#2375 – Pipe Dreams: Keep Pipes from Freezing | Undecking the Holiday Halls | Stop Sticking Doors

SHOW NOTES:

In this show, we’ve got hot tips for chilly season challenges, including how to keep pipes from freezing when the mercury drops, post-holiday decoration cleanup, and unsticking doors to ensure smooth entries and exits. Stay tuned for these and other topics in a jam-packed episode of winter home improvement!

- Frozen Pipes: When there’s frost in the forecast, know how to keep your pipes from freezing.

- Removing Holiday Decorations: If it’s time to wrap up the holidays, undeck the halls with these quick and easy steps.

- Sticking Doors: If you’re feeling stuck, we’ve got solutions for annoying doors that stick.

Q & A:

- Shower Odors: Heidi can’t get rid of the sour odor coming from the shower drain. We suggest scrubbing the drain carefully with a Borax solution and using a vent fan with a humidistat.

- Concrete Countertop: Should Lane build a DIY concrete countertop? It could be a lot of work, but with proper preparation, it’s a beautiful and inexpensive option.

- Insulation: The upstairs rooms are always colder or hotter than downstairs. Linda should add blown-in insulation to the attic and cover her whole house fan in winter.

- New Home Maintenance: After eight years in a new home, Greg wants advice on what maintenance he should be doing and gets tips on the most important things to watch.

- HVAC Cleaning: Jeannie is concerned that the HVAC system is making her friend sick. She should have a professional inspection to check for mold and other possible problems with the ducts and filters that the landlord may need to fix.

- Sheetrock Repair: Sheetrock tape keeps separating and lifting the paint, even after it’s been redone. Jeffrey should add a thin layer of new drywall over it and be sure it’s taped, primed, and painted properly.

- Worn Woodwork: Paula has worn and damaged woodwork throughout her house. It’s easier and less expensive to replace and repaint some areas than to tear it all out.

- Moisture Stains: A moisture problem under the house was fixed but left a powdery residue on the floors. Leta can easily remove the efflorescence with a vinegar solution.

- Storm Windows: Are storm windows over single-pane double-hung windows efficient enough? They should be fine and Ron can easily upgrade the storm windows if needed.

- Concrete Steps: The concrete mortar in Sandy’s brick steps is starting to deteriorate. It’s a common issue and she just needs to have a mason repoint the mortar.

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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