Episodios

  • #2536 – Turn Your Home into a Perfect Staycation Spot | Water-Saving Tips | Summer Home Maintenance
    Jul 17 2025
    SHOW NOTES: Hello, home improvement enthusiasts! We're so glad you're with us, especially as July is almost over and the year is just flying by. Life changes, but The Money Pit is here to be your constant guide through all your home improvement adventures. Coming up, we've got tips to keep your home thriving all summer long! - Staycation Tips: We share easy, affordable ways to turn your home into an ultimate staycation spot, from creating spa vibes in your bathroom to resort-worthy backyard spaces. - Saving Water: Water usage often spikes in the summer, so we’ll dive into irrigation checks, sump pump tests, searching out those slow leaks, and even some water-saving tips to keep everything in tip-top shape and save you some money. - Summer Home Maintenance: Now that we're halfway through summer, we've got your midsummer home maintenance checklist. These quick, proactive projects will help you avoid breakdowns, catch hidden issues, and keep your home running smoothly all season long without the panic of a mid-August surprise repair. Q & A: We're also going to hear from some of our listeners about their burning home improvement questions, including: - Darlene from West Virginia asked about putting a metal roof on her home. We advised that it's generally best to take the roof down to the sheathing for a durable, long-lasting investment like a metal roof, which can last 50+ years. - Jules called in about dealing with cracked plaster walls in an old home, wondering whether to rip it out or patch it. We discussed how to determine if the plaster is repairable or if it’s time to put in some drywall. - Sharon from Ohio has an issue with her furnace pulling sewer gas from her sump pump. This is likely due to a missing or dried-out P-trap in the drain line, which prevents sewer gases from entering the home. - Bill in Illinois had a question about cracks in his 28-year-old shower tub after a fall. While a fiberglass repair kit can offer a temporary, emergency fix, a more permanent and economical solution might be a bath fitter-type shower insert that covers the existing tub. - Buck from New England wrote in about adding vinyl siding to his summer home. We recommended he remove the old siding, add a new weather barrier like Tyvek paper, and then install the vinyl siding for a better look around windows and doors. Plus, we'll touch on other quick tips like how to maintain your fridge to keep it cool in the summer heat by vacuuming condenser coils and checking door seals. 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
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    45 m
  • #2535 – Cool Tips to Beat the Heat | Pool Pros & Cons | Vacation Safety | Smart Roofing | Grill Care
    Jul 14 2025
    SHOW NOTES: This hour, we'll tackle a variety of common homeowner issues and share valuable advice to keep your home comfortable, safe, and looking its best. Here are some of the main topics we covered, along with the specific home projects our callers are working on: - Cool Tips for Heat Wave Home Comfort: We share several strategies to help your home stay cool during a heat wave without escalating energy bills. - Backyard Pool Considerations: We weigh the pros and cons of installing a pool, noting that while pools offer entertainment and can add value in hot climates, they come with significant initial costs and ongoing maintenance expenses. - Home Safety While Traveling: We offer essential tips to keep your home safe while on vacation, emphasizing making it appear occupied. - Smart Roofing Upgrades for Cooling: We discuss how your roof impacts your home's temperature and energy bills, highlighting cool roof designs that reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat. - Grill Cleaning & Maintenance: We’ve got practical tips on cleaning and maintaining your grill to ensure better flavor, extend its lifespan, and provide a safer cooking experience. Q & A: - Allison from New York needs advice on humanely trapping a squirrel running between her drop ceiling and basement. - Gary calls about a stubborn barbecue grease stain on the deck that household soap couldn't remove. We suggest using a commercial deck cleaner or stain stripper. - Nancy from Arkansas asks for the best way to remove cobwebs and clean her mom's popcorn ceiling. - John from Missouri is puzzled why his pressure-treated wood is rotting within two years despite being sealed with a solid stain. - Judy from Minnesota observed moisture halfway down the paneling in her 40-year-old home, suspecting condensation and the need to reduce humidity. - Earl called about buckling vinyl siding, likely due to being installed too tightly. Doing so prevented proper expansion and contraction, or not enough “breathing room.” - Robin from New Jersey says her ceiling fan light comes on by itself at weird times. Flickering lights often indicate a loose wire or short circuit, and we recommend calling an electrician for investigation. 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
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    41 m
  • #2534 – Smart Attic Upgrades for Summer | Strategic Summer Landscaping | Eco-Friendly DIY Projects
    Jul 10 2025
    SHOW NOTES: This hour, we're focusing on eco-friendly home improvements and design tips to help your money pit and Mother Nature, especially as we've just experienced a significant heatwave across the US. We're exploring how to save some green while going green this summer, with easy, affordable projects that can shrink your energy bills, cut back on waste, and help the planet. Here’s a look at the topics and calls we’ll cover: - Attic Upgrades: Your attic can either work for you or against you in the summer. We're sharing smart attic upgrades to keep your home cooler, cut energy costs, and protect your home from summer's worst side effects. - Strategic Landscaping for Cooling: You can cool your home without touching the thermostat by letting nature do the work. We discuss how strategic landscaping, such as planting shade trees, can naturally reduce heat and energy bills while giving your yard a green upgrade. - Eco-Friendly Design and DIY Projects: We're all about eco-friendly home upgrades that benefit both the planet and your wallet. Q & A: - Mike from Alaska called in with a question about an upstairs window that leaks when it rains, noting drips from the soffits. We discussed potential causes, including backed-up gutters, failed sealant, or improper flashing. - Susan from California asked about options for her 38-year-old asphalt driveway that needs to be redone, but she doesn't want to resurface with blacktop. - Mark has a beautiful log cabin home that hasn't been stained in 8 years and is fading. We advise him on the process of cleaning the raw lumber, letting it dry, and then choosing a stain that includes UV protection. - Ed is dealing with a serious issue with his 1880s Victorian home's brick foundation, where the bottom layer of bricks is starting to bow out. For such a critical structural concern, we strongly recommend consulting a structural engineer to diagnose the problem. - Darlene from Texas has a flagstone patio with uneven stones and nothing between the cracks. - Carl from Massachusetts emailed us about a foul odor coming from his newly installed dishwasher. This is often due to bio-gas buildup, and we have tips on how to clean those trouble spots. 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
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    41 m
  • #2533 – Paint Color Tricks for Small Rooms | DIY Concrete Repairs with Quikrete | Great Grill Features
    Jul 7 2025
    SHOW NOTES: We’ve got a great show planned this hour, with great tips to help you achieve your design dreams and enjoy your money pit, both indoors and out! Coming up, join us for home improvement topics that include: - Making a Small Room Feel Bigger with simple paint color tricks to make your indoor spaces feel more inviting. - We celebrate 85 Years of QUIKRETE Innovation with Jeff Russell, who’s been with the company for more than 30 years, to help with DIY concrete repairs! - Getting Your Grill Ready for Summer and Designing Your Outdoor Kitchen with the right fuel types, must-have gas grill features, and design tips your guests will love. Q & A: Let’s turn your to-do list into a done list with answers to these and other home improvement questions from today’s callers: - Carolyn in Pennsylvania is dealing with a persistent musty odor from mold in her kitchen lazy Susan cabinet. - Jason in New Jersey is looking for an affordable countertop refinishing solution for his kitchen renovation that offers a durable coating. - Marie in Ontario, Canada, asked about the efficiency of using ceiling fans or her furnace fan versus the air conditioner as options for cooling her ranch house. - Kevin in Georgia struggles with a carpenter bee infestation around his screen porch and privacy fence, despite using various extermination methods. - Pat in Arkansas has a new heat pump that is not reducing humidity like she was hoping it would. - Caitlyn from New York asks what to look out for when repairing water damage in a home that was built in 1820. 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
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    41 m
  • #2532 – 5 Thrifty Ways to Style Your Space | Quick Summer Roof Check | Build a DIY Backyard Bench
    Jul 3 2025
    SHOW NOTES: This hour, we've given you permission to relax on your long holiday weekend, although it’s also totally cool to use the time to tackle some projects around your money pit! We’ll be covering some fantastic topics, including: - Five easy ways to upgrade your space on a budget, making your home feel fresh, stylish, and totally “you” without spending a bundle. - The importance of a quick summer roof check and how a simple treatment can help you avoid costly repairs and extend your roof's life by years. - An easy DIY project that adds style, seating, and serious summer vibes all in one weekend: how to build a backyard bench that's simple, budget-friendly, and totally custom. Q & A: And speaking of calls, we heard from quite a few of you with your pressing home improvement questions! Here’s a quick recap of who called in: - Robin in Missouri called about disgusting mold in her Jacuzzi tub's internal plumbing system and the fading finish of her previously restored tub. - Larry in Louisiana is dealing with a significant issue: a sinking addition on his pier house, causing a noticeable bow in his kitchen floor. - Taylor asked for advice on how to fix annoying swelling doors that stick! - Kevin from Wisconsin messaged us, seeking guidance on choosing between a metal roof and asphalt shingles for a new 1,700-square-foot home. - Reena in Massachusetts was undertaking a painting project after removing old vinyl wallpaper and asked for advice on preparing the walls and priming. - David in Texas has concerns about water leakage when replacing a sliding glass door on his patio. - Martha sent an email to ask how to remove paint from a brick fireplace. - Mark, via email, needed to ensure his plywood subfloor was flat before installing new engineered wood flooring. 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
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    41 m
  • #2531 – Low-Cost Way to Dump a Stump | Fiberglass Doors Add Curb Appeal | Stackable Stone Creations
    Jun 30 2025
    SHOW NOTES: You've tuned into "The Money Pit," your weekly guide to making your home sweet home the best it can be without turning it into a bottomless money pit! This week, we share helpful tips on: - Getting rid of those stubborn tree stumps without breaking the bank. - Boosting your home's curb appeal and efficiency with gorgeous Therma-Tru fiberglass doors that look just like wood, but without the upkeep. - Rocking your outdoor space with a new stackable stone to build great-looking patios and fire pits more easily than ever. Plus, tips on everything from cleaning your dishwasher to keeping your smoke detectors in tip-top shape, and even how to invite some high-speed sparkle to your yard with hummingbirds. Q & A: We also have our incredible callers who reached out to us with their home improvement questions! Here’s a quick rundown of who we heard from and what they're tackling: - Eleanor in Virginia has a question about dark, mold-like spots on her gray Trex decking that are difficult to remove with a power washer or bleach. - Tommy in Alaska is battling an "ice-cold water issue,” with super low cold water pressure at just one kitchen faucet in his duplex. - Pat called in with a painting question, wondering if it's possible to paint aluminum siding without it peeling, especially on the sunny south side of her home. - Anthony in Upstate New York is dealing with a chimney losing its stucco on his 80-year-old house. - Jeremy in Pennsylvania is contending with a leaky finished basement that’s causing moisture problems and a musty smell. - Beverly in Missouri has concerns about painting the cedar posts on her covered patio and whether it will cause them to rot. - Max is working on a decking project and wants to know the best floor joist spacing for installing Trex composite decking. - Carrie reached out by email to ask if she could use leftover indoor floor tile on her porch and sidewalk, and if it’s too slippery for outdoor use. 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
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    42 m
  • #2530 – Building Your Dream Deck | Best Alternative to Roof Replacement | Power Up for Summer Storms
    Jun 26 2025
    SHOW NOTES: Coming up this hour, we’ll have some terrific, timely discussions to help you with more indoor and outdoor projects as the season heats up! Join us as we delve into: - How to avoid costly mistakes when building the deck of your dreams. - An affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to costly asphalt roof replacement that can extend the life of your shingles with Roof Maxx. - Tips to help you keep the power on during summer storms and outages, including backup power sources and surge protection. - Quick and affordable ways to refresh your home's decor for the summer season, using breezy fabrics and fresh colors. Q & A: And we're taking your calls, hearing from listeners just like you about their home dilemmas! On the line, we've heard from: - Linda from Washington is asking about painting over dark Formica kitchen countertops. - Michael from Rhode Island is dealing with uneven heating and cooling in his split-level home. - Mary in Wisconsin wonders about the best flooring options for her basement concrete after removing old carpet. - Paul from Illinois faces roofing issues with old box gutters that are backing up and are difficult to clean due to the roof's height. - Katherine from Delaware inquires about building a homemade stone fire pit versus buying a metal one. - Victoria from Arkansas is having issues with small areas of shower grout falling out. - Greg from Louisiana needs advice on fixing a broken shut-off valve handle for his toilet. - Lisa sends an email seeking non-pesticide solutions for moles showing up in her vegetable garden. - Ken emails us to ask about the difference between replacement windows and other kinds of new windows. 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
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    41 m
  • #2529 – Diving into Pool Safety | Roof Rejuvenation Adds Life to Shingles | One-and-Done Drywall Repairs
    Jun 23 2025
    SHOW NOTES: Coming up this hour, we've got some incredible discussions to help you tackle those summer projects! We’re also taking your calls, hearing from listeners just like you about their home improvement dilemmas! Stayed tuned to learn about: - Pool Safety: If you've got a pool, you know safety is paramount, and we'll be breaking down the unique requirements for pool fencing to keep everyone safe this summer. - Roof Rejuvenation: We're joined by Mike Feazel from Roof Maxx to talk about an affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to costly roof replacements that can extend the life of your shingles. - Drywall Repairs: Those pesky wall cracks, nail pops, and splitting seams? We've got tips to make sure your drywall fixes are "one and done." - Pet-Friendly Decorating: Leslie's Last Word will help you design a beautiful, pet-friendly home that stands up to your well-meaning furry friends. Q & A: - Martha from Ohio is dealing with a leaky window due to improper installation and a saturated flower bed. - Terry from Kansas seeks advice on the proper time and method to paint a stucco exterior after a previous peeling issue. - Katherine from Arizona is struggling with failed sod and exposed mesh netting on her lawn in a cold mountain climate. - Kim from Tennessee is looking for solutions to get rid of moles causing damage in her yard. - Albert from Massachusetts inquires about upgrading the minimal insulation in his 50-year-old home's attic. - Tim from New York wonders if he needs to put anything on the wall before installing a glass tile backsplash in his kitchen. 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
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    42 m