This Old House On The Money Pit

Show Notes: Above ground pools can be a fun addition to your backyard space. But the site of a 4-foot tall, 24-foot-wide bathtub in the middle of your entertaining space doesn’t always add to the outdoor décor! We share tips to make above ground pools an attractive and affordable addition to your backyard space. We love sitting around the fire pit on a cool summer evening. But if you don’t have a fire pit, building one is now as easy as stacking blocks. We’ll tell you about a system of modular rustic building blocks that can be assembled to create firepits, plants and more. Vinyl fencing has become more and more popular as an alternative to traditional wood fencing. But is it really worth the extra cost? We’ll walk you thought the pros and the cons of vinyl vs wood fences. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Retaining Walls: Tom, helps Alex figure out the easiest way to build a retaining wall by using interlocking blocks instead of wood. Replacement Windows: Elie wants to know the most e

Show Notes: Summer vacations can be fun and relaxing experience, but they can also be fun for burglars who love hitting vacant houses! We share a few tips to keep intruders away and make sure the home you come back to is exactly like you left it. Do you consider energy efficiency when buying appliances, like refrigerators or televisions? You might be surprised to learn that your homes biggest energy waster may live in the laundry room. It’s your dryer! We explain why and how to get the most out of this mission critical machine. Need to set a post for a fence or flagpole, but don’t want to go through the trouble of mixing and pour concrete to keep it in place?  We share a trick of the trade to do that in minutes! Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about: Smoke Odor: Reno’ing a home occupied by smokers? Yuck! We share how to get rid of smoke smells and help you breathe easy once again. Leaking Shower: Max has a leaking Carrara marble shower. Tom shares two options for repairing a shower le

Show Notes: We’ve got 3 low-cost kitchen renos you can get done for well under a thousand bucks to add style and convenience without draining your bank account! Creating an outdoor living space is a popular home improvement project. But what’s best for your home: a deck or a patio? We’ll walk you through the options. You don’t think too much about your roof until it leaks. Then its ALL you can think about. We’ll share tips to spot small problems before they become big ones. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Cedar may be rot resistant but its not rot proof. We help Beverly select the best stain for her cedar covered patio. Taking on home improvement project can lead to lots of surprises, but Nils discovered a huge snakeskin when taking on his, along with a whole host of insects. Tom offers tips to avoid infestations, and the best pesticides to use. Mercedes needs help dealing with roof leaks caused by nail holes that were mistaken made inside metal flashing. We share the best way to rep

Show Notes: Now is a great time to make sure your home’s cooling plan is set to deliver both comfort and energy efficiency. We share low-cost to no-cost cooling tips that will do just that. Between the splinters and the staining, a wood deck can take a fun out of summer weekends. We highlight a better option available at Lowes called a Trex Deck Kit which makes updating or replacing your deck with beautiful new composite decking a breeze. Do you need a new roof and want to save on air-conditioning costs? You can actually do both. We’ll tell you about some very cool roofing technology that can help keep you comfortable and save you money. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Brick foundation walls have lasted over a century but mortar repair and repointing is needed to cover the next 100 years! Tom shares the best recipe to mix your own mortar from cement, sand and lime. Jenny says she needs a floor finish that can stand up to three dogs and a man! We walk her through how to refinish a floor

SHOW NOTES: Taking on a paint project this summer? We’ve got six things to remember before you pick up the paintbrush. Concrete is one of the most durable building products ever invented but even concrete needs repair to fix cracks or worn surfaces. We share easy fixes to make without replacing the original concrete. Is your outdoor furniture looking like it’s at the end of its days? Painting can bring it back to life. We’ll share tips on the easiest way to get that done. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Barbara from South Dakota has loose tile flooring in her recently renovated bathroom. Howard in Texas wants to know how to fix a retaining wall that is starting to lean. Judy from Minnesota want help getting rid of moisture in her below grade space. Michael in Tennessee wants to know if he can use a foam spray to support a fiberglass showers stall. Alison from New York needs a humane way to get rid of squirrels in her yard. Craig in Rhode Island wants to replace a shut off valve but

SHOW NOTES: Are you getting ready to take a vacation this summer? From burglars to break downs, we’ve got tips to help take care of your house while your away! If your lawn is full of weeds, don’t just pull them before you pay attention to what’s causing the problem. We’ll share how to “read” your weeds just ahead. As we move into the “dog days” of summer, we’ve got tips to help keep your AC chugging along through the hottest days of summer. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Helen in Arizona is having an issue with bubbling paint on her wall. Mike from Arkansas has a leaky upstairs window when it rains and thinks it’s due to the soffit. Debbie in Ontario needs to know how to fill cracks on a cement patio. Randy from Texas has a deck that has wood that is starting to shrink due to moisture. Susan in California wants to know if she has to resurface her driveway or just replace it entirely. Ken from Texas want to know if he should add a ductless air conditioning system to his home. Sha

SHOW NOTES: The summer season with its intense heat can be really rough on your roof. We share a way to protect, restore flexibility and extend your roof life by 5 years. Hurricane season is here and researchers predict 19 big storms! We’ll help you make sure your house is ready. Having trouble with allergies? It’s important you have a filter that can truly catch the dust, dirt and pollen that makes its way onto your lungs! We’ll share a new type of HVAC filter that is so effective, it’ll last for an entire year. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Catherine from Arizona needs help laying new sod and making sure is survives the super-hot climate. Steve in Tennessee is running out of hot water! We help nail down why his electric water heater may be failing after only 5 years. Angelo from Florida wants to know how to prep fiberglass window shutters that have faded for a new paint job.  Mary in Alaska has is considering going to tankless water heater and wants to learn more about them. Do

SHOW NOTES: If you’ve ever taken on a tiling project, you may know that it’s messy and can take DAYS to wait for the adhesive to set, before you can grout. We’ll show you a trick of the trade to install tile that’s a lot less messy and far faster. Do you think the best way to save time and energy cutting the grass is to set the mower as low as possible so you won’t have to mow that often? Well, you might be surprised to find out that can actually end up being MORE work in the long run! Find out why and what length to cut the lawn in Spring, Summer and Fall (and yes, it changes for each season!) If you’d love build a firepit, patio or outdoor kitchen, we show you really easy ways to get those projects done by stacking precast, concrete blocks.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Cheryl in Virginia has a concrete porch that is starting to come apart and wants to know the easiest way to repair. We’ve got a great solution for Dan from Tennessee who is having carpenter bees eat his way through

SHOW NOTES: Staining a wood deck is a popular summer project. We share how to get that project done in a weekend, plus we review new high efficiency airless paint sprayers that can cut project time by as much as a third.  Summer marks the riskiest time of year for pool drownings, the leading cause of death to young children! We share a pool safety approach called layers of protection, the best way to backup parental supervision and keep kids safe. Now that the AC season is in full swing, have you thought about changing your air filter? If you have a forced air system, that filter plays an important role in keeping your cooling system operational. We’ll explain why and highlight a new type of filter that can keep your system clean for a full year. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Pam from Missouri wants to install an automatic sensor onto her dimmer light. Dan wants to know how to deflect heat from his tin roof. Heather in Texas needs help getting rid of black mold in her bathroom. Max

SHOW NOTES: Are you a do-it-yourselfer but need a better do-it-yourself workspace? We show you how to create a productive and efficient garage workspace to handle projects big and small. If your AC is going to go on the fritz… it’s going to happen on the hottest day of the year. We review the top reasons AC systems decide to quit and what you can do to restore the cool. Replacing your front door is a project that can increase both your home’s value and its curb appeal. Find out how best to get that project done. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Anthony in New York wants to know how to repair a chimney that is losing its stucco. Mia from Iowa is looking for the best way to remove glued outdoor carpeting from her deck. Kevin in Georgia needs help getting rid of carpenter bees that are destroying his screened-in porch. Sally wants know if there is a fix for double pane windows that are fogging up between the panes. John from Maryland is looking for a side venting gas water to reduce th

SHOW NOTES: You may be ready for summer, but is your outdoor living space ready, too? We’ve got a pre-summer checklist to make sure your house is good to go for the season ahead! Heavy spring rains can find their way through your roof. That’s why now is the perfect time for a roof inspection. We’ll share how to do just that, without climbing a ladder! And now that we have windows open more often, are you noticing that yours are not easy to GET open and closed? It could be a sign that they weren’t installed right. We explain the fix. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Shirley from Nebraska hard water has caused her to replace her water heater four times in twenty eight years and wants to know what the solution is. Jason has noisy plumbing that only happens in his master bathroom tub. Shirley in Oregon has some concerns about fire safety with solar panels on her roof. Mike from Wisconsin wants to know how to restore a field stone foundation. Carol in Arkansas has a commode that isn’t dr

SHOW NOTES: Skylights let in lots of light but some let in leaks leak more than others. We’ll tell which ones leak the most and share a tip the easiest way to add a skylight to your home in just 2-hours or less. If you’ve got any furry family members, it’s smart to think about which flooring types might hold up best in the face of scratchy paws, accidents and excessive shedding! We review the best options. They say good fences make good neighbors but how exactly do you build a good fence? We’ve got the solution for fences that stand the test of time. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Holly from Kansas has a banging noise coming from her new washing machine. Bill in Florida needs some tips on removing cigarette smell from a house. Nancy from Michigan needs the recipe for deck cleaning soap. Michael in Florida has a pool deck that is starting to crack. Daniel form California is concerned about using the proper sealer on his new travertine flooring. Pat in Hawaii is curious about prepp

SHOW NOTES: According to the new survey, over 60% of homebuyers experience "Buyer’s Remorse" after the sale! We'll share the most common regrets and how to avoid them.  If your roof is more than 10 or 15 years old, you might be thinking that it’ll need replacement soon. Maybe not, we’ll share a new product that can add 5 years of life to your roof with a single treatment. Also ahead, buying green is all the rage today but did you ever wonder what makes a product truly green? There are actually a lot of factors and just as many false claims of “greenness.” We will help sort the ones that count. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Mary in Massachusetts is wonder if she can close her ridge vent. Mathew from Texas has an issue with his sink flange. Debra in Pennsylvania wants to know why she needs to replace her rubber flashing? Tim from New York wants an easier fix to repair sink cracks. Donna needs help cleaning showers. Vincent in Delaware is concerned about the cracking in his home.

SHOW NOTES: This is a great time of year to give wood decks, trim or fencing a spruce up. We’ll give you tips on how to pick the perfect stain or brightener to have it fixed up for the season ahead. When kids hit the playground, safety is the last thing on their minds – but it really needs to be the first thing on our minds when we are creating these spaces. We’ve got guidelines to help. Do you have areas around your house that are just ridiculously difficult to clean? We share tips for cleaning some of the most difficult spaces. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Luke from Illinois wants to know if he can put a metal roof on top of shingles. Sabrina in Washington has newly poured grout that is already cracking. Mark from South Carolina wants to know the pros and cons of close cell vs. open cell insulation. Clyde from Missouri wants to know if an electric tankless water heater exist? Elvis in Texas needs help replacing Kitec plumbing. Donna from North Carolina needs to fix squeaky

SHOW NOTES: Have you been sneezing a lot lately? The allergy season is in full bloom and may last longer than usual. We share the best filters to keep allergens away. We love to celebrate the DIY spirit but as your DIY coaches we want to make sure you’re always careful when taking on those projects! Find out about a new study that details which home improving tools cause the most injuries - and here’s a hint - they’re NOT power tools! Are you ready to take on a big painting project this holiday weekend, like maybe painting the entire exterior of your house? As challenging as that may sound, its actually totally doable. We’ll share tips on tools that make the job a lot easier. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Sherlynn From Delaware has a leaky water pipe for her pool pipe. Sam in Louisiana is concerned about knob and tube wiring and how it might affect his insulation. Ella from Arkansas wants to know if putting new roofing layer over mold will have an affect on her allergies. Barb in I

SHOW NOTES: If you’d love to have a backyard swimming spot, we share a cool option over traditional chlorine pools; natural in-ground pools that are pond-like, gorgeous and earth-friendly options.  Looking for a new floor that’s beautiful, durable and totally waterproof? We found it! It’s called Duravana and made using stone hybrid technology. We’ll share more about this affordable new flooring technology. Memorial Day Weekend is here. And along with barbecues and pool openings, we honor the service and sacrifices of our troops. That’s why now is a good time to display your patriotism by flying the flag. We’ll share tips, including how to attach flagpole brackets to a wide variety of siding materials.   Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Roy wants to know the best way to put in a walkway for his yard and if it’s a DIY project? Michelle in Alabama is having a mold issue just above her baseboard. Sage from New York is having a minute long delay for his outside faucet to turn on. Selena in

SHOW NOTES: Building an outdoor kitchen may be on your “someday” list. But someday could be today thanks to a new type of very affordable modular brick. Find out how building a complete outdoor kitchen could be as easy as stacking blocks. It’s always nice to hear the sounds of birds around your home - unless it’s he sound of a bird crashing into your window! Bird strikes are surprisingly common. We’ll share tips on how to protect your feathered friends. If your Spring Cleaning includes power washing stained concrete surfaces, we’ll share a sealer you can use to protect against a wide variety of stains and more. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Mike in Vermont needs advice to deal with his deck stain that is starting to peel. Dana has picture windows where the glazing is starting to come undone. John from Virginia wants to know what he can do to hide the rust on his standing seam metal roof. Joan in Montana is looking to make an enclosed addition to her home and wants tips for building

SHOW NOTES: Want to enjoy a relaxing afternoon in your backyard but keep OUT of the public eye? Tom and Leslie share the best ways to plant privacy screens as a natural option over fencing. Building a new deck is a great way to start really enjoying your outdoor spaces, but what exactly is the right TYPE of wood to use? We walk you through the four most common options to help you chose the best decking at a great price. By the time most of us spot a roof leak, the water is usually dripping through a ceiling somewhere. But roof leaks actually start forming a LOT earlier than that. Find out how to catch leaks-in-the-making. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Justina needs help identifying whether she has carpenter ants or termites. Paul from Hawaii needs help getting rid of a strong mildew smell under a granite countertop sink. Eloise in North Carolina has a problem with squirrels eating away on her home. Ken from North Dakota needs advice on how to choose the best attic vents for his hou

SHOW NOTES: Butterflies are one of the best parts of spring and summer and attracting them to your means you’ll have an army of pollinators working hard in your garden. We share the top 5 flowers that will encourage them to make your home, their home. Are you ready to take on a big paint project this Spring like a deck, a fence or even the entire exterior of your house? It’s become a lot easier to do. We walk you through new high-efficiency airless paint sprayers.  Right about now we are in the middle of the Spring flooring season, a time when new products, patterns and colors emerge and establish trends for years to come. We'll share insight on what’s new, what’s next and what’s trending in flooring for the season. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Alan from Tennessee has a cracked driveway he needs to patch. Jane in Washington DC needs a eco-friendly, non-toxic rug. Tonya from North Carolina has a door sill and jamb that is starting to rot. Kirk in California wants to know how to pr

SHOW NOTES: Outdoor kitchens have never been more popular -- but cooking and dining outside require special recipes of their own. We’ll have tips for easiest way to build an amazing outdoor kitchen. Spring storms can turn everyday objects into projectiles that can-do serious damage to your home. Learn how a DIY inspection that can help you spot small repairs before they grow into big problems. Did you know that slips and falls cause more than 1 million visits to the emergency room each year? We’ll share a super durable new anti-slip products that can make both indoor and outdoor surfaces safer and more attractive. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions: Kelly from Texas wants to know how to properly vent his attic. Dawn in Florida is curious how to retexture her ceiling. Charles from Ohio needs durable landscaping that can handle his dogs. Cynthia in New York wants to know what the correct price should be for waterproofing. Olen from North Carolina is wondering if PEX or ONIX piping is bett