The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

By Leslie Segrete

Does your home ever feel like “a Money Pit?” It doesn’t have to be that way! As host of The Money Pit Podcast, a money pit is not a disaster – it’s a home you love! Whether ... more

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FAQs about The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast:

How many episodes does The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 2,118 episodes available.

The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast episodes:

December 26, 20225 Ways to Redecorate on a Budget | Clear Cabinet Clutter | Slippery Sidewalk Solutions | Ep #2269
SHOW NOTES:
Home Redecorating: Get tips on how to save money while redecorating your home on a budget.
Organizing Cabinets: Having an organized pantry makes it easier to find things, saving you time, space, and money. Get tips on clearing storage clutter.
Slippery Sidewalks: Learn the best ways to avoid slipping on icy sidewalks and prevent damage to walkways and steps.
Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.
Patio Covers: Janet wants to build a patio cover but isn’t sure how to attach it to the house. We suggest installing a removable patio awning instead, which offers more advantages.
Brick Siding: Is there an alternative to extending the brick siding when raising the upper floor of a house? We give Joe some options for siding materials he can use instead that will complement the brick.
Contractor Issues: When a gutter installation job wasn’t done right, Eve’s not sure how to handle the problem with the contractor. We’ve got tips on how to divert the water from the roof and options for next steps.
Heating: Joan has a small outbuilding that she wants to heat and use as a craft space. It should be easy to run a gas line for a small furnace and add insulation to the shed.
Sagging Floor: Moisture and humidity are making the wood flooring in a crawlspace buckle. Luke finds out about using a vapor barrier, venting, and proper drainage to keep things dry, plus other things to look for.
Efflorescence: After stopping the water from pooling under her home’s foundation, Leta still has a powdery grey film on her wood floors. It’s simple to clean up those mineral salt deposits with a vinegar solution.
Drainage: How are you supposed to drain water away from your house when it’s built at the bottom of a steeply sloped property? John will need to intercept the water with a curtain drain in the soil to redirect it down the hill.

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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40min
December 22, 2022Are You Using the Wrong Firewood? | Avoiding Expensive Ice Damage | Get Rid of Hidden Viruses in Your Home | Ep #2268
SHOW NOTES:
Firewood: Find out how to choose the right kind of firewood for comfort and safety before lighting up that fireplace.
Ice Dams: Melting ice on your roof can cause expensive damage. Learn how to prevent ice dams and how to get your insurance to pay for repairs.
Disinfecting Your Home: ‘Tis the season for all kinds of nasty germs and viruses! We’ve got the best ways to clean and disinfect your home effectively.
Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.
Refinishing Wood Floors: Is there an easy way to refinish hardwood floors that are dull but not damaged? Jamie just needs to do a light sanding with a floor buffer to remove some old finish before applying a new coat of urethane.
Wood Stove: Melana is installing a wood stove but wants to be sure it won’t damage the new electrical behind it. She must make sure the stove is placed far enough from the walls and add a heat shield behind it.
Heated Driveway: Installing a heated driveway would be a big help when there’s lots of snow! Dylan gets info about outdoor radiant heating systems that are available, but they can also be expensive to operate.
Wood Trim: There is worn and damaged woodwork throughout the home Paula is selling. It will be easier and less expensive to fill, prime, and repaint the damaged areas of molding than to replace it all.
Cold Floors: John’s getting cold feet in the small room over a cinderblock crawlspace. He can either break through the wall to add access for insulation or add a layer of insulated subfloor in the room.
Garbage Disposal: Every time Eden turns on the garbage disposal, it backs up gunk into the other drain of her double sink. She needs to clear the obstruction in the main drain line by blocking the disposal drain while plunging the other one.

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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40min
December 19, 2022The Important Window Label You Need to Read | Avoid These Mistakes When Selling Your Home | Is Vampire Power Sucking Your Energy? | Ep #2267
SHOW NOTES:
Window Shopping: If you’re shopping for new windows, you need to know how to read this important label.
Home-Selling Mistakes: When selling your home, avoid these kitchen trends that will scare off buyers.
Saving Energy: Some appliances can run on standby power even when they’re off, wasting energy and costing you money. Here’s what to do.
Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.
Fireplace Drafts: There are drafts blowing in all around Susan’s manufactured fireplace. We’ll tell her how to see if it’s installed correctly and how to stop some of the drafts.
Metal Siding Repair: Wade is fighting the insurance company to have his storm-damaged steel siding replaced appropriately. We explain why he should get a public adjuster to make sure the job is done right.
Shower Odors: Phew! There’s a foul odor coming from the shower in Heidi’s basement. We suggest using a Borax solution to scrub inside the drain and installing a humidistat timer to make sure the fans are venting long enough.
Driveway Drainage: When it rains, it pours…right down the driveway and flooding the front of Rob’s shop. We’ve got step-by-step instructions on adding a culvert across the driveway to intercept and drain the water runoff.
Home Maintenance: Greg wants to be sure he’s keeping up with maintenance on his new home. We talk about the most important systems to check.
Roof Leaks: Cindy’s corrugated metal roof keeps leaking around the screws and gaskets. Her best options are to add another layer of roof with an ice and water shield in between or to remove the original roof and start over.
Home Heating: Will installing a drop ceiling help with heating a home with high ceilings? We agree that it will and encourage Kerry to add insulation on top of the ceiling, too.
Uneven Floor: A dip in the floor of an old house is starting to twist the stairs. Deb finds out it would be easier to change the staircase than to raise the floor.

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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40min
December 15, 2022Affordable Ways to Take Kitchen Cabinets from Drab to Fab | Keep Santa Safe with a Chimney Liner! | How to Remove the Top 6 Stubborn Tile Stains | Ep #2266
SHOW NOTES:
Refinishing Kitchen Cabinets: Find out affordable DIY options to refinish drab kitchen cabinets.
Chimney Safety: Before starting a cozy fire this season, see if you need a chimney liner to keep things safe.
Tile Stain Removal: Cleaning tile floors can be challenging, but we’ve got tips on how to remove the most stubborn tile stains.
Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.
Attic Space: Limited access to the attic makes it impossible to install insulation. We’ll tell Mark how to cut the drywall to make the attic openings bigger.
Air Cleaners: Too much dust? Ann learns an electronic air cleaner for her HVAC system will be more effective than fiberglass filters for reducing the dust and pollen in her home.
Driveway Stains: Tom’s truck left oil stains on his unsealed concrete driveway. He can use TSP to clean the driveway stains without having to pressure wash.
Hot Water Pressure: Brrrrr! Elsie gets a jolt each time her hot water turns cold in the shower. She needs a new pressure-balanced valve to maintain the water temperature.
Bathroom Condensation: There’s lots of moisture in the bathrooms, even with vented exhaust fans and dampers. We advise Eddie to install a humidistat timer to keep the air moving long enough to dry things out.
Carpet Cleaning: Yuck! It looks like mold is growing on the carpeting on Sue’s concrete slab porch. We think it’s just algae that can be cleared up by using a steam cleaner.
Asbestos Siding: Iron in the well water has left an unappealing golden glow on the asbestos concrete siding. Using TSP to clean it won’t be enough and Louis will have to paint the siding to cover the stains.
Plaster Walls: Cynthia’s got questions about the plaster walls in her old house from 1896. We explain the history of wall materials through the years.
Painting Cabinets: What’s the best way to paint wood bathroom cabinets that have been stained? Carol gets step-by-step tips on refinishing the cabinets and what products to use.

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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41min
December 12, 20229 Rules That Tenants Break | Water Heater Emergencies | Why Smart Thermostats are a Brilliant Idea | Ep #2265
SHOW NOTES:
Tenant Rules: Do you know the 9 rules that tenants are most likely to break? Here’s what both landlords and renters need to know.
Water Heaters: When that old water heater starts to leak, it could lead to expensive emergency repairs. Know when it’s time for a new water heater.
Smart Thermostats: Keeping warm, saving energy, and reducing heating bills is made easy by installing a smart thermostat.
Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.
Water Pressure: The hot water pressure in Sam’s old house is fine everywhere except in the bathtub. Those old steel pipes could be clogged with rust or he may just need a new faucet or valve.
Energy-Efficient Windows: Drafty windows are driving up the utility bills in Linda’s rental home. We’ll tell her how to use shrink film and weatherstripping caulk to make the windows more energy-efficient.
Toilet Water: Darren is installing a 265-gallon rain barrel for his toilet water and has questions about filtering and water pressure. We’ve got some helpful answers.
Wood Flooring: How can you level a subfloor to install hardwood flooring over it? We give Diane some info on carpentry solutions and applying a liquid floor leveling compound.
Roofing Tools: After working on a number of roofs, Mark has some interesting ideas for innovative tools that can make it easier to remove roofing shingles.
Concrete Repair: A concrete keeps cracking on Leah’s entryway and porch. There are plenty of products that will adhere and repair the concrete.
Stone Walls: Dennis needs to know what kind of mortar to use for old stone walls that are two feet thick. We’ll tell him about the right mortar mix for stonework.

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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40min
December 08, 2022Best Way to Warm Up a Chilly Room | 4 Terrific Tub Tune-ups | The Dangers of Gutters Gone Bad | Ep #2264
SHOW NOTES:
Gutter Maintenance: Faulty gutters can cause expensive damage all around your home. Learn how to keep your gutters in shape.
Space Heaters: Want to warm up that chilly room? These space-age space heaters offer the perfect solution.
Bathtub Refinishing: Tired of seeing that ring around the bathtub? We’ve got 4 refinishing ideas for a tub that needs a good scrub.
Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.
Contractors: Is there a way to handle pushy contractors with bad attitudes? We offer Rita a suggestion on how to find the best home improvement contractors.
Pavers: George wants to know the best way to lock concrete pavers in place. He gets tips on how much space he needs and using a flexible patio border edging.
Wood Paneling: There’s dark wood paneling throughout Dena’s house. We tell her how to clean, sand, and prime the paneling before painting it over.
Bathroom Exhaust Fan: Condensation drips down the bathroom walls every time Brian uses the shower. He should get a more powerful exhaust fan that vents outside the house and be sure it runs long enough.
Window Drafts: It’s freezing in Renea’s apartment! We’ve got tips on using weatherstripping caulk and shrink film to seal the drafts around windows and sliding doors.
Hard Water: Even with a water softener system, mineral deposits are causing spots when Clair washes the cars. It’s time to have the water softener checked and serviced again.
Wallpaper Removal: Is there an easy way to remove layers of wallpaper? We tell Thomas how to cut, moisten, and loosen the paste or rent a wallpaper steamer.
Cleaning Garage Floors: Laurie’s garage floor is coated with layers of oil and grease. Her best bet is to power wash it with a TSP solution, then add an epoxy finish.
Stone Countertops: Is there a maintenance-free natural stone countertop? Quartz and concrete are good alternatives to granite, but Ross will still need to give them some amount of care.

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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40min
December 05, 2022Are Your Pipes in Danger of Freezing? | Sleep Soundly with a Better Mattress | Remodel Your Bathroom in Time for Holiday Guests | Ep #2263
SHOW NOTES:
Frozen Pipes: Frozen pipes that break are a winter worry that can cause expensive damage. Find out how to keep your pipes from freezing.
Choosing a Mattress: The right mattress can help you sleep soundly and avoid an aching back. Learn what to look for when mattress shopping.
DIY Bathroom Remodel: Want to remodel your bathroom in time for the holidays? It can be done with these DIY tips.
Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.
New Flooring: Do you need to strip a stained concrete floor before installing a new floor over it? Ted’s got lots of DIY options for floating flooring that doesn’t require any prep work.
Old Wiring: Sandra’s house has very old knob and tube wiring and she’s starting to update her kitchen. Brittle, ungrounded wiring can be dangerous, so it’s time to update the electrical system.
Fireplace Cleaning: How do you clean the creosote in a wood-burning fireplace? Bill gets suggestions on what to use depending on how much soot there is, plus safety advice on proper venting.
Sealing Concrete: The vinyl siding on Peggy’s home goes all the way down to the concrete slab and traps moisture. It’s nearly impossible to seal, so she’ll need to remove some of the bottom siding and install rubberized flashing.
Storm Windows: Should single-pane double-hung windows be replaced with insulated windows? Upgrading his storm windows may be all that Ron needs to do.
Garage Flooring: There’s a low spot in the garage floor where water pools and freezes. Mona can try a patching compound to level the floor or modular garage flooring tiles to provide drainage and traction.
Painting Doors: The layers of paint on Mark’s exterior metal door keep curling. He’ll have to remove the door, then strip, sand, and prime it so a new coat of paint can adhere properly.
Cement Repair: An area of the porch that’s been cemented over keeps breaking off. Denise should use a patching product for better adhesion instead of adding cement on top of cement.

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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40min
December 01, 2022Best Way to Budget Home Projects | Hassle-Free Wallpaper Removal | Easy Compost Tips for Leaves | Ep #2262
SHOW NOTES:
Home Improvement Costs: What are the most popular home renovation projects and what do they cost? How to budget for remodels and repairs.
Wallpaper Removal: Getting rid of outdated wallpaper can be a chore, but we’ve got tips on making wallpaper removal less of a hassle.
Composting Leaves: Once all those fall leaves have been raked up, don’t just drag them to the curb. Find out how to compost leaves for next year’s garden.
Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.
Electrical Wiring: An old home has a mix of old and new outlets and wiring. Lisa learns why it’s always safer to update electrical wiring and outlets and keep things grounded.
Updating Formica: Mark needs to make his dark Formica countertop lighter. We offer info on a great product that gives the beautiful look of granite.
Wood Countertop: Anne wants to install an undermount sink with a hardwood kitchen countertop. We caution her that wood is hard to maintain and suggest some easier alternatives.
Exterior Paint: Why does exterior paint keep bubbling and chipping even after the siding was primed? The previous paint job may not have been done properly, so Dana will have to strip the surface and use a bonding primer, then repaint.
Cleaning Windows: Is there a lazy way to clean windows? Marie will still need some effort to avoid streaking and clouding on the windows.
Metal Roofing: Where can you find information about the different grades of metal roofing? Joe learns about a helpful website with lots of details on why metal roofs are a good investment.
Plumbing: Mary will be installing a whole house water filter but doesn’t know where the underground lines are. We tell her where to look for the location of the main water valve inside her home, where the filter will be attached.
Sink Insulation: Is there a way to insulate a kitchen sink to keep standing water warm? Jim may need to get creative with spray foam insulation or an insulating blanket.
Wet Basement: After a long drought, Cindy is suddenly getting moisture in her basement when it rains. She’ll need to check the drainage in her gutters, downspouts, and grading around the house to solve the problem.
Cabinet Hardware: The selection of doorknobs and cabinet hardware that Russell has found is disappointing. We’ve got tips on finding more variety through cabinet hardware websites to update his kitchen.

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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40min
November 28, 2022Improve Your Driveway Approach | Heat Up Those Chilly Spaces | Trash Talk: DIY Garbage Disposal Fixes | Ep #2261
SHOW NOTES:
Driveway Stains: Tired of coming home to a worn-out driveway? Get ways to clean and seal driveway surfaces.
Space Heaters: Chilly rooms are an age-old problem, but space-age space heaters offer the perfect solution.
Garbage Disposals: Has your garbage disposal gotten its fill of holiday leftovers? We’ve got DIY tips on how to clear the jam safely and get it running again.
Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.
Repairing Stone and Brick: Mindy has multiple areas in her porch, steps, and brick that need repair. We have recommendations on what to use to restore the surfaces.
Wood Siding: Can faded Western Red Cedar siding be restored or should it be replaced with pine siding? Mike will need to use solid stain either way, but unless it’s deteriorated, keeping the cedar siding is the more durable option.
Tile Grout: The grout around the ceramic tiles looks dull and chalky. We give Joyce DIY tips on how to easily carve out the top layer of the old grout, then apply and seal new grout in its place.
Weather Stripping: Jim is trying to get his doors to fit more tightly against the weather stripping. The easiest solution may be to adjust the lock strike plate to press the door in more firmly.
Drainage Systems: The builder of Jill’s new home recommends installing a double set of drainage systems, but is it overkill? We agree it’s the right thing to do, and offer tips on grading, downspouts, and gutters.
Painting: What is the proper order to paint the walls and baseboards in a room? Using masking tape to protect the edges, Jake should paint the trim first and then the walls.
Insulation: Why is it always hotter or colder upstairs than in the rest of the house? Linda should add some blown-in insulation and cover her whole house fan in winter.
Crawl Space: Why should you install a plastic vapor barrier and close the vents in a basement crawl space? Floyd learns how they help in preventing basement moisture.

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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41min
November 24, 2022Leaky Roof? Know When to Repair or Replace It | Washers and Dryers Can Be a Dangerous Duo | Heat Pumps for Frigid Weather | Ep #2260
SHOW NOTES:
Roofing: Find out whether it’s time to repair or replace that old, leaky roof and how to make roof shingles last.
Washers and Dryers: Washers and dryers can cause leaks and fires if they’re not properly maintained. Here’s what to do.
Heat Pumps: When temperatures plummet, you’ll want an energy-efficient heat pump system to improve comfort and air quality in your home. Know what to look for.
Plus, answers to your home improvement questions.
Soundproofing: Is your upstairs neighbor a ceiling stomper? Hopefully the noisy neighbor will agree to add soundproofing to the flooring while Tony uses soft goods to absorb the echo in his own apartment.
HVAC: Gina has been advised to upgrade to a high-efficiency boiler with a direct vent system. We agree it’s worth the higher cost, which will be offset by rebates and energy savings, plus added home value.
Concrete Repair: Need to fix cracks in a stamped concrete patio? Scott gets tips on how to color silicone caulk to match the existing concrete.
Garage Insulation: Is it a good idea to insulate a detached garage? It’s worth adding spray foam insulation and fiberglass wallboard in case Christine decides to heat the garage in the future.
Concrete Block Stains: The leaky cellar windows have been replaced and the problem stopped, but Ross still has stains on the concrete block wall. It should be easy to remove the efflorescence with a wire brush and apply concrete paint.
Water Heater: Yuck! Lots of gunk came out of the old water heater when it was emptied. Gwen gets advice on draining the new water heater regularly to keep hard water mineral deposits from settling at the bottom.
Refinishing Concrete: David’s concrete patio has gotten faded from the sun. We suggest some products for cleaning, staining, and refinishing the patio to make it attractive and durable.
Sealing Gaps: There’s a recurring gap between the bottom doorsill and the concrete walkway behind Julianne’s house. We’ll tell her how to apply epoxy repair cement that will work better than the silicone caulking she’s been using.

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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41min

FAQs about The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast:

How many episodes does The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 2,118 episodes available.

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