Episodes

  • #2450 – Sources and Solutions to Fix Squeaky Floors | Patio Heater Options | Water Heater Savings

    #2450 – Sources and Solutions to Fix Squeaky Floors | Patio Heater Options | Water Heater Savings
    Sep 19 2024
    SHOW NOTES: Today, we discuss patio heaters to help you extend your outdoor season and address whether squeaky floors are a sign of a bigger issue, along with tips for fixing them. We also share energy-saving strategies for your water heater to cut down energy bills. Listen as we answer these and other home improvement questions! - Squeaky Floors: Follow these steps to find the sources and solutions for squeaky floors. - Patio Heaters: Extend your outdoor living season with patio heater options for year-round comfort. - Water Heaters: Soak up the savings with these water heater efficiency tips. Q & A: - Cleaning Cabinets: Dan is trying to clean the grease off cabinets above the stove and microwave. We’ve got tips on how to use Murphy’s Oil Soap to clean the cabinets. - Water Quality: Linda sees black particles in the water from her toilet and sink. We suggest cleaning the aerators on the faucet and installing a whole-house water filter. - Pine Flooring: Daniel is installing pine flooring on his porch. We agree with his idea of staining the planks beforehand and offer tips on what fasteners to use. - Brick Repair: One corner of the brick foundation is crumbling. Katherine gets advice on using products to repair the brick and mortar and matching the color of the surface. - Driveway Runoff: Rain runoff on the sides of Randy’s driveway is exposing PVC pipe. We recommend digging out the dirt and filling the area with gravel that won’t wash away. - Wasps: Gail is having a problem with wasps on the side of her house. Sticky wasp traps can be very effective, along with spraying strong scents that will repel the wasps. - HVAC: Is it a good idea to replace an oil furnace with a heat pump? It can be expensive to replace the furnace and remove the oil tank, but improved heat pump technology has become less expensive and more efficient to use. - Snow on Roof: Will putting a tarp over a log cabin roof help prevent snow buildup? It’s not that effective unless the snow is dry and light, and LaDonna will still need to use a roof rake. - Central Vacuum: Water is appearing inside the central vacuum system pipes. Sean needs to insulate the pipes completely to prevent condensation from forming. ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    39 mins
  • #2449 - Sunny Side Up: ROI of Roof Solar Panels | Natural Dish Soap Recipe | DIY Block Fire Pit

    #2449 - Sunny Side Up: ROI of Roof Solar Panels | Natural Dish Soap Recipe | DIY Block Fire Pit
    Sep 16 2024
    SHOW NOTES: This week, we weigh the pros and cons of rooftop solar panels and share a simple recipe for homemade spray dish soap. Then, transform your backyard with a DIY fire pit that’s made easy with Pavestone building blocks. Plus, get expert answers to more home improvement questions for your next project! - Solar Panels: Sunny savings or sunken costs? Learn the truth about the ROI of rooftop solar panels. - Natural Cleaner: Clean up the savings with a natural dish soap recipe for bubbles on a budget. - DIY Fire Pit: Rock your yard with a DIY fire pit using simple stone building blocks. Q & A: - Concrete Slab: Should Lee reinforce a poured concrete slab with rebar? It can’t hurt, but may not be needed if the soil base is prepped right with a mechanical tamper. - Cement Floor: Linda wants to refinish a cement floor in an industrial area. She’ll need to scrape off any existing paint and then apply epoxy paint to seal the surface. - HVAC: The second floor is always either too hot or too cold. Most heat loss is caused by leaky ducts, so David should have a sealant applied to make the HVAC system more efficient. - Tree Roots: Big tree roots are in the way of a new deck. Nancy will need a stump grinder to remove the roots and can use fewer points of contact for the deck foundation. - Fireplace or Stove: Matt wants to replace an ugly hearth fireplace with a wood stove. We recommend getting some structural advice to avoid affecting the chimney integrity. - Linoleum Flooring: Mindy’s old linoleum floor is peeling. She should pull up the linoleum and any other layers under it before installing a new floor. - Foundation Leak: Water is pooling between the foundation and a retaining wall, then seeping into the basement. Richard should intercept the runoff with a curtain drain. - Insulation: Steve is curious about radiant barrier insulation, which is designed to reflect UV rays. We explain concerns about overheating and shortening the life of his roof. ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • #2448 – Hearing Crickets? How to Stop the Chirp | Heating System Upgrades | Easy Leaky Toilet Repair

    #2448 – Hearing Crickets? How to Stop the Chirp | Heating System Upgrades | Easy Leaky Toilet Repair
    Sep 12 2024
    SHOW NOTES: In this episode, we reveal simple tricks to keep pesky crickets out of your house and how to decide if a new furnace is worth the investment. We also introduce an innovative product that makes fixing leaky toilets even easier, and answer home improvement questions to make your other DIY projects easier, too! - Crickets: Stop the chirp with these tips for cricket control inside and outside your home. - Heating Systems: Turn up the heat on savings with the right upgrade to your heating system. - Leaky Toilet: An innovative product will have you flushed with success when it comes to repairing leaky toilet valves. Q & A: - Wax Stains: Sandy spilled hot wax on the carpet and furniture, but learns a neat hack for using a hot iron and a brown paper bag to remove the wax stain. - Wall Tile: Does John need to replace the greenboard before retiling the bathroom walls? We recommend installing cement board instead, which will last indefinitely. - Security: Colin wants a secure vault door for the reinforced cinderblock room he’s building. We suggest installing a heavy-duty commercial steel door with deadbolts. - Sink Odor: There’s a bad smell coming from just one sink in Terry’s house. She gets tips on using oxygenated bleach and a bottle brush to clean bio-gases from the drain. - HVAC System: Bob’s original hydro-air heating system is working fine, but there’s some condensation on the pump. That’s not unusual and he should keep having it serviced so it can last even longer. - Lead Removal: How should Margaret remove ceramic tiles that contain lead? She would need an EPA-certified professional, or else she can recoat the tile with an epoxy finish to seal the surface. - Plumbing: The shower water temperature constantly needs readjusting. Pat should install a pressure balance valve to regulate the imbalance between hot and cold water. - Attic Insulation: Abraham has questions about ventilating a hot attic that has spray foam insulation and the effect on his air conditioning. He should check to see if enough insulation was installed. - Bathtub Finish: The bathtub finish is wearing off and stained. Peggy won’t be able to touch up just those areas, but she could use a product to refinish the entire surface. ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • #2447 – 10 Wreck-less Home Renovations | Textured Wall and Ceiling Repair | Stinky Sink Smells

    #2447 – 10 Wreck-less Home Renovations | Textured Wall and Ceiling Repair | Stinky Sink Smells
    Sep 9 2024
    SHOW NOTES: In this show, discover 10 low-dust home improvement projects, learn how to easily fix textured walls or ceilings, and find out how to eliminate sink odors with a simple hack. Plus, listen in as we offer expert answers to other home improvement questions from DIY callers! - Home Renovation: Get ideas for 10 wreck-less home renovations that don’t require demolition. - Textured Surfaces: Repair textured walls and ceilings easily and without the mess. - Sink Odors: Learn how to send stinky sink odors down the drain with this simple solution. Q & A: - Refinishing Furniture: Sherry learns how to give an old wood dresser a new look by stripping off the paint and staining the surface. - Wood Flooring: What should Andrew use to refinish his oak floor after sanding it? We recommend applying three coats of a clear oil-based polyurethane to restore the shine. - Building a Deck: Cheryl wants to build a deck over a concrete slab, but that’s not a good foundation. She should break up the concrete and install proper footings. - Insulation: The wall on the west side of Mike’s house gets very warm. We suggest installing an awning to deflect the sun or adding foam insulation and a layer of drywall. - Fence Materials: What is the best material for building a fence in a moist area? Metal posts should be fine, but Hope can also use wood posts with stones instead of concrete footings. - Woodchucks: Woodchucks are digging holes all over Al’s property. We have tips on luring them with fruit in a humane trap and then releasing them far away. ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • #2446 – Rest Easy: How to Detox Your Mattress | Picking Paint Colors | Refinishing Hardwood Floors

    #2446 – Rest Easy: How to Detox Your Mattress | Picking Paint Colors | Refinishing Hardwood Floors
    Sep 5 2024
    SHOW NOTES: Today, get advice on selecting the perfect paint colors, when to call in the pros for hardwood floor refinishing, and how to detox your mattress for a healthier sleep. Plus, we’re here to answer home improvement questions with helpful tips to help you tackle your projects like a pro! - Mattress Care: Get tips on detoxing your mattress to avoid sleeping on a bed of bacteria. - Paint Colors: Color your world by picking the right paint color for every project. - Hardwood Floors: Know when to step aside and let a professional refinish your hardwood floors. Q & A: - Toilet Leak: Fred’s toilet won’t stop leaking, even after many attempts to fix it. The gasket may not have been replaced correctly, so we suggest using silicone to seal each connection. - Painting Brick: Mary wants to paint her brick fireplace, but she may want to think twice and decorate around the brick instead, because painting brick can be a challenge. - Replacing Grout: The grout is crumbling in Steve’s bluestone stoop. He gets step-by-step advice for removing the old grout and replacing it with new mortar. - Cedar Siding: Does Lindsey need to replace the house wrap under her cedar siding? It’s not necessary, and we offer tips on an easier way to clean the cedar shingles. - Baseboard Heating: How many feet of baseboard do you need to heat a room? Paul should use calculation programs or apps to determine the right size and how much heat his home needs. - Wood Paneling: How can Rebecca give a new look to her wood paneling? Her best options are to prime and paint the paneling or cover it with a layer of drywall. - Odors: Jim can’t get rid of the bad odor in his new home. Unless it’s a dead rodent, it’s probably bio-gases from bacteria that he needs to clean from the traps of his sinks and drains. ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • #2445 – Stay Current: Electrical Panel Upgrades | DIY Outdoor Masonry Ideas | Home Addition Planning

    #2445 – Stay Current: Electrical Panel Upgrades | DIY Outdoor Masonry Ideas | Home Addition Planning
    Sep 2 2024
    SHOW NOTES: In this show, we’ll offer tips for a successful home addition, reveal a surprisingly easy method to build stone features like fire pits and garden beds, and discuss the benefits of upgrading your electric panel. Plus, we’ve got expert advice for callers with home improvement questions you’ll want to hear! - Electrical System: Find out 5 shocking reasons to stay current with an electrical panel upgrade. - Outdoor Masonry Ideas: Building outdoor features is as easy as stacking blocks with this innovative DIY system. - Home Additions: These are 3 things to consider when planning the right home addition. Q & A: - Pest Control: Cody is looking for an affordable way to control scorpions and bugs. Natural products like boric acid, cedar oil, and lavender plants are possible options. - Roof and Attic Fan: Should Mary replace the attic fan with a new roof? We recommend using a ridge vent instead of an attic fan, but she can still use a whole-house fan. - Popping Nails: Nails keep popping through the sheetrock. Bob should use screws instead, or overlap the head of the original nail with a second one to hold it in. - Wildlife: Chipmunks are getting inside Linda’s steel building. We suggest adding siding material to cover any gaps and using spray foam insulation to fill them. - Outdoor Septic: Peter’s soil stack vent freezes solid in winter. He should insulate the pipe up to the point where it exits the roof. - Ceiling Mold: A roof leak left a mold stain on Wendy’s ceiling. She can clean it with a bleach solution, then use a good primer before repainting the ceiling. - Water Heater: Harry is curious about tankless water heaters, but he should look at heat pump water heaters instead since he has an electrical system. ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • #2444 –Painting Brick? 4 Reasons Why It’s a Solid No | Home Builder Upgrades | Smart Lighting Tips

    #2444 –Painting Brick? 4 Reasons Why It’s a Solid No | Home Builder Upgrades | Smart Lighting Tips
    Aug 29 2024
    SHOW NOTES: Today, we’ll give you four reasons to reconsider painting your exposed brick, and if you’re buying a new house, we reveal which builder upgrades are worth the investment and which ones you should DIY. Also, get advice on illuminating dark corners of your home. Plus, listen in for answers to home improvement questions for all kinds of DIY projects! - Painting Brick: Before painting your exposed brick, find out 4 solid reasons why you shouldn’t. - Home Upgrades: When building a new home, find out which upgrades make sense and when to DIY. - Lighting: Expert tips shed light on how to brighten a home for style and safety. Q & A: - Light Switch: After installing new LED bulbs, Pammy’s light fixture doesn’t work at all. The problem is with her light switch, not the bulb. - Old Cabinets: What is the best way to strip and refinish old kitchen cabinets? Bob gets step-by-step instructions on how to clean, strip, and stain wood cabinets. - Damaged Floor: Lisa is feeling soft sunken spots under her carpet. She should pull back the carpet to check for structural damage and see if the padding is breaking down. - Window Leak: Adam has a leak in the bay window under a skylight. We suggest ways to divert water running down the roof above the skylight and around the window. - Discolored Brick Wall: A brick retaining wall is turning white from ground moisture that’s pulling up, evaporating, and leaving mineral deposits. Eunice can clean the efflorescence easily with white vinegar. - Epoxy Paint: Judy tried to apply epoxy paint to the basement floor but it kept coming up. She should contact the manufacturer to see if it’s an unusual chemical reaction. - Architects: Who should Linda consult about adding a bathroom and hobby room to an old farmhouse? We recommend consulting with a few architects to maintain the building’s style and structural integrity. ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins
  • #2443 – UV Defense: Benefits of Window Films | Home Exterior Upgrades | RumbleStone Building Blocks

    #2443 – UV Defense: Benefits of Window Films | Home Exterior Upgrades | RumbleStone Building Blocks
    Aug 26 2024
    SHOW NOTES: In this show, learn how to lower cooling costs and protect furnishings from UV damage with window films, and get inspired with DIY ideas for upgrading your home’s curb appeal. Plus, we’ll share how to customize outdoor features with creative building blocks. Listen in for all this and answers to more home improvement questions from callers! - Window Films: Window films are an effective defense against heat, glare, and UV damage inside your home. - Home Exteriors: Add beauty and value to your home exterior with DIY upgrades to add curb appeal. - RumbleStone Building Blocks: DIY building blocks make it easy to create custom outdoor features. Q & A: - Hanging Shelves: Wall shelves are a great DIY project to save space! Ellie learns about choosing the right shelf size, style, and anchoring options. - Vintage Walls: James discovered beautiful old solid chestnut boards when the wallpaper was removed. It’s a rare find that can be preserved and matched to the home décor. - Cracked Floor Tiles: Can hairline cracks in ceramic floor tiles be repaired? Unfortunately not, but Valerie gets creative ideas for removing and replacing the tiles. - Patio Roof and Floor: We have answers to Bob’s questions about extending a roof over an enclosed deck and installing tile flooring on the patio. - Bathtub Liner: Peg wonders about refinishing an outdated fiberglass bathtub surround. Paint and reglazing aren’t the best options, so it may be better to tear it out and start over. - Sealing a Deck: What is the best way to prep and seal a wood deck? Tom should clean it thoroughly, remove any loose finish, and apply a solid stain to seal and protect it. ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    40 mins