This Old House On The Money Pit

Having a small yard or living in an apartment is no reason to give up on the idea of your very own garden, though. Urban and other small space gardeners are making use of containers and vertical space to grow crops like tomatoes, radishes, lettuce and other greens — we’ll show you how. Plus… ·        There are many, many things for your home that can be delivered in a box. A beautiful lawn however, is not one of them! But now there’s a service that delivers everything you need to grow a beautiful and earth friendly lawn – in a BOX! We’ll explain. ·        Have you ever pulled out gross dishes at the end of a dishwasher cycle that remained layered with last night’s dinner? The problem might be the way the machine is loaded. Get tips to end dirty dish do-overs! ·        Is your dog’s favorite pastime digging holes in the yard?  Well, your favorite pastime DOES NOT have to include filling them!  Learn how to stop dogs from doing their own form of landscaping. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions abou

Outdoor living spaces have never been more popular -- and that includes outdoor kitchens. But cooking and dining outside require special recipes of their own. Tom and Leslie have tips for designing an amazing outdoor kitchen. Plus… Spring cleaning isn’t just for indoor rooms. Now is also the time to spruce up a favorite outdoor room—your deck, we’ll have some deck cleaning tips later on in the show. Between bad weather, and more deliberate forms of vandalism, mailboxes can take a real beating! We’ll have tips on how to how to build a mailbox that can stand the test of time. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, eliminating odors from wood floors, painting a bathroom, cleaning rust stains from a toilet, creating a decorative wall, gutter guards are they worth it? exterior brick options. 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’d like to take on one home décor project that you can really spruce up a room, new blinds are the ticket. Not only do they make your place look better, they can save you energy in both winter and summer. Tom & Leslie share how you can get this entire project done, without ever leaving home! Also ahead… ·        While most of us have been hunkered down inside for weeks, the wear and tear on your house may be more evident than ever. New floors can help give you a fresh start and installing most is a DIY project. We’ll highlight the most popular spring flooring trends to inspire your creative spirit. ·        Spring is officially here…which means bugs are on their way. But you don’t need to fill your home with unhealthy chemicals just to get rid of them. Coming up, natural pest control solutions that are effective, and more importantly, safe. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, installing spray foam insulation, countertop options, eliminating flies, and tree roots. Do you have a home

With the weather finally getting nicer, are you thinking of family-friendly outdoor activities for you and your little ones? Creating a kid-friendly garden is a great way to get the whole family involved in a fun project. Tom & Leslie tell you how to get things growing! Plus, Of all the cleaning questions we get, how to clean a hardwood floor takes the lead. It’s a tough spot to keep clean with all the dirt that gets tracked in, and it’s also one where you can’t use a lot of water without potentially ruining the wood floor itself. We’ll have tips to get those floors squeaky clean. And if you’re taking on a painting project while stuck at home, don’t toss that used paintbrush. We’ll share easy tips to get it clean and save yourself the hassles on buying new one. Bathtub vs Shower Stall: If you're thinking about bath remodeling, we look into which one gives you the best ROI. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about clearing clogged pipes, painting over water stains, filing in log cabin cracks,

When it’s time to pull out your outdoor furniture, it’s also time to give it a good cleaning! Tom & Leslie have tips on how best to clean and prepare the furniture so it’s ready for a fresh start this Spring, plus.... ·        There’s nothing that wears out a floor faster than the dirt and grime that everyone drags in on their feet. But cleaning wood floors is a challenge because wood absorbs moisture and can warp or twist or grow mold if it gets too wet. We’ll have tips on how do keep those hardwood floors clean without damaging them. ·        And if you have been getting just a bit tired of staring at your walls while we’re all stuck at home with this quarantine, painting a room is really the easiest way to spruce things up. There’s a new high-tech paint that makes interior painting easier than ever. We’ll share that tip. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, fix a creaking roof, eliminating carpenter bees, installing yard drainage, insulating a garage, painting vinyl siding, avoid peelin

Well, the quarantine has not been good for many industries but the Wall Street Journal reports that one is actually doing quite well. Any guesses? It’s the JIGSAW PUZZLE INDUSTRY! If you’ve caught a case of cabin fever, then adding a game room may be the answer you’re searching for stay at home entertainment! Tom & Leslie tell you how to get this project started. Plus… ·       Building a garden wall is a project that that’s fun to build on a beautiful Spring day—We’ll share tips on how to build a stone wall that will stand the test of time. ·       If your lawn and garden need a trim around the bed or fence, a string trimmer is a great tool to help you do just that. But if you use it wrong, even more weeds might grow. We’ll have tips. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about preparing wood windows for painting, refinishing engineered wood floors, installing plaster ceilings, removing adhesive from wood flooring, are solar panels safe, repair a foundation that is sinking.                        

Could germs actually be lurking in your laundry? It may seem counterintuitive, but for the health, safety and cleanliness of your family, it’s important to actually wash your washing machine. Tom & Leslie tell you how to deep clean your machines, just ahead. Plus... Summer is only a few weeks away when air conditioning will be a big part of our comfort plan. But when it comes to AC, the refrigerant that we’ve relied on for decades, known as “freon” has now been banned by the EPA! We’ll talk through your options for a cool and comfortable home. It may not be your favorite household chore – but mowing your lawn is an important part of making sure it looks good and stays healthy. But there is a right and wrong way to cut your grass. We’ll share that tip. And can repairing a cracked foundation be a DIY project? The answer is – Maybe! We’ll share what you can do to fix a foundation crack, and let you know when it’s time to call in a pro. Plus get answers to your home improvement questions about, installing a p

If one of your favorite foods (or your kid’s favorite!) is pizza, imagine being able to grow all of your favorite pizza toppings right in your backyard? You can if you grow your own Pizza Garden. We’ll share tips on how to do just that. Plus For a home to be healthy, it has to breathe. That’s why ventilation is important! But if your home is energy efficient it - could potentially be too airtight for healthy living? They CAN and often DO require extra ventilation to maintain a healthy indoor air environment. Tom & Leslie share how insert just the right amount of fresh air without driving up energy costs. If one of your favorite foods (or your kid’s favorite!) is pizza, imagine being able to grow all of your favorite pizza toppings right in your backyard? You can if you grow your own Pizza Garden. We’ll share tips on how to do just that. And with all the time we’ve been spending at home these days, there’s lots and lots of cleaning going on. We’ll share tips on earth-friendly cleaning products that are effe

Whether you have a green thumb or need to hire out the job, sprucing up your landscaping is a great way to step up your landscaping. Tom & Leslie have tips on how you can create a simple landscape plan to for a beautiful exterior to your home. Plus…  Flu season is upon us and along with all the concerns we have about viruses, do you know the difference between a cleaner, sanitizer and disinfectant? We’ll tell you what you need to know to make sure your home is safe. Garages are spaces where most of us store everything BUT a car! However, these are also places where toys and toxins are often stored side-by side. We’ll have tips to keep this space cleaned, organized and safe. And for those that don’t have garages, we’ll tell you exactly what you need to do to build or buy a storage shed and get it set up for maximum efficiency, Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, eliminating carpenter ants, squeaky wood floors, venting dryers, cleaning vinyl siding. Do you have a home improvement or d

Re-tiling a bathroom is a great way to update the look, function and feel of this space. But if you want to make it last, it’s what goes UNDER the tile that counts. Tom & Leslie share what you need to know. Also… Now that it’s Spring cleaning season, the #1 tool you need to work and work well is your vacuum! If yours just doesn’t have the sucking power it used to – we share troubleshooting tips to get it back in action. Did you know that less than half of all households have the recommended number of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms? We’ll share an update on new detectors that include voice and location alerts for both smoke or carbon monoxide – designed to wake kids better than just alarms, and that have batteries which last for the life of the alarm! Foundation cracks can be a serious problem, but the repair can make it worse if it comes from a contractor instead of a design pro. We’ll walk you through the steps to assess a foundation crack and the steps need to make sure it gets fixed right and doesn’t

As you start to spend more time outside, it’s a good time make sure your yard is pet-friendly and safe. We’ll share tips on the must have elements to keep your pets happy, plus the surprisingly common plants to avoid because they can make your dog sick!  just ahead. Plus, ideas on… How to build a greenhouse to help you get a jump on Spring gardening and assure a steady supply of veggies until Fall. We’ll share some DIY options that you can set up in as little as a couple hours. ·        Adding a backyard deck is a great way to increase your home's living space and increase its value. We’ll help you get started with a check list to help you plan the perfect project. ·        If your Spring cleaning includes dirty tile grout, we’ll share secrets to getting back brighter than ever. ·        Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about, electrical fixture replacement, bathroom mold elimination, energy audits, microwave replacement, caulking windows Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call

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