The Money Pit Top Products Podcast

No matter what the weather, If your roof is ready for a re-do, quality metal roofing offers many benefits you won't find in other materials. Renee Ramey, the Executive Director of the Metal Roofing Alliance joins hosts Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete to talk about the benefits of metal roofs, which offer unbeatable protection against severe weather, including hurricanes, tornados, and even hail!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Upgrade your home's drinking water with the RO Pure Plus from Premier H2O, which offers a compact design, powerful filtration, and great-tasting water. Hosts Tom and Leslie discuss the new RO Pure Plus from Premier H2O by Watts Water Technologies. This compact, reverse osmosis (RO) system is designed to fit seamlessly into small under-counter spaces while delivering the high-quality water your family deserves. Money Pit Listeners can also score a 25% discount by going to https://www.premierh2o.com/moneypit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this insightful interview on The Money Pit Home Improvement Show, Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List (now ANGI), discusses the ongoing challenges homeowners face in finding trustworthy contractors, the shortage of skilled labor, and the importance of making informed decisions when it comes to home repairs and maintenance. Angie offers practical advice on budgeting for home upkeep, deciding between DIY and hiring a pro, and essential safety tips like knowing how to shut off the main water valve. This interview is a must-listen for homeowners looking to navigate the complexities of home improvement, as Angie provides valuable insights on avoiding costly mistakes and finding the right help when needed. Topics include: Finding Reliable Contractors • Angie explains the difficulty many homeowners face in finding qualified contractors due to the small business nature of most pros. They often lack large marketing budgets, making them hard to find. • ANGI helps homeowners by providing reviews and recommendations based on feedback from real customers who have used these services. Skilled Labor Shortage • The hosts and Angie discuss the increasing shortage of skilled tradespeople, which stems partly from a lack of vocational training in schools. Many young people are encouraged to pursue college rather than trades. • The unrealistic expectations created by home improvement TV shows and the lack of basic home maintenance knowledge in younger generations are also contributing factors. DIY vs. Hiring a Professional • Angie advises homeowners to consider whether they have the tools, talent, and time before tackling a DIY project. If any of these are lacking, it's often better to hire a pro. Home Safety Essentials • Angie stresses the importance of knowing how to shut off the main water valve and having a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. These small steps can prevent minor issues from becoming major disasters. Are Home Warranties Worth It? • Angie recommends homeowners carefully review the details of home warranties. While they can provide protection, it's important to understand what's covered and what's not, as well as who will be performing the repairs. Tracking Key Home Components • Keeping an inventory of major home systems like the roof, furnace, and air conditioner helps homeowners plan for repairs or replacements. This avoids unexpected expenses and helps with budgeting. Budgeting for Home Maintenance: • Angie suggests homeowners set aside 1-2% of their home's value annually for maintenance. She encourages new homeowners to inspect their homes critically, as they would when buying, to prioritize repairs and improvements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Allison Hunt, Marketing Director for Pavestone, joins hosts Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete to introduce the Ladera Wall Blocks, a versatile and easy-to-use product designed for DIY outdoor projects like fire pits, raised garden beds, seating walls, and even bars. Key Highlights: • Ease of Use: Ladera blocks are designed to replicate the look of dry stack stone, but with greater stability and faster installation using construction adhesive. • Quick Projects: Building a fire pit can be done in under five minutes, with no special cuts or tools required. • Structural Integrity: Blocks are stable and durable, but adhesive is recommended for added stability. • Customizable Appearance: With seven face fronts and false joints, the blocks offer a seamless, natural look without repetitive patterns. • Applications: From fire pits to bar structures and seating walls, Ladera blocks inspire creative, functional designs. Where to Buy: Visit Pavestone.com for purchasing locations and project inspiration. See also project building instructions for this fire pit. Allison emphasizes that these blocks make masonry projects accessible to everyone, turning complex builds into simple, enjoyable DIY tasks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Arrow Fastener, the manufacturer of the world's best-selling staple gun, the T50®, has introduced a new family of multi-tools that can use several types of fasteners and solve many DIY challenges with just one tool. Bill Sokol, VP of Marketing for Arrow Fastener joins Money Pit hosts Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete to describe the new line. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

New InteliSense™ Technology from Carrier is changing the way HVAC dealers and technicians help customers. Available exclusively on the Carrier Performance Series, InteliSense gives dealers the power of remote diagnostics and real-time updates, so they'll have the smartest techs – and happiest customers – in the business. Plus, InteliSense sends reminders to customers when maintenance is due to help make sure the systems always perform at peak efficiency. Money Pit host Tom Kraeutler interviews Dee Dee McCoy, project manager for InteliSense™ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shubber Ali, CEO of Garden for Wildlife joins hosts Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete with tips on how to find native plants that will thrive and attract birds in your local area, as well as how to create a Certified Wildlife Habitat in your own backyard! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adding insulation is the single-most cost effective way to improve a home's comfort and energy efficiency. Hosts Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete interview Nick Bramwell, insulation Merchant at Home Depot about new insulation products from Owens Corning that make this project easier and more effective than ever before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wouldn't it be great if dust and allergens would just stick to your home's air filter like glue? Well that's almost exactly what happens wit the new high-tech filters from Castle. These revolutionary new filters trap as much as 10 times the allergens of a standard filter and last for a full year. Scott Oakes from Castle explains the technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adding insulation to your home has long been one of the most cost effective and smartest energy saving improvement. But fiberglass is often to be thought of as itchy and hard to work with. Now, there's a new generation of fiberglass insulation that is easy to handle and as soft as cotton, making this project far simpler to get done by both pros and DIYr's. Trey McNamee is the Marketing Leader for Residential Insulation at Owens Corning and joins us to talk about the new Owens Corning® PINK Next Gen™ Fiberglas™ insulation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Selecting the right primer for kitchen cabinet refinishing is key to a successful project. Hosts Tom Kraeutler & Leslie Segrete interview Dr. Greg Williams, a dynamic speaker, Organic Chemist and the Director of Product Marketing at Behr Paint Company. In his role he leads the product team in launching new products and scaling the existing product portfolio across primer, paint, specialty, and adjacent categories. for KILZ. Greg explains how the new KILZ 3® PREMIUM Primer was designed to assure the top-coat of paint adheres to the cabinet, provides durability and helps assure the final finish flows evenly with minimal brush strokes or roller marks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you love the look of your wood windows, door and trim, but think you might not be able to do much about the rot that sets in after the long winter, we've got some good news. The rotted areas of wood trim or window sills - or even bigger areas of decay that have completely and totally disintegrated, can be fixed effectively and permanently using Liquid Wood and WoodEpox. They're both made by Abatron, a company whose products we've been recommending on this show for over 20 years, because they work really well. Richard Ahlstrom joins hosts Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete to explain the process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

if you enjoy gardening, but you find yourself in a never-ending battle with bugs invading your plants, Sabine Schoneberg says it's possible to keep this away without turning to chemical pesticides. Hosts Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete interview the CEO of Safe, Healthy Green Living on effective, safe organic pest control solutions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you love the look of your wood windows, door and trim, but think you might not be able to do much about the rot that sets in after the long winter, we've got some good news. The rotted areas of wood trim or window sills - or even bigger areas of decay that have completely and totally disintegrated, can be fixed effectively and permanently using Liquid Wood and WoodEpox. They're both made by Abatron, a company whose products we've been recommending on this show for over 20 years, because they work really well. Richard Ahlstrom joins hosts Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete to explain the process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

LL Flooring is a national name in flooring with over 400 locations and a team of flooring experts and digital tools, all designed to help both pros and consumers make the best choices in hard surface flooring. Whether you're a homeowner, DIY or professional contractor, LL Flooring tools, tips and resources will help make sure your project comes out exactly as you imagined. And now a new set of services designed especially for pros, makes this even easier. Leading that effort is Charles Tyson, the CEO for LL Flooring.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daich Coatings recently launched Terrazzo, an easy roll-on granite flooring system for inside and outside the home. The durable and transformative product is available in six colors. For DIYr's, it's a fast and easy solution for porches, steps, pool decks, garage floors, basements and bathrooms. To learn more about the popularity of these coatings, Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete, hosts of The Money Pit Home Improvement Show, interview Peter Daich, President of Daich Coatings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The myQ Pet Portal is no ordinary doggie door. It is manufactured inside an exterior door, virtually invisible and provides an ingenious mechanism to safely let your pet inside or out to potty and play when you're not home! Hosts Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete interview Director of Product Development David Schuda. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some of the hardest working and most beautiful surfaces in any home are the floors. And for decades there's been no better source for durable and stylish flooring than Lumber Liquidators.  Now, Lumber Liquidators is going forward as LL Flooring — and what's more, the company has added a suite of digital tools and services designed to make the shopping experience better than ever before. LL Flooring President and CEO Charles Tyson joins hosts Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete to discuss their on-trend flooring options and LL Style, a new content platform. Plus, we learn more about the new in-store experience, online tools to help customers, and how LL can help you get the job done with installation services Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The kitchen may be the only room in the house where it can sometimes feel like you can spend as much time cleaning as cooking. Yet keeping a clean kitchen is as much about the kitchen design as it is the efforts of the chef. Here's how to achieve a kitchen that serves up easy to clean surfaces, appliances and fixtures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we'll do many things in the days and weeks ahead, and that is certainly true when it comes to how we'll maintain and improve our homes. And that includes how we find and choose contractors to take on the projects we don't want to do ourselves. But, if you ask your pro the right questions, you'll be able to identify those that will not only be able to complete your project on time and on budget but do so in a way that protects you and your family from unnecessary risks. Tom & Leslie are joined by Dan DiClerico from HomeAdvisor.com, the nation's leading online marketplace for finding and hiring contractors and service professionals, to review how hiring a pro will change in ppost COVID-19, including the top 5 questions you'll need to ask any pro you are considering for a project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While many have been hunkered down inside for weeks, the wear and tear on the house may be more evident than ever and the need for a fresh start is top of mind and also a great distraction. Katie Allen from Lumber Liquidators joins hosts Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete to talk about some creative ways to reenergize your home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steps you can take to reduce allergic reactions and help keep the air in your home free of contaminants, irritants, and other allergens. Here's where to begin to avoid allergens and breathe easier in your own home. Tom Kraeutler interviews indoor air quality expert Jeff May. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As temperatures rise and air conditioners begin to blast, the EPA has mandated an end to the production of Freon, a primary refrigerant chemical used in residential air conditioning. But what impact will the impact of the EPA's 2020 Freon phase out be for homeovers? Find out in this interview with industry expert Andy Armstrong of Fujitsu General America, and learn about earth-friendly alternatives ready to step in to keep you cool and comfortable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Digitalization of home services is making life much easier for consumers, the same way it already has for many other industries. But today's digital model isn't just more efficient, it's empowering and consumers are embracing it in droves. In this interview, HomeAdvisor technology expert Dan DiClerico explains why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you consider yourself a do-it-yourselfer or one that loves to “GO PRO” when taking on home improvements, the fact of the matter is that thanks to the rapid advancements in home automation, our homes are doing a lot more for us these days. HomeAdvisor's Smart Home expert Dan DiClerico explains how this technology is doing more for our homes than ever before. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone loves a beautiful green lawn, but not so much the time, expense and hassle or keeping it weed green, watering and cutting it. Jackson Madnick, founder of Pearls Premium Ultra-Low Maintenance Lawn Seed, explains how the product was developed to grow beautiful lawns without impacting the environment, needs very little water and rarely needs to be cut! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keeping them safe online is a growing concern for many parents. Parent controlled routers are an easy-to-install solution for stress-free digital parenting at home. Check out the different ways a parent controlled router works to guide and protect children's internet usage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dandelion Energy geothermal offers a more affordable, cleaner and more reliable solution for heating and cooling homes. Interview with CEO Kathy Hannun. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that energy efficient homes may very well also be trapping unhealthy air inside?  Erica Lacroix, president of EZ Breathe Ventilation Systems, describes how to strike a balance between energy-efficiency and improved air quality in this interview with hosts Tom Kraeutler & Leslie Segrete on The Money Pit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DIY solar  is a new trend has emerged that enables handy consumers to purchase and install solar energy systems themselves, reducing costs by 40% to 80%. Zach Stevens from Wholesale Solar explains the process.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many weekend warriors don't know that a particular class of paint strippers containing two toxic chemicals pose major dangers even while using your typical safety equipment that have lead to over 60 deaths.  Learn about the problem and alternatives for safer products from Mike Shade, Campaign Director for Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When installing a smart lock, door alignment is key to years of trouble-free use but often overlooked by DIY'rs.  Money Pit Hosts Leslie and Segrete and Tom Kraeutler produced a video delivering step-by-step tips to diagnose & fix the most common smart lock installation issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stairways are a focal point for any home and capture the attention of all who enter. If you are planning to build or remodel, these ideas for the latest stairway trends can help you find the perfect match for your decor.  Host Tom Kraeutler interviews stair system expert Jimmy Coltharp with LJ Smith Stair Systems. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from the 2018 National Hardware Show, Tom and Leslie interview Scott Halbert, President of Peel-Tek, a one-step solution for protecting both POROUS and NON-POROUS surfaces from damage during home improvement, construction, remodeling or craft projects. It's is different than other masking products such as painter's tape because it is much less messy, fussy, and can be can be used on virtually any surface. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from the 2018 National Hardware Show, hosts Tom and Leslie interview Matthew Wagner of SYNLawn artificial turf so realistic if feels like real grass underfoot but needs virtually no maintenance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from the 2018 National Hardware Show, hosts Tom & Leslie interview SharkTanks's Kevin Harrington who is introducing the brand new Cool Box Cooler, originally debuted on the program. The CoolBox is a high-tech ready-for-anything entertainment center with all the features you'll need to have a great time from the BBQ, to the tailgate or beach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from the 2018 National Hardware Show, Tom and Leslie interview David Brands. CEO of COAST.  From innovations in LED lighting to double-lock knives that are much safer to use, COAST has been developing new, innovative products since its founder created the first filet knife to help salmon fisherman in 1919. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from the 2018 National Hardware Show, hosts Tom & Leslie interview Centurion's Bill Freimuth, VP of Sales & Marketing, about the latest innovations in affordable and high-quality garden tools from the decade old brand helping DIY'rs and pros alike accomplish outdoor living tasks with comfort and ease. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from the 2018 National Hardware Show, hosts Tom & Leslie interview Ryan DeArment, CHANNELLOCK's Vice President of Sales and Marketing and to learn about the latest products in a brand that's been delivering innovation in hand tools for generations.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from the 2018 National Hardware Show, hosts Tom & Leslie interview John Briggs, the founder of Coatings with a Purpose, cleaners designed to penetrate deep into contaminants, quickly releasing the chemical bonds that hold the stains to a wide variety of materials, including oil, grass, grease and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you are an average homeowner, you might be happy to know that the average tax refund you could expect to receive is about $3,000. So, we got to thinking, what kinds of improvements could you do with a $3,000 tax refund and it turns out there are actually quite a few and many of those improvements will add real value to your home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With an impressive display at the 2018 International Builders Show in Orlando, FL, Roxul Insulation was rebranded as ROCKWOOL and showed its ability to defy fire, water and sound. Host Tom Kraeutler gets the details from Dave Smith, Marketing Manager for ROCKWOOL. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you're remodeling a home for the generations, installing tile that can last is key. Host Tom Kraeutler interviews Tim Roy from Schluter Systems on how their products helped achieve a durable, timeless tile installation for the This Old House project in Newton, MA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you'd like your lawn to come back bright and green next Spring, Fall is the season to get it ready to do just that. Get expert tips as hosts Tom & Leslie interview Bonide expert Art Cockett. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you love the thought of never, ever running out of hot water – no matter how many teenagers are in your household – then tankless water heaters are the answer. They save energy, have many safety features and never – ever run out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to spruce up your patio for a season full of outdoor entertaining, Designer Hila Roberts from The Home Depot has Pinterest perfect patio decor ideas and tips! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Billy Bastek, Vice President of Merchandising for The Home Depot, joins host Tom Kraeutler for an update on the latest tools and trends just in time for Father's Day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Carter has personally produced over 600 YouTube videos and has over 69,000 followers who love his quick witted, no nonsense expert help. Tim shares tips and his favorite product for making stains disappear. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mold, moss, mold, mildew and algae can make a real mess of the outside surfaces of any house. Spray & Forget is am easy to apply solution that smothers those biological growths and stops them from coming back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mr Beams makes motion-sensing LED lights to provide convenient, hands-free lighting virtually anywhere. They are battery operated and install anywhere in less than 5 minutes; no need to hire a costly electrician.  Equipped with motion and light Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ConnectSense combines the cloud with battery-powered sensors and WiFi, to created the ability for people to better monitor their homes and businesses. Adam Justice explains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices