The Money Pit Calls & Answers

Find out how to restore a weathered deck. Get tips on using a semi-transparent or solid color stain, depending on the condition of the wood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to tell if a window is energy-efficient. Get tips on making sure a window is Energy Star certified and using the NFRC label to compare among brands. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to repair a crack in a vaulted ceiling -- a common problem due to expansion and contraction. Get tips on sanding the area to remove debris, and using perforated drywall tape and layers of spackle to make the repair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why you should replace your old, damaged linoleum floor rather than try to fix it. Get tips on going with laminate, an affordable and durable material that is fairly easy to install. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Get tips on using AZEK for the underside of your deck so that you can install canned lighting and/or ceiling fans to go over your patio below. It's a synthetic material, so it won't rot and it doesn't need to be painted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out what could be causing the pressure-relief valve in your water heater to leak. Learn why the problem could either be that the valve is bad, or the water heater isn't working properly and is building up excess pressure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how EasyWater works almost like a magnet to repel hard water particles and lead to less scale and buildup. Also learn about their 90-day, money-back guarantee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to keep your Kool Deck clean. Get tips on going to the website of the manufacturer, Mortex, and looking up the commercial-quality cleaner that they make specifically for their Kool Deck product. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how to locate and repair a leak in a metal roof. Get tips on going on top of the roof and using a garden hose to see if you can find the leak. Use silicone caulk to repair it. However, if that doesn't stop the leak, you mighth have to enlist a Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to keep your addition cool in the heat of summer. Get tips on installing a mini-split ductless air conditioning system, which is perfect for keeping the temperature of a single, separate room comfortable. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to restain a cedar deck. Learn why it's not necessary to sand the deck. Just give it a good cleaning and then use a solid-color stain. If you prep the deck and apply the stain properly, it should last five to seven years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why you shouldn't use an attic fan if you have central air conditioning. Instead, you should have a passive ventilation system made up of ridge and soffit vents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to deal with a black stain on a painted aluminum gutter. First, make sure the gutter isn't clogged and that the water isn't backing up and overflowing the gutter. Then you can clean the gutter with trisodium phosphate, prime and repaint. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to preserve a deck made of pressure-treated wood. Learn why Thompson's WaterSeal works better on regular lumber. Get tips on using a solid color exterior stain instead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to repair cracks in stucco before you repaint your house. Get tips on using Quikrete Stucco Repair crack sealant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out if Wet & Forget will work in a shaded area that doesn't get direct sunlight or direct rain. Get tips on following the label directions when applying it. Learn if it's an appropriate product for pressure-treated wood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn about Andersen's 400 Series replacement windows. They tilt down for easy washing and have high-performance, energy-efficient glass. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why you should wait for a dry spell in the fall to stain your wood deck. The drier the lumber, the longer the stain will be able to last. Get tips on following the manufacturer's instructions for application to get the best results. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to select a quality contractor to replace your concrete driveway. Get tips on looking on online review sites and checking the contractor's references. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to get a new ceiling without having to tear down your old water-damaged lath and plaster ceiling. The solution is to attach drywall to the ceiling by screwing it into the ceiling joists. The drywall will support the lath and plaster and Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to stop moles from tearing up your yard. Learn why eliminating the grubs in your lawn will wipe out the moles' food source and force them to go elsewhere. Get tips on using a grub control product from Bayer Advanced. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why you should hire a professional exterminator to take care of your spider problem. A professional will have access to stronger and more specific pesticides than you can find in a store. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why you should hire a structural engineer to inspect a big crack in your foundation. They'll write a report with step-by-step instructions for making the proper repair. After the repair is done, they can come back and certify that it was done the right way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to stop black mold from forming in your bathtub caulk. Get tips on using a caulk softener to help you remove all of the old caulk. Then clean the area with a bleach and water solution. Learn why it's a good idea to fill the tub with water Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to repair hairline cracks in a concrete driveway. Get tips on using a product specifically designed for the job, such as QUIKRETE's Concrete Repair product. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices