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 (888-666-3974) or post your question here.
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Episode #1979: DIY Deck Projects | Decorating Long Rooms | Solutions for Small Electric Panels

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:
In today's episode, we've got you covered from garden to garage! We’ll guide you through tips for building a sturdy stone garden wall, ensuring your bathroom re-tiling lasts with proper underlayment, and safely storing flammable liquids to avoid garage fire hazards. Tune in for essential advice to upgrade and safeguard your home!
- Flammable Liquids: Storing flammable liquids safely is key to avoiding fire hazards in your garage.
- Garden Walls: Get rock-solid tips for building a stone garden wall that lasts.
- Bathroom Tiles: Learn essential steps for waterproofing bathroom tiles to avoid damage and moisture.
 
Q & A:
- Shower Doors: Is there a way to repel water and prevent spots on glass shower doors? We recommend a product Randy can use, plus a squeegee to wipe down the surface.
- House Odors: A funky odor in the house is getting worse. Donna already cleaned everything and took up the carpets, but priming and painting the walls may help.
- Toilet Stains: Axel has been trying to remove a stubborn ring stain in the toilet. A gentle pumice stone can remove it, along with a hydrochloric acid cleaner.
- Firepit: The flame on Steve’s new natural gas firepit isn’t very high. Modifying the gas burner can be dangerous, so he should have a plumber check the gas pressure and contact the manufacturer.
- Lighting: Laura’s compact fluorescent bulbs keep blowing out. They should last a long time, so they may be defective and she should consider buying LED bulbs instead.
- Backsplash: Bills is looking for the best material for a backsplash behind his stove. A solid stone surface that’s cut around the exhaust fan would be easy to install and clean.
- Shower Plumbing: Lynne’s shower is leaking through the ceiling below. We share tips on checking for a crack in the shower pan and caulking all the seams and fixtures.
- Insulation: Does Mark need to ventilate his attic after adding spray foam insulation? We’ll explain why he doesn’t need additional ventilation.
- Basement Floor: Amy’s not sure how to cover the dirt basement floor in her farmhouse. She should test for radon first before deciding what comes next.
- Pool Deck: Will a concrete pool deck crack under the weight of an aquaponic garden tank? It weighs about as much as several people, so Patrick’s deck should be okay.
- Electrical Panel: We have answers for Heidi, who has questions about a new electrical panel that was installed outside, with a subpanel inside.  
- Garage Doors: Is there a way to restore the finish of faded aluminum garage doors? Marlene can paint them after sanding the surface and applying a metal primer.
 
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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#2408 – Handle with Care: Storing Flammable Liquids | Build a Stone Garden Wall | Retiling Bathrooms

SHOW NOTES:
Transform your home and garden with expert tips on today's episode! We start with strategies for optimizing your garage workspace for DIY projects, then serve up ideas for creating your own pizza garden to grow your favorite fresh toppings. Finally, learn the importance of deep cleaning your washing machine from dirt and odors and hear answers to more home improvement questions!
- Washing Machine: Put a new spin on laundry day by deep cleaning your washing machine to banish dirt and odors.
- Gardening: If you want to spice up your gardening projects, nothing tops growing a delicious pizza garden.
- Garage Space: Get tips for creating an efficient garage workspace to make every DIYer more productive.
 
Q & A:
- Porch Railing: Karen wants to add a railing to her porch and is concerned about it being sturdy enough. She gets tips on using the right screws and where to attach it.
- Insulation: Mike’s old house has no insulation inside the brick walls. He should seal any drafts, add attic insulation, and install rigid insulation board and new drywall inside.
- Popcorn Ceiling: Removing a popcorn ceiling can be a mess, but Laurie gets suggestions on how to wet and scrape the surface without damaging the ceiling.
- Water Softener: Ellie seeks advice on replacing her water softener that’s outside the home. We recommend testing the water and getting a model that’s rated for exterior use.
- Landscaping: There are hills and sinkholes in the lawn above the septic tank. Heavy equipment may crush the pipes, so Chris should use a wheelbarrow to add topsoil and level out the lawn.
- Windows: The original windows in a historic home are very drafty. Jim can add weatherstripping or temporary caulk, or find a company that makes replacement windows to match the old style.
- Microwave: The light under Frieda’s old microwave above the stove keeps burning out. We discuss several possible causes, but it may be time to replace the appliance.
- Plumbing Odors: Sewer odors are coming from the bathroom sink, tub, and shower. Gary gets tips on how to scrub the drains with oxygenated bleach to clean out the biogases and bacteria.
- Hardwood Floor: Jennifer is installing hardwood flooring and gets information on placing it parallel to the longest walls and measuring the room to avoid narrow cuts.
 
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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#2407 – A New Spin: How to Deep Clean Your Washing Machine | Grow a Pizza Garden | Garage Workspace

SHOW NOTES:
In this episode, we cover a trio of crucial home improvement topics. First, we share top painting tips to achieve a flawless finish. Next, we discuss maintaining healthy indoor air quality without sacrificing energy efficiency. Finally, learn about installing a front door that looks great and increases your home's value and security. Tune in for these and other answers to questions from homeowners like you!
- Painting Tips: Avoid painting predicaments by brushing up on these tips to paint like a pro.
- Ventilation: Energy efficiency is great, but can your home be too airtight for healthy living?
- Front Doors: Learn how to install a welcoming front door that provides curb appeal, value, and security to your home.

Q & A:
- Garage Trim: Mice and water are coming in through gaps in the corners of Dawn’s garage doors. We recommend replacing the vertical pieces of weatherstripping to seal the spaces.
- Bathroom Renovation: Is it a good idea to flip the toilet and the shower on a cement slab? Scott learns it’s a massive renovation job that’s not worth the expense and effort.
- Water Quality: The cold water from only one faucet has a sickening taste. Nancy should report it to the water company and have the water tested.
- Ceiling Drywall: Kenny can see the outline of the studs behind his ceiling. It’s called ghosting and he gets tips on what causes it and how to hide it.
- Wood Flooring: George gets advice on installing hardwood flooring in his family room, including how to prep the subfloor and paying attention to the pattern of the boards.
- Electrical Outlets: When Belinda installs new GFCI outlets, do they need their own circuit breakers? We explain why it’s not necessary and how to use an outlet tester.
- HVAC: It would be a shame for Steve to remove his efficient and comfortable steam heat radiators, but he can still add a ducted air conditioning system.
- Granite Countertops: How often should granite countertops be sealed? Every two or three years is recommended, but Dave can use some recommended DIY products. 
 
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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#2406 – Brush Up on Tips to Paint Like a Pro | Is Your Home Too Airtight? | Front Doors Add Value

SHOW NOTES:
In this podcast episode, we debunk a popular but misguided lawn care strategy for mowing your grass. We’ll also discuss why metal roofs are winning over homeowners by promising protection for decades, then delve into advancements in hardwood flooring. Tune in for insights on tackling your home improvement projects with expert guidance!
- Lawn Care: Follow these mowing tips to ensure a healthy lawn that is a cut above the rest.
- Metal Roofs: Steel the show by installing a metal roof for durability, style, and energy efficiency.
- Hardwood Floors: Easy-to-install hardwood flooring brings beauty and value to a home.
 
Q & A:
- Brick Adhesive: Debbie is struggling to remove glue around her brick fireplace. There’s no way to do it without ruining the surface, so we suggest installing new plasterboard over the brick.
- Attic Ventilation: Paul has a tile roof with gable vents and a roof-mounted AC unit. We discuss his best options for attic ventilation.
- Hardwood Floors: What’s the best way to refinish a worn hardwood floor? Joyce gets tips on lightly sanding the surface and applying an oil-based polyurethane.
- Plywood Siding: Dennis has T1-11 siding and wants to change it. He can simply install Tyvek and HardiePlank siding right over the old siding.
- Exterior Paint: The paint is peeling and flaking off Donna’s cedar shingles. She must pressure wash and scrape off the old layers of paint, then use an oil-based primer for good adhesion before repainting the cedar siding.
- Sink Finish: Matthew has one sink flange that corrodes every time it’s replaced. It’s an odd problem that may be caused by the water acidity and the quality of the flange finish.
- Insect Screening: Flies are coming in under the edges of a barn roof. Diane should install screening over any vent openings and have a professional apply pesticide for flies.
- Heated Tile Floor: How should electric heating be installed under a tile bathroom floor? Tim gets advice on subfloor options and piping for the heated floor system.
- Roof Vents: Debra has ceiling stains directly under the roof vent pipes. It’s easy to replace any flashing and rubber boots that are deteriorated and cracked.
 
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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#2405 – A Cut Above the Rest: Lawn Mowing Tips | Long-Lasting Metal Roofs | Better Hardwood Flooring

SHOW NOTES:
In this one-stop shop for all things home improvement, we’ll tackle the war against bathroom germs, explore the art of building a paver patio that lasts, reveal expert tips for restoring rotted wood, and answer more questions from callers. Whether you're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a novice homeowner, this episode has something for everyone!
- Bathroom Germs: Experts are flush with ideas on the best way to stop the spread of bathroom germs.
- Paver Patio: Get some tricks of the trade on building a paver patio that will last for years to come.
- Rotted Wood: When wet weather leads to rotted wood, learn how to restore and rebuild the damaged areas.
 
Q & A:
- Windows: Amy thinks her windows are discolored from water damage, but it’s probably normal fading from sun and rain. Sanding and exterior polyurethane can restore the finish.
- Shower Plumbing: The shower temperature changes whenever the toilet flushes. Brad needs to install a pressure balance valve to regulate the mix of hot and cold water.
- Pest Control: Ick! Kelly wants to get rid of bugs, slugs, and rodents. She must seal any gaps, remove any food that may attract rodents, and hire a professional for general pesticide treatment.
- Mortar Repair: The mortar is breaking apart between the doorframes and limestone of Steve’s home. He gets tips on removing the loose mortar and how to repoint those areas.
- Tree Roots: Large tree roots in Kevin’s yard are a problem. We suggest covering them with natural landscaping solutions like mulch, soil, or groundcover plants.
- Electrical Outlets: Pat has questions about installing GFCI outlets in his kitchen. They’re good to have and we explain how they work and how he can do it.
- Sealing Concrete: Past flooding left cracks in Bonnie’s basement floor. She can use silicone caulk to seal them and add a two-part epoxy product over the surface.
- Plumbing Noise: Robert’s new faucet is making a trumpet sound! He get tips on checking the washer and aerator for obstructions before having to replace the faucet.
- Ventilation: After reshingling his roof, Ken gets advice about removing the power vent, adding ridge vents, and completely opening the soffits to improve ventilation.
 
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 #1979: DIY Deck Projects | Decorating Long Rooms | Solutions for Small Electric Panels

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