The Money Pit Calls & Answers

Find out why you should change the filter on your water heater every month or every six months depending on the filter. Get tips on turning off the water before you do this. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn how carpenter bees can cause serious damage to your rafters. Get tips on having them exterminated and then sealing the holes they'ved drilled in your rafters before it's too late. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why you should hire a service contractor rather than try to solder your outdoor A/C unit back together yourself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out whether you should caulk around your windows on the outside of your house. Get tips on using a very good quality window and door caulk and applying it patiently and accurately around the window trim. Learn a trick of the trade: caulk inside Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to insulate a fireplace. Get tips on going to the manufacturer's website for instructions on how the fireplace was supposed to be installed and how much insulation you can use. You want to do it properly to avoid creating a fire Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out why a tankless water heater is a good option if you have gas heat in your home. Learn what kind of maintenance they require. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to keep moisture from building up in your attic by ventilating it properly. Get tips on installing ridge and soffit vents and visiting AirVent.com to find a ridge vent with a baffle on it that speeds up depressurization. Learn why there Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to level a metal garage door. Get tips on sealing the gap by adding another piece to the back of the door. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to insulate between drywall and brick. Get tips on blowing in fiberglass or cellulose and learn why you should also make sure you have adequate insulation in your attic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to prevent icicles from forming on your roof. Get tips on improving the insulation and ventilation in your attic to keep your roof surface at the same temperature as the outside. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to fix an ice maker that churns out smelly, bad-tasting ice. Get tips on replacing the water line and putting a charcoal filter on the ice maker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to cover up cement brick walls in a basement. Get tips on making sure your basement is dry before you take any steps toward finishing your basement and learn why you should frame a wood wall in front of the bricks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to find a good contractor to drill a well for you. Get tips on looking at Angie's List or Service Master to find a reputable professional with references. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to fix a concrete porch. Learn why you can't repair concrete with concrete; it'll eventually break apart. Get tips on using an epoxy patching compound instead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn why you can't solve a wet basement problem by painting the walls with sealer. Get tips on getting to the root of the problem by making sure your gutter system is adequate and that the soil around your home slopes away from the foundation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to get rid of mold inside and outside your home. Get tips on using a product called Wet and Forget on your siding and improving the drainage conditions around your home to reduce interior moisture. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to fix a shower that goes from burning hot to icy cold with no in-between temperatures. Get tips on replacing the pressure-balance valve to moderate the temperature. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to stop deck posts from warping. Get tips on switching out your 4x4s for 6x6s, which twist less. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to get rid of a sulfur odor in your washing machine. Get tips on upgrading your whole-house filtration system and getting specific filters for hydrogen sulfide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to fix a squeaky deck floor. Get tips on screwing six screws in each floor joist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to maintain a stone foundation that has started to deteriorate. Get tips on having a mason repoint the mortar in between the stones. Also learn why the best way to reduce basement moisture is to improve the drainage conditions surrounding Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn about lightning arrestor systems, which are metal rods connected to heavy grounding wire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to winterize your pool. Get tips on custom-ordering a self-draining pool cover to protect your irregularly shaped pool Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to repair a cracked concrete walkway. Get tips on using an epoxy patching compound, which will adhere to the old concrete. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Find out how to get rid of a strong musty odor in your basement. Get tips on reducing the level of moisture in the basement by creating ideal drainage conditions around your home. Also learn why you should repaint the interior of the foundation with Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices