The Money Pit’s Calls & Answers

Have you ever wondered why outdoor light bulbs don't seem to last very long? Rough service bulbs offer a longer lasting solution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find tips for removing rust stains from countertops and other surfaces. Learn about products for removing calcium, lime, and rust deposits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out the quickest and cheapest fix for broken window seals. These seals cannot be repaired, and curtains can hide the stained, cracked seals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn about the positives and negatives of installing new carpet on a concrete slab versus installing laminate flooring. Get tips on installing laminate flooring and finding reputable retailers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get tips on cleaning soap buildup on your stainless steel dishwasher door. Using a slightly abrasive cleaning agent on a damp cloth can eliminate soap buildup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Loose roof shingles that don't seal well can cause roof leaks to occur. Get tips on the best way to repair loose roof shingles once and for all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn how to build and tile a shower stall. Find out the steps to creating your own custom tiled shower stall, including demolition, plumbing, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Find out why waterproofing paint is only part of the solution to a wet basement. Get tips on improving the outdoor drainage conditions around the foundation of your home to keep water away from your basement walls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laminate floors offer easy installation, but can be tough to fix if they bubble and buckle. Learn what options exist for fixing a Pergo laminate floor, and discover tricks for avoiding moisture-related problems in the first place.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn how to locate the source of creaking pipes. Find out how many noises from pipes are harmless and caused by ordinary expansion and contraction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Find out how to paint a popcorn ceiling. Get tips on using a special foam roller cover meant especially for this type of ceiling. Also learn how to remove a popcorn ceiling and use a flat paint to minimize any remaining bumps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Installing a fence in a water-prone yard requires special preparation and materials. Learn how to securely put up a chain-link fence in moist dirt that's prone to flooding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Find out how to repair dents in wood door frames. Get tips on using wood filler to make the repair. Also learn why you might want to consider installing corner guards to protect the wood from future damage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn what it takes to clean grease from a garage floor and restore its appearance - and whether or not it's a DIY project.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The right whole house humidifier can improve comfort for every room in your home. But is installing one a DIY project? Get tips on best humidifier for your home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Find out how to get paint off brick. Get tips on using a product called the Taginator, a biodegradable graffiti remover for masonry, to remove the paint. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover chemical and non-chemical ways to remove stubborn carbon fireplace residue, and learn why standard glass cleaner won't do the trick.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to make cabinets a lighter color. Get tips on using a stain remover called Rock Miracle. Also learn why you should use a non-yellowing topcoat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on removing exterior mildew on your home's roof or porch. Learn which products can eliminate mildew and buildup on your exterior surfaces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get a step-by-step solution for a long crack in a concrete porch, and learn how to paint it when it's done. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn why it is normal for the drain in your kitchen sink to run more slowly when you use a garbage disposal certified for septic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover the the pros and cons of various weed and moss killers. Also, learn how to protect other nearby vegetation when attempting to kill backyard moss.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why it's not worth trying to redirect water from an underground spring that is causing wetness in your backyard. If the puddling area is small, you should just live with it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn the best way to remove glues tiles from you floor without damaging the baseboard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to locate a leak in your shower. Learn how to test the shower pan to see if there's a leak in it. Get tips on removing the old caulk and recaulking the seams of the shower with mold-resistant caulk to seal out leaks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn what options exist for vinyl tiles that keep coming up off the floor, including one that gives you an whole new floor without the hassle of removing the old one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out what type of garage flooring will stand up to the heavy wear and tear of having cars driving over it. Get tips on looking into floating tile floor systems specifically made for garage floors. They snap together so there's no glue involved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to keep tree roots out of a drain field. Get tips on renting a cutter and trenching around the drain field to sever the roots from the tree so they die off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to get rid of hard water deposits on your dishes and glassware. Try changing your dishwashing detergent for a quick fix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why you should not use caulk to repair a big crack in mortar. Get tips on checking out a company called Davis Colors to find a mortar mixed with dye to give you the look that you want. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out whether Deck Restore from Synta is a good product for an old, weathered deck. Learn why you should first test the product on a small section of the deck. Get tips on restoring a deck by flipping over deteriorated boards. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why you should have a structural engineer do an inspection on the crack in your exterior wall. That way, you can assure a future potential buyer that the crack was repaired according to an engineer's specifications. Also get tips on leveling Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out whether over-the-counter pesticides can help a termite infestation, or if calling an exterminator is always necessary.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to solve the problem of a toilet that won't flush completely. Consider getting the Champ, a power-flush toilet from American Standard with a completely new bowl design that’s virtually clog-proof. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why you should have your septic tanks pumped and cleaned about every five years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A quick glance at a vapor barrier shows you just how much moisture is present in your home. Get tips for further reducing the humidity in your crawlspace and your home.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how certain seasonal conditions can effect your sewage system. Find out how what causes unpleasant odors from your sewage system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to convert a garage into a spa or pool room. Find out how to install moisture resistant drywall that inhibits the growth of mold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on cleaning mold in your bathroom. Find out how proper ventilation in your bathroom can prevent potentially toxic mold from growing in your home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why a metal roof is a durable choice for a tool shed. Get tips on using corrugated metal, which will last for the lifetime of your shed. Learn why a metal roof on a tool shed won't really improve your home's value over an asphalt Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A dishwasher that fills with water when it runs is different than one that fills between cleanings. Find out which step to take to solve the problem of water mysteriously appearing between loads.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on fixing your whistling pipes. Find out why your pipes might be making so much noise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Bothered by a mark in your ceiling left by a leak that has been repaired? Find out some tips on how to cover stain in popcorn ceiling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips to clean a patio of moss, mildews, mold and algae in a way that will not harm landscaping or pets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tips on how to get rid of pet odors in your carpet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to repair cracks in a concrete floor. Get tips on using flowable urethane to fix wide cracks and silicone or epoxy patching compound for narrower cracks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how replacing a sump pump can stop an overflowing aerator tank problem. Find out how replacing the sump pump may be your only option after you have tried fixing everything else. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to preserve a patio that is several decades old. Get tips on resurfacing the floor with an epoxy patching compound. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to go about choosing construction materials for an outdoor shed. Get tips on checking with your local zoning ordinace before you put up your structure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to caulk a sink faucet. Get tips on using DAP kitchen and bath caulk with Microban in it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sometimes the solution to a leaky skylight is as simple as diverting water away from it. Learn how to create a DIY diverter that pushes precipitation around the light, rather than over it.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices