This Old House On The Money Pit

If you’re looking for a good place to start your Spring cleaning, windows can be just that. Tom & Leslie share tips on a streak free cleaner you can mix yourself. Plus: ·        If you’re planning on hiring a pro to help get a project done, there’s one extra thing you might want to check before pressing go: making sure you’re not liable if a worker gets hurt at your home! We’ll share how to check that your contractor has the right insurance. ·        Have you noticed that your home seems to trip circuits breakers or fuses more than usual? This might mean it’s time to upgrade your circuit or maybe the entire panel. We’ll share how to know if it’s time for a power upgrade. ·        Laminate flooring is a great, budget friendly option to hardwood. But floor installation is key for a clean look. Get tips to make sure the new floor stays new as long as possible! ·        Plus, answers to your home improvement questions, programmable thermostat installation, replacing a roof, deck options, squeaky floor fixes, gran

Wintertime is when most home fires occur - so if you’re a renter, the time to insure your possessions is now. Discover a few small upgrades that pay off big for houseguests. Learn how to install and customize a security system before you head out Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spring is a season where we like to get kids busy outside, especially since they have been cooped up indoors most of the winter. But warmer weather is also the most dangerous time of year for child-aged accidents. In this episode, Tom & Leslie have smart safety tips for this potentially hazardous season. Plus… Learn a very earth-friendly way to clean and disinfect surfaces though your house like countertops, walls and floors to eliminate the risk of viruses hanging out. You may know what good case of sunburn can do to your skin, but have you ever thought about what those harsh rays can do to your home? Sunlight can fade furniture and floors, raise energy costs. We’ll tell you about a way you can shut out the damaging rays with just the push of a button. If you are considering selling your home in the next few months, begin now with some easy updates to your curb appeal. We share easy ideas to get that done. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, venting a dryer, painting a log cabin, inst

If you’ve got a deck, warmer weather means BBQ’s and parties may be just ahead. But before the crowd arrives, Tom & Leslie share FIVE SIGNS to watch for that could signal your deck may be ready to collapse! Plus: ·        Now that it is Spring, it’s like the Goldilocks season – not too hot and not too cold to tackle just about any project inside or out. We’re going to start you off with some easy updates to save money on heating, cooling and lighting just ahead. ·        Spring rains combined with power outages can lead to basement floods! We’ll share tips on a new system that provides complete protection, even when the power goes out. ·        When does a crack go from being a minor problem, to a major hassle? We’ll share tips on how to know what to do when you spot cracks in your walls or ceilings. ·        Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, best flooring to use in a kitchen, repair plaster walls, modifying a gas fire pit, stop Woodpeckers attacking a house, and more. Do you have a home

Wouldn’t it be nice if your house could tell you when it’s about to break down – BEFORE it actually breaks down? Well, that technology exists today! It’s called predictive maintenance and is sort of like a check engine light for your car! Tom & Leslie tell you all about it – plus Nothing says Spring like throwing open the windows and breathing some fresh Spring air! But if your screens are filthy, you just might be sucking in something not quite so fresh! We’ll share a formula for quick and easy screen cleaning just ahead!  Battery powered tools are more popular than ever, but can they really compete when it comes to lawn & garden tools like mowers and chainsaws? We’ll dig in to the answer. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, installing marble countertops, replace water softener line, cleaning adhesive off concrete, installing a vapor barrier, adding insulation to ceiling in addition. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) o

As we move closer to spring, we move closer to spring storms which can bring on MOLD! But is getting rid of mold a DIY project or one that requires the specialized skills of a Pro? The answer is – it depends. We’ll share DIY tips to help clear the air, just ahead. Plus:    And with all the concerns now about viruses it’s a good time to think about the products we to disinfect our homes, because all disinfectants are not created equal. We’ll share tips on a product that is hospital grade and earth friendly. And if you are planning some for some early Spring plants, mulch is a great insulator – but put on too much, and you’ll suffocate the growth. We’ll walk you through the best practices, in a little bit. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions, should you purchase a service contract for your water heater, how to remove wall paneling, repairing a burn in countertop, building raised beds, choosing an efficient AC unit, clearing drains of clogs. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call

Adding a backyard deck is one sure-fire way to increase your home’s living space but is building a deck a DIY project? Tom & Leslie share some guidelines. Plus… Do you have really long room in your home that’s about as appealing to decorate as a bowling alley? Learn a few painting tricks and furniture tweaks for the layout, that will leave you with a room that feels cozy and comfortable. Do your electrical circuit breakers of fuses trip more than they should? If so, it may be your electrical service panel isn’t up to snuff. We walk you through five signs that show when it’s time to UPGRADE your service panel for your safety – and your sanity! Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, installing a trench drain, eliminating sink odors, stopping squeaky wood floors, repairing bowing basement walls, cleaning rusty tub stains, clean tips for wood paneling, installing an installing a programmable thermostat. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-

Whether you’re creating a kid’s room for a new arrival or updating a space for kids who insist they’re not little anymore, working on a child’s room can be a fun, creative adventure. Tom and Leslie walk through the key design considerations for this important space. Plus… Spring showers and melting snow can leave your yard a soggy mess. We show you how to dry up those wet and soggy yards so you can enjoy them all spring and summer long. Basements are one place that get damp and can become hard to finish. But an ingenious new floor product can put some distance between you and the damp – we’ll share that tip. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions including, clothes dryer that don’t dry, cracked door frames, installing split ductless heating and A/C, pros of laminate flooring, water damaged ceilings,  cleaning rusty water stains and plaster wall repair. 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

Today, it’s easier than ever to be eco-friendly. But when it comes to choosing eco-friendly floors for your home, understanding how the product is produced is key. Tom & Leslie explain what to look for. Plus: ·        As you look around your home, are cracks, holes, and nail pops taking away from your otherwise well-maintained space? away your home’s age? Tips on how to fix them yourself. ·        It may still be chilly out, but Spring is ahead which makes now is a good time to think about investing in a much better alternative, a new cordless lawnmower. We’ll highlight new cordless technology so advanced it can run a lawnmower for 60 minutes on a single charge and is self-propelled! Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, fastening an awning to a brick building, choosing an AC unit, eliminating rust stains from well water, installing a bed in a truck, eliminating crickets and other bugs in the home, eliminating moisture in the bathroom. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call t

If you love the look of hardwood on your floors, you might not realize that this same product can be used to create a beautiful accent wall. Tom and Leslie have tips for this project, plus: Has this ever happened to you…you’re in the middle of drying your hair and the power goes out! Well, circuit breakers trip for a reason… we’ll tell you WHY these devices keep you safe and WHAT to do if they keep tripping. If you know the age of your home, you can stay ahead of problems common to its vintage, we’ll explain the many ways to figure out how old your house is and what to expect given the decade it was built. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about pin holes in copper lines, using epoxy on basement floors, securing staircases, installing dimmer switches, removing wall paneling. 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

Kitchen countertops are often the most heavily used work surfaces in the home. But did you know that with a few changes, you can make those surfaces work harder for you instead of the other way around? Tom & Leslie share THREE ways to improve countertops to make them easier to use. Plus… A new survey by Lending Tree show single women are far outpacing men in homeownership. We’ll share those surprising stats and explore the reasons behind the trend. Turning your master bedroom into a luxurious master suite is generally a great way to add value and style. But a common bedroom remodeling mistake can make the effort worthless! We’ll walk you through what to do to spike up both the luxury and the value just ahead. Phone booths have become a thing of the past but a new type of phone booth has emerged that has major companies, malls and rec spaces giving this a 2nd look. We’ll share the cool new designs you’ll start to see popping up. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, eliminating basement m

As the saying goes, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and that’s certainly true when it comes to the choices Americans make in home décor. Tom & Leslie share results of a new survey where Americans voted on the worst home décor choices in the last 50 years – and yes, we have a winner! All that plus, If building a new deck is a project for your Spring to-do list, learn the ups and downs of building deck steps, which are often built to be unsafe! You’ll learn how to how to make sure they’re solid and safe. If you’re ready for new flooring, now’s a great time, with many manufacturers holding early Spring sales. But with dozens of choices in both real and look alike hardwood, how do you know what floor will perform best for your home? We’ll share the options, money saving tips and more to help you figure it all out. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, kitchen lighting options, deck sealers, required GFI outlets in kitchen, skylight options, installing a whole house air filter, fixing n

If your family is like most, you probably use the garage as much as your front door for access and security. But if your door is old and worn, it could not only be unsafe, it could also be providing easy access for intruders when you are away. Learn tips to update your garage door, plus...        Would you do anything to avoid shoveling snow again? We’ve got a serious driveway solution for anyone who’s had enough shoveling for one lifetime.       Here’s an idea we can get behind: Better toilet seats. From comfier to cleaner, there are plenty of affordable upgrades out there for your throne. We’ll highlight some of the latest innovations Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, repairing cracks in a concrete driveway, installing baseboard trim, removing wallpaper, how to test a house for radon gas , changing over from oil to gas heat, how to fix a sticking front door. 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 her

Do you have champagne home makeover dreams on a beer budget? We’ve got tips on 7 home remodeling projects you can do with less than a thousand bucks, coming up.  Plaster walls are common in older homes – but cracks are almost as common after decades of settling. We’ll share a trick of the trade to make repairing those plaster cracks easy and fast. And, just because you are a renter, doesn’t mean you can’t make changes to cut heating costs in your home or apartment. We’ve got solutions to solve your energy problems… including some that you can even take with you when it’s time to move on! Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about cutting a shelf to fit wall space, installing a vent duct, removing ugly wallpaper, repairing wall cracks, and getting rid of hot water heater noises, and more. 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 got an active household, your furniture is likely to take a few hits from time to time - especially if you have kids! We’ve got tips to make water rings, dings, dents and scratches disappear, plus…   We all know power tools can hurt you in an instant, but are yours causing slow, serious harm over time? We’ll highlight a health risk among DIYers that’s got medical experts talking.  Bathtubs can last a lifetime, but their finishes won’t! The good news is you don’t have to get rid of the whole tub just because of a worn finish. We’ll have tub refinishing tips. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, window replacement options, eliminating trash odors, installing a proper tile floor, paint peeling off walls after a few months, installing chain link fence post, modular home installation.. 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 there’s one room you’d like to be bright and cheery, it’s the kitchen! We’ll have tips on lighting to keep that space looking bright – even when it’s dark outside. Plus… If winter storms and the power outages, they bring have you considering a generator, we’ve got tips to help you pick the best type of generator for your home.  Ready to take on some home improvement projects, but don’t feel you have the time? Not possible! We’ll highlight several projects you can get done in 30 minutes or less! Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, storm door heat build up, copper pipes used in a flooring heating system, discharge of a sump pump, ways to lower energy costs, types of lighting for a garage door, installing a wood burning stove where one never existed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shower heads with built in speakers, water heaters that detect leaks, and kitchen faucets you can talk and hand showers that deliver aromatherapy to were just some of the many cool new home products we spotted at the 2020 International Builders Show. We’ll have a full report, plus: If you’ve been feeling the chill of high heating bills, the best way to lower costs and warm things up is by adding extra insulation.  We’ll share the areas of your home where insulation delivers the best ROI, and the very common insulation mistake that many home improvers make that ruins your energy efficiency. Is your kitchen backsplash falling behind the times? Adding a new one can be a fun DIY project you could tackle in a weekend.  We’ll share backsplash ideas and materials are up-and-coming, affordable, and fun. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, a sinking kitchen floor, patching a popcorn ceiling, repairing electric water heater lines, what products to use to clean deck and stones, removing wallpaper,

It may still be chilly out, but Spring is ahead and a time we can look forward to warm weather, birds chirping - and the sounds and smells of loud gas-powered lawn equipment! Get tips on a new battery technology that can deliver plenty of lawn mowing power, without the hassle. Plus… ·        A gorgeous banister and a dramatic new post can add a stylish look to your stairs. But years of manhandling can lead to shaky stairs and loose railings. Learn the easy fix. ·        If you’ve been chipping away a lot of ice this winter, we’ll have a trick of the trade to help make it disappear, especially when it freezes a garage door shut. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about installing compact fluorescent lighting, repairing a crumbling foundation, adding heat to an addition, metal roof advantages, eliminating sink odors, when to add insulation to the attic and what anti slip paint to use on decks... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Need some extra prep space in your kitchen? Tom & Leslie share tips for adding kitchen islands, even in small spaces, and more including: How to upcycle furniture for your kitchen island, including which pieces make the best islands and a trick for having a kitchen island you can move out of the way when the extra space is not needed.When you think of your roof – you don’t necessarily think of designer colors – but color is where it’s at when it comes to your roof.  We highlight the best roof color trends for 2020. Got a dusty house? Get tips on the easiest way to reduce dust build up automatically and cleaning tricks to make even more dust disappear. Building a driveway marker can be a fun and practical DIY project that can step up your curb appeal and improve home safety. Learn a few DIY tips for building that project. Plus, get answers to home improvement questions about getting rid of mice in your attic, installing ceiling lights without holes, hiring an electrician for GFI installation, tiling ov

Have you ever had a paint project that didn’t dry right, wouldn’t cover a stain or peeled off faster than it should have? Tom & Leslie share tips for painting success and more including: Pro painting secrets to avoid brush marks, prevent spills, cut down on the number of trips back to the paint can, stop paint from bleeding through masking tape, and reducing the number of coats of paint you need for a project. Downsizing is a big trend these days – but if living small isn’t for you, get tips on ways to make life simpler – and more affordable – without shrinking your space.  Saving water is important for your budget and the environment. But rather than rely on your kids and family to use less water, learn how updating your plumbing fixtures can actually do the water saving for you! Plus, get answers to home improvement questions about replacing steel window wells, repairing plaster walls, removing leak stains on basement walls, fixing cracked concrete driveways, and restoring shower walls, installing whol