The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Landscaping for Above Ground Pools | Building Blocks for Fire Pits | Vinyl Fencing Pros and Cons | Ep #2223 Jul 18, 2022

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Show Notes:

Above ground pools can be a fun addition to your backyard space. But the site of a 4-foot tall, 24-foot-wide bathtub in the middle of your entertaining space doesn’t always add to the outdoor décor! We share tips to make above ground pools an attractive and affordable addition to your backyard space.
We love sitting around the fire pit on a cool summer evening. But if you don’t have a fire pit, building one is now as easy as stacking blocks. We’ll tell you about a system of modular rustic building blocks that can be assembled to create firepits, plants and more.
Vinyl fencing has become more and more popular as an alternative to traditional wood fencing. But is it really worth the extra cost? We’ll walk you thought the pros and the cons of vinyl vs wood fences.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.

Retaining Walls: Tom, helps Alex figure out the easiest way to build a retaining wall by using interlocking blocks instead of wood.
Replacement Windows: Elie wants to know the most energy efficient materials for a replacement window.
Rust Stains: Doug needs help to prevent rust stains from forming on his pool and patio areas.
Getting Rid of Woodchucks: Darlene is dealing with a major population of wood chicks that are destroying her garden.
Best Soft Floor: Casey needs help choosing the best floor for her special needs son. Find out why we recommend cork flooring.
Cleaning Wood Floors: Margaret wants our recommendation for the best floor cleaners for wood floors.
Bad Electrical Outlets: Steve needs a solution for a number of ungrounded electrical outlets in his home.

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How to Burglar Proof Before Vacation | Least Efficient Appliance | Easy Trick for Setting Fence Post | Ep #2222 Jul 14, 2022

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Show Notes:

Summer vacations can be fun and relaxing experience, but they can also be fun for burglars who love hitting vacant houses! We share a few tips to keep intruders away and make sure the home you come back to is exactly like you left it.
Do you consider energy efficiency when buying appliances, like refrigerators or televisions? You might be surprised to learn that your homes biggest energy waster may live in the laundry room. It’s your dryer! We explain why and how to get the most out of this mission critical machine.
Need toset a post for a fence or flagpole, but don’t want to go through the trouble of mixing and pour concrete to keep it in place? We share a trick of the trade to do that in minutes!

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about:

Smoke Odor: Reno’ing a home occupied by smokers? Yuck! We share how to get rid of smoke smells and help you breathe easy once again.
Leaking Shower: Max has a leaking Carrara marble shower. Tom shares two options for repairing a shower leak, one super simple and another that’s not!
Building a Porch: Is adding a brand-new porch possible for a DIY’r? We help Darlene avoid a potential DIY disaster.
Fixing a Foundation Leak: Leaking foundation walls are easier to fix than you can imagine. We walk Jeffrey through the solution.
Getting Rid of Moles: Leslie explains how to get rid of a mole problem, by eliminating their food source.
Restoring a Concrete Patio: We help Carrie with the best paver product to recover a concrete patio that looks worn.
Fixing Rotted Wood: Joe wants to know why his newly painted wood is rotting after only two years.

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3 Kitchen Remodels Under $1,000 | Deck vs. Patio | Spot and Stop Roof Leaks | Ep #2221 Jul 11, 2022

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Show Notes:

We’ve got 3 low-cost kitchen renos you can get done for well under a thousand bucks to add style and convenience without draining your bank account!
Creating an outdoor living space is a popular home improvement project. But what’s best for your home: a deck or a patio? We’ll walk you through the options.
You don’t think too much about your roof until it leaks. Then its ALL you can think about. We’ll share tips to spot small problems before they become big ones.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.

Cedar may be rot resistant but its not rot proof. We help Beverly select the best stain for her cedar covered patio.
Taking on home improvement project can lead to lots of surprises, but Nils discovered a huge snakeskin when taking on his, along with a whole host of insects. Tom offers tips to avoid infestations, and the best pesticides to use.
Mercedes needs help dealing with roof leaks caused by nail holes that were mistaken made inside metal flashing. We share the best way to repair a roof for a permanent fix.
John needs tips to increase the output of solar panels, that have become dirty due to pollen and tree droppings.
Popcorn ceilings may have been popular a long time ago but now they’re a big pain! Leslie shares tips on how to remove a popcorn ceiling.
Brian needs help with a septic system that seems to be creating a sink hole! Tom quickly nails down the problem and provides the solution.
Mil needs a solution for repairing a cracked shower pan. Tom shares a trick of the trade to set a shower pan and make sure it never cracks again.

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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No Cost to Low-Cost Air Conditioning Tips | Trex Deck Kits Simplify Shopping | Cooling Roof Tech | Ep #2220 Jul 07, 2022

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Show Notes:

Now is a great time to make sure your home’s cooling plan is set to deliver both comfort and energy efficiency. We share low-cost to no-cost cooling tips that will do just that.
Between the splinters and the staining, a wood deck can take a fun out of summer weekends. We highlight a better option available at Lowes called a Trex Deck Kit which makes updating or replacing your deck with beautiful new composite decking a breeze.
Do you need a new roof and want to save on air-conditioning costs? You can actually do both. We’ll tell you about some very cool roofing technology that can help keep you comfortable and save you money.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Brick foundation walls have lasted over a century but mortar repair and repointing is needed to cover the next 100 years! Tom shares the best recipe to mix your own mortar from cement, sand and lime.
Jenny says she needs a floor finish that can stand up to three dogs and a man! We walk her through how to refinish a floor.
Have you ever noticed vinyl siding that’s buckled on one or more sides of your house? We help Earl understand why this is happening and what it’ll take to iron out those ruffles!
Flagstone patios are a great start to an outdoor living space but not when the stones are loose and buckled. Darlene needs help restoring her patio for long term stability.
If you are remodeling a house with plaster walls, should you remove the old plaster or cover the walls with new drywall? We help Earl avoid a valuable lesson Tom learned when taking this project on for the first time.
Noisy pipes can be annoying. Tom helps listener Damian understand the hidden source of clicking and ticking sound inside the walls and floors of his house.
Lauren is taking on a paint project in an old house and is worried about exposing her young kids to lead paint. Leslie shares her own experience and how to avoid exposure.
Water heaters can drip, but it doesn’t always mean the tank is bad. Tom shares tips from his years of home inspection experience to help Michael track down the source of a leaking water heater and possibly even fix it himself.
Firepits are a popular project. Tom and Leslie help Michele with tips on how to build your own including the best mix of mortar.
Marty wants to know the best way to repair a crack in brick without seeing the crack. Get tips on how to find and mix a color dye to match the brick.

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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6 Tips for Successful Summer Paint Projects | Fast Fixes for Cracked Concrete | Outdoor Furniture Spruce Ups | Ep #2219 Jul 04, 2022

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SHOW NOTES:

Taking on a paint project this summer? We’ve got six things to remember before you pick up the paintbrush.
Concrete is one of the most durable building products ever invented but even concrete needs repair to fix cracks or worn surfaces. We share easy fixes to make without replacing the original concrete.
Is your outdoor furniture looking like it’s at the end of its days? Painting can bring it back to life. We’ll share tips on the easiest way to get that done.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Barbara from South Dakota has loose tile flooring in her recently renovated bathroom.
Howard in Texas wants to know how to fix a retaining wall that is starting to lean.
Judy from Minnesota want help getting rid of moisture in her below grade space.
Michael in Tennessee wants to know if he can use a foam spray to support a fiberglass showers stall.
Alison from New York needs a humane way to get rid of squirrels in her yard.
Craig in Rhode Island wants to replace a shut off valve but can’t easily access it without ripping apart his bathroom.
Alicia from North Carolina has a cracked patio slab that keeps getting bigger and doesn’t know what to do about it.
Jim in Delaware is wondering what part of his dryer vent he needs to replace.

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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Preventing Burglars and Break-Downs During Summer Vacations | Solutions to Stop Weeds | Easy AC Tips for Hottest Days | Ep #2218 Jun 29, 2022

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SHOW NOTES:

Are you getting ready to take a vacation this summer? From burglars to break downs, we’ve got tips to help take care of your house while your away!
If your lawn is full of weeds, don’t just pull them before you pay attention to what’s causing the problem. We’ll share how to “read” your weeds just ahead.
As we move into the “dog days” of summer, we’ve got tips to help keep your AC chugging along through the hottest days of summer.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Helen in Arizona is having an issue with bubbling paint on her wall.
Mike from Arkansas has a leaky upstairs window when it rains and thinks it’s due to the soffit.
Debbie in Ontario needs to know how to fill cracks on a cement patio.
Randy from Texas has a deck that has wood that is starting to shrink due to moisture.
Susan in California wants to know if she has to resurface her driveway or just replace it entirely.
Ken from Texas want to know if he should add a ductless air conditioning system to his home.
Sharon in Ohio has a furnace that is pulling sewer gas from her sump pump.
Pat from Nebraska has a 5 year old dishwasher that won’t work anymore.

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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Easy Way to Extend the Life of Your Roof | How to Get Your House Hurricane Ready | Best Air Filters for Allergy Sufferers Jun 27, 2022

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

The summer season with its intense heat can be really rough on your roof. We share a way to protect, restore flexibility and extend your roof life by 5 years.
Hurricane season is here and researchers predict 19 big storms! We’ll help you make sure your house is ready.
Having trouble with allergies? It’s important you have a filter that can truly catch the dust, dirt and pollen that makes its way onto your lungs! We’ll share a new type of HVAC filter that is so effective, it’ll last for an entire year.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Catherine from Arizona needs help laying new sod and making sure is survives the super-hot climate.
Steve in Tennessee is running out of hot water! We help nail down why his electric water heater may be failing after only 5 years.
Angelo from Florida wants to know how to prep fiberglass window shutters that have faded for a new paint job.
Mary in Alaska has is considering going to tankless water heater and wants to learn more about them.

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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Fast and Simple Way to Tile a Backsplash | Easiest Way to Mow Your Lawn | Building the Perfect Fire Pit | Ep #2216 Jun 23, 2022

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

If you’ve ever taken on a tiling project, you may know that it’s messy and can take DAYS to wait for the adhesive to set, before you can grout. We’ll show you a trick of the trade to install tile that’s a lot less messy and far faster.
Do you think the best way to save time and energy cutting the grass is to set the mower as low as possible so you won’t have to mow that often? Well, you might be surprised to find out that can actually end up being MORE work in the long run! Find out why and what length to cut the lawn in Spring, Summer and Fall (and yes, it changes for each season!)
If you’d love build a firepit, patio or outdoor kitchen, we show you really easy ways to get those projects done by stacking precast, concrete blocks.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Cheryl in Virginia has a concrete porch that is starting to come apart and wants to know the easiest way to repair.
We’ve got a great solution for Dan from Tennessee who is having carpenter bees eat his way through his fascia board.
Norma in Delaware wants to update her bath by adding a one-piece shower panel.
Marty from Mississippi is looking for the best product is to match and seal his brick and mortar wall.
We help Eleanor in Virginia with easy ways to clean algae off her composite decking
Stewart from Rhode Island wants to know the best replacement for an oil-fired water heater.
Sheila in Oklahoma is looking for recommendations on countertop paints and whether they work well.
Ben from Illinois wants to know how to painting a popcorn ceiling.

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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Deck Staining Tips | Solutions to Prevent Pool Drowning | Filters that Prevent AC Breakdowns | Ep #2215 Jun 20, 2022

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Staining a wood deck is a popular summer project. We share how to get that project done in a weekend, plus we review new high efficiency airless paint sprayers that can cut project time by as much as a third.
Summer marks the riskiest time of year for pool drownings, the leading cause of death to young children! We share a pool safety approach called layers of protection, the best way to backup parental supervision and keep kids safe.
Now that the AC season is in full swing, have you thought about changing your air filter? If you have a forced air system, that filter plays an important role in keeping your cooling system operational. We’ll explain why and highlight a new type of filter that can keep your system clean for a full year.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Pam from Missouri wants to install an automatic sensor onto her dimmer light.
Dan wants to know how to deflect heat from his tin roof.
Heather in Texas needs help getting rid of black mold in her bathroom.
Max called in asking, what the best joist size for composite decking?
Lorrain from Vermont has an ant invasion in her home.
Brandon in California is having water hammer issues with his shower.
Pat from Iowa wants to know the best way to paint aluminum siding.
Bob in Tennessee wants to know if cell service is impacted by a metal roof.
Mary from Wisconsin wants to know an alternative to rubber back carpeting for her basement.

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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Upgrading Your DIY Workspace | Top Reasons AC’s Quit | DIY Front Door Tips | Ep #2214 Jun 16, 2022

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Are you a do-it-yourselfer but need a better do-it-yourself workspace? We show you how to create a productive and efficient garage workspace to handle projects big and small.
If your AC is going to go on the fritz… it’s going to happen on the hottest day of the year. We review the top reasons AC systems decide to quit and what you can do to restore the cool.
Replacing your front door is a project that can increase both your home’s value and its curb appeal. Find out how best to get that project done.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Anthony in New York wants to know how to repair a chimney that is losing its stucco.
Mia from Iowa is looking for the best way to remove glued outdoor carpeting from her deck.
Kevin in Georgia needs help getting rid of carpenter bees that are destroying his screened-in porch.
Sally wants know if there is a fix for double pane windows that are fogging up between the panes.
John from Maryland is looking for a side venting gas water to reduce the space his current one takes up.
Fonda in South Dakota needs ideas on how to makeover her patio while she is redoing her backyard space.

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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