The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast Tom Kraeutler & Leslie Segrete

SHOW NOTES:
Today, get ideas to upgrade your deck with stylish, budget-friendly trends and learn how to add a leak-proof skylight to brighten up your home. Also, discover a new product that can extend your aging roof's lifespan and get answers to more home improvement questions from Money Pit’s expert team in this episode!
- Skylights: The sky’s the limit when it comes to installing leak-free skylights to brighten up your home.
- Deck Space: Add style to your outdoor living with these affordable trends for backyard deck space.
- Roof Repair: Old roofs gain new life with a rejuvenation treatment at a fraction of the cost of roof replacement.
 
Q & A:
- Bathtub Cleaning: Mary gets tips on how to remove bathtub rust stains through light abrasion with an auto rubbing compound.
- Duct Cleaning: Is duct cleaning really necessary? It’s generally not needed unless Steve has done some heavy renovation, but we do advise using quality air filters.
- Washing Machine: Why is the washing machine making that banging noise? Holly gets tips on leveling the appliance, using anti-vibration pads, and installing a water hammer arrestor.
- Toilet Valve: The shut-off valve handle broke off behind Greg’s toilet. We explain how to easily replace it with PEX fittings, even if he needs to cut into the drywall.
- Deck Cleaning: Is there a recipe for a solution to clean decks? Nancy learns how to mix a bleach, detergent, and water solution to apply with a stiff brush.
- Balcony Railing: Jonas wants to replace his surface-mounted railing with a flush-mounted one, but we don’t think it’s worth removing the gutter to gain such a small amount of space.
- Structural Beams: Bill wants to hang a projection screen in his basement, but was surprised to find steel beams in the wall. He gets ideas for what to do next.
- Sandbox: Laurie is excited about creating a sandbox for her grandkids, but asks if she should look for an alternative to sand. Sand is not a problem and a cover will protect it from animals and rain.
- Windows: Condensation inside Don’s double-pane windows is causing mildew. He’ll need to clean and maintain them until he’s ready to get replacement windows.
- Water Pressure: Krista has a shared well but her water pressure is much lower than her neighbor’s. She gets advice on looking for a restriction somewhere in her plumbing.
 
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.
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SHOW NOTES:
In this show, learn why homes built in factories can be better constructed and more energy-efficient than traditional builds. Then, prepare your A/C for summer with our service tips and pre-check methods and simplify painting projects with innovative high-efficiency airless paint sprayers. Plus, get answers to more home improvement questions from DIYers just like you!
- Air Conditioning: Be ready to beat the summer heat by testing your air conditioning system.
- Factory-Built Homes: Learn why manufactured homes can be better than homes built on-site.
- Paint Sprayers: Painting projects are made easy with new, high-efficiency paint sprayers.
 
Q & A:
- Heating: How to heat a converted laundry room and bedroom? Paul’s most affordable option would be an electric baseboard heater with a timer, but we’ve got other ideas, too.
- Countertops: Carolyn didn’t expect dull spots on her quartz countertops, but it’s an absorbent surface that needs to be maintained and polished every two or three years.
- Roofing: Condensation is staining Kent’s bathroom ceiling. He should check and replace the rubber boot around the roof vent before priming and repainting the ceiling.
- Unused Pool: Dorothy’s not using her huge inground pool and wants to use the space. We explain the steps involved in disconnecting the systems and filling the pool with dirt.
- Painting: Edward is painting the bathroom but is worried about harmful fumes around his baby. We offer tips for airing out the house and using safer solvent-based products.
- HVAC: Amber’s loft is always much warmer than the rest of the house. She should reverse the direction of the ceiling fans to pool cool air from downstairs and consider installing a supplemental split ductless system.
- Flooring: How can you restore the shine to dull marble floors? Ron gets recommendations for some good DIY products that clean and polish stone surfaces.
- Smoke Odors: The previous owner left stinky smoke odors behind! Courtney has done just about everything, but she can also try sealing the subfloors or using a filtration system and an electronic air cleaner.
 
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.
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SHOW NOTES:
Today, we explore a special type of roof that helps keep your home cool. We'll also discuss the buzz around backyard honeybee hives and, if you're hosting an open house, how to stage your home to attract buyers. Whether it's a renovation, repair, or home décor, listen in for more expert tips and inspiration to help with your next home improvement project!
- Bee Hives: Backyard bee hives are all the buzzy for producing homemade honey and beeswax.
- Cool Roofs: Keep cool and save on energy costs with cool roof technology.
- Home Staging: Market your home to interested buyers with these important home staging tips.
 
Q & A:
- Lighting: Pete wants to install can lights on the first floor. An electrician would be more experienced in fishing wiring through the ceiling, laying out the lights, and getting power to the lines and switches.
- Siding: What is the best way to seal and protect cedar siding on Lynne’s old house? Boiled linseed oil or a solid color stain are two good options for UV and weather protection.
- Level Flooring: A crack in the concrete slab has widened and the floor is dipping. Rachel needs a structural engineer to see if it’s a structural or cosmetic issue.
- Busted Plumbing: A rogue raccoon busted the water line! We advise Brian to hire a public adjuster to have the repairs covered by insurance and done correctly.
- Basement Water: Mary paid a lot of money to a shameless contractor after getting water in her basement. We offer tips on improving the exterior drainage to keep things dry.
- Dimmer Lights: Richard is looking for a floor or table lamp with a dimmer switch. He can buy a regular lamp instead and plug it into a dimmer switch outlet.
 
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.
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SHOW NOTES:
In today’s show, we'll uncover how to find and eliminate hidden germs in your home. Then, learn about a home improvement company dedicated to finding permanent homes for children in foster care. And if your landscaping is giving you a headache, we've got tips on choosing hassle-free shrubs. We’re here to help with all your DIY projects, so listen in for more answers to your home improvement questions!
- House Cleaning: Keep your home healthy and clean by finding germs that are hiding in plain sight.
- Safe Homes: This home improvement company is dedicated to finding safe, forever homes for foster kids.
- Easy-Care Shrubs: Sprucing up your outdoor space is easy with low-maintenance shrubs.
 
Q & A:
- Garage Construction: Sandy needs suggestions for building a new garage. An architect could design ideas that fit her home and the surrounding neighborhood.
- Electrical Wiring: Gary wants to change one existing light to two fixtures on either side of the bathroom mirror. It’s an easy project for an electrician to split the wiring.
- Floor Stains: There are pet stains and odors in Merilyn’s wood floors. She gets tips on how to sand, vacuum, stain, and finish the floors to hide the stains and seal the odors.
- Insulation: White moldy areas are appearing on the radiant barrier insulation in Ed’s attic. We explain to Ed why it’s not very effective and could be trapping moisture.
- Tile Floor: Is there a way to fill cracks and chips in a tile floor and refinish the surface? It may not be worth the time and effort, so Margaret should consider replacing the tile or installing a laminate floor over it.
- Cracked Bathtub: Tim’s new bathtub already has two cracks. It’s a big job to remove it, but using a fiberglass repair product from an auto shop could buy him some time.
- Home Addition: Joan wants to add an enclosed space over the patio for her cats. It’s a large project and she should consult a professional to design the proper specifications to build an addition.
- GFCI Outlets: John wants to install GFCI bathroom outlets. Rather than remove the existing outlets that are tiled in place, he can make the entire circuit in the electrical panel ground fault-protected. 
 
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.
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SHOW NOTES:
Get ready for summer with water-saving solutions and outdoor living tips! Discover new plumbing fixtures to effortlessly reduce water usage, expand your living space by creating a dry, clean area under your deck, and get top picks for lawnmowers. Whatever your home improvement project may be, listen in for all the advice you need!
- Saving Water: Saving water is made easier with water-saving plumbing fixtures.
- Underdeck Space: Find out how to gain dry, usable living and storage space under an elevated deck.
- Lawn Mowers: New rankings reveal the best lawnmowers that make the cut with Consumer Reports.
 
Q & A:
- Lawn Care: Just one area of grass is not growing or getting green. Deb should have soil samples tested to see if that part of the lawn needs different seeds, fertilizer, or care.
- Carpenter Bees: Carpenter bees are boring through Steve’s wood joists. He can either treat the surface and seal the holes or replace the wood with synthetic material that the bees won’t eat.
- HVAC: Carl is concerned about recent changes in HVAC refrigerants. We have details about the new eco-friendly alternatives that are replacing Freon.
- Bath Remodel: Who should Macey contact to do a bathroom remodel? We suggest finding experienced professionals and getting multiple estimates for the exact work she wants done.
- Peeling Paint: Paint is peeling on Ray’s ceiling, probably due to adhesive problems from prior layers of paint. He must use a paint stripper before priming and repainting.
- Structural Issue: Erin thinks her slab house needs to be releveled. A structural engineer can diagnose the problem and how it should be fixed.
- Cabinets: Are there cabinets made with non-chemical materials? Steven should look for cabinetry that meets CARB 2 standards.
- Sump Pump: Renee’s sump pump wasn’t coming on, then filling with water and making gurgling sounds. We have tips about air in the line and how to improve the drainage around the house.
- Squeaky Floor: Will Donna’s squeaky floor be an issue for a homebuyer? It’s not a structural issue but it is annoying, so we explain how to stop the squeak.
 
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.
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SHOW NOTES:
Today’s show is all about making the most of your home's spaces! First, we'll discuss choosing durable, low-maintenance kitchen countertops. Then, we'll explore making use of the area under your second-story deck with under-deck drainage systems. And if your asphalt driveway is worn out, we have expert replacement tips. Save time, money, and effort with answers to these and other home improvement questions!
- Countertops: Busy kitchens require the most durable countertop materials that are easy to maintain.
- Underdeck Space: Make the most of unused living space under your second-story deck.
- Driveway Repair: Get tips on replacing an asphalt driveway that’s showing wear and tear.
 
Q & A:
- Deck Stain: Pauline’s stained deck is already looking worn again. She should apply an oil-based primer and a solid deck stain with more pigmentation that will last longer.
- Garage Door: There’s dry rot around the garage door’s wood header. Dave needs to build a temporary wall to hold up the roof while replacing the header.
- Skylight: Will installing a skylight interfere with viewing the TV screen clearly? Ginny’s tubular fixtures will point light downward, so it shouldn’t be an issue.
- Driveway Repair: Scott’s old aggregate stone driveway is starting to crumble. It would be hard to repair that rough surface and we suggest replacing the driveway instead.
- Patio Furniture: Lucy needs to clean the patio furniture that was left outside. She gets tips on the best way to clean different surfaces and materials.
- Windows: Edwin is renovating his 1875 post and beam house and needs advice on keeping the aesthetics of the old windows with energy-efficient replacement windows.
- Ridge Vents: Are ridge vents really necessary? Mary doesn’t like them, but learns they’re doing what’s needed to provide ventilation and prevent moisture in the attic.
- Water Heater: Mary can’t replace the electric water heater with a tankless model, but she can switch to an electric heat pump water heater instead.
- French Doors: Is there a way to seal the bottom of French doors to keep rainwater out? David should concentrate on solving his drainage problems to divert water 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