This Old House On The Money Pit

SHOW NOTES: Eliminating Weeds: Weeds are the enemy of lush, healthy lawns. Get tips on fighting backyard weeds all season long. Natural Stone Countertops: Stone countertops are a rock-solid choice for kitchens but require care. Find out the pros and cons. Airless Paint Sprayers: If you’d like to get a smooth and speedy finish on your next painting project, check out a high-efficiency airless paint sprayer.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Dock Restoration: Colleen is seeking a product to restore dock surfaces. We suggest using an established, name-brand product and testing a small area first. Plaster Walls: Plaster is falling off the walls in Scott’s house. We recommend installing new drywall over it to secure the plaster and provide a smooth surface. Staining Concrete: Can you color a concrete patio to cover up repaired cracks? Dottie can choose from a range of concrete stain colors before sealing the patio. Hardwood Floors: Mark likes the old-fashioned look but wants to clea

SHOW NOTES: Modular Outdoor Kitchens: Building a customized outdoor kitchen is made easy with modular bricks. Curb Appeal: Stand out from the competition with 4 simple curb appeal upgrades to attract homebuyers. Attracting Butterflies: Find out how flower power can create a butterfly oasis in your garden.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Window Leaks: Is a leaking window caused by the soffits, the roof, or the window itself? Mike gets advice on how to find and fix the source of the leak. Ceramic Tile Flooring: There’s condensation on the ceramic tile floor. Using a dehumidifier and checking drainage around the home can help with Annette’s cold floor in a warm, humid house. Roof Leak: Norma has a leak caused by an ice dam on her roof after a past storm. She learns the damage should be covered by her insurance policy. Electrical Fuses: A short circuit keeps blowing the fuse every time Gary tries to turn it on. He needs an electrician to check the wiring and avoid danger. Drive

SHOW NOTES: Paying for Home Repairs: Want to buy a fixer-upper and still have funds for making repairs? New mortgage programs offer assistance. Extending Roof Life: Old, dried-out roof shingles can be rejuvenated with a treatment that adds years to the life of your life. Concrete Restoration: If you’ve got cracks, holes, or worn areas in concrete surfaces, there’s a way to fix the flaws and smooth things out.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Hot Water Delay: Tired of waiting for the water to get hot? Loretta can either install a tankless water heater or a less expensive hot water recirculating system. Uneven Concrete: Part of the concrete porch slab is rising up. We give Charlie tips on preparing a new base to keep things level or creating a tapered ramp. HVAC System: There’s a big difference in the upstairs and downstairs temperatures in Amber’s home. Ceiling fans, a split ductless system, or additional ducting and vents can help. Dryer Vents: Should a broken dryer vent be re

SHOW NOTES: Paint Sprayers: Planning a painting project? High-efficiency airless paint sprayers make the job easier and faster so you can paint like a pro. Multi-Use Tools: Get info on finishing DIY home projects quicker and easier with corded, cordless, and manual multi-use tools. Buying a Foreclosed Home: Bargain or burden? Learn the pros and cons of buying a home in foreclosure.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Cracked Bathtub: Tim’s new bathroom came complete with a cracked bathtub! It will be hard to repair, but he may get a temporary fix with a fiberglass repair product. Staining a Deck: Why should you wait before staining a new pressure-treated deck? We explain that Theresa should let the lumber dry out for a year so the stain will apply properly. HVAC System: Luke wonders if he really needs two natural gas HVAC units. A two-zone system is definitely more efficient, along with an upgraded thermostat. Cleaning Outdoor Furniture: How should Lucy clean her outdoor furnitur

SHOW NOTES: Reducing Heat Indoors: Feel like you’re living in a hothouse? Get cool solutions for reducing the heat in your home. Landscape Planning: You don’t need to be a pro to plan a lovely landscape. Find out simple tips on how to start. Proper Insulation: Is your home insulated well enough? Learn what it takes to stay comfortable and save on energy bills.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Exterior Painting: Blowing pollen has stuck to Beth’s newly painted columns. She should sand the surface smooth again and surround the area with tarps to protect it until a new coat of paint dries. Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets: Randy wants to match the colors on his painted kitchen cabinets. We’ve got tips on how to stain, repaint, or reface them. Lawn Care: Why won’t one area of the lawn grow? We tell Deb to get a soil sample tested to see if it needs a different treatment than the rest of the lawn. Wall Insulation: Do you need a thermal barrier on cinderblock walls? We give Rick info on

SHOW NOTES: Kitchen Cabinets: Should you replace, reface, or refinish your kitchen cabinets? Find out budget-friendly options. Roof Restoration: Dried-out shingles? This rejuvenation treatment can extend the life of your old roof. Mosquitoes: Avoid unwelcome backyard barbecue bites and get mosquitoes to buzz off with these easy steps.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Inground Pool: Dorothy doesn’t want her inground pool anymore. We discuss what’s involved in having it filled and how to use the space. Bathroom Ventilation: Milt has no ventilation in his bathrooms. We have info on installing bathroom exhaust fans and humidistat controls. Shower Leaks: Water leaks are coming from the upstairs shower. Kirsten should follow these steps to track down where the leak is coming from and fill the gaps. Carpenter Bees: Thousands of carpenter bees are drilling into Jim’s log cabin! He needs a new pest control professional who will use the right product to keep bees away. Cleaning Brick:

SHOW NOTES: Lightscaping Ideas: Get bright ideas for lightscaping to add safety, security, and style to your home’s exterior. Wallpaper Removal: Peeling off old wallpaper is an unappealing task. Find out four steps to make wallpaper removal easier. Buying Windows: Window shopping? Learn how to decode window labels and certifications for energy efficiency.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Reducing Moisture: How to reduce moisture and prevent mildew on walls? Laura gets tips on running her AC, using fans that vent outside, checking drainage, and installing a whole-house dehumidifier. Replacing Flooring: David wants to replace his old kitchen linoleum floor. We suggest luxury vinyl plank flooring that’s durable and offers a variety of styles. Wall Designs: Diane likes the look of Venetian plaster walls. She may want to practice the technique before making it a focal accent wall in her room. HVAC System: Is Trane a good brand of furnace? We assure Hugo it’s a fine choice for repla

SHOW NOTES: Preparing Your Grill: Getting fired up for BBQ season? Take these steps to prep your grill. Wind-Resistant Roofing: Roof shingles can get blown away by strong winds. Check out wind-resistant roofing that will stay put in the storm. Bedroom Designs: If you suffer from pin-somnia, these trending bedroom designs on Pinterest may be the cure.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Shower Valve: Oops! David cut the drywall for his shower valve a bit too wide, but using a goof plate for oversized holes will help him cover the space. Mold Removal: Karen discovered mold from floor to ceiling behind the wallpaper in her basement. We suggest having the mold tested before deciding on a mitigation plan. Bats: Tommy has bats in his belfry – or at least in his attic! The most humane solution is to find where they’re getting in and install a one-way bat door to keep the bats out. Log Cabin: Deborah’s renovating a log house and needs to refill the chinking. She’ll have to experiment to

SHOW NOTES: Safer Cleaning Solutions: Avoid spring cleaning chemical hazards by using healthier and safer cleaning products. Selling Your Home: Web appeal has become the new curb appeal when listing your home online, so use photos that home buyers want to see. Planting Flowers: Don’t have the patience for seeds to sprout? Add instant color to your garden with the right live flowering plants.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. HVAC Cleaning: Mike got some questionable suggestions for cleaning his HVAC vents. All he needs are good, efficient filters and a DIY coil cleaner. Fuse Box: Heidi wanted her electrical system upgraded but it wasn’t done right. Another electrician should finish the job and move the electrical panel indoors. Water Leak Detector: Is installing a water leak detector in a vacation home worth it? It can definitely prevent damage and Jay should look for a model that works with a well water system. Cleaning Wood Floors: Should you steam clean hardwood flooring? We

SHOW NOTES: Stone Garden Wall: Learn how to beautify your garden with a strong and stylish stone wall. Storm Shutters: Find out how storm shutters can protect your home from strong sun and wild winds. Painting Prep: Any successful paint job starts with one important step. We’ll share this painting primer.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Carpenter Bees: Busy carpenter bees are drilling lots of holes in Steve’s house. We suggest covering or replacing the wood with synthetic materials. Microwave Oven: The light in Freida’s old microwave oven keeps burning out. It may be a loose connection, a voltage problem, or time to replace the microwave. Aquaponic Garden: Patrick is concerned about the weight of his aquaponic garden on the concrete slab near his pool. We do the math and it should be fine.  Structural Cracks: Are the ceiling cracks in an old home a structural issue? Anne is worried that her house is shifting, so she should have it checked by a home inspector. Water Damage:

SHOW NOTES: Spool Pools: Find out how trending spool pools offer the benefits of a pool and a spa in one compact space. Rain Barrels: Take advantage of spring showers by using a rain barrel to keep your garden happily hydrated through summer dry spells. Choosing Windows: Going window shopping? Learn how to choose between single-, double-, and triple-pane windows.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Textured Walls: Dave wonders how to prep his textured bathroom walls so he can add tile. Some sanding will allow better adhesion as long as the tiles lay flat. Sewer Pipes: Does a corroded sewer pipe need repair? Cast iron is very durable and Linda should just seal any common cracks with silicone caulk. Moisture Barriers: Does Jim need to add a moisture barrier inside his remodeled walls? Typical insulation already includes it, so he’s all set. Concrete Sidewalk: After having a tree removed, Bobbie wants to extend the sidewalk. She needs to rake out the area and add stone before pourin

SHOW NOTES: Energy Audit: Learn how an energy audit finds ways to make your home more energy-efficient and save money on utility bills. Roof Shingles: Strong winds can cause serious roof damage. Find out about wind-resistant roof shingles that can protect your home from storms. House Cleaning: Does it seem like the dust in your home never goes away? Get tips for how to easily clean better and sneeze less. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Home Foundation: Brenda’s concrete basement walls are starting to crumble. She needs a structural engineer to determine what a contractor must do to repair the foundation. Pet-Proof Flooring: Pet ferrets have taken a toll on Bruce’s carpeting. We recommend engineered vinyl plank flooring that’s waterproof and durable. Concrete Repair: Can you repair a piece of broken brick and mortar? Bob should use concrete adhesive and cover the crack to re-stucco the area. Woodpeckers: Knock, knock! Woodpeckers are drilling for insects outside Bruce’s house.

SHOW NOTES: Women in Home Improvement: Women are taking on more DIY home improvement projects than ever before, so why does gender bias persist? Deck Materials: Wood is the most popular choice for decks, but what type of lumber should you use? We’ll discuss several kinds of wood for decking. Bathroom Moisture: Tired of dealing with a damp and moldy bathroom? Get tips on how to get rid of bathroom moisture.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Soundproofing: Marilyn doesn’t want to listen in on her neighbors’ conversations! We’ve got tips for soundproofing the walls, outlets, and other openings. Home Remodeling Value: How can you market improvements you’ve done when selling your home? Mike can say it’s newly remodeled and offer an inventory of the updates he’s done. Floor Nails: One nail keeps popping up from the wood floor. Tammy needs to use a trim screw that won’t move as the floor expands and contracts. Water Heater: It’s time for David to replace his old electric water heater.

SHOW NOTES: Termites: Termite damage doesn’t have to be inevitable. Learn how to keep your home off the menu. Design Trends: Spring into the new season with these 4 interior design trends for a fresh, new look. Painting Tips: There’s more to painting than just picking the color. Here are 5 things to save time and money on your next painting project.   Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Removing Stains: Spilled candle wax on the carpet and upholstery can be a sticky situation. Sandy learns a simple trick for removing wax stains. Installing a Bathroom: Phillip wants to add a half bathroom in a space with concrete floors and walls. He’ll need a jackhammer to dig things out. Duct Cleaning: Is it worth having your HVAC ducts cleaned? We tell Sherry she’s better off using good quality filters and changing them more often. Insulation: Pros and cons of 2x6s vs. 2x4s for exterior walls? Ron will save money by using 2x4s and adding spray foam insulation that’s more efficient. Bathroom Ex

SHOW NOTES: Outdoor Kitchens: Cooking up plans for an outdoor kitchen? Get the recipe for successfully designing a great outdoor dining space. Spring Gardening: The best soil produces the best gardens in bloom. We’ve got all the dirt on how to prep for springtime gardening. Hardwood Floors: Refinishing hardwood floors can be worth the effort. Learn how to restore the shine.   Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Exterior Painting: Barry keeps repainting the arbor outside his house. He should make sure the surface is scraped clean and use an oil-based primer and paint. Radon Testing: Are radon tests necessary? We agree it’s a good idea and tell Sandra how radon testing and remediation are done. Shower Floor: The floor under a fiberglass tub squeaks whenever Jeff showers. The tub probably wasn’t installed correctly, but the problem is more annoying than structural. Heating System: Should Amber convert from hot water baseboard heat to electric baseboard heat? We warn her it will be ve

SHOW NOTES: Spring Home Projects: Is your home ready for spring? Find out the essential home projects to tackle first. HOA Fees: Are you sure that the HOA fees you pay are being used as they should? Learn the tough questions you need to ask your homeowners association. Refrigerator Tips: Do you know why it’s helpful to keep paper towels in your fridge? We’ve got tips on how to use them.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Sliding Doors: Why is there moisture and ice in the bottom track of sliding doors? We have tips for Sherry on checking the door alignment and looking for gaps that may need weatherstripping. Concrete Basement Floor: What is the best way to level a concrete basement floor? Depending on how uneven it is, Colin can use a floor-leveling compound. Cleaning Granite Countertops: Janet wants to know how to clean and maintain her new granite countertops. She’ll need to use a cleaning product that’s safe for granite and be sure to reseal and polish the countertops regularly

SHOW NOTES: Mold Removal: Even the cleanest of homes can have hidden mold. Here’s what to do if you find it. Building a Deck: Is building a deck a DIY project or should you hire a pro? Find out how to decide. Circuit Breakers: How do circuit breakers keep you safe and what should you do if they keep tripping? We’ll explain how they work.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Radon Mitigation System: There’s water outside Benjamin’s radon system pipe. It’s probably pulling up moisture along with the gases, so he needs to improve the drainage outside his house. Plumbing: Jackie has questions about diverting the plumbing when replacing an old tub with a tile shower. She should install a pressure-balanced shower valve to reroute the pipes. Cleaning Grout: What’s the best product to clean the grout in a ceramic tile floor? We suggest that Joe use a stripper instead of a cleaner and then apply a grout sealer. Laminate Flooring: Robin wants to install laminate flooring without having to r

SHOW NOTES: Yard Drainage: When melting snow and spring showers leave a soggy mess, here’s how to dry up your yard. Attracting Birds: If you like to hear the sound of chirping birds, find out how to attract birds to your yard with these native plants. Houseplant Care: The best way to keep your houseplants healthy is to water them properly. Get tips on knowing when it’s time to water those plants.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Clogged Toilet: When Beth flushes the toilet, the water rises up to the rim and then empties slowly. Sounds like she needs a plumber to drain a partial clog. Basement Floor Crack: Mike is worried about a crack across one end of the floor. It’s not the foundation and we’ll tell him about a DIY concrete repair. House Sounds: What is that mysterious banging sound? Depending on the cause, Gerry learns she may need to tune up her boiler or get a water hammer arrestor. Buckled Floor: Should a new engineered hardwood floor be buckling? We tell Matthew it’s no

SHOW NOTES: Kitchen Cleaning: Are you sure your kitchen is really clean? You’ll never guess where the most germs are hiding! Seed vs. Sod: Should you use seed or sod to get the lush, green lawn you want? We share the pros and cons of each. Screen Cleaning: Before opening your windows, follow these tips to clean those dirty screens and let the fresh air in.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Kitchen Remodeling: Mark wants advice on buying budget kitchen cabinets for a DIY kitchen remodeling project. We share info on where he can find quality cabinets that are affordable and easy to install. Tile Floor Grout: The grout is chipping around the bathroom floor tiles and may have been mixed incorrectly. Karen should have it removed and regrouted again. Repairing Wall Cracks: Brian keeps trying to cover a crack in the bedroom wall, but we tell him the right way to sand, tape, and spackle the area so the crack won’t return. Water Heater: Hot water from the electric water heater doesn’t l

SHOW NOTES: Home Buying: Find out how millennials are buying their first homes in a tough real estate market. Home Improvement Advice: If you think tackling one home improvement project is tough, join our conversation with a popular HGTV expert about doing multiple projects at once. Babyproofing: If you’ve got a baby on the way, it’s time to start babyproofing your home! Here are important steps to keep babies safe.  Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Water Use: With no condensate pump draining from his tankless water heater, Sergio is collecting the water in a bucket and wonders about reusing it for his garden. We agree there’s no reason not to. Basement Mold: Is it really mold in the basement? Judy is thinking of using a service that claims she needs to have mold removed, but she’s being misled. Bathroom Vent: When the bathroom vent stopped working, Mike discovered it was not vented through the roof and is thinking of redirecting it. We tell him how to vent it properly. Deck St