The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

SHOW NOTES: If you’re thinking about updating your kitchen but are concerned about the costs, we’re going to have tips on easy updates you can do over a weekend that can totally transform your space without the hassles. And it’s an age-old dilemma when your appliances break down: Fix ‘em, or replace them altogether? Our cheat sheet can help you save money and make the right choice.  Plus, are you...

SHOW NOTES: Ready for new kitchen cabinets? We’ll tell you how to choose new cabinets that’ll step up the space and not blow the budget. If you’ve ever stepped into a shower hoping for a strong flow - only to find a less than inspiring trickle, you know poor water pressure can be frustrating. But the power of a good shower may not be out of reach. We’ll share how to restore the flow We could all u...

SHOW NOTES: Are your feet feeling freezing tile floors in the morning? Tired of having icy toes no matter how many layers of socks you have on? There is an easy and reliable solution that can restore feeling to those frozen feet. If you’ve got an older home, you probably have an older chimney and those can be unsafe. We’ll walk you through the best options for improvement. Here’s an idea we can ge...

SHOW NOTES: If your bathroom is short on space we share easy ways for a small bathroom a makeover that makes every inch count.  February is the best month to buy a mattress but figuring out the best deal for a comfortable place to lay your head is super confusing. We share what to look for - for a good night’s rest. Using window coverings strategically can help you stay warmer, or even cooler in t...

SHOW NOTES: Have you been feeling drafts all winter long and wondering if replacing old or drafty windows is a wise move? 7 key questions can help determine if this project is right for you. If you need to hang something heavy on a wall, it’s always best to connect into wood studs. But if you can’t find one, new fasteners may allow you to connect directly to the drywall. We share how to choose the...

SHOW NOTES: If you’ve been thinking about a remodeling project and wondering what to do with your ceiling, a drop ceiling is probably not on your list! But these ceilings are not just the boring flat large tiles we’ve grown up with. We’ll share some amazing transformations that are possible with the newest innovations in these ceilings. You probably don’t think much about your home’s electrical pa...

SHOW NOTES: The laundry room might seem safe enough, but anywhere there’s extreme heat and lots of water, there’s potential for trouble. We’ll walk you through the most common laundry room trouble spots and tell you how to prevent leaks, fires and breakdowns. If you are ready to shop for new appliances, there are two price tags you need to consider. The first is the price you pay and the second is...

SHOW NOTES: Adding a basement bathroom can make the space more useable and but below grade bathrooms need special designs in order to drain. We’ll share what you need to know to make sure your bathroom will “go with the flow”. When you ask for a 2x4 at the local lumber yard, did you now that the wood they give you actually measures a lot less? These days it’s not always easy to get what you pay fo...

SHOW NOTES: If you are planning to make the switch from carpet to one of the many beautiful solid surface floors, getting the old carpet torn out can be a hassle. Worse, it can reveal problems that need to be fixed before the new floor can be installed. We’ll share how prep for your new floor like a pro. When it comes to maintaining your home, painting is a project that’s among the most basic of D...

SHOW NOTES: Natural stone countertops are beautiful but also require a ton of maintenance to keep them looking as good. We sort out whether these attractive kitchen surfaces are worth the hassle, along with some equally attractive but easier to care for alternatives. If getting rid of old wallpaper stands between you and your dream room, we can help! Learn the right steps to remove wallpaper quick...

SHOW NOTES: Winter is rough on roofs so now is a good time to plan for any roof work that might be needed to be done come spring. We’ll share tips for a DIY roof check to know if a roof needs to be repaired or replaced - in today’s Smart Spending Tip. Got closets busting at the seams? We’ve got steps for a simple closet makeover that takes less than an hour or two to get done and will help you fin...

SHOW NOTES: Want to tackle a home improvement project but don’t have much time? Tom & Leslie share 5 fast hacks that take 30 minute or LESS to complete. Plus share a full list of 30 more home improvements you can do in under 30 minutes! Home fire risk goes up in the winter, but did you know that not all smoke detectors work with every type of fire? We’ll explain how to choose the best smoke detect...

SHOW NOTES: Thinking adding solar power to your home can reduce electricity costs? Not all panels deliver the same amount of electricity. Tom & Leslie explain which options deliver the most power and best savings. And if you like homes that feel bigger than they are, there’s a new trend in what’s known as a broken or semi-open floor plan beginning to catch on. Well top-line those details. With hal...

SHOW NOTES: Improving your insulation is the easiest and least expensive way to get comfortable and save money. To help, Tom & Leslie review the most popular types of insulation – including a new “itch-free” fiberglass insulation plus another that’s fire resistant to over 2000 degrees! A serious commercial stove can boost both your cooking powers, and your home's resale value. We’ll share what you...

SHOW NOTES: Do you enjoy watching birds visit your yard in warmer weather, but miss them in the winter? Tom & Leslie share tips to help attract visits from your fine feathered friends all year long: even in the cold months! Need a workshop, maker space, sewing center or other studio space? We share tricks for carving out room for your past time using hidden space you may not even know you have! Co...

SHOW NOTES: Icicles may be attractive, but they’re an early warning of some potentially serious roof leaks. Learn how to stop the leaks caused by ice dams and even get your homeowners insurance company to pay for a new roof! Painting is the easiest and least expensive way to completely change the look of a room. But many DIYers struggle when it comes to picking the best color for their project! We...

SHOW NOTES: Buying a house in 2022? We’ve got 4 key questions you might want to ask the home seller before you move in. Kitchen floors can take a real beating, especially over the holidays. If your floors are ready for a refresh, we’ll share tips on the best kitchen flooring for this hardworking space. Undecking the halls is never fun, but you might be making it tougher than it has to be. Get hack...

SHOW NOTES: A wood stove is a fantastic way to stay warm in winter. But not all wood delivers the same heat. Learn how to supercharge your wood stove for max heat and which fuels can actually be unsafe to burn or can damage your stove. Natural stone countertops are a popular choice for kitchen renos - but they need a lot more care than most people know. We’ll reveal what type of stone countertop i...

SHOW NOTES: If you need new furniture for the New Year but fear it may not be in the budget - Upcycling may be a great solution for a fresh look at a fraction of the cost. Tom & Leslie have tips to help you get started. If you are a renter, did you know that your possessions are usually NOT covered by your landlord’s insurance? We’ll tell you the one thing you can do to make sure your covered in t...

SHOW NOTES: Have you made energy saving improvements to your home that upped its “green” factor? Those improvements may help you sell your home more quickly than the competition. Tom & Leslie share improvements with the best ROI along with tips on how to present these when it comes time to sell. When the weather outside turns frightful, a fire might be delightful – but not if it drives up your hea...

SHOW NOTES: It’s not easy to keep track of every little thing in your home that requires attention upkeep. Well now, there’s an app for that! It’s been created by Consumer Reports and helps manage your home like a pro.  Vinegar works well as for salads and cooking, but did you know there are many ways to use it to keep your home clean? We’ll share 5 ways to use vinegar to keep your appliances, you...

SHOW NOTES: Getting ready to refresh your home with some new décor for the year ahead? We’ll share 5 ways to save lots of money decorating your home sweet home for 2022! We know your kids are counting the minutes, but is your chimney ready for Santa – and for the colder temperatures right behind him? We’ve got advice for chimney repair and cleaning tips that keep your home safe and structurally so...

SHOW NOTES: With the holidays almost here, many parents are already dreading the moment when neatly wrapped presents become incoming piles of toys. We share easy organizing tips to help. You can’t see it or smell it but according to the EPA, hundreds of people die accidentally each year from CO poisoning caused by heating systems -- We’ll have a way to keep you safe. Your basement may serve as you...

SHOW NOTES: If you’d like to improve the energy efficiency of your home but wondered whether the improvements would pay off, the EPA now has a program that can prove the savings before the projects even started.  Bathtubs can last a lifetime, but their finishes won’t! If your bathtub finish is worn, you don’t have to get rid of the whole tub. We share much less expensive solutions. As you do your...

SHOW NOTES: Winter weather can be especially hard on your home’s plumbing system – especially if your pipes freeze and break. We’ll share simple tips to stop this from happening this holiday season. Now that we’ve sailed past Thanksgiving, Christmas is right around the corner so if you’re thinking about decking those halls – you might be wondering whether you should go with a fresh or fake tree th...