This Old House On The Money Pit

SHOW NOTES: In this episode, get tips for a warmer, healthier home by spotting and stopping mold, using a spray foam product to seal drafts and save on heating, and choosing the right window coverings to keep cozy. Got questions? We’ve got all your home improvement answers! - Window Coverings: Stay toasty with the right window coverings for winter warmth. - Mold Prevention: Fight the fungus with 10 tips for spotting and stopping mold in your home. - Sealing Drafts: Seal drafts and cut heating bills with an easy and effective DIY spray foam product.   Q & A: - Flower Bed: Michelle wonders if her flower bed will affect her foundation. She should slope the grade away from the house and avoid edging that will impede drainage. - Plumbing: After turning the water back on, Doug has lots of sediment in the plumbing. He should remove and clean out the faucet aerators, then empty and wipe out the toilet tank. - Concrete Repair: Susan’s concrete curb is cracking and sloping down. She has options for products to easily f

SHOW NOTES: Today, as temperatures cool, learn the importance of servicing your heating system and having your chimney cleaned. You’ll also hear an easy way to stop leaky toilet flushes, plus lots of expert advice for DIY homeowners just like you to get projects done the right way! - Chimney Cleaning: Soot happens, but cleaning your chimney will keep your home safe and smoke-free. - Heating System: Avoid winter woes by having your heating system professionally serviced. - Leaky Toilets: Flush out the problem with this innovative fix for a leaky toilet flush valve.   Q & A: - Soundproofing: Noisy neighbors can be heard through a duplex wall. Donna can muffle the sound by adding a second layer of drywall or a noise-proofing compound. - Pool Water: Mac’s pool is green when he uncovers it each spring. Leaving the filter running while it’s covered may strain the equipment, so he should use chemicals to shock the water. - Concrete Repair: Seeping water has cracked a corner of Audrey’s concrete porch. It’s a common

SHOW NOTES: In this show, learn how to install gutter guards yourself and avoid costly pro services, hear expert advice on key homeowner knowledge, and get inspired with ideas for an affordable countertop upgrade in just one weekend. Tune in for tips, tricks, and products that make homeownership a breeze! - Gutter Guards: Installing gutter guards is easy and affordable with step-by-step DIY tips. - Home Maintenance: Find out 5 essential things to know about home maintenance. - Marble Countertops: Countertops get a new look in a weekend with a kit that makes marble dreams come true.   Q & A: - Pests: Fruit flies are invading Lorna’s kitchen. She can seal the drain with tape to see if that’s where they’re coming from and if so, pour oxygenated bleach down the drain. - Insulation: Should Michael install closed-cell or open-cell spray foam insulation? Spray foam is a great choice, and closed-cell works better in a moist environment. - Flooring: What kind of flooring is best for a beach house? Loretta’s options in

SHOW NOTES: Today, discover how to protect your pipes during the busy holiday season, get expert advice on choosing the perfect paint sheen for your project, and learn how to quickly upgrade your outdoor space with custom stone features. Plus, we’re answering your questions on all things home improvement, from minor fixes to major makeovers! - Plumbing: Don’t make these common mistakes during the holiday plumbing disaster season. - Paint: Besides picking the perfect paint color, you need to choose the right sheen that shines. - Stone Features: Customize your outdoor space with easy DIY building block kits.   Q & A: - Lighting: Donna can’t get the lights over her kitchen island to hang straight. She’ll need to readjust the rods that go into the junction box in the ceiling. - Safe Installation: Richard wants to install a safe in the concrete foundation floor. Bolting the safe to the concrete instead avoids the risk of any electrical or plumbing damage. - Vent Fan: There is no vent fan in the bathroom, mold on t

SHOW NOTES: Today, we dive into hidden storm damage that may threaten your home and share eight reasons why keeping your gutters clean is crucial. For weekend warriors, we’ve got quick home improvement projects you can complete in a couple of days. Plus, hear expert answers to callers’ DIY dilemmas. - Storm Damage: After the skies clear, get tips for finding storm damage to your home, both visible and hidden. - Gutter Cleaning: Learn 8 essential reasons to put gutter cleaning on your to-do list. - Weekend Projects: Spruce up your space with quick DIY projects that can be done in a weekend.   Q & A: - Concrete: Peggy’s concrete slab porch is contacting the vinyl siding. She should remove the bottom siding and install rubberized flashing. - Attic Ventilation: Dale wants to ensure adequate ventilation in the attic. He has ridge vents but needs soffit vents to make the attic the same as the outside temperature. - Refinishing Door: Mary’s walnut front doors are peeling from the sun. It will take some time to strip

SHOW NOTES: On today’s show, we’re drying out damp basements with solutions for moisture problems. We’ll also share advice on choosing the best pressure washer. Plus, find out how to get all your DIY supplies in one place and save big! We’ll also answer calls on DIY projects, both big and small, so listen in! - Wet Basements: Manage moisture with 3 key strategies to prevent wet basements before they start. - Pressure Washers: Spray smart with tips for buying the best pressure washer. - DIY Shopping: Nail your next project with this one-stop source for all your DIY supplies.   Q & A: - Outdoor Furniture: The paint on Revella’s outdoor furniture is chipping and fading. We recommend cleaning with a wire brush, sanding the surface, and applying a quality outdoor paint. - Backup Heat: What is the safest source of heat if the power goes out? Mike should get a standby generator that can power the whole house or a portion of it. - Bathroom Grout: Does Janiese need to seal epoxy grout around the bathroom tiles? Only s

SHOW NOTES: Today, we’re talking about carbon monoxide safety tips for the heating season, how to track down a reliable contractor, and prepping your windows for winter. We’re also giving expert advice to DIY callers seeking home improvement success! - Window Care: Winter-proof your windows with these simple tips for cleaning, storing, and sealing. - Hiring Contractors: Get your next project done right by choosing the best contractor for the job. - Carbon Monoxide: Learn how to detect and protect against the silent threat of carbon monoxide poisoning in your home.   Q & A: - Bathroom Tile: Dawn is retiling her bathroom and gets tips for installing a shower pan and tiling around it to keep water from running out of the shower. - Water Pressure: Sam has low water pressure in just one bathtub. The problem may be clogged steel pipes, a valve issue, or a bad faucet. - Deck Finish: Half of Teresa’s wood deck is new pretreated lumber and the other half is painted. She needs to scrape off the old paint before stainin

SHOW NOTES: Today, we’re talking about mold vs. mildew and why knowing the difference matters. We’ll also cover an invasive plant that’s threatening property values. Plus, discover how spray foam can help you seal gaps and save on heating costs like never before. Listen in for all this and more expert advice for all your home improvement questions! - Mold vs. Mildew: Is it mold or mildew? Get key clues to know the difference and keep your home safe. - Invasive Plants: This invasive plant species is causing serious problems for homes and properties across the U.S. - Spray Foam: A DIY spray foam kit offers an effective solution for sealing drafty gaps and saving energy.   Q & A: - Cleaning: Can you clean grease stains from a garage floor? We advise Kathy to clean the floor with a TSP paste, then apply an epoxy paint finish that’s durable and easy to maintain. - Heating: Can Nathan use a wood-fired stove for in-floor heating? It can be done but will require more work to maintain, so an oil-fired boiler may be a

SHOW NOTES: This week, we’ll show you how to build the outdoor kitchen of your dreams with simple modular blocks, reveal insider secrets to picking paint colors like a pro, and tackle the challenge of transforming rooms that feel beyond repair. Plus, get answers to home improvement questions to make your next DIY home improvement project a success! Painting: New hue? Make your project pop with pro tips for choosing the right paint colors. Outdoor Kitchens: Stack and sizzle by building an outdoor kitchen with DIY modular blocks. Saving Space: Take space-saving steps to make hopeless rooms salvageable.   Q & A: Adding Bathroom: Where is the best place to add a second bathroom? Keri would get more ROI with a bathroom on the second floor instead of the basement. Basement Water: Randall’s basement got flooded and still gets damp. He gets advice about having vents in the crawlspace and improving drainage outside the house. Worms: Lillian is bothered by all the worms that keep getting into the indoor patio after it

SHOW NOTES: In this home improvement episode, get bright ideas for kitchen lighting, learn how to stop energy loss with efficient insulation, and find ways to reduce pet odors in your home. Plus, hear expert answers to lots more DIY questions to create your best home ever! - Kitchen Lighting: Brighten up your cooking and dining with attractive and efficient kitchen lighting. - Insulation: Stop wasting energy by choosing the right insulation for your home. - Pet Odors: Enjoy tail-wagging snuggles that pass that sniff test with 7 tips for reducing pet odors.   Q & A: - Deck Stain: The stain on Bella’s deck is already chipping off, probably because the surface was still damp. We suggest scraping off the loose spots and touching up those areas. - Foundation: Randy’s house foundation was jacked up and he’s not sure what should be sealed. He gets tips for reducing moisture in the crawlspace and basement. - Crack Moisture: Oily moisture is oozing through hairline cracks in a Terrazzo floor. Judith gets advice for dr

SHOW NOTES: In this show, get a grip on DIY projects with the right tape for every need, learn how to choose between building a deck or a patio, and enjoy clean, great-tasting water with an easy filtration system. Plus, hear answers to other home improvement questions from callers like you! - Tape: When you need sticky solutions, this is where to get the right tape for every DIY project. - Deck vs. Patio: Use these tips to decide whether a wood deck or a brick patio is right for your outdoor living space. - Clean Water: Get clean, great-tasting water with an easy and compact water filtration system.   Q & A: - Heated Floor: Jeanette has questions about the ease and expense of a DIY radiant heated floor. We suggest having it professionally installed and give tips on cutting costs. - Fence: Ron wants to replace the wire fence to keep out wildlife. A chain-link metal fence would be the strongest option. - Electrical: After changing her mind about basement lighting, Katherine needs to disconnect the live wiring a

SHOW NOTES: Should you DIY or hire a pro? In this show, we’ll guide you through the decision-making process. Plus, with winter on the way, we’ve got top tips for sealing those sneaky drafts. And if you’re looking to add a granite finish to your floors or walls, we’ll show you how. Got a home reno or décor question? Listen in for expert advice! - Hiring a Pro: Should you DIY or hire a professional for your home improvement project? How to decide. - Drafts: Stop the breeze and save on energy bills by tracking down and sealing off chilly drafts. - Granite: This durable granite coating gives the beauty and strength of natural stone to any surface.   Q & A: - Odors: When the attic fan turns on, why does the house smell like sewage? Shelby needs to add ventilation to the attic to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide being pulled through the house. - Cleaning Cement: Will scrubbing with a vinegar solution clean sidewalk stains? Julian may need to use a pressure washer and more effective cleaning products. - Driveway Re

SHOW NOTES: - Hot Water: Skip the wait and get hot water on demand with a hot water recirculating pump. - Insulation: New innovations in insulation lower energy costs while keeping your home comfortable all year long. - Flooring: Get the look of wood in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements with flooring engineered for damp locations.   Q & A: - Insulation: Can Kathy prevent trapped moisture in the attic by adding insulation? What she really needs is more ventilation unless she decides to use spray foam insulation. - Metal Roof: Dan’s porch tin roof gets very hot in summer. Applying a radiant coating designed for metal roofs will reflect the sun’s UV rays and reduce the heat. - Contractor Dispute: A bad contractor trashed Beth’s home and walked off the job with all the materials. We recommend consulting an attorney and filing criminal charges for theft. - Exterior Stairs: Matt wants to build DIY landscaping stairs. It’s a big project, and he gets tips for using concrete masonry units, pressure-treated wood,

SHOW NOTES: Today, we discuss patio heaters to help you extend your outdoor season and address whether squeaky floors are a sign of a bigger issue, along with tips for fixing them. We also share energy-saving strategies for your water heater to cut down energy bills. Listen as we answer these and other home improvement questions! - Squeaky Floors: Follow these steps to find solutions for squeaky floors. - Patio Heaters: Extend your outdoor living season with patio heater options for year-round comfort. - Water Heaters: Soak up the savings with these water heater efficiency tips.   Q & A: - Cleaning Cabinets: Dan is trying to clean the grease off cabinets above the stove and microwave. We’ve got tips on how to use Murphy’s Oil Soap to clean the cabinets. - Water Quality: Linda sees black particles in the water from her toilet and sink. We suggest cleaning the aerators on the faucet and installing a whole-house water filter. - Pine Flooring: Daniel is installing pine flooring on his porch. We agree with his ide

SHOW NOTES: This week, we weigh the pros and cons of rooftop solar panels and share a simple recipe for homemade spray dish soap. Then, transform your backyard with a DIY fire pit that’s made easy with Pavestone building blocks. Plus, get expert answers to more home improvement questions for your next project! - Solar Panels: Sunny savings or sunken costs? Learn the truth about the ROI of rooftop solar panels. - Natural Cleaner: Clean up the savings with a natural dish soap recipe for bubbles on a budget. - DIY Fire Pit: Rock your yard with a DIY fire pit using simple stone building blocks.   Q & A: - Concrete Slab: Should Lee reinforce a poured concrete slab with rebar? It can’t hurt, but may not be needed if the soil base is prepped right with a mechanical tamper. - Cement Floor: Linda wants to refinish a cement floor in an industrial area. She’ll need to scrape off any existing paint and then apply epoxy paint to seal the surface. - HVAC: The second floor is always either too hot or too cold. Most heat los

SHOW NOTES: In this episode, we reveal simple tricks to keep pesky crickets out of your house and how to decide if a new furnace is worth the investment. We also introduce an innovative product that makes fixing leaky toilets even easier, and answer home improvement questions to make your other DIY projects easier, too! - Crickets: Stop the chirp with these tips for cricket control inside and outside your home. - Heating Systems: Turn up the heat on savings with the right upgrade to your heating system. - Leaky Toilet: An innovative product will have you flushed with success when it comes to repairing leaky toilet valves.   Q & A: - Wax Stains: Sandy spilled hot wax on the carpet and furniture, but learns a neat hack for using a hot iron and a brown paper bag to remove the wax stain. - Wall Tile: Does John need to replace the greenboard before retiling the bathroom walls? We recommend installing cement board instead, which will last indefinitely. - Security: Colin wants a secure vault door for the reinforced

SHOW NOTES: In this show, discover 10 low-dust home improvement projects, learn how to easily fix textured walls or ceilings, and find out how to eliminate sink odors with a simple hack. Plus, listen in as we offer expert answers to other home improvement questions from DIY callers! - Home Renovation: Get ideas for 10 wreck-less home renovations that don’t require demolition. - Textured Surfaces: Repair textured walls and ceilings easily and without the mess. - Sink Odors: Learn how to send stinky sink odors down the drain with this simple solution.   Q & A: - Refinishing Furniture: Sherry learns how to give an old wood dresser a new look by stripping off the paint and staining the surface. - Wood Flooring: What should Andrew use to refinish his oak floor after sanding it? We recommend applying three coats of a clear oil-based polyurethane to restore the shine. - Building a Deck: Cheryl wants to build a deck over a concrete slab, but that’s not a good foundation. She should break up the concrete and install p

SHOW NOTES: Today, get advice on selecting the perfect paint colors, when to call in the pros for hardwood floor refinishing, and how to detox your mattress for a healthier sleep. Plus, we’re here to answer home improvement questions with helpful tips to help you tackle your projects like a pro! - Mattress Care: Get tips on detoxing your mattress to avoid sleeping on a bed of bacteria. - Paint Colors: Color your world by picking the right paint color for every project. - Hardwood Floors: Know when to step aside and let a professional refinish your hardwood floors.   Q & A: - Toilet Leak: Fred’s toilet won’t stop leaking, even after many attempts to fix it. The gasket may not have been replaced correctly, so we suggest using silicone to seal each connection. - Painting Brick: Mary wants to paint her brick fireplace, but she may want to think twice and decorate around the brick instead, because painting brick can be a challenge. - Replacing Grout: The grout is crumbling in Steve’s bluestone stoop. He gets step-

SHOW NOTES: In this show, we’ll offer tips for a successful home addition, reveal a surprisingly easy method to build stone features like fire pits and garden beds, and discuss the benefits of upgrading your electric panel. Plus, we’ve got expert advice for callers with home improvement questions you’ll want to hear! - Electrical System: Find out 5 shocking reasons to stay current with an electrical panel upgrade. - Outdoor Masonry Ideas: Building outdoor features is as easy as stacking blocks with this innovative DIY system. - Home Additions: These are 3 things to consider when planning the right home addition.    Q & A: - Pest Control: Cody is looking for an affordable way to control scorpions and bugs. Natural products like boric acid, cedar oil, and lavender plants are possible options. - Roof and Attic Fan: Should Mary replace the attic fan with a new roof? We recommend using a ridge vent instead of an attic fan, but she can still use a whole-house fan. - Popping Nails: Nails keep popping through the she

SHOW NOTES: Today, we’ll give you four reasons to reconsider painting your exposed brick, and if you’re buying a new house, we reveal which builder upgrades are worth the investment and which ones you should DIY. Also, get advice on illuminating dark corners of your home. Plus, listen in for answers to home improvement questions for all kinds of DIY projects! - Painting Brick: Before painting your exposed brick, find out 4 solid reasons why you shouldn’t. - Home Upgrades: When building a new home, find out which upgrades make sense and when to DIY. - Lighting: Expert tips shed light on how to brighten a home for style and safety.   Q & A: - Light Switch: After installing new LED bulbs, Pammy’s light fixture doesn’t work at all. The problem is with her light switch, not the bulb. - Old Cabinets: What is the best way to strip and refinish old kitchen cabinets? Bob gets step-by-step instructions on how to clean, strip, and stain wood cabinets. - Damaged Floor: Lisa is feeling soft sunken spots under her carpet.