This Old House On The Money Pit

There’s a good chance there’s one room in your home that’s eating up your heat – and your heating budget, your garage. Stay tuned for tips on adding energy efficiency to this chilly space.  Whether you’re a young Mom with her hands full, or taking care of an aging parent, universally designed products make life so much easier and safer. We share why universal design works for all homes and all ages later on. Plus, have you checked your WINDOWS lately? Listen up for a checklist for you to make sure your windows are still as energy efficient as they were the day there were installed. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, installing a water softener, leveling a floor, eliminating fruit flies, insulating ducts, getting stains out of a cement garage floor. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you’ve ever stepped into the shower first thing in the morning and received a blast of icy cold water, you know it’s not best way to wake up! New technology in water heaters can prevent this by circulating hot water to bathrooms, BEFORE you need it! We’ll share how to stop this “shower shock” ounce and for all. Plus… If you’re tackling fall clean ups around the house -- getting rid of trash is easy, but getting rid of hazardous trash, not so much. We have tips on the easiest ways to purge your home and garage of things like old paint, pesticides and more just ahead. Fall is the perfect time to get your lawn ready for winter, and a bright green spring and summer next year. We’ll share a handy 4-step checklist to help you do just that. The most common laundry room disaster is a broken washer supply hose and it can cause thousands of gallons of water to flood your home! Learn one simple switch that can stop this from happening to you! Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, repairing a lea

Are the leaves beginning to pile up around your home, do you dread all the raking and leaf cleanup? We’ve got tips to speed up your leaf removal so you can get back to enjoying the beautiful weather. It’s fireplace season, which means getting your chimney cleaned is a job that’s needed. But unfortunately, it can also lead to chimney contractors offering false advice in the hopes of getting even more money out of your wallet. We’ll sort out the facts from all that SMOKE. If you’ve got a plan for keeping your family safe during extreme weather -- great! But have you thought about how you’ll keep your most important records safe when you may need them most? We’ll share tips on the most disaster proof strong boxes and safes. Would like to step up your bath before the holidays? You can WIN fixtures, faucets and more from Riverbend Home.com in our new “Beautiful Bath Sweepstakes!” We are giving away $3,500 in bath products from brands like American Standard, Grohe and DXV all available RiberbendHome.com. Enter o

If you’re a home improving weekend warrior, we’ve got tips on easy “all-in-one-weekend” home improvement projects that are so easy on your schedule you can fit them in after your Saturday morning coffee and still have enough time for a leisurely dinner Sunday! Plus… Fall is a great time to get your lawn, garden and landscape ready for winter and a quick comeback next spring. But to do that, you need great quality tools. We’ll introduce you to a line of cordless products -- including blowers, and even chain saws that are affordable and TRULY work just as well as gas-powered tools without the smells and hassles of maintaining them. If you want to give your walls a new look – we’ve got tips on wall coverings that can add interest and color to your décor. Tips on the best type of flooring for every room in the house. We announce a new way to win bathroom faucets and fixtures in the Riverbend Beautiful Bath Giveaway, and we’re giving away sets of sturdy bar clamps from Pony Jorgensen to help with all your home

Fall may not be the season for planting a new garden but it is definitely the season for planting new trees and bushes – and that’s a project we’re taking on here at The Money Pit to keep the deer away from the apparently very tasty bushes we have now. We share tips on why this is the best option for a deer-resistant landscape and how to make sure the job is a success. Plus… Do cracks in the walls on your home mean you’re headed toward an expensive repair? We’ll share how to know plus a hack to fix plaster cracks so they won’t open again. As the chilly drafts start to find their way to your home, did you know that one type of window coverings can actually help to “warm up” your windows? We’ll walk you through that toasty option. We’re really excited today to launch a new sweepstakes with the folks at RiverbendHome.com. It’s called the Riverbend Home Beautiful Bath Sweepstakes and we are giving away $3,500 in bath products from brands like American Standard and Grohe, all available Riverbend Home.  All thi

A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for the sale of your house. But using right colors can actually help sell your home faster! Tom & Leslie share the most profitable colors for Kitchen and Bath. Plus… Plus, a pressure washer can make short work of that last round of outdoor cleaning. We’ve got advice to consider when buying one. If you’re planning a home improvement project, discovering hidden costs mid-project can really ramp up the stress! We’ll share some of those money-drains and tell you how to prepare. The right lighting can really make a big difference in your bathroom. We share the best bathroom lighting choices for LED bulbs that make you look your best – even first thing in the morning! Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, replacing a hot water heater, cleaning shower grout, eliminating squeaks from wood floors. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Vi

Summer’s come to an end, but your fresh supply of veggies doesn’t have to. In this episode Tom & Leslie tips to how to turn your summer vegetable garden into a fall vegetable garden. Plus… Plus, as the temps go down the cost of heating your home goes up! We’ll share a few simple steps you can take around your home to reduce energy use and save money too! If you are ready for a healthy alternative to the cost and all the waste of bottled water– we’ll review water filters that can be installed in your homes plumbing system that’ll deliver great tasting water at a tiny fraction of the cost of buying bottled. Trying to fit your car in your garage? What a concept! Get handy tips for garage organization that can make it happen. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, hiring a private insurance adjustor, cleaning your washing machine, repairing a popcorn ceiling, how to choose gutters, dryer venting. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-39

From single sinks to limited square footage, smaller bathrooms often leave much to be desired. But you don’t have to make a bathroom bigger to make it better. Tom & Leslie share tips expand your bath without emptying your wallet. Plus… Do you ever feel like you spend as much time cleaning your kitchen as cooking in it? Well, we’ve got tips on how you can put all of that to rest by creating a low maintenance kitchen! With the chilly weather setting in, do you have an area in your house that just never seems to get warm? Space heaters may be a solution – IF they’re used safely. We’ll tell you how to shop for a space heater that can supplement your whole home heat and without driving up utility expense. If you are getting ready to rent an apartment, there are many things to consider outside of just the 4 walls. Find out what you need to know before you rent to make the best choice in where you live. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, applying epoxy floor in basement, converting to a wood

Did you know that Fall is the busiest season of the year for flooring projects? Well, it turns out that flooring is not being used for just floors anymore. Designers are using floor materials in some very unexpected and beautiful ways. Tom & Leslie have tips for this trending project. Plus… Pretty soon it’ll be time to take out your window screens for the season. Before that happens there’s one thing, you’ll need to do to make sure they last though winter storage and are good to go next spring. We’ll share that step, just ahead. Ceramic tiles are durable and easy to care for, but what happens if one breaks and you can’t find a replacement? We’ll share some fast fixups for tile projects. Are you saving half-filled cans of leftover paint from a project? We’ll share step by step tips for storing paintthat’ll make it last TWICE what the manufacturers say it should. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, installing a vapor barrier, choosing a kitchen sink, repairing pool steps, improving driv

Fall is the season to work on getting your lawn ready for next year but can doing so expose you to toxic chemicals? Tom & Leslie share a better path toward a healthy and green using non-toxic, easy to apply lawn care products. Plus… Fall is also a good time to get your driveway ready for winter. Get DIY tips to fix driveway cracks, patch holes and seal the surface for a fraction of the cost of hiring a pro. Is dust, pollen and other allergens making your life a sneezing, sniffling mess? Does it get worse when you start to seal your home up for the cold weather? Learn the ONE thing you can do to help reduce allergens. Are ready for some healthy home décor? We’ve got all-natural decorating ideas to bring the colors and smells of autumn into your home. Options for homes without gutters to stop erosion and flooding. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, installing windows in a garden shed, best siding options, removing tile grout, eliminating spiders, how to solve the problem of hot water t

With cooler weather ahead, now is a great time to get your chimney ready for a roaring fire. Tom and Leslie share tips and ideas to make sure your chimney is clean and safe for a season of toasty fires. Plus… Whether your old furnace is ready for replacement or you want a more efficient upgrade, a new furnace should never be an impulse buy.  But too many times, that’s exactly what does happen – especially if your furnace gives out in the middle of winter! We’ll have tips to help you make the smart choice when it comes to a new furnace. Garages are unique places to get organized because they are one of the only spot in your home where tools, toys and toxins, like pesticides, get stored side by side. We’ll share some tips for better garage organization. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, adding electric heating to a basement, best fencing options, refinishing kitchen cabinets. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post y

If your pancakes are salty and your meatloaf is sweet – you might not be lacking cooking skills but the right lighting in your kitchen! Tom & Leslie share tips for top task lighting. Plus… With U.S. home prices still rising, is buying a home that’s been foreclosed a good deal? We’ll share the pros and cons. If you’d like your home to be more energy efficient you first need to do is to stop wasting the energy you already have. Insulation is the key– IF it’s added to the right spaces. We’ll share key spaces where insulation does the most good. As weather turns cold, mice look for spaces inside your house to keep warm and fed! Learn how to stop mice from moving in for the winter. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, getting rid of mice, collecting rain water, repairing a cracked drywall ceiling, getting paint off a brick façade. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices.

New kitchens consistently deliver the best return on your remodeling investment. But how do actually you get started on planning such a major makeover? Tom & Leslie share tips to help you cook up a perfect plan! Plus…  Have you ever tried to fix a crack in a concrete step, or porch or sidewalk only to have it open right back up again? We’ll share some easy ways to make these repairs and make them last. Your stove’s exhaust vent hood is there for every cooking adventure, but it rarely gets any attention (except during a smoky kitchen incident!). Learn how simple it is to keep your vent hood in tip-top shape. Have you ever tried to clean a stain on your vinyl floor that seem impossible to get out? It may not be a stain at all! Tom & Leslie share why these mysterious and permanent discolorations occur and what options you have for dealing with them. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, refinishing outdoor rusted furniture, how to clean siding, hiring a home inspector before purchasing a ho

Squeaking floors are one of life’s little annoyances, but do they signal a structural problem below? Tom & Leslie have the answer plus step-by-squeaky-step tips to make them go away for good. Plus… You drink it, you cook with it, you bathe in it…but are you sure it’s safe? Tap water can be deceiving, because it looks and tastes harmless even when it’s not – which is why it’s a good idea to test it to find out – we’ll tell you how. Wood floors are beautiful but they’re not always the best choice in damp locations like bathrooms, laundry rooms, or basements.  We’ll have an overview of what will work. Low water pressure can lead to lousy showers. We walk you through the possible causes including some you can fix yourself. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, repairing plaster ceilings, replacing a bathroom vent fan, getting rid of spiders, best paint for a garage door, removing carpet from a concrete floor, installing a french drain. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call

DIY or Go Pro? If you want to tackle a project yourself, we’ll be the first ones to cheer you on. But how do you know when hiring a pro is the best way to go? We’ll tell you how to think it all through before you pick up a hammer. Plus… When it comes to home improvement, there are a lot of myths that cost DIYrs a lot of money. We’ll tackle 4 common MYTH-STAKES. Cold weather is not far off making now the perfect time to check out your insulation. We’ll tell you how much you really need. Butcher block counters are beautiful but are they safe? We’ll share secrets to finishing butcher block with risking E.coli and other harmful situations. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, hiring an architect for addition project, installing ice & water shield under roofing, realign doors, getting estimates for a painting project, best options for a covered patio roof. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn

Adding flooring to your attic can make it a perfect place for storage. But doing so the wrong way means that you could weaken your structure, squash your insulation, or find yourself with one foot planted firmly through the ceiling below! Tom & Leslie share tips on attic flooring that works well. Wouldn’t it be nice to have home experts available by phone or chat whenever you need them to walk you through a project? We tell you about a new subscription service that puts knowledgeable, impartial experts just a call or click away to give you the answers you need. With all the recent summer storms, did you need to have a tree or two taken down? What about the STUMP? We’ll share 4 easy options to make it disappear. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, removing vinyl tile, installing a new thermostat, foundation moisture, sealing drafts in your home. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more ab

Kitchens renos can be costly but updating dated, drab and dull cabinets doesn’t have to be. Tom and Leslie walk you through options to replaced, refaced or just refinish kitchen cabinets and save a ton of money! Plus, concrete is a pretty permanent building material but if yours looks pitted or cracked, we’ve got a great solution for resurfacing concrete that you can do yourself with amazing results. Now that we have reached September, it’s a good time to make sure your gutters are ready for the fall season ahead. We’ll walk you through the step by step and to make sure things keep flowing smoothly. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, repairing a leaky toilet, cleaning garage floor of grease, caulking windows, cleaning ceiling mold safely Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Having a hard time maintaining a lush green lawn in the heat of summer. Tom & Leslie share you need to know to make it past the brown and back to green. Are cooling costs driving up your electric bills? Get tips for low cost to no cost ways to keep you cool during these hottest days of the summer season. If you’d like your home to feel open and airy but don’t have the budget for a major remodel, we’ve got smart tips to help open up the space without emptying your bank account in the process. For all the cutting-edge design ideas out there, most of us still follow unwritten design rules. We’ve got ideas for shaking up status quo and making big design statements.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, painting a fireplace for the first time, striping kitchen cabinets, eliminating mold in a building with sheetrock, painting trim white, hiring a home inspector or engineer to find cause of cracking foundation. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-P

Now is a good time to plan end of season projects to set you up for the cooler months ahead. We’ve got 4 projects that will save you time, money and help avoid costly repairs when colder weather prevails. Plus, garages get a workout in the Fall and Winter, which is why now is a great time to fix up the garage floor. We’ll have tips on the best way to get this done using epoxy paint. Painting the exterior is a job that needs to get done every 5 to 10 years and if your house is ready for that project, we’ll share a few pro house painting tips help. Can you imagine a breezy summer evening in your backyard, fireflies dancing around, and you’re watching your favorite movie? You can, by building your own backyard movie screen! We’ll tell you how! Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, siding installation, replacing a picture window, repair basement walls to eliminate water coming in, Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post you

If you've been enjoying a garden harvest this summer and would like to extend the goodness of all year long, preserving your fresh veggies is the way to do it. We'll walk you through 3 options for preserving your harvest! Plus... It’s a great time of year for outdoor projects and if you want to step up your space, we’ve got tips on the easiest and most affordable way to create grill surrounds, fire pits, benches and more by simply stacking blocks. Sidewalks can get slippery, but not if you treat those sidewalks with a simple coating. Tips on a concrete treatment that protects you and loved ones from falls, coming up. Temperatures are nice now, but in a few months, you’ll want nothing less than to have to bundle up, head outdoors and deal with a home improvement problem in the dead of winter. We’ve got a few easy fix-ups you can take on now that can potentially save you a major repair hassle later. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, hiring an engineer, roof underlayment products, elimi