The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

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**The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast**

Does your home ever feel like “a Money Pit?” It doesn’t have to be that way! As host of The Money Pit Podcast, a money pit is not a disaster – it’s a home you love! Whether you’re dealing with a repair or dreaming about a reno, consider me your coach, helper or home improvement therapist for all things remodeling, decor or fix up! From bathrooms to basements, demolition to décor and gardening to garages, I’ll share non-biased expertise to help you tackle your to-do’s with confidence. Taking care of a home can be a combination of love, pride and heart-stopping fear – but I promise to help you plan, save you money and spare you from snafus. Join me for new episodes every Monday and Thursday, just in time to plan your next home improvement adventure!

Latest Episodes:

#2343 – H2O or H2No: Is Your Tap Water Safe? | DIY or Go Pro? | Top Insulation Tips Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

- DIY or Hire a Pro?: Do you have the DIY skills or should you pay for a professional contractor? How to decide.

- Tap Water Safety: Tests can determine how safe your water is for cooking, drinking, and bathing.

- Insulation: Cooler weather is a great time to find out if your home has enough insulation.

YOUR QUESTIONS:

- Rusty Washing Machine: Sherry’s washing machine dispenser is rusting. If it’s not that old, it’s worth getting a replacement part and having it repaired.

- Insulation: Ed wants to insulate the gap between the drywall and masonry. It would be more effective to seal any drafts and add insulation to the attic.

- Popcorn Ceiling: Can you clean a popcorn ceiling? Margaret won’t be able to clean it, but gets tips on how to remove the popcorn texture or repaint it.

- Retaining Wall Materials: Should Robert use blocks or poured cement to build a retaining wall? Blocks are more attractive and less work but need to be installed properly for the retaining wall to last.

- Weed Removal: Kim is fighting a weed problem and gets info about using plastic sheets, weed block, and spray products for her lawn.

- Leaning Wall: A brick retaining wall is leaning forward from the soil that’s expanding and pushing against it. Howard gets options for replacing the wall.

- Leaking Windows: Rain and bugs are coming inside Georgia’s leaking windows. They should be sealed with better flashing under the exterior siding.

- Cracked Drywall: Drywall cracks are a common problem, but Patrick gets tips on using fiberglass tape and how to spackle over it to stop the cracks.

- Woodpeckers: Knock, knock. Who’s there? Barb gets advice on how to scare away woodpeckers that keep tapping at her house.

- DIY Fire Pit: James wants to build a DIY fire pit. We recommend a fire pit kit that includes all the materials he needs.

- Cracks in Brick: A crack going up a brick wall may have many causes. Unless it’s an active crack, Judith can use silicone sealant to keep out damaging moisture.

ASK A QUESTION:

- Need answers to your own home improvement or decor 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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#2342 - Root of the Problem: Stump Removal | Silencing Squeaky Floors | Buying the Best Gutters Sep 07, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

- Stump Removal: Get to the root of the problem of stump removal with these tips.

- Squeaky Floors: Step quietly by fixing those annoying squeaky floors.

- Buying Gutters: Installing the right gutters defends your home against water damage.

Q & A:

- Ceiling Stains: After fixing a roof leak, Sarah has ceiling stains. Using a good primer before painting will stop the stains from coming through.

- Cement Caulk: Is there a caulk you can use to match a cement stamped patio? Tom will probably need to just use a clear caulk to seal the cracks.

- Bathroom Tile: Is there an alternative for bathroom wall tile? Janet should consider a premade bathtub surround as an inexpensive and effective option.

- Crawlspace: Bowen had better have a good reason for removing dirt from his crawlspace because exposing the footing could cause structural issues.

- Cracked Concrete Floor: Lori has cracks in her concrete flooring. We recommend using a patching compound to make it look like new.

- Uneven Floor: The uneven floor in John’s home addition is a problem. We offer suggestions for using a floor-leveling compound or a transition strip.

- Installing a Flagpole: Linda is having trouble installing a flagpole to an aluminum column and gets info on using longer screws and a block for support.

- Stained Countertops: How do you clean stains on a Corian countertop? Sharon should try making a cleaning paste and letting it sit to bleach the stains.

ASK A QUESTION:

- Need answers to your own home improvement or decor 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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Breaking Barriers: Creating Open Space in an Older Home | State-of-the-Art Security Systems to Defend Your Domain | Hue’s Clues: How to Choose the Right Paintbrush | Ep #2341 Sep 04, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Open Floor Concept: Create an open design in an older home with a pass-through project.
Smart Home Security: State-of-the-art home security systems defend your domain and grow with your family.
Choosing a Paintbrush: Make DIY painting projects easier by choosing the right paintbrush for the job.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.

Building a Deck: Cheryl wants to build a deck over a concrete pad. We explain why that’s not a good foundation and how to build a proper footing.
Plumbing Leaks: What should you do about pinpoint leaks in copper pipes? Mike should monitor the situation and replace the pipes as needed rather than remove the whole plumbing system.
Cleaning a Vinyl Fence: Beverly wants to clean black marks off her white vinyl fence. She needs to find the source of the stains and use an abrasive pad with the right cleaner.
Flooring Over Concrete: Wally gets advice on sealing cracks in his concrete floor to prevent moisture before installing a new floating floor over it.
Installing Vinyl Siding: Should you use nails or screws to install vinyl siding? Beverly learns why to definitely use nails and how to allow the siding to expand.
Water Sensors: Doug wants to know if a water sensor is a worthwhile investment. We agree that water sensors and leak detectors have smart technology that works well.

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.

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Shocking Secrets: How to Protect Your Home from Lightning | Sticky Situation: Fixing Stuck Windows | Hot Tips for Buying a New Grill | Ep #2340 Aug 31, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Lightning Protection: When lightning strikes, find out how to protect your home from storm damage.
Stuck Windows: Get tips for opening and closing stubborn old windows that have you stuck.
Buying a Grill: Here’s what to look for when shopping hot deals for a new grill.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.

Uneven Air Conditioning: One room is much warmer than the rest of the house. Stephanie can check the airflow at the registers and returns, add insulation, and install supplemental cooling to balance the heating and cooling.
Attic Ventilation: Jim is worried about mold he found after insulating his attic. He needs to increase the attic ventilation by adding ridge and soffit vents.
Bathtub Refinishing: The bathtub finish is starting to erode and can’t be touched up. Peggy gets info about an epoxy refinishing kit to do the whole tub.
Metal Roof: Patrick is considering installing a metal roof. It’s a good investment that offers new technology, insurance savings, and energy rebates.
Painting Fireplace: Should you paint a brick fireplace? Mary gets advice about using a good primer, having to repaint, and ideas to decorate around the brick.
Cleaning a Covered Deck: Ed wants to clean his covered wood deck. We recommend a wood cleaner, but he’ll need to cover his tools so they don’t get wet.
Adding a Deck Step: It’s a high step from Steve’s deck into his cabin. Adding a step will be helpful and he finds out the right size tread to build.
Garage Floor Stains: How do you clean grease stains from a garage floor? Kathy gets tips on cleaning the stains with TSP and using an epoxy floor paint.
Driveway Repair: An old asphalt driveway is worn and has big dips. It sounds like it’s time for Bonnie to tear it out and replace the driveway.

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. Sponsored in part by policygenius.com.

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5 End-of-Summer Projects to Save Time and Money | Chill Without the Bill: Low-Cost Ways to Cool Your Home | Spray It and Slay It: House Painting Made Easy | Ep #2339 Aug 28, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

End-of-Summer House Projects: Get info on 5 end-of-summer house projects to do now that will save time, money, and repairs later.
Cooling a Home on a Budget: Learn low-cost to no-cost ways to reduce the heat in your home.
Exterior House Painting: If you spray it, you can slay it with a paint sprayer that makes exterior house painting projects quicker and easier.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.

Central Vacuum: Condensation on the central vacuum pipes is ruining Sean’s walls. We suggest insulating the whole pipe to stop the drip.
Shelving: Ellie needs tips on how to hang wall shelves. We have tips on how to properly anchor shelves to offer the right support.
Radon Mitigation: Bob has questions about adding a radon fan. He should get a separate radon mitigation system that will pull the gas from under the entire slab of his home.
HVAC Mold: Fluctuating temperatures cause mold in Betty’s ceiling vents. It may be only condensation that’s depositing dirt particles, but she should have an HVAC inspection to see about cleaning the duct system and replacing the filters.
Tree Roots: Ashwani is concerned about the roots of big backyard trees near his home. There’s low risk if the trees are healthy, but he should consider thinning them out if the trees are crowded together.
Cracked Ceramic Tiles: Can cracked ceramic floor tiles be fixed? They can’t, but Valerie can remove the damaged tiles and replace them with complementary ones.
Vinyl Flooring: Angela wants to cover her old vinyl kitchen floor with paint. It’s not a good idea, but we offer options that are durable, affordable, and stylish.
Bathroom Odors: Phew! There’s a sewer odor in Ted’s bathroom. He should check if the trap is properly vented and use bleach to eliminate bio-gases.
Pool Deck Coating: Howard asks about paint for his concrete pool deck that won’t be slippery. We have tips for applying an anti-slip coating.
Butcher Block Countertop: Eliza likes the look of a butcher block countertop, but we warn her that it’s a lot of work to maintain and guard against bacteria.

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.

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Survey Says Homeowners Flunk Maintenance 101 | Dormant vs. Dead: Keeping Your Lawn Alive | Concrete Surface Solutions | Ep #2338 Aug 24, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Home Maintenance: When the American dream is a DIY disaster: homeowners get failing grades for home maintenance skills.
Dormant Lawn Care: Brown grass may be dormant, not doomed, with proper lawn care.
Concrete Repair: Old, worn-out concrete comes back stronger than ever with a DIY concrete resurfacing product.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.

Kitchen Range: Cindy must protect her wood cabinets next to a large six-burner gas stove. We suggest getting installation specs from the manufacturer.
Metal Roofing: How do you install a metal roof? It’s not an easy DIY project, but Perry gets tips on installing a metal roof that will last a lifetime.
Septic System: What is the best way to maintain a septic system? We advise Emily to have it inspected and pumped regularly, avoid chemicals, and protect the septic field.
Roots in Plumbing Lines: Roots under Larry’s home are growing into the sewer lines and separating the pipes. He should look into relining the pipe rather than breaking up the floor inside the house.
Deck Paint: Oops! Emily used porch paint on her new deck. It’s actually not a problem as long as the paint is adhering well.
Heating Flooring: What kind of floor should go over a heated concrete slab? Russ needs to use a radiant heat-compliant product, such as stone-based flooring.
Wood Paneling: Ashley has wood paneling with no drywall underneath. We tell her how to remove it, replace the insulation, and install moisture-proof drywall.
House Flies: Yuck! Mike’s got fly poop all over his siding that won’t come off. We suggest a cleaning product to use and getting a pest control professional to control the problem with flies.
Wet Basement: Beverly needs help with her wet basement and finds out how to improve the outside drainage with better grading, gutters, and downspouts.
Cracked Brick Wall: There’s a long, wide crack in the brick wall behind Jim’s garage. He needs a structural engineer to find out if it’s an active crack.
Smoke Odors: After the previous homeowner left smoke odors behind, Lois should use an oil-based primer on the walls, subfloors, and ceiling to seal in the smell before painting the rooms.

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.

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Protect Your Home with Storm Shutters | Front Doors for Lasting First Impressions | Awesome Advantages of Awnings | Ep #2337 Aug 21, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Storm Shutters: Besides adding style, find out how real storm shutters protect your home from the elements.
Front Door: Attractive front doors make lasting first impressions that add curb appeal and value to your home.
Awnings: Learn how updated awnings extend your outdoor living space and offer energy savings to your home.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.

Toilet Noises: Kathy’s toilet squeals when the washing machine runs. It could be caused by a blockage or a bad fill valve.
Sidewalk Gaps: Robert has gaps between the slabs of his concrete walkway. He gets tips on using a backer rod and a caulk sealant to close up the spaces.
Brick Patio: The attractive brick edge of a concrete patio needs to be restored. Grace gets advice on re-mortaring the bricks and options for refinishing the patio surface.
Wood Furniture: Faux leather cushions have stained a beautiful wood couch. James can sand and seal the slats and cover the cushions with a fabric that won’t stick to the wood.
Toilet Stain: A dirty residue keeps returning to Cindy’s toilet. We suggest using a different commercial cleaner or installing a self-cleaning toilet.
Water Heater: One end of the house is getting less hot water than the other. Stewart can either install a second water heater or a hot water recirculating system.
Roof Rejuvenation: Debbie is curious about a company that claims to extend the life of an old roof. We confirm that it’s an effective option to treat dried-out shingles and save you money.
Brick Foundation: Areas of the brick foundation in a Victorian home are starting to bow out. Ed should consult with a structural engineer about repair options.

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.

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Penny-Wise Powder Room: Bathroom Updates for Under $500 | Pipe Percussion: How to Silence Water Hammer | Rock the Look of Granite with DIY Terrazzo Product | Ep #2336 Aug 17, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Bathroom Upgrades: Upgrade your bathroom on a budget with easy projects that cost less than $500.
Silencing Water Hammer: Get tips for fixing water hammer to stop noisy plumbing pipes and the risk of damage and leaks.
Stone-Based Liquid Flooring: Give indoor and outdoor floors and other surfaces the look of granite with a DIY product that’s easy to apply.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.

Converting an Old Tub: Caitlyn wants to preserve an old clawfoot bathtub and add a shower head. We advise having it professionally re-enameled, but installing a shower kit should be easy to do herself.
Hardwood Flooring: How much space should John leave between new hardwood flooring and the drywall? We suggest about a half inch and offer tips for acclimating the new flooring to the room.
Metal Roof: Charlene is deciding between asphalt and metal for her shallow roof. She doesn’t have the right pitch for shingles and a metal roof is a great investment.
Porch Decking: Ray’s wraparound porch decking was not maintained, but we have info on applying a solid color stain that is durable and long-lasting.
Deck Ceiling Paint: After power washing her deck, Blair needs to repaint the wood deck ceiling. She should prime it first and then apply a latex paint or solid stain.
Attic Insulation: Jeff wonders what kind of insulation to add to his unfinished attic. We’ll explain how he should lay insulation batts over the joists and existing material.
Mold Stains: A bathroom leak left a ceiling stain that looks like mold. Wendy can test the area to be sure, then use a bleach solution to clean it before priming and painting it again.
Nail Stains on Siding: Rust from inferior galvanized nails is staining Brian’s wood siding. He can try sanding down the areas and using a better primer before repainting.
Wood Paneling: Rebecca wants to change the look of old wood paneling. She can either sand, prime, and paint it or add a layer of drywall over 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

Bite-Sized Upgrades: Weekend Kitchen Makeovers | Rooftop Revelations: Tips for Roof Inspections | The Frills of Grills: Gas Grill Features Worth Having | Ep #2335 Aug 14, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Kitchen Makeovers: Cook up some quick and easy kitchen makeovers that can be done over a weekend.
Roof Inspections: Find roof leaks before they find you with a thorough roof inspection.
Gas Grills: If you’re savoring the thought of a new gas grill, get tips on the features worth having.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.

Chipmunks: Chipmunks are much cuter outdoors, so Linda gets tips on how to seal up the gaps in her metal buildings to keep them from getting inside.
Limescale Buildup: Greg’s having trouble cleaning the limescale buildup on his glass shower doors. Vinegar should remove it unless it’s really another stain or scratches.
Floor Joists: Laura wants to add support to the kitchen floor under an appliance. We offer info about installing girder beams to reduce the bounce of the floor.
Converting to Gas: Abram wants to replace an electric dryer with a gas dryer. It should be easy for a plumber to tap into the gas line and make sure it’s safe.
Industrial Floor: Linda needs suggestions for flooring in an industrial building. She’ll need to remove loose paint from the old cement floor and then apply two-part epoxy paint for a durable surface.
Uneven Deck: A floating deck that’s covering a cistern is heaving and uneven. Steve should take the deck apart, reframe it with better footings, and consider using composite materials with an access panel for the cistern.
Concrete Basement Floor: The concrete basement floor is crumbling and flaking. Mary should improve her outside drainage first, then use a cement patching compound and some epoxy floor paint to seal the surface.
Leaking Roof: Rain is leaking through the roof where it connects to the wall of an addition. We tell Steve how to remove the siding and improve the flashing to seal the space.
Radiant Heated Floor: Jeanette has questions about installing radiant heated flooring in her bathroom and kitchen. It can be expensive to install and to run, but we have tips on using a timer and getting a contractor to do it right.

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.

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Get a Leg Up on Banishing Centipedes | Smart Sips for Plants: Benefits of Micro-irrigation | Spray It Forward: New Paint Sprayer Technology | Ep #2334 Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Centipedes: Get a leg up on banishing fast and freaky thousand-legger centipedes inside your home.
Micro-Irrigation: Tiny drops produce big blooms with micro-irrigation for your garden.
Paint Sprayers: New paint sprayer technology gets DIY paint projects done faster, easier, and with less waste.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.

HVAC Blockage: Barely any air blows through one room in Leroy’s home. He gets tips on how to look for a duct blockage or a closed damper.
Firepit Mortar: Michelle is building a fieldstone firepit but the mortar is dry and cracking. We suggest putting plastic over the surface to slow down the drying time and recommend some good products and videos.
Lead Paint: Lauren is worried about lead in the paint that’s chipping and flaking in her old home. She needs to work with a painter who’s certified in lead paint containment to make sure her kids are safe.
Water Heater: What is the slight leak coming from the PVC tube at the top of the water heater? Michael learns it’s just a pressure relief valve, but his old water heater should still be replaced.
Converting a Deck: Diane wants to turn her deck into a closet and laundry room. It’s a good idea, but she should consult with an architect since it can be a complicated addition.
Plumbing Noises: There’s a clicking noise behind the bathroom and closet. It’s probably pipes or metal siding expanding and contracting against Damian’s walls.
Floor Moisture: Water is coming up from the concrete slab under Michelle’s laminate floor. She should check the drainage outside the house and use an exhaust fan with a humidistat to reduce condensation.
Split Outlet: Why does the bottom plug work in an outlet but the top one doesn’t? Chris may have a split outlet that’s partly controlled by a switch.
Popping Nails: Nails are popping out of the sheetrock near the ceiling and corners. We advise Bob to either replace the nails with drywall screws or overlap the existing nail heads with the heads of new nails.