Get DIY tips to help you turn a ho-hum space into a home theater. Find out how to avoid creepy Christmas tree bugs that may have attached themselves to your holiday tree and learn home wallpaper is making a big comeback. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about hiring an insurance adjuster, fixing cracks in stucco , solving sink problems, and solutions for hot water shortage  and more.
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Episode #1954: Creating a DIY Home Theater | Avoiding Christmas Tree Bugs | Wallpaper Renaissance

Does your home ever feel like “a Money Pit?”  It doesn’t have to be that way!  We’re Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete, hosts of The Money Pit Podcast. For us, a money pit is not a disaster – it’s a home you love! Whether you’re dealing with a repair or dreaming about a reno, consider us your coach, helper or home improvement therapist for all things remodeling, decor or fix up! From bathrooms to basements, demolition to décor and gardening to garages, we share non-biased expertise to help you tackle your to-do’s with confidence. Taking care of a home can be a combination of love, pride and heart-stopping fear - but we promise to help you plan, save you money and spare you from snafus. Join us for new episodes every Monday and Thursday, just in time to plan your next home improvement adventure!

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SHOW NOTES:
Today’s show is all about making the most of your home's spaces! First, we'll discuss choosing durable, low-maintenance kitchen countertops. Then, we'll explore making use of the area under your second-story deck with under-deck drainage systems. And if your asphalt driveway is worn out, we have expert replacement tips. Save time, money, and effort with answers to these and other home improvement questions!
- Countertops: Busy kitchens require the most durable countertop materials that are easy to maintain.
- Underdeck Space: Make the most of unused living space under your second-story deck.
- Driveway Repair: Get tips on replacing an asphalt driveway that’s showing wear and tear.
 
Q & A:
- Deck Stain: Pauline’s stained deck is already looking worn again. She should apply an oil-based primer and a solid deck stain with more pigmentation that will last longer.
- Garage Door: There’s dry rot around the garage door’s wood header. Dave needs to build a temporary wall to hold up the roof while replacing the header.
- Skylight: Will installing a skylight interfere with viewing the TV screen clearly? Ginny’s tubular fixtures will point light downward, so it shouldn’t be an issue.
- Driveway Repair: Scott’s old aggregate stone driveway is starting to crumble. It would be hard to repair that rough surface and we suggest replacing the driveway instead.
- Patio Furniture: Lucy needs to clean the patio furniture that was left outside. She gets tips on the best way to clean different surfaces and materials.
- Windows: Edwin is renovating his 1875 post and beam house and needs advice on keeping the aesthetics of the old windows with energy-efficient replacement windows.
- Ridge Vents: Are ridge vents really necessary? Mary doesn’t like them, but learns they’re doing what’s needed to provide ventilation and prevent moisture in the attic.
- Water Heater: Mary can’t replace the electric water heater with a tankless model, but she can switch to an electric heat pump water heater instead.
- French Doors: Is there a way to seal the bottom of French doors to keep rainwater out? David should concentrate on solving his drainage problems to divert water away.
 
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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#2413 – Solid Choices for Most Durable Countertops | Useable Underdeck Space | Asphalt Driveway Tips

SHOW NOTES:
Today’s show shines a spotlight on home safety! First, learn what to check to prevent deck collapses, and then discover how to protect your home’s water quality. Finally, find out why metal roofs are your best bet against severe weather. Get answers to these and other home improvement questions on this Money Pit episode!
- Deck Collapse: Safeguard your outdoor fun with a five-step DIY checkup to avoid a deck collapse.
- Water Quality: Learn how to maintain high-quality water that’s clean, safe, and tastes great.
- Metal Roofs: Ride out the storm with a metal roof that stands up to severe weather.
 
Q & A:
- Crown Molding: Tracy has questions on how to install crown molding. It’s a difficult carpentry job but using DIY foam molding makes it easy to cut, install, and paint over.
- Foundation Moisture: Glen found water in his crawlspace and gets tips to improve the grading, gutters, and downspouts to keep water away from the foundation.
- Water Heater: It takes too long for the water to get hot because of the distance between the water heater and Loretta’s bathroom. We suggest installing a hot water recirculating system with a timer.
- Chimney: Nothing has solved a persistent damp spot on the bedroom wall next to Richard’s chimney. He should try using a vapor-permeable masonry sealer on the brick.
- Renovating Tips: Kay needs advice on what to check in a home that’s been vacant. She should start by hiring a home inspector to give an overall assessment of what’s needed.
- Smoke Odors: John’s tenant smoked and the smell permeates everything! We’ve got advice for deep cleaning and sealing all the surfaces to get rid of the smoke odor.
- Patio Surface: What kind of base should Linda use for a combination patio and carport? A reinforced poured concrete slab would be the most permanent and durable.
- Pool Deck: What’s the best way to repair cracks around a concrete pool deck? We recommend that Michael use a DIY crack seal product from Quikrete.
- Mold on Brick: Is there an easy way to remove mold from brick without damaging the mortar? Judy can spray on a slow-working mildewcide and let it sit to clean the mold.
 
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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#2412 – Deck Check: Tips to Avoid a Deck Collapse | Water Quality and Taste | Stormproof Metal Roofs

SHOW NOTES:
In this home improvement episode, find out what defines a truly green product, get tips on designing a room that grows with your child, and discover how to create a stunning countertop in a weekend without breaking the bank. Plus, get answers to questions from homeowners just like you for more DIY projects!
- Green Products: Go beyond the labels and learn what defines truly green products for your home.
- Kids’ Rooms: Design space-saving rooms that can adapt to your growing kids.
- Countertops: Create a marvelous marble countertop in a weekend.
 
Q & A:
- Basement Flooring: Colin’s basement concrete floor is uneven. He could use a floor leveling compound but it’s possible to compensate slight unevenness with new flooring.
- Hot Water: It takes a while for the water to get hot. There are advantages to a tankless water heater, but Sharon should consider a bypass valve to recirculate hot water through the pipes.
- Exterior Crawlspace: Chad needs to seal the crawlspace under his modular home against animals. We’ve got tips for securely installing PVC lattice to a frame structure.
- Squeaky Floor: Nancy learns how to stop squeaks in the floor by using long drywall screws alongside nails in the subfloor to prevent movement.
- Roof Leaks: Ice dams under the roof shingles caused leaks in Mary’s home. The damage should be covered by insurance and she needs to contact a public adjuster to be sure the repairs are done right.
- Water Heater: Mike needs to keep draining residue from his water heater. He gets tips on how to speed up the process and buying an affordable water softener.
- Bathroom Leak: There’s water on the ceiling from the upstairs bathroom. Kirsten should check the shower pan and wall tiles for cracks or gaps in the seams or grout.
- Crawlspace: How should the surface of a crawlspace be sealed? Keith should overlap plastic sheeting on the dirt and up the walls to prevent moisture from seeping up.
 
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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#2411 – Green Standard: Choosing Green Products | Rooms for Growing Kids | DIY Marble Countertops

SHOW NOTES:
In this show, get expert advice on creating a simple landscaping plan to transform your outdoor space, maximizing your deck's potential by installing an under-deck drainage system, and cleaning delicate window shades without risking damage. Plus, stay tuned for answers to more home improvement questions to create your best home ever!
Window Shades: Get tips on how to clean delicate window shades without damaging them.
Underdeck Drainage: Add dry, usable outdoor space with an underdeck drainage system.
Landscaping: Design a stunningly simple landscaping plan for your home, lifestyle, and budget.
 
Q & A:
Driveway Repair: Water is pooling in sunken areas of the driveway. Joe can use a blacktop patching product and then reseal the whole surface.
Moisture: To reduce moisture building up on interior walls, Laura should run the A/C consistently, direct bathroom and kitchen vents outside, improve exterior drainage, and install a whole-house dehumidifier.
Creaky Floor: Kevin’s floor is creaking under the tiles. He gets info on how to find the movement from the basement and use shims to tap into the floor gaps from underneath.
Noisy Pipes: There’s a loud banging in the basement whenever the water is used. Nicole learns it may be water hammer or the well pump going on and off.
Electrical Wiring: Jay’s electrician said he could just split the circuits and use an arc fault breaker instead of replacing all the old wiring. We confirm that’s excellent advice.
Roofing: Should Tina remove the old roof shingles before installing a metal roof? We agree it’s a bad idea to leave the shingles because of the heat factor. 
Concrete Stains: Is there a way for Garland to remove battery acid stains on his garage floor? We recommend covering the garage floor with epoxy paint.
Wall Paint: Diane wants advice on applying a Venetian plaster effect to her walls. It’s a unique look that may take practice and we suggest using it on a focal wall.
Sump Pump: Bob has questions about a sump pump that runs through the carport. He should install a check valve so water can’t back up and a curtain drain to direct the water.
 
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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#2410 – Shady Business: Cleaning Window Shades | Underdeck Drainage Systems | Simple Landscape Plans

SHOW NOTES:
Today, get ready to level up your home and garden game as we discuss the advantages of building a greenhouse for year-round gardening and understanding the distinctions between cleaners, sanitizers, and disinfectants to keep your home clean and germ-free. You’ll also get advice on testing and adjusting your soil for a lush, green lawn that will be the talk of the neighborhood. Don't miss out on these and lots more essential home improvement solutions!
- Greenhouse: Get tips for building a backyard greenhouse for a year-round crop of fresh vegetables.
- Cleaning Products: Clean, sanitize, deodorize: which cleaning product does what?
- Lawn Care: Test your soil for a lush lawn that will make the neighbors green with envy.
 
Q & A: 
- Well Water: Susan’s not sure if she needs a water softener or a filter for her well water. Getting a complete water test done will show what kind of treatment is needed.
- House Beams: Joel wants to remove the center load-bearing beam so he can lower the ceiling, but it’s one of the most difficult projects to do so the roof won’t collapse.
- Chimney Vent: Esther’s new furnace was vented outside instead of through the chimney. She gets advice on how to have a direct duct outside for her water heater, too.
- Basement Smells: There’s a persistent musty smell in Ted’s finished basement. We recommend installing a whole-house dehumidifier and improving the outside drainage.
- Wood Kitchen Walls: Janet gets some ideas on how to give her kitchen a rustic country style with beadboard, wood plank, or vinyl plank flooring adhered to the walls.
- Water Heater: Some strange sounds are coming from James’ water heater! We discuss why pipes make noise as the water heats up and how to look for potential leaks.
- Old Electrical Wiring: Judy was told that her old knob and tube wiring is not a concern. It’s actually unsafe and can’t be grounded, so it should be disabled and replaced.
- Installing a Bathroom: Phillip has a poured concrete house and wants to install a bathroom. There are two ways it can be done because of the solid walls and floors.
 
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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Episode #1954: Creating a DIY Home Theater | Avoiding Christmas Tree Bugs | Wallpaper Renaissance

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