The Money Pit Calls & Answers

Find out how to keep woodpeckers from pecking holes in your chimney. Get tips on using pie tins and strips of black garbage bags as a temporary way to scare woodpeckers away until they forget about your house. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out the steps you need to take to make sure your rainwater collection system is safe to drink from. Learn about some online resources that contain valuable information about proper rainwater filtration and purification. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn why that clanging in your pipes when water is turned on and off is called a water hammer and is common in older homes. Find out two fixes that can be installed by you or your plumber to aleviate the sound. Water hammers, while loud, are mostly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get advice on how to fix loose grout that isn't adhering properly. Learn how to identify signs of floor movement and incorrect grout mixing that can contribute to the problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on how to build a lattice to shelter plants from the intake of a wall air conditioner. Find out how far the lattice needs to be from the air conditioner for it to still function properly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Learn how to install shutters over vinyl siding. Get tips on using special fasteners to pierce the siding without causing a leak to happen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn ways to install a sidewalk in areas where tree roots are present.  Find out the best way to reinforse the sidewalk to prevent it from cracking due to tree roots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get consumer protection advice on how to handle disputes with plumbers who are replacing items under warrranty like a water heater.  Find out what to do when the plumber blames the warranty company and the warranty company blames the plumber. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on how to diagnose and repair a flickering light fixture, and why it's not safe for there to be a delay between the time when the light switch is flipped and when the lights turn on. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to remove carpet backing from old hardwood floor, and how to sand the floor to restore the surface. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Broken bathtub stoppers can cause a tub drain to become clogged. Learn the steps to fix a bathtub drain stopper to restore the water flow wiuthout a major plumbing expense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn tricks-of-the-trade to stop a floor from squeaking, including how to repair the squeak without removing wall to wall carpet. . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get suggestions on how to seal off an abandoned fireplace chimney. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plumbing transmits sounds very effectively, making even the smallest noise sound loud as it travels through pipes.  Find out the cause of a high-pitched whine that's heard whenever water is running or when toilets are flushed - and what to do about Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to transform a twin metal bedframe into a bunk bed suitable for an over the road trucker.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Radiant heat floors are a luxury that can be timer-controlled for efficiency and savings.  But find out whether installing them will offset existing utility costs.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

There are limited options for updating old wall paneling.  Before drywalling over it, though, determine whether there's a simpler, existing solution for giving your space a new look.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why condensation forms around air conditioning registers. Get tips on installing insulation around the ducts to lock in warmth and mitigate the temperature difference in the wintertime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to choosing a central air-conditioning unit, find out which surprising factors are as crucial to coolness as the unit itself.  Also, get tips on keeping that cool air free of odors.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to determine whether low water pressure means there's a problem at the street level or with your home's plumbing.  Also, not sure whether your house gets water from the city or a well?  There's an easy way to find out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The popularity of wood-grain tile is on the rise.  Despite its deceiving look, though, tile's composition is nothing like wood's - and its longevity depends upon properly prepping for installation.  Get the steps necessary to preventing cracks in your Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn about available tax credits for heat pump heating systems as well as rebates. Get tips on how to reduce the cost of a new geothermal heat system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spackeling a crack in drywall won't keep it from progressing.  Get a DIY solution to fixing drywall cracks that stops them from getting worse.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on the best flooring choices for kitchens and baths. Damp locations make carpet a poor flooring choice. Find out about new options in laminate flooring designed for damp locations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices