SHOW NOTES:

- Fireplace and Chimney Safety: Stop playing with fire and get tips on maintaining your fireplace and chimney.

- Driveway Repair: Fall is a great time to fix and seal your cracked or worn driveway.

- Indoor Air Quality: Learn the best way to breathe easier and clear the air of dust, pollen, and other allergens.

Q & A:

- Chimney Repair: Someone suggested using roof cement to cover cracks in a chimney crown, but Bill should use a good silicone caulk sealant instead.

- Flower Beds: Michelle wants to know how to place her flower bed. We recommend grading the soil away from the house before planting and not adding any borders that may impede drainage.

- Deck Cleaning: A chemical reaction with a deck cleaning product left Andrew’s wood deck with a splotchy white film. He could use a spare piece of lumber to test a solid stain and see how well it will cover the filmy residue on the rest of the deck.

- Crawlspace Odor: There’s a musty odor coming from the dirt crawlspace that opens into Bridget’s basement. She needs to lay down a plastic vapor barrier, check the outside drainage, and build a hatch to close the opening.

- Air Conditioning Systems: What’s the cost of a new air conditioning unit? Steve should get estimates from a number of contractors because the price can vary widely.

- Epoxy Flooring: Cindy wants to add speckles to her existing epoxy floor. As long as the first layer is adhering well, she can simply apply a second layer and add them.

- Basement Moisture: Randall had a flooded basement and needs to reduce moisture. He doesn’t need vents but he should improve the drainage around his foundation and install a dehumidifier.

- Electrical Openings: Catherine changed her mind about basement lighting and has holes where the outlets and fixtures were supposed to be. We offer advice about disconnecting the electrical wiring and how to cover the openings.

- Sinking Porch: One side of Charles’ concrete porch has sunken in. He’ll need to break up the slab and redo the foundation before pouring a new cement porch.

ASK A QUESTION:

Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask.

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