This Old House On The Money Pit

SHOW NOTES: Your home is the biggest investment you'll ever make, and we're here every week to make sure it doesn't have to be a bottomless Money Pit! Today, we’re tackling the projects you need to get done before winter arrives, from refreshing your home with a perfect fall paint job to reclaiming your basement space, plus lots more DIY ideas. - Fall Painting for the Perfect Finish: Fall is the perfect time to refresh your home with a fresh coat of paint, because cooler temperatures and lower humidity help the paint cure evenly and prevent streaking. We discuss trending colors and how to prep for a professional-looking result. - Transforming the Basement into a Bonus Room: If your home is shrinking or your basement is currently just a storage unit, we share creative tips for turning that blank slate into your home's best bonus room, which is one of the smartest ways to add square footage. - Durable Flooring for High-Traffic Entryways: Since the front entry is the hardest-working floor in the home, we b

SHOW NOTES: It's spooky season and cozy season, which means the weather is outstanding for tackling home improvement projects, both inside and out. Coming up, we're sharing a quick heating system checkup, life-saving fire safety tips, and creative ideas for decorating your yard safely for Halloween! Let's get to it! - Heating System Seasonal Checkup: Don't wait until the first frost to discover your heating system isn't working! We will walk you through the steps for furnaces, boilers, or heat pumps to keep your home warm, safe, and energy efficient all winter long. - Fire Safety and Prevention: Since October is Fire Safety Month, we share practical, life-saving tips that every household should know, including the importance of developing and practicing a home escape plan. - Safe Halloween Decorating: We provide creative tips for decorating your outdoor space for Halloween safely, whether you're adding a few eerie touches or going for a full haunted house vibe. - Interior Lighting Tips: Since the days

SHOW NOTES: Welcome to The Money Pit! We're here every week to help you protect your biggest investment – your home sweet home – and make sure it doesn't become a bottomless money pit. We've got a busy hour planned, diving into seasonal home maintenance musts. Join us for today’s topics, including: - Reclaiming Your Yard with Hardscapes: Learn how Pavestone products can help you ditch constant mowing, weeding, and watering while boosting your curb appeal. We’ll discuss ideas for creating stunning, smart, and sustainable outdoor spaces. - Essential Garage Door Maintenance: The garage door is the biggest moving part of your home, and we'll share simple tips to keep it running smoothly, safely, and quietly before it becomes dangerous and expensive. - Winterizing Your Sprinkler System: Before the first deep freeze hits, we detail the crucial fall task of shutting down your in-ground sprinkler system to prevent serious and costly damage.   Q & A: - Margaret’s home has ceramic bathroom tiles confirmed to co

SHOW NOTES: It is full-on spooky season here at The Money Pit, and we are relishing fall! But while this is the perfect season for cozy projects, it’s also prime time for scammers looking to cash in on unsuspecting homeowners. Today, we’re walking you through some great home improvement projects, plus the red flags to protect yourself and your wallet. - Mold and Mildew: We’re examining the difference between mold and mildew and offer advice on how to spot it, when to clean it yourself, and when it’s critical to call in a professional. - Wildlife Pests: Protect your perfect fall porch display from critters who view your pumpkins and decor as a seasonal feast. We share clever tricks to keep animals away. - Contractor Scams: We’re warning homeowners about the top scams making the rounds this fall, a busy season for cons that include fake chimney sweeps, shady furnace checkups, and unsolicited offers for gutter cleaning.   Q & A: - Rochelle called to ask if she received a fair price for a contractor to re

SHOW NOTES: Welcome back to The Money Pit! Today, we are tackling those big fall projects, including protecting your home from the tough winter ahead and figuring out how to reclaim those spaces that feel like a lost cause. Let’s take a look at the main topics we are tackling this hour, plus home improvement questions from callers: - Weekend Concrete Repair: Winter is super tough on concrete, so with a few simple steps right now, you can save yourself from big repair bills later. We will show you how to seal cracks and protect your concrete surfaces with help from Quikrete, making this an easy and inexpensive weekend project. - Perfect Painting Tips: If you are ready to give your space a fresh look before the holidays, fall is actually the perfect time to pick up a paintbrush due to the cooler, drier weather. We will share seasonal tricks to help you choose the right color, prep your walls, and ensure your paint job is smooth and long-lasting. - Reclaiming Unusable Space: We know more than half of America

SHOW NOTES: Welcome back, home improvement enthusiasts! We love this time of year, with the cool, crisp air and the anticipation of autumn. But the chill also means higher heating bills, so today we are dedicating the hour to helping you stay warm and save some serious energy dollars! Here is what we’ve got coming up today on The Money Pit: - Sealing Drafts: We’ll show you easy and effective ways to find and fix the sneaky drafts around your windows, doors, and attics. Learn how to use a simple candle to locate leaks and then seal them up, using inexpensive solutions like weather stripping and foam gaskets. - Adding Insulation: If you’ve noticed your energy costs creeping up, it might be time to beef up your insulation, but remember that not all types are created equal. We’ll break down the pros and cons of different insulations, so you know exactly what will work best for your space. - Smart Thermostats: Are you still heating your home with an older thermostat? We’re going to show you how making the smar

SHOW NOTES: Welcome back to The Money Pit! Today, we have an action-packed show designed to help you tackle those crucial fall projects, regain control over clutter, and navigate the shifting landscape of housing. Join us as we discuss topics and caller questions that include: - Transforming Outdoor Spaces with Hardscaping: We’ll share projects perfect for this time of year, including how products like Ladera and RumbleStone from Pavestone can transform forgotten yards with gorgeous patios, fire pits, and useful garden walls, adding curb appeal that lasts. - Understanding Home Organization and Clutter: A new national survey reveals that women are far more likely to take charge of tidiness and feel better when their homes are organized. We’ll discuss what motivates Americans to get things under control, the tools they prefer, and the biggest challenges to staying organized. - The Evolving Townhome Market: Townhomes used to be the go-to for affordable home ownership, but we are looking at how rising constr

SHOW NOTES: This is the Money Pit! Fall is officially here, and we've got a lot of exciting projects to tackle today, both indoors and out. Give us a call with your questions at 888-MONEYPIT, but first, here are the home improvement topics we’ll be sharing in this show: - Preparing Your Trees for Winter: Fall is the perfect time to prep your trees before winter rolls in. We’ll share the best ways to trim, tidy up, or even take down a troubled tree. - Tapping into Home Equity: Many longtime homeowners are sitting on a gold mine of equity, sometimes totaling six figures of untapped value. We’ll break down how to put that equity to good use, whether through a refinance, a home equity line of credit to fund renovations, or by strategically downsizing. - Hottest Fall 2025 Design Trends: If you want to give your home a fresh fall feel without a full-blown renovation, we’re breaking down the hottest Pinterest design trends. - Seasonal Home Safety and Efficiency: As we head into the heating season, we offer qui

SHOW NOTES: Welcome to The Money Pit Home Improvement Show! Today, we've got a jam-packed hour filled with expert advice and practical DIY solutions for all your home improvement projects. Here’s a rundown of the main topics and caller questions we’ll be tackling today: - Instant Hot Water Solutions: We'll explore smart fixes like hot water recirculation pumps that deliver hot water instantly and can save you up to 17,000 gallons of water annually, including how they work, their cost, and DIY-friendly options. - Building Your Dream Patio: Thinking about a new patio for fall? We'll guide you through building a poured concrete patio from scratch using crack-resistant concrete, covering prep, pouring, and finishing techniques. - The Power of Composite Flooring: Discover why this next-generation flooring material is becoming a favorite for its stylish, affordable, durable, and waterproof qualities, perfect for any room, along with installation tips. - Fall Fireplace Safety: Before you light that first cozy f

SHOW NOTES: Welcome back to The Money Pit! It's mid-September, and with so much happening, it's easy to get sidetracked from your home projects. But don't worry, we're here to help you keep things working and organized. We've got a great show lined up for you today, with topics that include: - Extending Outdoor Fun with Patio Heaters: Just because it's fall doesn't mean your outdoor enjoyment has to stop! We'll explore how patio heaters can keep you entertaining, dining, and relaxing outside even as temperatures drop. - Decoding Spooky Home Sounds: With Halloween just around the corner, you might be hearing some mysterious bangs, pops, scratches, or whistles around the house. We'll decode these top mystery noises of the season, explain what they really mean, and show you how to fix them before they give you the creeps! - Saving Money on Your Water Heater: Your water heater might be silently draining your wallet. We'll share smart ways to cut energy costs, reduce water waste, and keep your hot water flowin

SHOW NOTES: Welcome back to The Money Pit, where this week’s topics include the housing market forecast for buyers and sellers, bright ideas for outdoor lighting upgrades, and the revival of wallpaper to style your home. Plus, we’ve got expert answers for all your home improvement questions. - 2026 Housing Market Forecast: We'll break down the latest projections on easing mortgage rates, slowing home price growth, and what this means for home buyers, sellers, and those planning to stay put. - Weekend Outdoor Lighting Upgrades: Discover smart, stylish, and affordable lighting solutions, from solar path lights to dramatic uplighting, that you can tackle in a single weekend to boost curb appeal and home safety after dark. - Wallpaper's Grand Comeback: Think again if you believe wallpaper is old-school! We're exploring fall's biggest interior design trends, including bold colors, cozy patterns, and easy peel-and-stick styles, to help you fall in love with wallpaper all over again.   Q & A: - Ryan from Cali

SHOW NOTES: Welcome to The Money Pit and another episode of home improvement tips, with everything from wood care to landscape borders to fall planting in your garden. Plus, we’ve got expert advice for DIYers who reach out with their calls and emails. - Seasonal Wood Care: We'll walk you through simple steps to inspect, clean, and seal your deck, outdoor stairs, and wood trim, preparing them for the harsh fall and winter weather to ensure their longevity. - DIY Concrete Landscape Borders: Discover how to create stylish and functional decorative borders for your flower beds, driveways, and walkways using Quikrete products, adding instant curb appeal to your yard. - Fall Planting for a Spring Garden: Learn the secrets to a vibrant spring garden by planting now, including choosing bulbs like tulips and daffodils, and how to best prepare your garden beds for success.   Q & A: - Russ from West Virginia called about flickering dining room lights when his electric water heater activates. We explained that th

SHOW NOTES: Welcome to another great show here on The Money Pit, where we’re always here to remind you that you can do it yourself, but you don't have to do it alone! If you’re a DIYer, join us for this week’s top home improvement tips, including: - Home Improvement ROI: We unveil the top five home improvement projects that deliver the best return on your investment, perfect for boosting equity and impressing buyers. Learn why fall is a great time to start these projects due to cooler weather and more flexible contractor schedules. - DIY Pavestone Fire Pit: Get a step-by-step guide to building a modern square fire pit using Ladera Wall Block from Pavestone. This DIY-friendly project requires no cutting or special caps, making it a perfect weekend upgrade to transform your outdoor space with a rock-solid, heat-safe feature. - Color Trends for 2026: We explore the latest trends in color strategy for 2026, focusing on warm, earthy color palettes like terracotta, ochre, and olive, as well as soft textural neu

SHOW NOTES: Welcome back to The Money Pit, your go-to for home improvement how-tos, hacks, tips, tricks, and advice! We've covered a ton of ground this hour, making good homes better with cleaning, decluttering, and restoration advice. On today’s show, you’ll hear: - Kitchen Cabinet Intervention: We share smart tips to declutter, deep clean, and reorganize your kitchen storage, turning that "black hole of mismatched Tupperware" into an efficient and enjoyable space. - Roof Restoration with Roof Maxx: That gritty, sand-like debris in your gutters is a distress signal from your roof, indicating aging asphalt shingles shedding granules. A Roof Maxx treatment can restore flexibility, protect against leaks, and add up to 15 years of life to your existing roof! - Entryway Command Center: Combat back-to-school chaos with clever ideas for creating a smart and stylish command center right by your door, perfect for organizing gear, taming paper piles, and setting your family up for a stress-free fall. - Screen Mai

SHOW NOTES: Welcome back to The Money Pit, your ultimate guide to turning your house into a home! We've been busy laboring away so you can have the home of your dreams, answering your how-to questions and diving into smart seasonal transitions to get yourself ready for fall. Here are some of the main points and caller questions covered this hour: - Furnaces and Fireplaces: It's crucial to prepare your home for cooler temperatures, which includes maintaining your furnace and fireplace by changing filters, scheduling professional tune-ups, and ensuring fireplace safety and carbon monoxide detectors are operational. - Floor Surface Protection: It’s important to deep clean and protect wood, tile, and stone floors before they face the wear and tear of muddy boots and wet paws. Get tips for sealing stone, silencing squeaks, and tackling loose tiles. - HVAC Filters: A small but impactful task is changing your HVAC air filter every 30 to 90 days (or more often with pets/allergies) to improve indoor air quality,

SHOW NOTES: Hello there, Money Pit fans, and welcome back to the show where we help you make your good homes even better! Whether it's inside or outside, from your floorboards to your shingles, we are on your side! So give us a call at 888-Money-Pit to be part of the show. This hour, we cover a wide array of topics to help you protect your home, boost curb appeal, and even save you money. - Fall Cleanup Checklist: Check off your “to-do” list with essential fall cleanup tasks to get your home ready before the cold weather sets in, from gutters and gardens to garages and gear. - DIY Fire Pit: Turn up the heat in your backyard by easily building a beautiful and durable fire pit in minutes using Pavestone products. - Shower Mold: If you’re dealing with a "fuzzy" shower, we’ll walk you through the steps to safely remove old moldy caulk, prep the area, and reapply a fresh bead that will resist mold and mildew for years.   Q & A: - Michelle in Minnesota has moisture coming up through her laminate bathroom

SHOW NOTES: Welcome back to The Money Pit, your ultimate guide to making good homes better! We’re covering a lot of ground today, so here's a quick rundown of what we're talking about and the incredible callers we're helping with expert home improvement advice:  - Bathroom Design Ideas: We offer a range of modern design ideas for bathrooms, from cozy powder rooms to luxurious spa spaces, drawing inspiration from Wallpaper Magazine to elevate your space and style. - Patio Furniture Care: Get valuable tips for cleaning and storing patio furniture made from various materials, including wicker, metal, wood, and cushions, to ensure they stay in great shape for seasons to come. - Concrete Post Footings: We discuss the value of Quikrete’s fast-setting concrete as an easy way to set posts for fences, mailboxes, or basketball hoops, producing strong, stable results in under an hour without mixing or mess! - Kids’ Room Décor: Learn about the art of redecorating kids' rooms, including the importance of budget plann

SHOW NOTES: Alright, home improvement enthusiasts, welcome back to the Money Pit! We're here to lend a hand with all your indoor and outdoor projects, because remember: Inside, outside, we're on your side! Here are some of the key themes we'll be talking about today, plus solutions we offer for callers’ questions: - Cleaning Gutters: Before autumn leaves begin to fall, we're going to share simple steps and smart tools to help you clean and maintain your gutters the safe and easy way, because clogged gutters can lead to major water damage. - Roof Care: We'll tell you how you can catch roof problems early with a free professional inspection from Roof Maxx, the company that restores aging roofs and saves homeowners up to 80% over replacement. - Reducing Clutter: We'll also offer tips on getting organized at home for the fall season, helping you reclaim cluttered spaces like entryways and mudrooms before the school and holiday craziness takes over. - Deep Cleaning Tips: And finally, we’ll discuss fall deep c

SHOW NOTES: In today’s Money Pit show, we discuss selling in a shifting real estate market, installing solar panels on metal roofs, and reorganizing your garage space. Plus, we’ll answer a range of home improvement questions from callers to help solve their DIY dilemmas! - Navigating the Shifting Real Estate Market: Home sales this spring hit their lowest pace since 2012! This means that for sellers, prepping, staging, and timing your home's sale are more critical than ever, as price alone isn't enough to close a deal. - The Power of Metal Roofs for Solar: If you're considering going solar, your roof is just as important as the panels. Metal roofs are the ultimate foundation for solar installations, offering long-term savings, energy efficiency, and unbeatable durability. - Garage Organization and Maintenance: As summer wraps up, it's the perfect time for a garage reset. We recommend clearing everything out, cleaning the space thoroughly, and then organizing by season, using labeled bins and storage syst

SHOW NOTES: In today’s Money Pit show, whether you’re winterizing plumbing, upgrading a patio, or stocking your first apartment toolbox, we’ve got the seasonal checklist and savvy tips to keep your home running smoothly from fall onward. Check out these topics, plus home improvement questions from our DIY callers: - Home Checklist for Fall: Prepare for cooler temperatures with our ultimate fall home prep checklist, covering essential tasks like sealing drafts, servicing your furnace, and prepping your lawn. - Setting Up Your First Home or Apartment: For students heading off to dorms or first apartments, we provide an essential tool checklist and pro tips for setting up and maintaining a new space. - Leak-Proof Plumbing for Cold Weather: Get crucial steps to leak-proof your home's plumbing before cold weather hits, including disconnecting and draining outdoor hose bibs, insulating exposed pipes in crawl spaces, and inspecting your water heater. - Outdoor Space Upgrades: We also discuss enhancing your outd