The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

Leslie Segrete
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The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

Does your home ever feel like “a Money Pit?”  It doesn’t have to be that way!  As host of The Money Pit Podcast, a money pit is not a disaster – it’s a home you love! Whether you’re dealing with a repair or dreaming about a reno, consider me your coach, helper or home improvement therapist for all things remodeling, decor or fix up! From bathrooms to basements, demolition to décor and gardening to garages, I'll share non-biased expertise to help you tackle your to-do’s with confidence. Taking care of a home can be a combination of love, pride and heart-stopping fear - but I promise to help you plan, save you money and spare you from snafus. Join me for new episodes every Monday and Thursday, just in time to plan your next home improvement adventure!

  1. 1D AGO

    A New Spin: Deep Cleaning Your Washing Machine | HGTV’s Clint Robertson | Garage Workspace

    SHOW NOTES: Transform your home and garden with expert tips on today's episode! We start with strategies for optimizing your garage workspace for DIY projects, then chat with HGTV’s Clint Robertson. Finally, learn the importance of deep cleaning your washing machine from dirt and odors, and hear answers to more home improvement questions! - Washing Machine: Put a new spin on laundry day by deep cleaning your washing machine to banish dirt and odors. - HGTV’s Clint Robertson of the “Boise Boys” - Garage Space: Get tips for creating an efficient garage workspace to make every DIYer more productive.   Q & A: - Crown Molding: Tracy wants to install crown molding and learns that high-density foam trim is an easy DIY solution. - Repairing Windows: Cameron has two options for accessing and restringing the counterweights inside his old windows without damaging the trim. - Closet Rod: The weight of heavy clothes has bowed the closet rod and pulled it away from the wall. Bea gets tips for installing sturdy brackets to support the shelf and rod. - HVAC: We have advice for Gail on installing a mixing valve to regulate the water temperature without lowering the heat in her home. - Water Infiltration: Dewey needs to find and remediate the underlying cause of bad odors in his basement after a past sewage backup. - Plumbing: There’s a loud banging in the basement whenever Nicole uses the toilet, shower, or washing machine. It may be water hammer or her well pump going on and off. - Pests: How can Kelly can rid of the bugs, slugs and rodents in her garden? We recommend calling a pest control professional to treat the specific problems.   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

    42 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Brush Up on Tips to Paint Like a Pro | Is Your Home Too Airtight? | Front Doors Add Value

    SHOW NOTES: In this episode, we cover a trio of crucial home improvement topics. First, we share top painting tips to achieve a flawless finish. Next, we discuss how to maintain healthy indoor air quality without sacrificing energy efficiency. Finally, learn about installing a front door that looks great and increases your home's value and security. Tune in for these and other answers to questions from homeowners like you! - Painting Tips: Avoid painting predicaments by brushing up on these tips to paint like a pro. - Ventilation: Energy efficiency is great, but can your home be too airtight for healthy living? - Front Doors: Learn how to install a welcoming front door that provides curb appeal, value, and security to your home.   Q & A: - Windows: What’s the discoloration on Amy’s windows? Normal oxidation may have faded areas that need to be refinished, and mineral salts can be cleaned away with vinegar. - Floor Leveling: One corner of an addition is unlevel with the home slab. John gets tips on using a floor leveling compound or creating a transition between the two areas. - Patio: Linda needs advice for building the base for a combo patio and carport. Concrete would be the most durable and permanent as long as it’s reinforced properly. - Bathroom Renovation: Scott learns why flipping the locations of a toilet and shower is a huge bathroom renovation project that’s not worth the work. - Insulation: Mike knows there’s no insulation in the walls of his old brick home. His only option is to remove the inside drywall and apply rigid foam insulation, plus seal drafts. Pressure Washer: What is the best PSI to choose when buying a pressure washer? 1,800 PSI is good for general cleaning, but there are other things David should consider.   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

    40 min

  3. APR 14

    A Cut Above the Rest: Lawn Mowing Tips | Long-Lasting Metal Roofs | Better Hardwood Flooring

    SHOW NOTES: In this podcast episode, we debunk a popular but misguided lawn care strategy for mowing your grass. We’ll also discuss why metal roofs are winning over homeowners by promising protection for decades, then delve into advancements in hardwood flooring. Tune in for insights on tackling your home improvement projects with expert guidance! - Lawn Care: Follow these mowing tips to ensure a healthy lawn that’s a cut above the rest. - DIY Queen: Listen in for an interview with home improvement expert Cara Newhart. - Hardwood Floors: Easy-to-install hardwood flooring brings beauty and value to a home.   Q & A: - Kitchen Renovation: Mark needs some ideas for renovating his kitchen on a budget. Cabinets from IKEA are a good option worth considering. - Porch Design: Marla wants to screen in her porch that has lots of columns. She should consult with an architect because it would definitely change the style of her home. - Tiling: What kind of prep work is needed to tile over a textured wall? David can simply rough up the surface with sandpaper to make the tile adhere properly. - Wet Basement: Debra has questions about dry locking her basement. She shouldn’t be concerned about odors harming her pets and we have tips about improving drainage. - Grout: Nicole is having a hard time getting her bathroom grout white again. We suggest using a professional grout cleaning or grout stripping product, and then a sealer. - Home Value: How should Mike list his home to indicate the home improvements he’s done? Creating a list of projects he’s done in recent years would be appealing to home buyers. - Mortar: Can Stacey use mortar to fill the spaces in her brick fireplace? Adding tile or stone around the fireplace are better options for creating a smooth finish to the 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

    41 min

  4. APR 10

    Flush Out Bathroom Germs | Patio Paver Perfection That Lasts | How to Restore Rotted Wood

    SHOW NOTES: In this one-stop shop for all things home improvement, we’ll tackle the war against bathroom germs, explore the art of building a paver patio that lasts, reveal expert tips for restoring rotted wood, and answer more questions from callers. Whether you're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a novice homeowner, this episode has something for everyone! - Bathroom Germs: Experts are flush with ideas on the best way to stop the spread of bathroom germs. - Paver Patio: Get some tricks of the trade on building a paver patio that will last for years to come. - Rotted Wood: When wet weather leads to rotted wood, learn how to restore and rebuild the damaged areas.   Q & A: - Air Conditioning: A contractor tried to upsell Mike on cleaning his HVAC system. Better options are using good air filters and a coil cleaner to loosen dust and spores. - Roof Leak: Mary’s roof started leaking after a cold spell formed ice dams. We explain the damage they cause and the repairs that should be covered by her insurance policy. - Water Heater: Marty’s tankless water heater keeps the water hot but doesn’t deliver it any faster. Installing a hot water recirculating pump may speed things up. - Wall Finish: Should a Venetian plaster effect be used on the whole room or just an accent wall? Diane really likes the look and we suggest trying it on one wall first. - Basement HVAC: Mark gets advice on repairing the drywall ceiling in his basement without damaging the radiant heating system. - Insulation: John’s remodeling his house and considering adding spray foam insulation. We agree it would provide a lot more efficiency and answer his ventilation concerns.   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

    40 min

  5. APR 7

    Green Thumbs Up: DIY Raised Garden Beds | Maximize Garage Potential | Vacuum Troubleshooting

    SHOW NOTES: Get the practical advice you need in this episode, with tips on constructing a raised garden bed, optimizing garage space, and troubleshooting vacuum issues. From gardening to storage to cleaning, we’ve got tips to help homeowners with these and other home improvement questions! - Raised Garden Bed: Get tips on building a raised garden bed for the perfect DIY project. - Garage Space: A new survey reveals how homeowners are optimizing garage space in creative ways. - Vacuum Repairs: Find out what to do when your vacuum cleaner’s suction sucks.   Q & A: - Crack Over Stairs: Anne is worried that cracks above her stairs are caused by her house shifting. She needs a home inspector who specializes in structural issues. - Drain Pipe: The cast iron drain pipe under Dan’s basement floor keeps clogging. He can get it relined with a fiberglass sleeve without having to remove the pipe. - Rusty Bathtub: Can an old rusty cast iron tub be restored? Margaret could have it reglazed by a professional, but it may be better to just replace the tub. - Window Replacement: What should be included in the cost of window replacement? Michael gets advice on quality indicators, measurements, and more. - Basement HVAC: Mark has questions about the radiant heating above his basement ceiling. We’ve got suggestions about drop ceilings and disconnecting the heating. - Shower Plumbing: Jackie is replacing an old tub with a tile shower. She’ll need to have a plumber reroute a new diverter valve. - Garage Door: Scott’s garage doors freeze when snow melts off the cars. New rubber gaskets that won’t stick to ice and installing garage floor tiles that drain will help the problem. - Hardwood Floors: What is the best way to maintain new hardwood floors? We’ve got concerns about steam cleaning and suggest checking the manufacturer’s instructions.   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

    41 min

  6. APR 3

    Outside Oasis: 5 Tips for Outdoor Living Space | What to Ask Contractors | Choosing Tile

    SHOW NOTES: Today’s show has tips for crafting your perfect outdoor living space, asking key questions before hiring a contractor, and choosing the best tile for your next project. Whether your DIY project is indoors or outdoors, we’ve got the answers you need for all your home improvement questions! - Outdoor Living: Follow these 5 tips for creating the perfect outdoor living space. - Hiring Contractors: Choose wisely by asking these 5 key questions before hiring a home improvement professional. - Centurion Garden & Outdoor Living Product Feature – 3-in-1 Wild Bird Feeder   Q & A: - HVAC Water: Gail’s boiler provides both the heat and the hot water. She needs to find out how to set the mixing valve so the shower water won’t be too hot. - Bathroom Vent: Mike wonders about connecting his bathroom fan vent to the plumbing vent. He can’t do that, but we’ve got tips on how to run the exhaust vent to the outside. - Plumbing: A cracked waste pipe flooded the basement. Helen should file an insurance claim and hire a remediation company to clean up the sewage damage. - Foundation Cracks: Pat has multiple big cracks in his foundation walls. He’ll need a structural engineer to address the problem and design the proper repairs. - Odors: Mason can’t find the source of odors in his home. We have a few ideas and give him tips on steam-cleaning the carpets and priming and painting the walls to seal them. - Textured Wall Prep: Dave wants to tile over a textured bathroom wall. Sanding the surface will give him better adhesion to glue the tile right over it. - Kitchen Cabinet Lazy Susan: The top shelf of an old kitchen cabinet carousel has dropped. Marge gets advice on how to find parts and try to repair 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

    40 min

  7. MAR 31

    Shed the Clutter with a Backyard Storage Shed | Window Repair Checklist | Retailer’s DIY Day

    SHOW NOTES: In this show, learn how to conquer clutter with a storage shed, decide between window repair versus replacement, and get expert advice and resources from a DIY guru and a leading retailer. Plus, we’ve got answers to lots more questions for all your home improvement projects! - Storage Shed: Shed your outdoor clutter by building a backyard storage shed. - Window Repair: This checklist helps you see clearly on whether to repair or replace your windows. - DIY Expert Advice: HGTV star and home improvement retailer offer advice for DIY projects.   Q & A: - Mold: Karen has gotten some bad advice about mold on the basement walls. She must have samples tested to discover the correct mitigation plan to treat the mold. - Water Heater: What’s the best kind of water heater for a large family? Mike should consider a tankless water heater to save energy and provide hot water instantly. - Drafty Windows: Cold wind is blowing through Joyce’s apartment windows. She can seal the drafts by using shrink film or a temporary caulk. - Jacuzzi Drain: A caustic cleaner burned the tub surface when Barry tried to clear the clogged drain. We have suggestions for different products that are better to use. - Front Door: Rick just wants to replace his front door rather than the entire transom. We discuss the challenges and carpentry needed for the exact entry door replacement. - Foundation Repair: Brenda’s poured cement basement walls are starting to crumble. She should hire a structural engineer to inspect the foundation and determine the best repair specification.   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

    42 min

  8. MAR 27

    Cheap Chic: Affordable Apartment Decor' I Front Yard Landscaping I Uninsured Contractor Risks

    SHOW NOTES: Get budget-friendly apartment decorating ideas, add curb appeal with low-cost landscaping tips, and avoid the risks of hiring uninsured contractors with inspiration and information on today’s home improvement episode! Plus, listen in for answers to additional caller questions on a range of DIY projects. - Apartment Décor: Get affordable apartment décor ideas to fit your budget and save your security deposit. - Front Yard Landscaping: Create a welcome entry and add curb appeal with low-cost landscaping tips. - Uninsured Contractors: If you’re hiring a contractor, protect yourself from liability by confirming they’re insured.   Q & A: - Floor Tile Grout: Grout keeps chipping out from one area of Karen’s tile floor. She needs to remove it again and check to see if the surface is unstable. - Red Cedar Roof: Phillip loves the way red cedar shingles age on other houses, but there’s no way to be sure how his own cedar shingles will darken over time unless he stains them. - Structural Support: Trish wants to open up her kitchen, but it’s a big project to remove the loadbearing wall. We offer ideas on other ways to make the rooms look larger. - Drywall Cracks: It’s not uncommon to have drywall cracks over doorways, but Brian needs advice on how to sand, tape, and spackle the wall so the cracks won’t return. - Pouring Concrete: After cutting down a tree and grinding the stump, Bobbie wants to extend her sidewalk. She should rake out the sawdust and reinforce the hole with stone before pouring cement so it won’t crack. - Fireplace: Two fireplaces and two chimneys are bringing smoke into Mike’s house. He should ask a chimney expert about improving the chimney draft. - Wood Bathroom Décor: Should Melanie extend her untreated rustic knotty pine walls into her bathroom? It’s not a good idea, but there are better options that look like wood. - Garbage Disposer: What size garbage disposer should Brandon get? We recommend a 1/2 to 3/4 HP model that he can install with basic plumbing and electrical skills. - Radon: Should Sandra have her home tested for radon? We discuss using a DIY test, how to read the results, and guidelines for remediation if it’s needed.   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

    42 min
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    4.3
    out of 5
    174 Ratings

    About

    Does your home ever feel like “a Money Pit?”  It doesn’t have to be that way!  As host of The Money Pit Podcast, a money pit is not a disaster – it’s a home you love! Whether you’re dealing with a repair or dreaming about a reno, consider me your coach, helper or home improvement therapist for all things remodeling, decor or fix up! From bathrooms to basements, demolition to décor and gardening to garages, I'll share non-biased expertise to help you tackle your to-do’s with confidence. Taking care of a home can be a combination of love, pride and heart-stopping fear - but I promise to help you plan, save you money and spare you from snafus. Join me for new episodes every Monday and Thursday, just in time to plan your next home improvement adventure!

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