This Old House On The Money Pit

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

If you’d love to add more light to your kitchen, there is a new window trend emerging that aims to do just that and in a very unusual way. Tom & Leslie share that tip, plus: The real winter is just beginning, so make sure that your car has an emergency kit at the ready. Get tips on how to properly stock it. Do you ever feel like no matter what you do, you just can’t get your house to be warm enough? We’ve got solutions for heating even the coldest rooms. Do you have a bathroom with tile colors that are decades old? Get makeover tips to update the space without a major makeover 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

Got closets that are busting at the seams? We’ve got steps for a simple closet makeover that takes less than an hour or two to get done and will help you find the space you need. Plus: calls about, hiring a professional home inspector when buying a home, cleaning dryer vent and lime deposits, eliminating squirrels in the attic, and removing wallpaper. Keeping heating costs down is usually a lot easier for home heated with gas or oil than for those heated by electricity. We’ll share how new efficiencies in heat pump technology are changing this for the better. You might think a working smoke detector will protect your home and family from a fire. But while that system can provide a critical alert, find out how adding a home sprinkler system could stop the home from actually burning to the ground.  Plus, answers to your questions about best paint, snow blower, cleaning dryer vents, hiring a Professional Home Inspector, eliminating water hammer, and squirrels from the attic, repairing dented wood flooring, re

Do you have a list of projects to get done but concerned you won’t be able to handle any surprises that come up once walls and floors are all torn up? We teach you how to manage a home improvement project budget that plans for all the possibilities. Plus: Whether your roof leaks, heat goes out or fridge is on the fritz, unexpected repairs are a part of owning a home. We share tips for setting a realistic household budget help you handle the surprises and the expense of emergency repairs.  Stone countertops are both popular AND expensive. But we’ve got a DIY trick of the trade to share on how to get a granite counter makeover WITHOUT spending a lot. As the saying goes, don’t judge a book by its cover – and that applies to old furniture too! We share DIY tips on furniture refinishing and upholstery that can create statement pieces out of furniture that’s old and weathered, or that once faded into the background. Plus, answers to your questions about best layout for a kitchen, bath remodeling, fixing garage

Tired of paying high heating bills? Get tips on the best ways to use insulation to lower heating costs, plus ways to brighten your home in these dark winter days, when to fix vs replace an appliance that breaks down. In this episode:  Insulation is the single most effective way to reduce home heating costs. But with so many insulation options to choose and so many places to add insulation, Tom & Leslie walk you through how to know makes the most sense for your unique home. Are you tired of feeling, well, tired? Winter blues can bring you down this time of years - but we’ve got easy DIY pick-me-ups for your home that will help raise your spirit and make you home look great, just ahead this! And it’s an age-old dilemma when your appliances break down, is it better to make the repair or throw them out and start over? Our cheat sheet will help you make the right choice every time. Learn how to stop snow and ice from freezing at the end of your roof, forming ice dams and collapsing gutters. Plus answers to yo

Space heaters are a popular way to stay warm in winter but they’re also a leading cause of home fires. In this episode Tom & Leslie have smart strategies to stay safe, along with tips for growing veggies at home though winter, and a cool idea to update the look of your appliances, including.  Stainless steel is still a popular choice for kitchen appliances, but very costly. If your dishwasher or refrigerator still work great but need a new look, learn how this affordable faux stainless steel can transform them into shining beauties, including an application trick that make it super easy to apply. If you are missing your usual supply of fresh veggies that are available in warmer weather, we’ve got tips for by growing fresh vegetables indoors that can keep you with a steady supply of veggies from now until Spring. Mice love to move indoors when it turns cold, which is why they can which make your house their winter getaway! We share tips to help keep furry creatures away. You’ll be amazed at what they can a

When the weather outside is frightful, icicles are NOT so delightful and could lead to big roof leaks. In this episode, Tom & Leslie have tips, plus ideas on how to attract winter birds and smart strategies to carve out space for hobbies, including: The 3 most popular types of roof that stand up to winter’s harsh weather and the one element that is often left out of a roof replacement and leads to major winter leak damage. Learn how to bring life and color to your backyard by attracting a variety of winter birds with the right kind of bird feeder and food. Whether you enjoy crafts, woodwork or working on a car, find out how to organize your workspace for efficiency including the single biggest mistake DIY’rs make when setting up workspaces. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about leaking light fixtures, best stain resistant grout, cleaning moss from a roof, painting vinyl siding and more. Do you have a home improvement or decor question? Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or

Tired of having to walk to dog at all hours of the winter day? Tom & Leslie walk though the best options in doggy doors, plus dish out the best recipe to make sidewalk ice disappear with destroying concrete and share a $20 improvement that will provide more hot water. Adding a doggy door lets your pooch walk him or herself! Learn how to pick the right door (there’s at least 4 types!), get it properly installed and teach your pet to use. Learn the best way to burglar proof your pet door so skinny burglars don’t try and slip inside! Wondering why your walks look worn and pitted after every winter? Traditional rock salt works, but it’s extremely corrosive to surfaces and leaves concrete pitted and worn. Tom & Leslie share a recipe for a non-corrosive deicer that won’t harm your sidewalks or your indoor floors when it’s tracked into the house. It’s also a lot safer for pets! Find out why your water heater has to work harder in cold temperatures and how a $20 DIY project can make your hot water last a lot long

Want your new place to look good, but your budget looks pretty bad? Tom and Leslie have tips for makeovers that require little to absolutely NO cash. Plus: Have you ever thought about adding solar panels to your home? Hearing lots of promises on how much money you’ll save? Tom shares the “creative math” some solar companies use to make the deal looks a lot better than it really is. If you’re just starting out in your first home or apartment, Tom & Leslie share ways to stretch your budget, along with your creative “muscles”, to create a place you’ll be proud to call home. Ever feel like you start projects but just can’t finish them? A recent survey shows more homeowners are taking on DIY projects, but more than half of DIY’rs have unfinished tasks – with almost 20% reporting they have 5 or more projects they need to complete! Get tips for planning a project you can actually get done, along with ideas for creating a realistic budget, and the smartest way to purchase home improvement supplies. Learn how to t

With winter temperatures at record lows across the country – a heated garage might sound pretty good to you! Tom & Leslie have garage heating options, solutions for doors that stick and ways to save money by upcycling furniture. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices