test kit.

- Sewer Odors: There’s an awful sewer odor coming from the shower drain. Gene should use bleach or an oxygenated bleach cleaner to get rid of any bio-gas bacteria.

- Insulation Options: What’s the difference between open- and closed-cell spray foam insulation? John learns how to choose which type of insulation to use in his old home.

- Floor Tile Cracks: June loves heated flooring and gets information on using a membrane product with a heating system to prevent the ceramic tile floor from cracking.

- Structural Support: Alvin’s ranch home is showing signs of serious structural damage. He needs a structural engineer to design the proper repairs to jack up the house.

- Smart Thermostat: The thermostat is located in the area of the house that Michelle wants to close off, but she can get a smart thermostat with wireless sensors for each room.

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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#2390 – Space-Saving Small Bathroom Makeovers | Choosing HVAC Filters | Stand-Out Driveway Markers Feb 22, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

In this home improvement episode, we’ll tackle small bathroom makeovers to save space and add style, give tips on selecting the best HVAC filters for optimal air quality, and discuss how driveway markers can enhance safety and curb appeal. Tune in for expert insights and answers to more homeowner questions!

- Bathroom Makeover: Make every inch count with a space-saving small bathroom makeover.

- HVAC Filters: Breathe easy by choosing the right HVAC filter to clear the air of springtime allergens.

- Driveway Markers: Make your house stand out with a driveway marker that adds safety and curb appeal.

Q & A:

- Windows: Condensation and foggy windows are signs that the thermal seal is failing on old windows. Ruth would be better off replacing the windows instead of repairing them.

- Sliding Doors: Cold drafts are blowing through Anthony’s old sliding glass doors. Newer sliding doors would be better insulated and curtains can block the cold glass.

- Countertops: Diane wants to refinish her original Formica laminate countertops We recommend a DIY product that can create the look of a stone surface in a weekend.

- Fireplace Moisture: David gets advice on installing flashing so that water from the roof will be diverted around the chimney.

- Bath Mat Adhesive: Kimberly can’t remove a mat that’s stuck to the bottom of the tub. WD-40 or a citrus-based adhesive remover may help, but the tub surface could get damaged in the process.

- Concrete Repair: Charlie’s painted concrete patio is flaking and pitted. He needs to pressure wash and scrape it first, then repair the concrete before using an epoxy paint.

- Refinishing Old Walls: Susan uncovered wood under the sheetrock of her old home. We’ve got tips on how to sand, stain, and seal the wood with a flat varnish.

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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#2389 – Playing with Fire: Fireplace Hazards | Safe Cleaning Products | Uninsured Contractor Risks Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

This home improvement episode is all about safety, including common fire hazards associated with fireplaces and stoves, options for safe cleaning products, and the risks of hiring uninsured contractors. Listen to hear more about these and other callers’ questions to keep your home safe, sound, and comfortable!

- Fireplace and Wood Stove Safety: Learn how fireplaces and wood-burning stoves can be dangerous causes of house fires.

- Safe Cleaning Products: Get tips for choosing cleaning products with safer ingredients.

- Uninsured Contractors: Find out how hiring uninsured or unlicensed contractors poses risks that are your responsibility.

Q & A:

- Laminate Flooring: The seams in Judy’s Pergo laminate floor are bubbling up, either from moisture or after being installed incorrectly, and the floor will need to be redone.

- Gutter Guards: John’s gutter is overflowing, even with gutter guards installed. The water may be running too fast down a steep roof and washing over the guards, but he should check to see if they need to be replaced.

- Painting Tile: Can outdated bathroom tile be painted over? Chris gets tips on how to do it, but it may not last long and she may want to decorate around the tile colors for now.

- Wet Basement: There is condensation in the outlets and an odor coming from Ed’s basement. We offer info on improving exterior drainage, installing a dehumidifier, and removing carpeting and paneling that are harboring moisture-related bacteria.

- Dishwasher Clog: The bottom of the dishwasher fills with water after it runs. Mary needs a plumber to locate the obstruction in the plumbing line.

- Blocked Toilet: When Beth flushes the toilet, the water rises to the rim and then goes down slowly. A plumber can clear the partial clog that’s somewhere beyond the drain.

- Cracked Concrete: A crack in Mike’s concrete slab floor is not structural, so it can easily be repaired with a cement patching compound.

- HVAC Condensation: Gail’s contractor has moisture from her HVAC system dripping directly into the crawlspace. She needs to install a condensate pump to direct the water outside the house.

- Structural Insulation: Brad is boxing out the eaves behind the knee wall in an upstairs bedroom and finds out where to install additional insulation.

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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#2388 – Crystal Clear: Window Cleaning Tips | High-Efficiency Washers and Dryers | Basement Bedrooms Feb 15, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Join us as we reveal the pro secrets to crystal-clear windows, the benefits of high-efficiency washers and dryers, and the potential of basement bedrooms! If you’re seeking the answers to these or other home improvement challenges from today’s callers, we’re here to help!

- Cleaning Windows: Get crystal clear results with tips on the best way to clean windows.

- Washers and Dryers: Find out whether high-efficiency washers and dryers are worth the additional cost.

- Basement Bedrooms: Adding a basement bedroom can be a good idea, as long as it complies with building safety codes.

Q & A:

- HVAC Filters: What kind of filter should Sandra use for her furnace? You get what you pay for, and high-quality filters provide better filtration to trap more allergens.

- Cracked Concrete: Roy has a crack in the driveway slab near his garage. Mud jacking will work to replace that area by filling in the low spots and tamping down a solid base.

- Countertop Repair: Is there a way to repair scratches in a Corian countertop? Gayla gets info about products to clean and restore the countertop finish, or having the surface lightly sanded and polished.

- Water Heater: James noticed moisture inside his water heater, but no leak. It’s probably normal condensation, but we share tips on installing a timer and how to adjust the water temperature.

- Fireplace: Keith wants to update the look of his red brick fireplace and hearth. We offer some ideas such as applying a stone veneer, tiles, or paint in complementary colors.

- Smoke Odors: A burning pot on the stove created smoke throughout Margie’s home and she can’t get rid of the awful smoke smell. She may need a company that specializes in fire and smoke cleanup.

- Gutters: Can the rotted fascia board be removed without having to take apart everything? Derwin can’t avoid it, but it’s a good opportunity to replace the wood with another product.

- Wallpaper Removal: Jan found a paper lining behind her wallpaper and is concerned about damaging the sheetrock. If the paper is adhered well, she can add texture over it.

- Toilet Stain: Sparky can’t figure out why only one toilet keeps getting a black ring. He can try CLR to clean it, but there may be something different about that toilet’s porcelain finish.

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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#2387 – Baby on Board: Babyproofing Your Home | Removing Red Wine Stains | Heated Driveways Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

In this episode, learn about three kinds of safety tips: keeping kids safe by babyproofing your home, keeping fabrics and surfaces safe from red wine stains, and keeping your back safe by installing a heated driveway to eliminate snow shoveling! Plus, hear answers to a wide range of additional homeowner questions from Money Pit callers!

- Child Safety: Baby on the way? Keep kids safe with important tips for babyproofing your home.

- Stain Removal: After a merlot mishap or a cabernet crisis, here’s how to remove red wine stains.

- Heated Driveways: If you’ve had enough of shoveling snow, you may want to invest in a heated driveway.

Q & A:

- Floor Beams: Wendy’s renovating her old house and gets advice on how to add support to the beams and plywood under her kitchen floor.

- Driveway Mold: Mold keeps growing in the shady area of the driveway. We suggest a mildewcide product with a residual effect that David can easily apply.

- Crawlspace Moisture: Irena’s house is on a slope, with rainwater coming into the crawlspace. We explain how to install a French drain to intercept the runoff and redirect the water around the house.

- Heating and Cooling: The upstairs rooms are too hot and the downstairs rooms are too cold! Jessie should check the airflow at all the registers and return ducts, adjust the dampers, and consider adding a supplemental system.

- Cleaning Tile: Old bathroom tile has lost its shine. Sherry’s tiles may actually have a matte finish without a glaze, but we have tips for cleaning the tiles to improve their appearance.

- Light Dimmers: Why do the lights flicker when they’re dimmed? Tim should make sure the LED bulbs are listed as dimmable and look into a certain line of dimmer switches.

- Electrical Spark: Ming’s automatic closet door light sometimes sparks. That’s an immediate fire hazard that needs to be replaced immediately!

- Service Contracts: Who’s responsible for water lines that run from the street to your home? Manny shouldn’t be fooled by the scare tactics he gets in the mail for unnecessary service contracts.

- Vandalism: A former tenant poured cement down the drains of Bonnie’s rental property! The repairs would be covered by insurance, but that’s vandalism that also warrants criminal charges.

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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#2386 – Dirty Secrets: How Often to Wash Towels | Toughest Hardwood Floors | Severe Weather Threats Feb 08, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Join us as we discuss some helpful homeowner essentials, like how often you should be washing your germy towels, selecting the toughest hardwood flooring, and keeping severe weather worries at bay! Get answers to these and more home improvement questions in our latest podcast episode.

- Washing Towels: Find out some dirty secrets about bath towels and how often they should be washed.

- Hardwood Floors: Ratings reveal the toughest types of hardwood flooring.

- Severe Weather: Homeowners share their leading concerns about severe weather damage.

Q & A:

- New Construction: Are there lemon laws for new homes? Tina gets advice on reporting home warranty issues and hiring a home inspector to examine the problems.

- Garage Floor Repair: Mike’s got cracks in his slab garage floor. We’ve got tips for using a crack filler and sealer, then recoating the floor to give it a beautiful finish.

- Roof Leak: Rain is blowing through the roof dryer vents into Pat’s house. We discuss changing the type of roof vent and how to check the flashing around the vent.

- Smart Switches: Phillip is having a hard time finding smart switches to fit the wiring in his home. We suggest a product line that offers sophisticated smart home controls and good tech support.

- Wood Siding: What’s the best way to fill gaps in wood siding? Jennifer gets info about using steel wool, caulk, or spray foam insulation before priming and painting the area.

- Insulation: When does an old house need more insulation? Barb can add unfaced fiberglass batting on top of and perpendicular to existing insulation that’s flat and sagging.

- Home Additions: Matthew wants to increase the square footage of his ranch home. Adding a second floor would probably offer a better ROI than a basement.

- Deck Stain: Can Paula stain and seal her deck with one product? Exterior deck stains do both and we recommend choosing a good quality solid stain that will last longer.

- Dishwasher Repair: Jackie’s dishwasher stopped drying the dishes and mold is starting to build up. The heating element must have failed, but it may be better to replace the dishwasher than to repair it.

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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#2385 – Renter’s Regret: Beware a Costly Loophole | Finding Replacement Tiles | How to Spot Termites Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Learn how to insure, restore, and spot more in this episode about avoiding costly renter’s insurance pitfalls, repairing and replacing tiles, and finding termites in your home. All this and much more home improvement help in today’s episode!

- Renter’s Insurance: Beware this costly loophole in your renter’s insurance and stay protected.

- Replacing Tiles: Get tips for repairing or replacing hard-to-find tiles.

- Termites: Learn how to spot termites in any season before they make themselves at home.

Q & A:

- Bathroom Ventilation: Lisa’s not sure if her bathroom exhaust fan is working. We suggest asking her HVAC contractor about proper air exchange and installing a humidistat timer.

- Foundation: Steve wonders if a solid concrete foundation is better than cinderblock walls, but moisture issues are simple to address with proper drainage outside the home.

- HVAC Condensation: Should there be condensation on a high-efficiency HVAC system? Jean should have the HVAC serviced annually and check how it’s supposed to pump out moisture.

- Chimney Removal: How hard would it be to remove two abandoned chimneys in John’s old home? It’s a messy project that’s not for the faint of heart, but it can be done.

- Mold: Robin is worried about moisture causing mold in her bathroom exhaust vent. It may actually be dirt she’s seeing, but we have tips on running the vent fan longer.

- Water Heater: Tony says the cold water line leading into his water heater feels hot, but we think it’s just conductive heat from inside the heater that’s warming the pipe.

- Running Toilet: The toilet keeps running several times a day. Patty learns it’s an easy and inexpensive fix to replace the fill and flush valves inside the toilet tank.

- Bathroom Grout: Rust from the screws is seeping through the bathroom tile grout. Bill should remove it and replace it with epoxy grout.

- Central Air Conditioning: Can a new central air conditioning system be attached to existing ductwork? It depends on the design and size of the home and how far the air needs to travel without wasting energy.

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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#2384 – No Shortcuts: Do You Get the Lumber You Pay For? | Cleaning Grout | De-Icing Garage Doors Feb 01, 2024

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Delve into the intricacies of home improvement as we discuss getting the right bang for your buck in lumber purchases, using the best grout cleaning routine, and breaking the ice on frozen garage doors. From measuring mastery to thawing tactics, we've got answers to these and other homeowner questions!

- Measuring Lumber: Does the price you pay for lumber really measure up to what you get?

- Cleaning Grout: Read between the lines on how to choose the right cleaner for your dirty grout.

- De-Icing Garage Doors: Learn how to de-ice a garage door that’s become a frozen fortress.

Q & A:

- Dehumidifier: Kayla’s dehumidifier keeps tripping the 100-amp circuit. The problem is with the breaker, not the dehumidifier, but she can easily add a bigger dedicated circuit.

- House Settling: Cracks, stuck doors, and popping screws all happening at once may indicate house movement. AJ needs a home inspector or structural engineer to determine whether it’s an active problem.

- Rusty Garage Doors: Carolyn gets tips on how to sand, prime, and paint her rusty metal garage doors.

- Gutters: Leslie learns a new word for gutters from Eric, who finds out gutters should always be installed, even on a house with a concrete slab.

- Sink Refinishing: Debra wants to get rid of the black ring around her drain without having to replace the beautiful sink. We have tips for using cleaners or steel wool.

- Insulation: What kind of insulation should be used for the exterior walls of an old home? Blown-in insulation by an experienced installer would be Twan’s best choice.

- Bathroom Flooring: Linoleum floor tiles are curling up in Darlene’s bathroom. Adhesive is a temporary fix, but we suggest installing a floating laminate floor over it.

- Wheelchair Ramp: Sue needs to prevent ice on a wheelchair ramp without damaging the wood. Calcium chloride, mixed with sand, is effective and less corrosive.

- Painting Redwood Siding: David is off to a good start by priming his redwood siding and should use a good quality paint over it as soon as possible.

- Roofing: Catherine’s old barn needs a new roof. If the barnboard is continuous and solid, she can install the underlayment and shingles right over it.

- Salt in Septic System: Giovanni was told the salt from his water softener is deteriorating his concrete septic tank, but we don’t think that’s very likely.

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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