The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Roof Check: How to Know if It’s Got to Go | Space Saving Closet Makeovers | Energy Audits That Save Big Bucks | Ep # 2713 Jan 24, 2022

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Winter is rough on roofs so now is a good time to plan for any roof work that might be needed to be done come spring. We’ll share tips for a DIY roof check to know if a roof needs to be repaired or replaced - in today’s Smart Spending Tip.
Got closets busting at the seams? We’ve got steps for a simple closet makeover that takes less than an hour or two to get done and will help you find the space you need.
If you’d like to make your home more energy efficient, a home energy audit is a great place to start. We’ll share how details to get this done, and highlight a DIY option, just ahead.
Say goodbye to the dark days of winter with the best lighting for your home. We share the bulbs and fixtures that deliver the brightest outlook for the days ahead.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Risa from Oregon needs a good gutter guard recommendation.
John in Missouri is building a guest home and wants to know if it’s better to start from scratch or if he should use a prefab.
Kathy from Massachusetts has chimney that is turning to dust and wants to know what she can do about it.
Jim in Ohio wants to know his options for insulating his basement as well as noise-proof it.
Fran from Tennessee needs a replacement for her French door.
Chad in Iowa wants to prevent moisture in his bay windows.
Cindy from Michigan wants to know her options for generating her own power to cut down on her bills.
Sparky in Georgia has a water ring problem in one of his bathrooms that keeps coming back.
Laura from South Carolina is installing anti-slip deck paint and is concerned about damaging the deck.
Jack in Nebraska is putting a new floor into his basement and wants to know if he can put down engineered wood flooring.

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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30-Minute Home Improvement Hacks | Some Smoke Detectors Won’t Spot Fires | Heating Tips for Renters | Ep #2172 Jan 20, 2022

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Want to tackle a home improvement project but don’t have much time? Tom & Leslie share 5 fast hacks that take 30 minute or LESS to complete. Plus share a full list of 30 more home improvements you can do in under 30 minutes!
Home fire risk goes up in the winter, but did you know that not all smoke detectors work with every type of fire? We’ll explain how to choose the best smoke detectors to make sure you’re protected.
If you’re a renter, we share tips to help you save money heating your apartment that’ll make you a lot more comfortable and won’t require any major changes to your place, or risk losing your security deposit!
Radon is a soil gas that is present under homes and can put your health at risk. We share how to know if radon levels are high in your area and what to do if they are.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Andrea in Pennsylvania has a sloping floor in her bathroom and doesn’t know how to fix it.
David from Ohio is having a hard time keeping paint from peeling off his siding.
Renee in Texas wants advice on repairing structural cracks in her townhouse.
Linda from Rhode Island needs a good paint for her stone basement wall.
Gary from Georgia wants to know how to harvest rainwater.
Tony in Iowa has a cold water line that feels hot to touch.
Patty from Illinois has a toilet that’s driving up her water bill and wants to how she can resolve this.

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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Need to Know Solar Solutions | Décor Secrets for Bigger Spaces | Tips for Winter Tree Trimming | Ep #2171 Jan 17, 2022

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Thinking adding solar power to your home can reduce electricity costs? Not all panels deliver the same amount of electricity. Tom & Leslie explain which options deliver the most power and best savings.
And if you like homes that feel bigger than they are, there’s a new trend in what’s known as a broken or semi-open floor plan beginning to catch on. Well top-line those details.
With half of the winter behind us, it’s time to think about making sure your outdoor trees will bloom this spring. We’ve got tips on keeping trees alive through winter.

Plus, answers to these home improvement questions:

Pat in South Dakota wants to know more about vinyl flooring she’s looking to install on her first floor.
Phillip from Massachusetts is replacing his cape cod roof and wants to know his options and if he should put in an ice guard.
Carolyn down in Florida needs advice on repainting her metal garage door.
Eric in Michigan is asking if gutters are needed if your home is on a concrete slab?
Debs from Pennsylvania wants to know how to clean the ring around the drain of a sink.
Mike in Arizona wants to know the best options are for replacing his old cedar siding.
Lynn from Illinois how to replace a mailbox that is rusted and stuck in her brick.
Rebecca in Tennessee wants to know how to repair a crack in her limestone chimney.
Susan from Texas wants to know what kind of treatment should be done on a water well.
Lydia in Maryland wants to know what is the best type of insulation she should put in her house.

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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Itch-Free Insulation | Super Commercial Stoves for Kitchens | How to De-Tox Your Mattress | Ep #2170 Jan 13, 2022

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Improving your insulation is the easiest and least expensive way to get comfortable and save money. To help, Tom & Leslie review the most popular types of insulation – including a new “itch-free” fiberglass insulation plus another that’s fire resistant to over 2000 degrees!
A serious commercial stove can boost both your cooking powers, and your home's resale value. We’ll share what you need to know if you’re looking for one of these brawny commercial beauties in your kitchen.
And are you laying your head down on a bed of bacteria every night? We have tips to help de-tox your mattress to keep IT clean and YOU, healthy. Plus how to spot and get rid of bedbugs.

Plus, answers to these home improvement questions:

Joan in California is ready for a kitchen remodel and doesn’t know where to start!
Kirk from North Dakota is ready to convert incandescent bulbs to LED’s and needs to know how lumens compares to light bulb wattage.
Jody in Delaware needs help fixing a foundation with dry lock that is peeling off.
Robert in North Dakota wants to know what the best way to heat a big space.
Carol from Ohio has a cutting project and needs to know what’s the best blade to cut a door with.
Louis in Pennsylvania needs tips to choose the best replacement water heater.

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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Winter Bird Attraction | New Year New Studio Space | Sink Odors | Ep #2169 Jan 10, 2022

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Do you enjoy watching birds visit your yard in warmer weather, but miss them in the winter? Tom & Leslie share tips to help attract visits from your fine feathered friends all year long: even in the cold months!
Need a workshop, maker space, sewing center or other studio space? We share tricks for carving out room for your past time using hidden space you may not even know you have!
Cold floors can be very uncomfortable and raise your heating costs. We identify the top causes of cold floors and the easiest ways to warm those surfaces, and your feet!
Got a smelly sink? We solve that one too with a hack that can help.
Plus, here’s one for the rule-breakers out there. Leslie shares design rules that are worth breaking with amazing results.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

We help Kayla in Iowa who has a dehumidifier that keeps tripping her circuit breaker.
Tom gives Manny from Rhode Island some money-saving advice about service contracts offered for water lines.
Ellen in New York is working on a new floor and wants to know if she has to remove vinyl tile to install a new engineered hardwood floor.
Jonathan from Tennessee wants to now the best way to insulate and heat his garage so he can use it as a work space all year long.
Ever fix a crack in a wall or ceiling only to have it reappear over and over again? Linda has and gets a one-and-done solution from our expert hosts!
Martin in Wisconsin wants to know if it’s possible to remove a load bearing wall to create more open space in her home.
Devron from Missouri learns why the best way to make her home more energy efficient is to start with an energy audit. Tom & Leslie share several options to get it done.
Steve in Illinois needs a gut check on an estimate for new windows. Tom and Leslie review the project and offer a checklist to use that’ll make sure he gets the best quality windows and the best price.
Danuza from Georgia loves her fireplace so much she wants to know if she can open the back side to make double sided.
Justin in Montana has smelly bath water he can’t find the source of. Expert host Tom Kraeutler, points to the problem instantly – and it’s not the bathroom at all that’s causing 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.

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Beware Falling Icicles | Picking the Right Paint | Easy Furniture Fixes | Ep #2168 Jan 06, 2022

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Icicles may be attractive, but they’re an early warning of some potentially serious roof leaks. Learn how to stop the leaks caused by ice dams and even get your homeowners insurance company to pay for a new roof!
Painting is the easiest and least expensive way to completely change the look of a room. But many DIYers struggle when it comes to picking the best color for their project! We’ll share simple tips to help chose the perfect paint colors
Did your furniture pick up a little extra wear and tear over the holidays? We’ve got hacks to fix water rings, dings and dents.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Joel from Michigan wants to know choose the best stud finder?
Nancy in Arkansas needs help to fill a gap in hardwood floor and her front door threshold.
Ken has wants to know what’s best way to repair water damaged sheetrock and wants to know if it’s a DIY project.
Karen in Tennessee wants to know how to keep her house warm during the night using her thermal pane windows.
Tony from Montana needs repairing a crumbling foundation.
Kathryn in Colorado is having a mice problem in her unfinished downstairs and wants to know if the ultrasonic plugins work.
Ben from Illinois how to prevent lime discharge pipe on his water heater.
Nancy in Massachusetts has a garage door that isn’t closing properly.

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4 Home Buying Question | Kitchen Floor Remodel | Holiday Decoration Hacks | Ep #2167 Jan 03, 2022

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Buying a house in 2022? We’ve got 4 key questions you might want to ask the home seller before you move in.
Kitchen floors can take a real beating, especially over the holidays. If your floors are ready for a refresh, we’ll share tips on the best kitchen flooring for this hardworking space.
Undecking the halls is never fun, but you might be making it tougher than it has to be. Get hacks for taking down and storing holiday decorations quickly and easily.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Kathy in Indiana noticed that snow melts on her roof quicker in some areas more than others. She wonders if her heat pump is the cause? Its not, but she’s close! We explain why.
Cheryl in Texas has plywood countertops and wants an affordable temporary option to replace it.
Jim from Louisiana is concerned a loose brick wall in his garage and wants to know how to determine if it’s a structural problem.
Laurie in Texas needs help matching the sheen of paint originally used on her cabinets.
Ken from Michigan wants to know how to clean his water softener.
Kris in Pennsylvania needs advice on fixing a small copper pipe leak leading to her radiator.
Stuart from Rhode Island wants to know the best way to fix deteriorating concrete on the steps of his home.
Barbara in Texas needs to repair a brick and mortar patio for her home and wants to know how to match the old mortar color with the new, and if this is a DIY project.

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Supercharging Wood Stoves for Max Heat | Cleaning Stone Countertops | Keep Kids Safe from Falling Furniture | Ep #2166 Dec 30, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

A wood stove is a fantastic way to stay warm in winter. But not all wood delivers the same heat. Learn how to supercharge your wood stove for max heat and which fuels can actually be unsafe to burn or can damage your stove.
Natural stone countertops are a popular choice for kitchen renos - but they need a lot more care than most people know. We’ll reveal what type of stone countertop is hardest to maintain and reveal an alternative that delivers the same beauty with almost none of the daily maintenance.
Hundreds of children are injured every year from furniture, TV’s or appliances that that tip over, especially when kids climb them. We share how to anchor large furniture to the wall and avoid a preventable problem.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Sue from Ohio needs help cleaning a carpet that has some mold on it.
Jim in Delaware wants to know his options for replacing his shower stall.
Melina in Texas is asking if she should be worried if new electrical wiring is too close to her wood stove.
Julian from Illinois is noticing that his brick chimney is crumbling and wants to know how he can be proactive about it.
Sandra in South Dakota is concerned about slippery floors and wants to know what type of floor tile is best for a bathroom.
John from Missouri has a cracked garage floor and wants to know if “mud jacking” can help stop it from further deterioration.
Jean in Iowa has water dripping in her furnace from condensation and wants to know how to stop it.
Todd from Illinois is needs to know what type of repair product would be best to seal cracks in a driveway.
Julie in Missouri needs a fix to prevent plumbing pipes from freezing inside her walls.

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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Upcycled Furniture | Renters Insurance | Door Stick Quick Fix | Ep #2165 Dec 27, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

If you need new furniture for the New Year but fear it may not be in the budget - Upcycling may be a great solution for a fresh look at a fraction of the cost. Tom & Leslie have tips to help you get started.
If you are a renter, did you know that your possessions are usually NOT covered by your landlord’s insurance? We’ll tell you the one thing you can do to make sure your covered in the event of a flood, fire or other disaster.
Doors that stick are an annoying problem that doesn’t really have to be. We’ll tell you how to make it go away once and for all.
If you take on New Year’s Resolutions each year only to see them fizzle quickly, we show you how your house help you save money, eat better and get in shape!

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Laurie wants to know where to get a remote for her Chamberlain garage door.
Mike in Iowa wants to know if he can additional insulation to his garage
Cheryl from Texas wants to modernize her bathroom and replace her bathtub with a shower.
Bob in Massachusetts wants to know if it’s cheaper to run natural gas instead of oil.
Mary from Alabama needs help removing caulk from her floor.
Greg in Virginia needs to know the best solution for hard water.
Catherine from Wisconsin has an I-beam in her condo and wants to know how she can soundproof it.
James in Oregon needs a solution to the wear and tear of his pocket doors.
Clara from Kansas has concerns about her cleaning dryer venting.

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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Green Improvements That Pay Off Big | How to Make Your Fireplaces Deliver More Heat | Best Filters for Dust-Free Indoor Air | Ep #2164 Dec 23, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Have you made energy saving improvements to your home that upped its “green” factor? Those improvements may help you sell your home more quickly than the competition. Tom & Leslie share improvements with the best ROI along with tips on how to present these when it comes time to sell.
When the weather outside turns frightful, a fire might be delightful – but not if it drives up your heating costs! We have tips on simple steps to make your fireplace energy-efficient.
You are probably inside more often than not this time of year… so how healthy is the air you’re breathing? Maybe not as healthy as you think! Find out how to cut down on dust, allergens and even germs with a whole house air cleaner.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Brian from Kentucky wants to know the pros and cons of various types of stucco.
Gail in Georgia wants to know how to clean stains from her driveway that are caused by acorns.
Pete from Ohio needs to know more about how a how tankless water heaters work.
Donna in Texas wants to know if it’s time for her to replace her 25-year-old windows.
John from Arkansas is calling to know if he needs to hire a chimney cleaning service annually or can he get away with skipping a couple years?
Cynthia in South Dakota wants to know how the walls in her old home are constructed and if she’d do damage by removing them.
Kurt from North Carolina needs to reinforce his floor and wants to know how to sister a floor joist.

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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