The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#2353 – Yard Goals: Favorite Fall Outdoor Projects | Best and Worst Door Locks | DIY Marble Surfaces Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

- Outdoor Projects for Fall: Autumn is the season to fall in love with some favorite outdoor projects for your home.

- Door Locks: Home security starts with strong door locks. Find out the best and worst locks for preventing break-ins.

- Marble Surfaces: A new DIY product creates beautiful marble surfaces without the expense.

Q & A:

- Supplemental HVAC: Cathedral ceilings make it hard to cool the house evenly. Ed may add a split ductless system to supplement the central air conditioning.

- Caulking Siding: Does Mary need to caulk concrete siding attached to plywood walls? She may only need adhesive, but she can use caulk to touch up any areas where nails break through the painted surface.

- Window Leak: Water is leaking into the bay window beneath a skylight. Adam gets tips on sealing gaps with caulk and diverting water from the roof.

- Concrete Curb Cracks: Susan’s concrete curb is cracking and sloping downward. She’ll either need to rebuild it or use DIY products to repair and resurface the concrete.

- Finishing a Dirt Floor: Rob wants to pour concrete over a dirt floor in his hut. It should be easy to tamp down the dirt, then spread and float the concrete smoothly.

- Attic Ventilation: How much attic ventilation is needed? Dale only has about half of the recommended amount and adding soffit vents would be most efficient.

- Backsplash Adhesive: Audrey gets information about an adhesive backing product for installing a tile backsplash.

- Window Condensation: Too much condensation on Steve’s vinyl replacement windows is caused by deficient glass or frames. It’s worth contacting the manufacturer and the installer.

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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#2352 – Silent Killer: Guarding Against Carbon Monoxide | Upcycled Furniture | LED Lighting Upgrades Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

- Carbon Monoxide: Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and leaks are all too common. Learn how to keep your family safe.

- Upcycled Furniture: Design on a dime with tips on finding the best upcycled furniture to turn trash to treasure.

- LED Lighting: Let’s shed some light on how to save money and energy with LED lighting solutions.

Q & A:

- Hard Water: Colleen is wondering about a solution for treating her hard well water, but we recommend a standard salt-based water softener as her best option.

- Condensation on AC Vents: Condensation from the AC vents is staining Stanley’s ceiling. We’ve got tips on insulating the ducts to stop the problem.

- Basement Water: Lynn finds water gushing through the hose bib into her basement. Silicone will seal the gap around the pipe and she needs to improve the outside drainage.

- Porch Resurfacing: Linda is thinking of restaining her peeling porch, but we suggest a great stone-based product to refinish the surface and give it a whole new look.

- Deck Staining: After removing the rotted boards on his wood deck, Casey learns how to properly stain and seal the new pressure-treated lumber.

- Fireplace Drafts: A big draft is coming from the fireplace. Linda needs to install a good damper or use glass doors in front of the hearth to block the wind.

- Roof Drainage: Rainwater is running behind the downspout against the fascia board and may rot the wood. John should see if the gutters and the downspouts were connected properly and consider getting a larger downspout.

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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#2351 – Mulch Madness: Best Uses of Fall Leaves | Expert Concrete Repair Tips | Draft-Free Windows Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

- Getting Rid of Leaves: Rake in some tips on the best ways to get rid of fallen leaves to help next year’s garden.

- Concrete Repair and Resurfacing: Learn the easy way to restore cracked and damaged concrete surfaces.

- Energy-Efficient Windows: Keep drafts out and heat in by choosing the best energy-efficient windows.

Q & A:

- Peeling Linoleum Floor: Mindy has a peeling linoleum floor with even more layers underneath. It will take some work, but we recommend pulling it all up before installing a new floor.

- Uneven Heating and Cooling: It’s hard to regulate temperatures in a split-level home. Brent should check the registers and returns and consider adding supplemental heating.

- Crumbling Concrete: The concrete basement floor is crumbling from water damage. Mary should address any drainage issues first, then use a patching compound and epoxy floor paint.

- Retaining Wall Runoff: Water from a retaining wall is seeping into Richard’s walkout basement. He gets tips on how to intercept and redirect the water.

- Sealing Siding: Peggy’s siding is flush against a concrete slab where rainwater pools. She must remove some of the bottom siding and install flashing.

- Paint vs. Stain for a Deck: Half of Teresa’s wood deck is painted and the other half is unfinished. She can paint over stain, but she can’t stain over paint. She’ll need to choose one or have a two-tone deck.

- Glue Removal: Charlotte needs to remove glue that got on the new floor after it was installed, but she should use an adhesive remover carefully to avoid damaging the surface.

- Pet Stains on Wood Floor: Oops! The dog had an accident on the wood floor that Mike plans to refinish. Sanding should cut through the stain before he adds coats of polyurethane.

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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#2350 – Pressure Points: Pressure Washer Buying Tips | Textured Surface Repair | Healthy Water Filters Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

- Pressure Washers: Blast away dirt and doubts with tips for buying the right pressure washer.

- Textured Surface Repair: Learn how to make hassle-free repairs to textured walls and ceilings.

- Water Filters: Find out why water filters are a healthy and low-cost alternative to bottled water.

Q & A:

- Driveway Drainage: Susan’s asphalt driveway was resurfaced but wasn’t pitched properly. She’ll need to install a curtain drain to keep water from collecting and backing up into the house.

- Staining a Fence: Mark gets advice about the best methods and materials for staining a cedar wood fence at his condo association.

- Radiant Heated Floor: Can you install a radiant heated floor yourself, will it increase electrical costs, and what materials should you use? We’ve got answers to all of Jeanette’s questions.

- Tree Stumps and Roots: Bruce is worried about the stumps and roots from trees that were removed near his home. They shouldn’t impact his foundation but he gets tips on how to remove the stumps.

- Wallpaper: Wallpaper is tough to remove, but Lisa gets info on tools she can use to make the process a bit easier.

- Glass Block Windows: Mario gets suggestions on how to secure a new glass block window when mortar won’t adhere to the existing metal frame.

- Terrazzo Floor Repair: Moisture is coming up through a crack in the terrazzo floor. Judith should check the drainage around the house and seal the crack with silicone.

- Electrical Socket Failure: The ceiling fan and light work, but not the wall sockets. Joseph should check the light switches first, then call an electrician to inspect the wiring.

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. Sponsored in part by policygenius.com.

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#2349 – Step Up Your Patio Game with Step Stone | Adding Insulation | Dishwashers Lower Water Bills Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

- Paver Patio Projects: New step stone options add style to paver patio projects.

- Adding Insulation: Insulation tips to keep your home warm and your energy costs down.

- Water-Saving Dishwashers: Learn how your dishwasher saves water, time, and money.

Q & A:

- Old Vinyl Windows: Natalie’s vinyl windows won’t stay open anymore. Unless she can find parts for the broken springs, it may be time to replace the windows.

- Wood Fence Posts: Should Sam treat his cedar fence posts? The best way to prevent the wood from rotting is to add stone around the fence post base to allow drainage.

- Soundproofing Walls: To muffle the sound from the neighbors next door, Donna gets tips on adding a second layer of noise-resistant drywall and sealing any openings.

- Removing Paint from Brick: Arthur is worried about stripping paint from old brick. He can test the product he’s using in an inconspicuous area to be sure it won’t damage the brick surface.

- Fruit Flies: Lorna thinks the fruit flies in her kitchen are coming from the garbage disposal. We suggest putting tape over the drain to see if they stick underneath, then using bleach to pour down the drain.

- Crawlspace Moisture: Hezakaiah has a moisture problem coming from his crawlspace. We tell him how to lay down a vapor barrier and improve his outside drainage.

- Siding Nail Rust: Will the galvanized nails stop rusting the siding if Laura paints over them? Unfortunately, she should really use stainless steel nails instead and the rust is hard to cover up.

- Refinishing a Deck: Jim needs to refinish a wood deck that wasn’t maintained. We recommend gentle pressure washing and using a paint sprayer to apply a solid stain.

- Wood Countertops: Anne likes the look of wood countertops around her under-mount sink, but it’s not the best material to use and there are better low-maintenance options.

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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#2348 – Size Doesn’t Matter: Small Bathroom Space Savers | Mold-Proof Painting | Money-Saving Dryers Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

- Small Bathrooms: Size doesn’t matter with these space-saving tips for small bathrooms.

- Painting Over Mold: Find out how to clean and repaint surfaces the right way to keep mold from coming back.

- Buying an Efficient Dryer: Choosing an efficient dryer will consume less energy and lower your electric bills.

Q & A:

- Adding an HVAC System: How hard is it to add air conditioning? The ductwork is not that difficult and Courtney should certainly not remove her hot water baseboard heating to change the HVAC system.

- Flooring Adhesive: Vito wants to install upcycled bathroom flooring, but it won’t stick. He should clean the subfloor well and use a grooved trowel to apply floor adhesive.

- Worms: Lillian doesn’t like the garden worms coming into her patio after a rainfall, but they’re beneficial to the soil and we don’t recommend trying to get rid of them.

- Foundation Drainage: After removing a large tree near his foundation, Mike is concerned about drainage. We offer tips on overfilling the area with clean fill dirt and diverting water away from the house.

- Sealing Marble: Gary cleaned the stain from a marble tabletop and wants to know how to seal the surface. We suggest products that can polish and seal the marble.

- Old Wood Walls: Remodeling an old home revealed beautiful American chestnut wood walls. It’s a rare find and James gets advice on sanding and refinishing the wood.

- Tankless Water Heater: Sharon hopes a tankless water heater will heat the water faster. She will get an unlimited supply of hot water but may still need to add a bypass valve to recirculate hot water on a timer.

- Matching Flooring: Char wants new bedroom flooring to complement the golden oak laminate in the other rooms. It’s a hard color to match and she should consider installing tile or carpet instead for a different look.

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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#2347 – Soot Happens: Fireplace and Chimney Safety | DIY Driveway Repair | Better Indoor Air Quality Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

- Fireplace and Chimney Safety: Stop playing with fire and get tips on maintaining your fireplace and chimney.

- Driveway Repair: Fall is a great time to fix and seal your cracked or worn driveway.

- Indoor Air Quality: Learn the best way to breathe easier and clear the air of dust, pollen, and other allergens.

Q & A:

- Chimney Repair: Someone suggested using roof cement to cover cracks in a chimney crown, but Bill should use a good silicone caulk sealant instead.

- Flower Beds: Michelle wants to know how to place her flower bed. We recommend grading the soil away from the house before planting and not adding any borders that may impede drainage.

- Deck Cleaning: A chemical reaction with a deck cleaning product left Andrew’s wood deck with a splotchy white film. He could use a spare piece of lumber to test a solid stain and see how well it will cover the filmy residue on the rest of the deck.

- Crawlspace Odor: There’s a musty odor coming from the dirt crawlspace that opens into Bridget’s basement. She needs to lay down a plastic vapor barrier, check the outside drainage, and build a hatch to close the opening.

- Air Conditioning Systems: What’s the cost of a new air conditioning unit? Steve should get estimates from a number of contractors because the price can vary widely.

- Epoxy Flooring: Cindy wants to add speckles to her existing epoxy floor. As long as the first layer is adhering well, she can simply apply a second layer and add them.

- Basement Moisture: Randall had a flooded basement and needs to reduce moisture. He doesn’t need vents but he should improve the drainage around his foundation and install a dehumidifier.

- Electrical Openings: Catherine changed her mind about basement lighting and has holes where the outlets and fixtures were supposed to be. We offer advice about disconnecting the electrical wiring and how to cover the openings.

- Sinking Porch: One side of Charles’ concrete porch has sunken in. He’ll need to break up the slab and redo the foundation before pouring a new cement porch.

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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#2346 - Garage Organization Greatness | Smart Furnace Selection | Genius Fix for Tile Replacement Sep 21, 2023

Show notes

Show Notes:

- Garage Organization Tips: Fall is the perfect timeto get your garage organized and make room for off season storage. Tom & Leslie share tips to get your garage ready bikes, bats, lawnmowers and more.

- Smart Tips for Purchasing a New Furnace. Whether your old furnace is shot, or you want a more efficient upgrade, buying a new furnace should never be an impulse buy. We’ll have tips for making smart choice to restore heat without burning a hole in your finances.

- Ingenious Trick for Replacing Broken Ceramic Tiles. Ceramic tiles are durable and easy to care for, but what happens if one ceramic tile breaks, and you can’t find a replacement? We’ll share a trick-of-the-trade for a fast fix up.

Plus, answers to home improvement questions about:

- Deck Stain Won’t Stick. Get tips on how to restore deck stain that peels off shortly after its applied.

- Bees Buzzing Your Food. If you’re frustrated by bees that buzz your outdoor meals or those of your pets, Tom shares a neat trick for keep them away from the food.

- To Fix or Not to Fix a House You’re Selling. Find out why it may or may not make sense for you make repairs of improvement to your home before putting it on the market.

- Crawlspace Ventilation. We help one listener sort though some potentially bad advice from a contractor with a conflict of interest.

- Roof Repair Costs. We walk Rochelle though the process of figuring out if an estimate she received for repairs to her roof makes sense and share a resource where you can search for the average cost for hundreds of projects as a guide to determining if your estimate is in line.

- LP Siding: John has a house with a siding that’s been the subject of a major class-action lawsuit. Toms explains the issues with deteriorating LP Siding, and a strategy on how to deal with it in a real estate transaction.

- Hot Water Delays: Find out why it can take a long time for hot water to arrive when the tap is turned on.

- Best Floor for an RV: Learn why today’s luxury and ridged vinyl plank floor products may be a perfect choice for an RV.

- Spider Infestation: Johnin Delaware needs help dealing with a sever infestation of spiders in every room of his house! Tom walks him through the best options to make them bug out!

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#2345 - Deal or No Deal? Buying Foreclosed Homes | DIY Stone Countertop Kits | Adding Attic Flooring Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

- Buying a Foreclosed Home: Is it a deal or a disaster to buy a foreclosed home?

- DIY Stone Countertops: Get the expensive look of a natural stone countertop at a fraction of the cost with a DIY refinishing kit.

- Installing Attic Flooring: Learn how installing attic flooring can add to your storage or weaken your structure.

Q & A:

- Bad Odors: Jim can’t find the source of a strange odor in his new home. It may be bio-gases in the plumbing, but there are ways to clean out the bacteria.

- Dishwasher Stops Working: The dishwasher fills but then suddenly stops. Darlene should check the float in the bottom of the dishwasher to see if it’s clogged.

- Property Lines: How can you find your property line markers? Daniel’s home survey will show the boundaries, but it may be difficult to locate the metal corner pins.

- Broken Sewage Pipe: A cracked sewage pipe ruined Helen’s basement. She’ll need a remediation company but the damage should be covered by her insurance policy.

- Insulation: Marion’s old home has no insulation or vapor barriers. We’ve got tips on the best ways to insulate her house.

- Damaged Hardwood Floor: A water leak left a soft spot in the hardwood floor. We suggest that Heather use a piece of hidden flooring to replace the damaged boards.

- Leaking Toilet: An old-fashioned toilet tank keeps leaking. Fred should try using silicone to seal each connection and make his own gaskets.

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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#2344 - Cook Up Plans for a Kitchen Makeover | Lasting Concrete Repair | Degreasing Range Vent Hoods Sep 14, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

- Planning a Kitchen Makeover: Having the right plans for a kitchen makeover is the recipe for success.

- Concrete Crack Repair: Get tips on how to fix cracked concrete and make the repairs last.

- Cleaning Range Vent Hoods: Gross grease can also be a hazard. Find out the best way to clean the vent hood over a stove.

Q & A:

- Insect Pests: Karen has questions about a bug zapper for her problem with flies. We recommend an insect trap that works well to eliminate flying pests.

- Driveway Drainage: Water that flows alongside the driveway is removing the sand and soil. Randy can dig out the dirt and fill the space with gravel that won’t wash away.

- Installing a Fence: Hope wants suggestions on materials to use for building a fence. She gets tips on attractive black fencing and how to build the footings.

- Garage Insulation: Is it a good idea to insulate a garage that will be air-conditioned? Yes, it is, and will help David save on heating and cooling costs.

- Adding a Bathroom: Where is the best place to add a second bathroom in your home? A second-floor bathroom will give Keri better value than a bathroom in the basement.

- Coal Fireplace: Is it safe to burn coal in a wood-burning fireplace? Ed learns that it’s definitely a fire hazard and that coal fireplaces are built differently.

- Musty Odors: Georgia smells musty odors in the room over her crawlspace. We suggest installing a vapor barrier and vent fans, plus checking for drainage issues and dead animals.

- Painting Wood Eaves: Paint is peeling from the wood eaves in Kelly’s old home. We have tips on how to strip, prime, and repaint the wood.

- Brick Repair: Brick and mortar is crumbling on the corner of Katherine’s home. She gets advice on how to dye and patch the brick and repair the mortar.

- Repairing Door Panels: Jeff wonders if he should repair a broken wood door panel or get a whole new door. A carpenter can easily replace the panel.

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

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