This Old House On The Money Pit

SHOW NOTES: Today, we’re shedding light on the best kitchen lighting options, solving damp laundry dilemmas with clever dryer hacks, and adding life to your backyard by attracting winter birds. Plus, listen in as we help callers with their toughest DIY challenges! - Clothes Dryer: Put a new spin on drying your laundry with tips to avoid wrinkles, damp clothes, and static. - Kitchen Lighting: Get bright ideas for choosing the perfect kitchen lighting for every task. - Bird Feeders: These bird feeders will have feathered friends flocking to your yard this winter.   Q & A: - Gutters: Risa’s gutters keep getting clogged with leaves. We recommend thin mesh gutter guards as the best option and warn against gutter sales scams. - Flooring: A leaking French drain is bubbling up Keith’s epoxy flooring. We have tips for repairing the drain and adhering commercial tile to a damp slab. - Electrical: The automatic light in a closet sometimes arcs when it comes on. That’s a very dangerous electrical fire hazard that Ming

SHOW NOTES: On today’s show, we’re discussing home improvement resolutions that stick, the ins and outs of adding a basement bathroom, and our favorite DIY hacks to make your projects a breeze. Plus, we’re here to help you get unstuck on any project, so listen in for answers to more questions from DIYers just like you! - Home Improvement: Nail down the new year with home improvement resolutions you can actually keep. - Basement Bathrooms: Smart drainage solutions for basement bathrooms will help you go with the flow. - DIY Hacks: Fix it fast with 4 favorite home improvement hacks to get things done quickly and easily.   Q & A: - Roof Leak: Dan’s trying to seal leaks coming through his metal roof. If it’s a flashing issue near seams or pipe openings, he should overlap the panels and use silicone caulk. - Heated Floor: Can Sylvia install in-floor heating with Terrazzo tile? It’s a big, expensive project but PEX piping can be run through the underlayment beneath the tile floor. - Plumbing Leak: Fletch shares

SHOW NOTES: On this show, find out why tripped circuits may be a sign your electrical panel is ready for an upgrade, learn an easy way to prevent ice dams on your roof, and get DIY hacks to fix water rings, dings, and dents on your furniture. Plus, listen in as callers’ home improvement questions are answered with expert advice! - Electrical Upgrades: Learn 5 powerful reasons to upgrade your electrical panel. - Ice Dams: Icicles on your roof can indicate a potential roof leak, but there’s an easy way to prevent ice dams. - Furniture Repair: Repair furniture dings, dents, and stains with these easy DIY hacks.   Q & A: - Bathroom: Eddie has a moisture problem in his bathrooms. He should ensure he has enough attic insulation and install humidistats with timers to increase ventilation. - Flooring: There’s sun damage around the floor area where Ty pulled up a rug. Time and UV light will eventually even out the wood flooring unless he wants to sand the entire floor. - Sewer: Betsy has tree root clumps blocking h

SHOW NOTES: Say goodbye to cold floors, sticky doors, and unused spaces! Today, we explore the benefits of radiant floor heating, simple fixes for stubborn doors, and how to create a hobby studio you’ll love. Whether you’re repairing, improving, or designing, we’ve got the tools and tips to guide you through all your home improvement projects! - Stuck Doors: Finding solutions for stuck doors requires some smooth moves. - Heated Floors: Step into comfort by adding radiant heat to your floors. - Hobby Space: Craft your escape by designing the perfect hobby space.   Q & A: - Electrical: Why do some outlets have 2 prongs and others have 3 prongs? Lisa learns how they’re grounded differently and that it’s always a good idea to update wiring. - Brick: Some areas of Julian’s brick chimney are flaking off and getting tiny holes. He should use a vapor-permeable silicone-based sealer to reduce moisture soaking into the brick. - Water Heater: Colleen wants to replace her two old water heaters with tankless units, but we

SHOW NOTES: Today, we’ve got advice for winter challenges! Learn how to clean up your indoor air, fight the seasonal blues, and handle icy conditions with practical hacks. Plus, listen in as callers share their home improvement goals and get answers to their DIY questions! - Winter Blues: Brighten your home and your spirits with DIY hacks to beat the winter blues. - Air Filters: Clear the air of pollutants and allergens by installing the right indoor air filters. - Snow and Ice: Fight frost and stay safe with clever tips to clear snow and ice fast.   Q & A: - Patio Surface: Jennifer’s large concrete patio has gotten pitted from salt. We recommend using a Quikrete Concrete Resurfacing product that will fill in the gaps. - Sump Pump: Jesse has questions about how to connect a new sump pump system. We discuss what is needed to drain the water correctly. - Heating: Joan wants to heat a small outbuilding to create a craft studio. If she’s able to run a gas line, she can install a wall heater and insulate the space

SHOW NOTES: Today, get ideas for refreshing your home with new décor on a budget, taking back your peace and quiet by reducing outside noises, and making sure your woodcutting efforts pay off with proper firewood storage. Plus, get tips for creating your best home ever with expert answers to all your DIY home improvement questions! - Home Décor: Refresh your space and keep down costs with 5 ideas for home décor on a dime. - Outdoor Noise: Get back your peace and quiet with tips for minimizing outdoor noises. - Firewood Storage: Proper firewood storage can prevent your plans for a perfect fire from going up in smoke.   Q & A: - Contractors: Rita is frustrated by contractors who won’t give her answers or estimates. We suggest a website to search for local contractors who are right for the job. - Pavers: How should George use mortar to lock new concrete pavers in place? He should build a pad at least 8” wider than what he needs or use flexible border edging. - Garage Floor: How to clean a garage floor coated wit

SHOW NOTES: In this episode, learn how to choose firewood that maximizes heat and safety, discover the smart way to shop for a new furnace before an emergency strikes, and find out how to grow fresh veggies and herbs indoors all year long. Make your home cozy and efficient plus get more home improvement advice on today’s Money Pit! - Firewood: Fuel your fire right with facts for choosing great firewood. - Furnaces: Cut costs and stay warm by buying a new and more efficient furnace. - Container Gardens: Enjoy herbs and vegetables all year long with an indoor container garden.   Q & A: - Roofing: Insurance should cover damage from the leak in the seam of Steve’s flat roof, including fixing or replacing the ceiling, insulation, and roof, plus applying a mold inhibitor. - Woodwork: Paula needs to repair old woodwork throughout her home. It’s a lot of work to replace it all, so we suggest cleaning, priming, and painting the molding. - Heating: Virgil’s new energy-efficient furnace in his vacation home stopped work

SHOW NOTES: On today’s show, get festive with front door decorating tips that make a great first impression, learn how to properly clean and disinfect your home to keep germs at bay, and discover an innovative way to stop a running toilet from wasting water. Don’t miss these and other quick and impactful home improvement ideas as we answer questions from DIY callers! - Holiday Décor: Welcome guests to your home with door décor to sleigh the holiday season. - Cleaning: Wipe out germs with these cleaning tips for sanitary surfaces. - Running Toilet: This innovative toilet flapper flushes away water waste from a leaky toilet. Q & A: - Wallpaper Removal: Thomas needs advice for removing wallpaper. It’s a lot of work, but we’ve got tips for using a paper tiger tool, wallpaper paste remover, or a wallpaper steamer. - Caulk: Can caulk be applied in colder temperatures? Silicone caulk could work with no expansion issues, but it may not flow as freely and will be harder to level out. - Painting Paneling: Dena wants t

SHOW NOTES: On today’s episode, we’ll reveal the top 5 remodeling mistakes to avoid, share tips for choosing a safe and efficient space heater, and teach you how to spot a fresh Christmas tree. Plus, listen in for expert answers to more DIY home improvement questions from callers like you! - Remodeling: Avoid renovation regrets caused by these top 5 home remodeling mistakes. - Space Heaters: Warm up wisely by choosing a safe and efficient space heater. - Christmas Trees: Get tree-mendous tips for finding the freshest live Christmas tree.   Q & A: - Wood Stove Safety: Will a wood stove harm the electrical wiring behind it? Melina must install a heat shield and/or put the stove 3 feet from the wall to avoid a fire hazard. - Shower Remodel: Jim wants to replace his shower. We’ll discuss different budget options, from affordable and easy liners to a complete renovation with a shower kit. - Flooring: What kind of backer board should Steve use under the new floor tile? His subfloor is pretty solid, so a ¼-inch back

SHOW NOTES: In this episode, we’re simplifying window shopping with tips for reading energy labels, sharing a weekend-friendly solution for sleek granite-look countertops, and helping you safely deck the halls for the holidays. Tune in to The Money Pit to hear expert advice and answers to your DIY dilemmas! - New Windows: Window buying is made clear as glass with these tips for decoding window energy labels. - Stone Countertops: Give your countertops a sleek and stunning granite finish with an easy DIY kit. - Holiday Lighting: Twinkle without trouble by taking the right precautions for holiday lighting.   Q & A: - Wallpaper: Wallpaper seams keep curling up on one wall, but Nora can try using a seam repair adhesive product that gets good reviews. - Distressed Wood: Cliff is making picture frames and wants to make the barn wood look old. We’ve got tips for beating up the wood before staining the surface. - Deck Boards: There is no space between Cindy’s porch deck boards, making water pool and freeze. It’s easy

SHOW NOTES: Today, we’ll show you how to store leftover paint properly and put it to good use. If you’re planning to sell your home, find out what kitchen mistakes could scare off buyers. Plus, we’re breaking down whether extended warranties are worth the price. Tune in for DIY tips, tricks, and answers to your home improvement questions! - Warranties: Are extended warranties worthwhile or worthless? Find out when to buy and when to pass. - Leftover Paint: Get fresh looks from old cans with tips for storing and using leftover paint. - Home Selling: Don’t let these stale kitchen mistakes cook your home sale.   Q & A: - Countertops: Cheryl needs ideas for resurfacing plywood countertops. Laminate or tile may be the quickest, easiest, and most affordable options. - Flooring: Mike wants to replace the old kitchen vinyl floor with tile, but laminate flooring is a better choice that would take less room on top of the existing floor. - Leaking Roof: The corrugated metal roof keeps leaking. Cindy gets advice for addi

SHOW NOTES: In this show, learn how to safeguard your plumbing from a winter freeze. Then, find out how the EPA’s new tool can prove energy-saving payoffs. Plus, we’ve got easy solutions for tough-to-clean tile floors. Have a project in mind? Listen in for answers to all your home improvement questions! - Frozen Pipes: Freeze out frozen pipe disasters by protecting your plumbing this winter. - Saving Energy: Power up with a new EPA program that boosts your home energy saving IQ. - Floor Cleaning: Get expert grime-fighter tips for cleaning tough stains from tile floors.   Q & A: - Toilet Valves: Tom wants to change the shut-off valves on his toilets. We offer tips for trimming back the pipe for a clean cut before slipping on a new compression valve. - Cabinet Repair: Laurie’s kitchen cabinets got damaged when the floors were refinished. Remixing the paint and carefully touching up only the dinged areas will help. - Plumbing: The bathroom pipes started vibrating after the tub was replaced. Crystal learns that t

SHOW NOTES: In this show, we’ll help you assess your roof’s winter readiness, reveal the best and worst appliance brands, and show you how to expand attic storage safely. Plus, we’re here to help you tackle any home improvement challenge with confidence, so listen in for expert answers to all your questions! - Attic Space: Find storage room under the rafters by adding attic floor space. - Appliance Rankings: Consumer Reports’ appliance rankings reveal best buys and big regrets. - Roof Care: Learn whether you should repair, replace, or rejuvenate your roof in time for winter.   Q & A: - Foundation Drainage: Does Jill really need a double drainage system for the home she’s building? It’s a smart idea and we recommend having a good pitch and installing larger gutters. - Plumbing: The bathroom plumbing is new but the water comes out rusty. Randall should install a whole-house water filter on the main line. - Countertop: Is there a way to refinish a stained white marble countertop? Katherine can use a Daich Coatin

SHOW NOTES: Today, learn how to maintain your washer and dryer to prevent floods and fires, keep stink bugs out with some sweet tricks, and choose the perfect mattress upgrades for a sound sleep. Plus, we’re sharing tips to help you make your home improvement plans a reality, so join the conversation! - Stinkbugs: Stinkbug invasions really stink, but there are ways to banish the bugs. - Washers and Dryers: Prevent floods and fires with washer and dryer maintenance. - Mattress Shopping: Snooze, don’t lose, with tips for buying a new mattress.   Q & A: - Carpenter Bees: Carpenter bees are eating away at Norma’s wood patio. She gets tips for professional pest control treatment and for replacing wood with composite materials. - Siding Repair: How can Ron reattach vinyl siding that’s coming loose? It’s easy to do if he has the right tool to bend the edges so he can connect the adjoining pieces. - Insulation: David’s old insulation is falling from the attic rafters. He should maximize the insulation in the floor jo

SHOW NOTES: In today’s show, we’ll share solutions for keeping plants thriving during winter, offer expert advice to avoid holiday plumbing disasters, and reveal why fall is the ideal season to kick off a composting project. Plus, listen in as callers get answers to their DIY home improvement questions! Winter Plants: Enjoy winter greens with tips to keep indoor plants thriving in the cold season. Plumbing Problems: Get plumbing tips to avoid clogs and flush holiday woes away. Fall Composting: Learn why fall is a perfect time to start a composting pile.   Q & A: - Concrete Repairs: Which kind of mortar mix is best for fixing a concrete porch? Mindy has lots of questions about the best choices for various repairs using Quikrete products. - Bathroom Remodel: Jim is worried about water damage from a window in a remodeled bathroom. We suggest leaving the window and putting a waterproof curtain over it. - Cleaning Windows: Is there an easy way to clean your outside windows? Marie won’t find many DIY shortcuts, but

SHOW NOTES: In this episode, we share smart tips for slashing heating costs, maximizing tax benefits with end-of-year home improvements, and sealing drafts with an innovative spray foam product. Plus, hear practical advice for callers who have home improvement questions of their own! - Home Repairs and Taxes: Don’t overlook DIY deductions with these tax-saving home improvements. - Heating Bills: Lower your utility bills by addressing the three most common home heating mistakes. - Sealing Drafts: This DIY spray foam system makes it easy to seal gaps and stop drafts.   Q & A: - Bathroom Flooring: What kind of flooring is best for a kids’ bathroom? Michelle gets recommendations for flooring products that are durable, affordable, and easy to clean. - Water Filtration: John wants to improve the taste and quality of his water. We share info about a reverse osmosis filtration system that’s compact and efficient. - Plumbing: Kate gets step-by-step instructions for replacing a laundry room sink and cabinet, and when t

SHOW NOTES: This week, we’ll explain how to clean and restore a worn and stained driveway, help you winter-proof your home with a comprehensive checklist, and give advice on burglar-proofing your garage just in time for the holiday travel season. Tune in for these and other smart tips to protect and improve your home with answers to callers’ questions! - Prepping for Winter: Chill out and avoid winter woes with a winterization checklist for homeowners. - Driveway Restoration: Polish your approach by restoring a cracked or stained driveway. - Garage Security: Secure the weakest link by burglar-proofing your garage doors.   Q & A: - Smoke Problems: Lingering smoke is making the paint bubble and the house smell. JJ gets tips on how to clean, seal, prime, and paint smoky surfaces. - Remodeling: Wendy is buying a property that used to be a golf clubhouse. We discuss what to know about a commercial versus a residential property. - Siding Stains: Patricia’s mobile home siding is stained from gutter runoff. She can t

SHOW NOTES: Join us today to discover ways to keep your renovation costs in check, tips for heating your garage so it’s usable year-round, and must-know steps for winterizing your sprinkler system to avoid freezing mishaps. Tune in for expert advice on making your home winter-ready and functional on any budget! - Renovation Budget: Before your blueprints bust the budget, learn how to manage home renovation costs. - Garage Heating: Warm up your workspace with garage heating hacks. - Sprinkler Systems: Follow this chill-proof checklist for winterizing your sprinkler system.   Q & A: - Roofing Repairs: Terry finds out that her roofers were right when they replaced the flashing to fix her leaky chimney. - Deck Stain: The stain on Ted’s hardwood deck just won’t dry! This happens sometimes with new stain products, so he should wait some more before trying to remove it and reapply a different deck stain. - Glue Removal: Sylvia is stuck with old carpet glue! She should use a citrus adhesive remover to soften the glue

SHOW NOTES: In today’s show, we’ll walk you through pro tips for painting your home’s exterior, a quick solution for deck-building without digging concrete footings, and attic insulation advice for a more energy-efficient home. Tune in for these and other expert insights to make your next home improvement project a breeze! - Exterior Painting: Prep like a pro when planning your next exterior painting project. - Building a Deck: An easy pedestal support system cuts the hassle of digging deck footings. - Attic Insulation: How to know if you have enough attic insulation to keep your home warm and energy-efficient.   Q & A: - Kitchen Sink: Jim wants to insulate his kitchen sink to keep the water warm. We’ve got some ideas on how he can create a way to do it. - Worn Flooring: Dorothy’s engineered flooring is worn in spots. It’s not designed to be refinished, so she’ll need to replace it or install new flooring over it. - Insulation: Joe’s new home has spray foam insulation in the attic. We explain why he doesn’t h

SHOW NOTES: In today’s show, we’ve got you covered with pro tips on choosing the best contractor, updates on the latest smoke alarm standards, and a step-by-step guide to hassle-free closet organization. Listen in for all the tips, tricks, and tools to bring your home improvement goals to life! - Smoke Detectors: Sound the alarm and protect your home with safer smoke detectors. - Contractors: Nail it the first time by hiring the right professional for your home improvement project. - Closet Space: Less mess means less stress with closet organization that works.   Q & A: - Porch Surface: The stain is peeling on Linda’s porch. We recommend removing the loose paint and applying a Daich Coatings product that provides a beautiful, durable finish. - Door Removal: We’ve got tips for Brian on how to remove and replace a door without becoming unhinged. - Damaged Siding: Ivy looks attractive, but it damaged the cedar siding on Lauren’s home. She learns how to restore and repair the damage, plus what to install if she w