The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Consumer Reports App Helps Manage Home Like a Pro | 5 Things You Can Make Sparkle with Vinegar | Simple Holiday Home Fixes | Ep #2163 Dec 20, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

It’s not easy to keep track of every little thing in your home that requires attention upkeep. Well now, there’s an app for that! It’s been created by Consumer Reports and helps manage your home like a pro.
Vinegar works well as for salads and cooking, but did you know there are many ways to use it to keep your home clean? We’ll share 5 ways to use vinegar to keep your appliances, your bathroom and even your tools clean and working well.
The holidays leave little time for things to go wrong…but what happens when they do? We’ll have simple solutions to solve the most common holiday home improvement hassles just ahead.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Marlene in California is having a rotten egg smell from her master bathroom shower.
William from Delaware has mice problem he needs to get rid of.
Denise in Ohio is constantly battling condensation in her double pain windows and wants to know if there is a solution.
Olin wants to some advice about installing wainscoting in his living room.
Lane from Arizona wants to know if he can do a concrete countertop by himself.
Renea in North Carolina needs to know how to weatherproofing her apartment windows and sliding glass door.
Clair from Maine is having a problem with his water softener not working correctly

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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5 Ways to Save on Décor in the New Year | Making Chimneys Safe for Santa | Quick Tips for Cleaning Tile | Ep #2162 Dec 16, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Getting ready to refresh your home with some new décor for the year ahead? We’ll share 5 ways to save lots of money decorating your home sweet home for 2022!
We know your kids are counting the minutes, but is your chimney ready for Santa – and for the colder temperatures right behind him?We’ve got advice for chimney repair and cleaning tips that keep your home safe and structurally sound.
Lots of cleaning going in this month with all the holiday visits happening – one of the harder surfaces to get clean are tile floors. We’ve got some quick cleaning tips to help you get tile bright and clean tile floors in no time at all.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Laurie in Nevada wants to know how to repair a cement sink.
Lawrence from Wisconsin needs help fixing a rotting porch post.
Kathy in Florida is asking about a product to seal a door.
Ames from Colorado has horizontal cracks in his masonry stucco siding.
Nora in Texas needs help painting a textured wall.
Peter from Florida needs a fix for covering up dents in a doorframe.
Barb in Iowa is asking if they should switch from radiant system to an alternative.
Orv from South Dakota has a stain that darker than he thought it would be and wants to undo it.
Pam in Montana has a gurgling kitchen sink.
Terry from Tennessee needs to fix his retaining wall in order to keep mud from leaking out from behind it.
Shawnee in North Carolina is having a flooding issue in her backyard due to an underground spring.

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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Holiday Toy Organization | CO2 Gas Poisoning | Basement Energy Usage | Ep #2161 Dec 13, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

With the holidays almost here, many parents are already dreading the moment when neatly wrapped presents become incoming piles of toys. We share easy organizing tips to help.
You can’t see it or smell it but according to the EPA, hundreds of people die accidentally each year from CO poisoning caused by heating systems -- We’ll have a way to keep you safe.
Your basement may serve as your home’s storage area, an extra play space for the kids or even your laundry room … but basements are also a major source of wasted energy usage.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Mike in Iowa wants to know if he can lay foil face on top of existing insulation.
Marlene from Iowa has a moisture issue on her windows every morning after she replaced her siding.
Frank needs help fixing a foundation beam that has cracked diagonally.
Ann in Georgia is needs help dealing with excessive dust in her house.
Carol wants to paint her stained bathroom cabinets and wants to know how to remove the current stain from the cabinets.
Tom from Texas had an oil leak on his driveway and wants to know how to get the stain out.
Joan in Illinois wants to know what causes dry rot and how to identify if you have 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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New Energy Star Program Guarantees Energy Efficiency | Refinishing Bathtubs | Are Extended Warranties Worth It? | Ep #2160 Dec 09, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

If you’d like to improve the energy efficiency of your home but wondered whether the improvements would pay off, the EPA now has a program that can prove the savings before the projects even started.
Bathtubs can last a lifetime, but their finishes won’t! If your bathtub finish is worn, you don’t have to get rid of the whole tub. We share much less expensive solutions.
As you do your gift shopping – have you noticed how many retailers offer the opportunity to purchase an “extended” warranty? These seem to be available on everything from a toaster to a television, but do they ever make sense?

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Robert in Alaska has water penetrating his foundation and wants to know how to stop this.
Terri from Missouri is having a crack issue that won’t go away on her wall leading up to her vaulted ceiling and needs a permanent fix.
John in New Jersey wants to know if he should flush his water heater annually.
Leslie needs advice on cutting down a door.
Brent in Texas has a question about using a ridge venting alongside gable vents.
Ron from Tennessee has an issue dealing with moisture in his crawlspace and wants to know if an encapsulated system can help solve this.
Vicki in Louisiana has an issue keeping the same water pressure with different temperatures.
Nancy from Pennsylvania wants a more modern looking option instead of baseboard heating in her all-electric house.
Andrew in North Carolina has a problem with his water drain in his shower making a gurgling noise when it drains.

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 Frozen Pipe Bursts | Picking Fresh Christmas Tree | High-Tech Storm Windows | Ep #2159 Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Winter weather can be especially hard on your home’s plumbing system – especially if your pipes freeze and break. We’ll share simple tips to stop this from happening this holiday season.
Now that we’ve sailed past Thanksgiving, Christmas is right around the corner so if you’re thinking about decking those halls – you might be wondering whether you should go with a fresh or fake tree this year. Coming up – we’ll talk pros and cons of each, including some tips on how to choose the freshest fresh tree available.
If you have an older house with beautiful – but drafty – windows, then adding a storm window may be a smart move, especially because today’s storm windows have gone high-tech with coatings that make them even more efficient – details ahead.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Dena in Iowa has floor to ceiling brown paneling and wants to know how she can cover it up.
Luke from North Carolina has floors that are buckling and wants to know how to fix it.
Christy in Delaware has a back porch that has chipped away around her storm door.
Rudy from Tennessee had a leaky roof that was fixed but still may have moisture in the drywall after having it replaced.
Marilyn in South Dakota wants to know how to preserve kitchen cabinets from her old home and put them in her new home.
John from New York wants to know how to slope soil away when there is an overwhelming grade from the property going into the house to deal with overflowing.
Anna needs help with a sticky doors after having her doors repainted.
Brian in Washington is having a problem with bleeding galvanized nails and wants to know how to fix 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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Budget Friendly Heating Tips | Kitchen Backsplashes | 5 Quick Holiday Lighting Tips | Ep #2158 Dec 02, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

As heating bills are starting to rise, we share are several low cost to no cost things you can do to keep them under control while also staying comfortable.
Ready for a quick kitchen refresh? Kitchen backsplashes keep the walls behind your counters clean and updating them can be a fun and affordable project to do yourself.
Hanging holiday lights only to find that half a string is out? Get fast, free and easy holiday light fixes to restore the festive spirit!
Is your bathroom floor looking like it need a do-over? We share several new types of bathroom floors that you can install yourself over a weekend.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

David from Texas wants to know how to freshen up his concrete patio.
Mindy needs advice on what product to use when fixing joints on her concrete porch.
Mike in Arizona has worn out siding and wants to know if he should replace it or re-stain it.
Natasha from Missouri has dents appearing in her corner molding and wants to know how to repair it.
Roger in Arkansas wants to know if he can repair a faucet with parts from the store or does he have to buy it from the manufacturer?
Traci from Ohio wants to know how she can keep the wind from blowing into her house during the winter months.
Joyce in Illinois wants to know what type of flooring can hold up to her home daycare and still looks nice.
Sharon from Tennessee has some questions about tankless water heaters.

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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Best Air Filters | Solution for Dirty Dishwashers | Fast Fix for a Jammed Garbage Disposers | Ep #2157 Nov 29, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Breathing fresh clean air inside your home is more important than ever but you don’t have to throw open windows to let in freezing air to get it. We share tips on the best air filters for a steady supply of fresh indoor air.
With all the holiday meals happening now, have you noticed that when you run your dishwasher, are dishes coming out dirtier than when they went in? We’ll share tips for keeping your dishwasher working properly – and end once and for all the often-debated family question: Do you need to pre-rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher?
One appliance that you may own, and you’ll never want to be without again, is your garbage disposer. But during the holidays, disposers get jammed more than any other time in the year. We’ll tell you about a super easy way to get it back in action.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Russell in Rhode Island is looking to replace the knobs on his kitchen cabinets and drawers.
Diana from Arkansas has a broken beam in her house causing her kitchen to be unlevel.
Glen in California wants to know if a propane stove can work in a natural gas home.
Sam in South Carolina has a postformed countertop that’s getting in her way of putting a backsplash in her kitchen.
Michael has an AC coil that isn’t draining properly and causing a leak.
Marlise from Georgia has windows that have slipped out of their frame.
Scott in Texas has mold around in windows when it starts to get cold and wants to know how to deal with it.
Sarah from Iowa needs help getting rid of glued down carpet off of a wood subfloor.
James in Ohio wants to know if it easier to install an electric furnace or an outdoor unit in his older home.

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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Top Tips for Interior Painting | Smart Thermostat that Save Money | Best Bedroom Décor Tips | Ep #2156 Nov 25, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Painting is a project most homeowners are happy to tackle themselves. But it’s also a project that can go terribly wrong if you don’t take just three steps before you start. We’ll share pro tips for painting success.
Looking for a simple way to cut heating and cooling costs? A smart programmable thermostat can cut both heating and cooling costs by 10%. Learn how to heat up your home on a budget.
If you are thinking of updating your bedroom with a new mattress or furniture, we’ll have tips to make sure your purchase results in a better night’s sleep.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Maria from Hawaii has a shower that is leaking into her subflooring.
Dennis in Nebraska wants to know the best treatment option for his 2-story wood deck.
Kathy is asking, “Is it okay to paint a refrigerator?”
Dave in Pennsylvania is putting a vinyl floor in his below grade basement and wants to know if he must put down a vapor barrier and should it be glued down or a floating floor?
Cathy from California wants to know how easy it is to paint brick.
Mike in Georgia wants to know how to refinish a stained and dirty floor.
Michelle from Ohio is wondering how far a raised flower bed should be from the house to make sure she doesn’t get any flooding.

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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Budget Friendly Kitchen Cabinets | Consumer Reports on Best Snow | Pet Proof Furniture | Ep #2155 Nov 22, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Kitchen renos peak after the holidays when the frustrations worn out kitchen layouts peak. If you’re planning a kitchen redo for 22, we’ll tell you how to choose new cabinets that’ll step up the space and not blow the budget.
Are you ready to pick up a new snowblower before the first major snowstorm hits? Consumer Reports has you covered. Home and appliances reporter Paul Hope joins us with their picks of the best snowblowers on the market.
Are messy pets creating a decorating dilemma? Afraid that anything you buy will be ruined by your well-meaning pooch? We’ll have tips to help you get the best of both worlds.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Tom from New Jersey asks, “what is the renovation definition for Return on Investment (ROI)?”
Cindy in Florida wants to know if needs to strip her old epoxy paint before applying a new epoxy coating to her floor..
James from Nebraska is concerned about reports of fumes coming off spray foam insulation.
Loretta is building a beach house with a crawlspace and looking for a moisture resistant flooring alternative to natural hardwood.
Dennis in South Carolina wants to know what kind of mortar to use on an old stone home.
Brenda in Michigan would like to know what type of wall board to use to avoid mold in her basement.
Jim from Illinois has an old cedar deck and wants to know if he should power wash the deck?

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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Organizing Kid’s Rooms | How to Predict Home Repairs | Creating Cool Game Rooms | Ep #2154 Nov 18, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Are your kids’ rooms ready for a design refresh? We’ve got tips to help you design a room that can grow as fast as they do.
Home repairs often come as a surprise for most owners, but did you know that many are predictable if you know when your home was built. We share hacks to help you determine your homes age, and the most common repairs to expect!
And as we move toward winter, are you looking to get everybody up & active on those not-so-sunny days. Adding a game room may be the answer you’re searching for!

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Michelle wants to know what kind of flooring to use in her young son’s bathroom.
Randy from Missouri is asking if removing his gable vents is from the attic is smart when adding new ridge vents?
We give Eden in Arizona the best way to stop her garbage disposal backing up into her other sink.
Ken from Illinois has a three-way light switch that isn’t working.
Rosalind and Gary in Delaware want to know how to seal a marble table.
Larry has some 30-year-old wallpaper that is starting to peal and needs a solution.
Janet in South Carolina wants to extend her roof to cover a patio and needs to know the best way to attach the new roof to the old one.

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

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