The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast Tom Kraeutler & Leslie Segrete

SHOW NOTES:
Today, we reveal how to choose a new garage door that boosts both safety and security. Then, we break down the benefits of buying ENERGY STAR-rated appliances and give tips on early detection of roof leaks to prevent costly repairs. Plus, we answer your top home improvement questions to get your DIY projects done right! 
Garage Doors: Protect your home by choosing a safe and secure garage door.
ENERGY STAR Ratings: Find out why ratings matter when buying appliances that are energy-efficient, reliable, and affordable.
Roof Leaks: Stop leaks before they happen by knowing what to look for on your roof.
 
Q & A:
Patio Deck: Steve’s floating deck is getting uneven and covers a cistern. He gets tips on taking the deck apart, reframing it with better footings, and adding an access panel.
Ceiling Stains: Pat had the roof leak repaired but wants to cover the ceiling stains. Insurance should cover the cost of priming and painting the whole ceiling.
Plumbing Pressure: When the shower runs on one floor, the water gets cold on the upper floor. Tammy should check the pipes for corrosion and the water pressure from the street.
Garage Insulation: Todd’s garage workspace is getting chilly! Adding spray foam insulation and weatherstripping is a great way to seal and warm up the garage.
Stump Removal: A raised garden bed is surrounded by tree stumps. Courtney gets options for removing the stumps with a chainsaw, with chemicals, by burning, or with a small stump grinder.
Lighting: When Darrell turns on his kitchen lights, they cause static on his stereo speaker. We don’t have a solution for this odd issue, but we may find answers online.
Carpenter Bees: Carpenter bees keep coming back even after the area was treated. Louise needs a pest control professional with the right tools and pesticides to guarantee success.
Dryer Vent: Cody noticed that the dryer vent in the attic got disconnected. He must find the gap and direct the vent outside because it’s a fire hazard and could cause moisture in his insulation.
  
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:
Join us today as we discuss how to save water outdoors during the scorching summer months and highlight the latest advancements that make heat pumps more efficient and cost-effective. We’ll also cover the benefits of metal roofing during an active storm season. Plus, get expert tips on managing lots more DIY home improvement projects!
Heat Pumps: New heat pump technology offers energy-efficient heating for any climate.
Water Saving Tips: Every drop counts when it comes to saving outdoor water on hot summer days.
Metal Roofs: Weather the storm with a metal roof that will stand up to severe conditions.
 
Q & A:
Popcorn Ceiling: Can you clean a popcorn ceiling? Nancy should use a feather duster to get rid of dust and cobwebs, then give the ceiling a fresh coat of paint.
Solar Panels: John is noticing the production is dropping on his dirty solar panels. He needs to climb up and use a high-pressure hose to clean the pollen off the panels.
Moles: Moles are tearing up Michelle’s yard! We recommend treating the lawn to get rid of grubs so she can get rid of the moles.
Landscaping: Alex’s home is located on a steep hill. He gets tips on building a retaining wall with specifications from a landscape engineer.
Porch Odors: Anna’s unfinished, closed porch has a musty, moldy smell. She needs to pull out any insulation, clean the walls well, and let the space dry and air out completely.
Electrical Outlet: An electrical outlet died but no breakers were tripped. Steve should have an electrician check the current and find where to repair a failure on the line.
Woodchucks: Darlene is trying to keep woodchucks in check! She can discourage them by removing all woodpiles, spraying hot pepper or predator urine in their dens, and applying repellent to any plants they eat.
Tree Roots: Ken is concerned about a tree growing next to the foundation of his home, in an area treated for termites. We recommend carefully cutting away the tree roots.
 
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, we dive into pool safety, sharing crucial tips to prevent drownings with layers of protection. Then, we demystify foundation cracks, distinguishing between minor issues and major concerns. Plus, we reveal a quick fix for restoring textured walls and ceilings. And as always, we answer more DIY questions to turn your projects into successes!
Foundation Cracks: Worried about foundation cracks? Get tips on knowing if they’re simple or serious.
Pool Safety: Guard your kids against drowning with these important layers of pool protection.
Textured Surfaces: Repairing textured walls and ceilings is made easy with this DIY product.
 
Q & A:
Stone Patio: Dean wants to fill the spaces in his flagstone patio, but mortar will crack from expansion and contraction.
Concrete Repair: Linda has two porches on a concrete slab that’s starting to crack. She needs to use silicone caulk to seal out water and gets tips on matching the color.
HVAC: Is there a way to direct cool basement air to the upper floors? Jeff learns why it’s not a good idea to circulate basement air that may have moisture and contaminants.
Clothes Dryer: Sherry’s dryer does dry the clothes, but they get damp again if they’re left in the dryer overnight. It’s an odd issue that may be caused by humidity in the house.
Roof Stains: Dan wants to know how to clean and prevent black streaks on his new roof. We suggest spraying the roof with an easy DIY cleaner and covering the roof ridge with copper flashing to prevent mildew.
Cleaning Cabinets: How should Margie clean greasy residue from her kitchen cabinets? We recommend starting with a citrus grease remover.
DIY Gutters: Is it hard to install your own gutters? Michael can definitely save money with this DIY project, but he’ll need to carefully join and attach the gutter sections.
Humidity: Pat’s new heat pump is not removing the humidity from her home. A heat pump is not designed to do that, but she could consider getting a whole house dehumidifier.
Woodburning Stoves: Which woodburning stoves are the most efficient? John gets advice on looking for the EPA performance standards for stoves.
 
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, get advice on summertime safety and comfort, including how to beat the summer heat with no-cost to low-cost tips to stay cool, protecting your home from summer roof damage with a DIY roof inspection, and guarding against home burglaries while you’re away on summer vacation. Plus, we’ve got more answers to home improvement questions so you can get your projects done right!
Home Security: Lock down peace of mind with these steps to secure your home against break-ins.
Cooling Tips: Get low-cost and no-cost tips for keeping your home cool and comfortable.
Roof Inspection: Stop leaks before they happen with a DIY roof inspection.
 
Q & A:
Cleaning Brick: Gail wants to clean mortar off her exterior brick. We explain how to carefully use a wire brush or a drill attachment without damaging the brick.
Deck Stain: The stain is wearing off on John’s deck planks and rails. He gets tips for prepping the surface and using a solid color deck stain that will last longer.
Cleaning with Pets: Is there a solution for pet hair that gets all over? David needs to brush his dog often to remove the undercoat of hair and look for a powerful vacuum.
Popcorn Ceiling: How can you clean a popcorn ceiling? You can’t, but Margaret finds out how to carefully remove the popcorn ceiling and paint it over.
Bathroom Venting: Butch’s bathroom fan vents directly into the attic. We explain how to vent it outside through the siding or up through the roof.
Chimney Repair: Lisa’s two chimneys were repaired and repointed, but should they be sealed, too? It’s probably not necessary if there are no leaks.
Water Seepage: Water is coming into the garage from an uphill property. Butch gets advice on installing a curtain drain to divert the water.
HVAC Leak: Leah has to keep boosting the Freon that leaks from her A/C unit. If she can’t find the source of the leak, she’ll need to consider replacing the 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.
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SHOW NOTES:
Join us to learn how green home upgrades can enhance your selling price. Learn how to use convenient building blocks to create custom outdoor spaces, from patios to outdoor kitchens. Plus, find out how to keep your lawn lush without wasting water. And hear expert advice for more home improvement projects on your DIY list!
Building Outdoor Structures: Custom building block kits make it easy and affordable to create patios, planters, benches, and more.
Green Upgrades: Going green with the right eco-friendly upgrades can add value to your home.
Lawn Care Savings: Get tips for growing a lush, green lawn while saving water and money.
 
Q & A:
Bidet Toilet: Is it a good idea to have a bidet? Patricia gets info on affordable ways to try out the benefits of a bidet by installing an add-on model.
HVAC Options: Mini-split ductless A/C or conventional outdoor A/C unit? A split ductless system can be very efficient if Doug has a strategy on what he needs and how to place it.
Wildlife Pests: Rena wants to stop raccoons from messing up her pool! Besides installing a fence and hiding things that will attract them, she can use a humane trap to catch and release them somewhere else.
Plumbing Leak: Whenever the outdoor spigot is turned on, water comes up inside Andrew’s basement. We advise him to check for a valve that’s not sealed properly.
Patio Stones: Darlene has gaps in her flagstone patio and some stones are popping up. She should reset the area to level it better and add crushed gravel between the stones.
Cracked Plaster: Jules’ old home has lots of cracks in the plaster walls. We suggest adding a layer of new drywall over the walls instead of taking down the plaster.
Bad Contractors: An incompetent brick mason did a lousy job and then stole $6,000. Oralee should look into pressing charges and taking the contractor to court.
Foundation: The brick foundation of Ed’s Victorian home is starting to bow out. He needs to hire a structural engineer to determine how to repair it correctly.
Heating System: Janey wants to upgrade her heating system before selling her home. A heat pump is affordable and efficient, but a good home inspector can tell her what’s really needed.
Roofing: Joey needs tips on replacing an old roof with a metal roof. It’s a more expensive, long-term investment and he gets some step-by-step 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.
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SHOW NOTES:
Join us as we reveal five expert paint tips to expand the feel of your smaller rooms. We’ll also chat about the importance of flexible living spaces in the modern home. And if you’re planning a painting project, we’ll share info about paint sprayers for quick, mess-free results. Let’s turn your to-do list into a done list with answers to these and other home improvement questions from today’s callers!
Painting Tips: These 5 strategic painting tips can make small rooms look bigger.
Flexible Living Spaces: Find out about the latest trends in flexible living spaces that do double or triple duty.
Paint Sprayers: Powerful new DIY paint sprayers let you tackle paint projects faster and more efficiently.
 
Q & A:
Roof Leak: Judy’s roof was repaired and the underlayment is fine, but it’s still leaking. We suggest checking the boot and flashing around the plumbing vent pipe.
Cleaning Porch: There are white mineral deposits on Tom’s aluminum porch struts. He can use a vinegar and water solution to clean the surface and should look for ways to dehumidify the space.
Smoke Smell: The previous owner of Eve’s home was a heavy smoker. We suggest cleaning everything and using a good oil-based primer to seal the ceilings, walls, and floors to get rid of the smoke smell.
Sinkhole: A sinkhole is developing over the edge of the septic system. Brian should have a septic inspector check for a failing septic field.
Slow Drain: Mary’s bathtub drains slowly but the plumber can’t find the cause. She needs to hire a drain cleaning professional to find and clear the blockage.
Deck Stain: What kind of stain should be used for a new deck? Randy should wait a while for the lumber to dry out, and then apply a solid color deck stain that lasts longer.
Sink Odor: There’s a foul odor coming from the bathroom sink. We give Yvonne tips for taking apart and scrubbing the drain and trap to get rid of smelly bacteria and bio-gases. 
 
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