The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

Latest Episodes:

No-Brainer Energy Savers | Repair or Replace Roof? | Heating System Servicing | Perfect Fall Projects | Ep #2143 Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Spotted a roof leak and wondering if your roof can be repaired or needs a complete replacement? We’ll tell you how to know.
It doesn’t matter if you heat by gas, oil, propane or electric, it’s time to get your heating system serviced. We share key components that have to be checked to make sure the system remains safe and efficient.
Ifthere’s a way to do a home improvement project that’s fast, simple, safe, costs less and makes a positive impact, that project would be a no-brainer—right? We share one energy saving project that does just that.
As the weather cools down, we share five easy Fall weekend projects to get your home ready for winter.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Pat in Illinois is needs help with a drainage issue due to large gutters and downspouts.
Mary from Alaska wants to know if her new HardiBoard siding was correctly installed.
Barry in Iowa wants to know how put in a door sill so he can install carpeting.
Eunice in Arkansas has a masonry retaining wall with white stains and wants to know the cause and possible solution.
John in Minnesota wants to convert his sauna into a shower and wants to know what to replace the walls with.
Anna in Hawaii wants to fix a badly painted door that won’t open properly.
Arthur in Tennessee is needs help stripping older brick from a building built in the 1890s.
Peggy in Louisiana wants to know how to seal between vinyl siding and a concrete foundation.
James from Illinois wants to know the best way to build an in-ground firepit.

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

DIY Gutter Guards | Fast Fix for Laminate Countertops | Fall Wall Covering Ideas | Ep #2142 Oct 07, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Hiring a gutter company to install gutter guards can be ridiculously expensive. But buying the product and then either installing the gutter covers yourself -- or hiring a handyman to do the installation -- can be far less expensive. We walk you through the project.
Laminate countertops can give you the look of natural stone without the price – but they’re not quite as durable. But the good news is that laminate tops are actually pretty easy to repair. We’ll share some tricks of the trade to keep your tops -- in tip-top shape
Are you ready to give your walls a new look just in time for fall – we’ve got tips on wall coverings that can add interest and color to your décor.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Betsy in Georgia wants to know how to replace popcorn ceiling.
Leonard in South Carolina wants to make a structural repair and asking if he needs a flinch plate for the header he is looking to install?
Judy in Iowa is trying to make sure she has the right ventilation in her attic and if her vapor barrier was installed properly.
Rick in Pennsylvania needs helping getting candle wax off a deck.
Ester in South Dakota wants advice on putting small windows on a metal garden shed.
Pat from Pennsylvania needs help with a leak in his garage ceiling.
Julie in Colorado wants to know how energy efficient is a heat pump in a fully electric house.
Joseph is wondering why electric outlets not working in his room despite the fan and lights working.
Mary in North Dakota has a crumbling concrete floor after water damage and wants to know how to fix it.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Leaf Blower Rec’s from Consumer Reports | DIY Mold Removal | Easiest Insulation | Ep #2141 Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Ready to blast away piles of leaves this Fall? Paul Hope, the Home & Appliance Editor from Consumer Reports, dishes on this season’s best leaf blowers including some that won’t wake the neighborhood!
As we move closer to Fall, we move closer to Fall storms which can bring on MOLD! But is getting rid of mold a DIY project, or do you always need a pro? The answer is – it depends! We’ll share DIY tips to help clear the air.
If you’ve been putting off insulation because it’s always been an itchy and difficult job, we’ll share a new product that is as soft as cotton to handle.
When temperatures drop: mice, rats and other rodents make their way into homes for relief from the chill – we have tips on how to keep them away.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.

Brent from West Virginia wants to know how to fix uneven heat in a split-level house.
Sheila in Oklahoma wants to know if it’s possible to paint a countertop.
Elizabeth in New Jersey is having a water pressure issue with her outdoor shower.
Cody from Texas needs to know the best way to fix a disconnected dryer vent.
Margaret from Virginia has a civil war era home and wants to know the best way to safely clean and protect her wood floors.
Ryan from Georgia wants to know why his cold water pipes run hot water!
Linda in Rhode Island wants to know what the proper procedure is for shutting down her AC system for the winter.
Judith in Arkansas is concerned about a crack in her brick wall and wants to know if she can just seal it or if she has to replace the whole wall.

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

Hidden Remodeling Surprises | Saving with Service Contracts | Easy to Install Terrazzo | Ep #2140 Sep 30, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Everyone wants a perfect remodel but home improvement and perfect are two words that you don’t often hear in the same sentence! We share tips on how to avoid the hidden surprises that come with the territory.
Home prices are up and that means successful home buyers may not have much money left for unexpected repairs once they close on the house. Service contracts can help handle a lot of those surprise costs. We explain the options.
Terrazzo has been proven as a floor that is both durable and beautiful. But while traditional terrazzo is costly and expensive to install, stone-based terrazzo coating systems are not – and they’re super easy to install.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.

Susan from Montana wants to know how to fix the pitch on her driveway so it will drain properly.
Ron in Florida wants to diagnosis the cause of his water heater overheating and tripping his circuit breaker.
Jeanette from Colorado wants to know if radiant flooring is a good option in a cold climate.
Richard from Illinois wants to stop his retaining wall from leaking.
Pam in Colorado wants to fix a squeaky floor underneath her carpet.
Rebecca from Kansas wants to know how to cover her wood paneling with drywall.
Tom from New Jersey wants to know if fixing the seal on his double pane window is a DIY project?
Donna from Arkansas wants to know how to soundproof a duplex wall.
Mac in Missouri wants to know if he should leave his pool cleaning system on all year.

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.

88WFtnPbKTQKye3O5g4y

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Solution for Cold Showers | Fix for Dirty Dishwasher | Itch-Free Insulation | Avoiding Frozen Sprinklers | Ep #2139 Sep 27, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Hate waiting for your shower water to heat up? Hot water recirculation pumps can help, delivering hot water to faucets almost immediately. We’ll tell you how it works and what it takes to install one in your own house.
Do dishes come out of your dishwasher dirtier than when they went in? The culprit could be a clogged drain valve that’s easy to fix. We’ll tell you how!
Want to be comfortable this winter? Adding insulation is the most cost effective and smartest energy saving improvement. But fiberglass is itchy and hard to work with, right? Now there’s a new generation of fiberglass insulation that is easy to handle and as soft as cotton, making this project far simpler to get done.
Plus, if you want to avoid a frozen mess, now’s the time for lawn sprinkler systems to be winterized. We’ll explain what needs to happen to make sure the system is set for the winter.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.

Randel from West Virginia wants some solutions for his damp and humid basement.
Lillian from Florida is having a worm problem and wants to know if it is a concern.
Dane from Tennessee is asking “Which lightbulb is the most energy efficient?”
Marcy from Nebraska has concerns over what projects to do before she should sell her house.
Courtney in Pennsylvania asks, “What is the best ducting for her Cape Cod home?”
Linda is a renter in Ohio and wants to know what she can do to be more energy efficient in a rental apartment.

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

Worth it to Replace Heating? | Top Hidden Home Buying Hazards | Stop Insulation Leaks | Ep #2138 Sep 24, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Are you living with the heating system that was in your house when you bought it? Old furnaces and boilers can be inefficient. We help you figure out if a replacement or conversion to another tup of heat is worth it.
If you’ve shopped for a house in what’s been a crazy market, you probably spent more than you wanted to. That leaves little for hidden home repairs that can cost you big bucks. We identify the top home buying hazards to watch out for.
90% of homes in America are wasting energy dollars due to a lack of adequate insulation. We’ll share where all that lost energy is going and how to cut the waste and increase comfort.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.

Keri from Nebraska wants to know whether to go upstairs or downstairs with her new bathroom.
Kevin from Ohio needs help dealing with ants taking over his property.
Rochelle from Nebraska need to replace her facia board and replace gutters
Ed from Arkansas is asking if it’s safe to use coal in a regular fireplace.
Kumar from Delaware is having a crack issue in his new concrete foundation and wants to know how to fix it.
Sherry from Georgia is trying refresh and re-stain an old wooden dresser.
Joe from Delaware wants to know more about metal roofing.
Natalie from Wisconsin wants to know if she can repair her vinyl windows or if she has to look for new ones.

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

Easy Ways for Renters to Reduce Heating Cost | Quick Fix for Splintery Decks | DIY Driveway Restoration | Ep #2137 Sep 20, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

For renters, heat is a big expense you might feel you can’t change. We’ll share tips to save money heating your apartment that won’t require any major changes and make you a lot more comfortable.
Do have a deck with cracked or splintery boards that needs a refresh? We share tips on the easiest way to repair deck boards and re-stain the deck for the season ahead.
Is your driveway worn, chipped or suffering from nasty oil stains? We’ve got a sure-fire solution to clean up driveway stains for good and restore the surface.
We’ve all watched the horrible fires that have consumed the west. As more homes are built in wildfire-prone areas, consumers are selecting building materials differently, including insulation. We highlight the new trend and the more fire-resistant products that should be considered.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.

Joe from NY is having an excessive dust problem and wants to know if it is caused by his heating system.
Angela from Georgia wanted to know if it’s possible to paint over a vinyl floor in his kitchen.
Richard from California wants to know if he can repair water damaged drywall.
Linda from Rhode Island is having a hard time adding a flagpole to her home.
Brian needs help dealing with yellow jackets being attached to cat food he puts out.
Sam from Indiana has cedar fencing he is about to plant and wants to know if he should stain the fence to prevent rot.
Laura from South Dakota needs help with a leaky basement caused by heavy rain.

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

4-Season Greenhouse | Bathroom Lighting to Make You Look Good | Crack-Proof Concrete | Ep #2136 Sep 16, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Just about time to wrap up gardening for the year. But if you had a greenhouse, you can extend your gardening well into the Fall! Plus, you can start back up even earlier next spring. We’ll share the best DIY Greenhouse Kits to hook you up with a 4-season crop of veggies.
When you flick on the bathroom light first thing in the morning, do you scare yourself? That frightening reflection may not actually be all you – just bad bathroom lighting.We’ll share tips to help you improve your natural glow.
Is painting a fireplace ever a good idea? We walk you through the pros and cons.
Before winter arrives, it’s time to make sure your outdoor concrete surfaces are protected from cracks, worn-out surfaces and stains. We’ll share an easy way to do just that.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Russ from Iowa needs to replace a casement window and wants to know if he can put double windows instead.
Valerie from Arizona wants to know if she can fix a cracked ceramic tile without replacing the entire floor.
Ricky from Nebraska is trying to figure out what is attacking his lilac and crabapple tree. We offer him and effective, safe pesticide solution.
Lynn from Delaware wants to know how to stop a water leak coming in where two water pipes are joined in her basement. We share a simple DIY fix using epoxy rated for plastic.
Lori from Tennessee wants to know how to fix a concrete floor crack.
David wants to know if he should insulate his garage after he puts AC in his garage for the first time.
Ellie from Wisconsin needs to know where to start with installing wall shelving in her new home’s bathroom.
Steve is wanting to rip out some shag carpeting and replace it with engineered planks into his RV

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

Best Replacement Windows | Fun Ideas for Leftover Paint | Pre-Winter To-Do’s | Ep #2135 Sep 13, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

Buying new replacement windows can be confusing. But if you learn how to read a single label that’s required for every new window, finding the best window becomes instantly simplified. We walk you through what to look for.
Leftover paint can feel like a headache when every other aspect of a project is done. But with a little imagination and creative flair, we share ideas to use paint that is left over to give your home extra appeal…and have lots of fun in the process.
A firewood pile can become a termite buffet if the firewood mixes with moisture or is stacked too close to the structures on your property. We’ll share tips for the best way to store firewood so it's ready to deliver the most heat when you need it.
Fall is the perfect season to take on key home improvements and do home maintenance that can help avoid serious issues that can happen in colder weather. We share a pre-winter checklist to help.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Sue from Rhode Island is looking for solution to get a paint stain off of her deck.
Isaac in Washington wants to know if radon is a problem for his home that’s built as a slab on grade.
Hope from Illinois wants to build a fence but is concerned about the moisture in her yard.
Abraham in New Jersey wants to know if he can save on air conditioning if he ventilates his attic.
Judith in Arkansas wants to know the cause of crack in her brick wall and know how to fix it.
Charley in is asking if it's time for him to move from two water heaters to a single tankless one.
Ken has a tree that is growing next to his foundation he is concerned about.

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

Best Gutter Guards | New Options for Insulation | Shocking Termite Trouble | Ep #2134 Sep 09, 2021

Show notes

SHOW NOTES:

As we head into Fall, it’s a good time to assess your home’s insulation needs. Most homes simply don’t have enough and that results in higher than necessary heating bills as well as a very uncomfortable space. We’ll share a new insulation product that’ll allow you to get the insulation job done fast and safe.
Fall is also the time of year when beautiful foliage assembles into a rotted rooftop mess when gutters get clogged! We’ll explain how a clogged gutter can lead to everything from washed out landscaping to a seriously damaged foundation. Plus, we look at the most popular gutter guards and talk about what works and gutter guards to avoid.
Termites typically show up in Spring but one homeowner learned the hard way that’s not always the case. Find out what happened when thousands of termite wings were discovered near a basement window and how to get rid of termites.
Construction adhesive can be a handy product for heavy duty projects like gluing a mirror to a wall or house numbers to brick, and many similar situations. But while it’s super strong it is also super messy. Now there’s a new double-sided construction adhesive tape can hold 300 lbs with no mess.

Plus, answers to your home improvement questions:

Rebecca from Kansas wants to know how to get a drywall look on top of wood paneling.
Chet from Michigan is curious if you can put a radiant barrier as insulation.
Mindy from Kentucky is asking if she can get rid of linoleum flooring.
Ron is having a mouse problem in his walls.
Cheryl is calling about dealing with a deck being built over a concrete patio that is broken up by a tree root.
Roxanne from Ontario wants to fix a leak on her roof of her upper duplex.
David from South Dakota wants to know if he must caulk in between the J-channel and window frame.
Rose Marie in New Jersey is having a hard time with her garage door lightbulb going out 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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected