SHOW NOTES:

Get budget-friendly apartment decorating ideas, add curb appeal with low-cost landscaping tips, and avoid the risks of hiring uninsured contractors with inspiration and information on today’s home improvement episode! Plus, listen in for answers to additional caller questions on a range of DIY projects.

- Apartment Décor: Get affordable apartment décor ideas to fit your budget and save your security deposit.

- Front Yard Landscaping: Create a welcome entry and add curb appeal with low-cost landscaping tips.

- Uninsured Contractors: If you’re hiring a contractor, protect yourself from liability by confirming they’re insured.

Q & A:

- Floor Tile Grout: Grout keeps chipping out from one area of Karen’s tile floor. She needs to remove it again and check to see if the surface is unstable.

- Red Cedar Roof: Phillip loves the way red cedar shingles age on other houses, but there’s no way to be sure how his own cedar shingles will darken over time unless he stains them.

- Structural Support: Trish wants to open up her kitchen, but it’s a big project to remove the loadbearing wall. We offer ideas on other ways to make the rooms look larger.

- Drywall Cracks: It’s not uncommon to have drywall cracks over doorways, but Brian needs advice on how to sand, tape, and spackle the wall so the cracks won’t return.

- Pouring Concrete: After cutting down a tree and grinding the stump, Bobbie wants to extend her sidewalk. She should rake out the sawdust and reinforce the hole with stone before pouring cement so it won’t crack.

- Fireplace: Two fireplaces and two chimneys are bringing smoke into Mike’s house. He should ask a chimney expert about improving the chimney draft.

- Wood Bathroom Décor: Should Melanie extend her untreated rustic knotty pine walls into her bathroom? It’s not a good idea, but there are better options that look like wood.

- Garbage Disposer: What size garbage disposer should Brandon get? We recommend a 1/2 to 3/4 HP model that he can install with basic plumbing and electrical skills.

- Radon: Should Sandra have her home tested for radon? We discuss using a DIY test, how to read the results, and guidelines for remediation if it’s needed.

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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