The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

Mosquitoes can really suck the fun out of your summer activities, that’s why we are sharing some tips on how to get rid of mosquitoes for good. Stone countertops are a great addition to any kitchen, but we’ll give you some important factors to consider before installing them. Tip over accidents are an overlooked danger to your children. We have some preventative tips to make sure your kids aren’t...

Show notes: Summer sun and storms can cause serious damage to your roof. Find out how to spot and stop leaks before they happen. Ever wonder if you’re overpaying a contractor? Tom and Leslie get smart strategies for hiring pros from leading Economist Meisha Fisher of ANGI. A leaking shower can end up being one of the most expensive pluming leaks to repair. Find out how the right shower drain can p...

Show notes: Find out how to step up your outdoor living space with step-by-step tips on how to can build your very own fire pit. Has your patio seen better days? We share easy and exciting ways to breathe new life into those crusty concrete patios.  Small spaces can make your home feel cramped, but with the right floor, the space can instantly feel bigger. Find out the best hardwood floor patterns...

Show notes: Security cameras can protect our homes during our vacation but only with the right placement. Tom and Leslie share strategies yo get the best camera coverage of your home.  If you want to start your remodeling project on a level playing field, you first need to start from a level floor. Find out the simplest ways to fix up a floor that is out of whack to get your remodeling project off...

Show notes: Looking for an easy DIY way to spruce up the backyard? Arbors and Pergolas are a great feature to add to any yard -- AND you can build one yourself! Tom and Leslie give some tips and explain the differences between them. Rotted wood on your windows, doors, columns or any exterior surface can be expensive to replace - but you can save money by restoring the wood instead! We’ll walk you...

Show Notes: If you'd love to have a backyard pool but can't afford it, don't have the time to care for it or you’re just short of backyard space? We have two words for you: Spool Pool! Tom and Leslie share tips on how you can combine the benefits of a pool and spa in one very refreshing backyard feature. Pruning trees and shrubs is one of the top outdoor tasks for spring. We share best ways to enc...

Show Notes: Summertime is finally here which means more time out on the deck. Tom and Leslie walk you through the step-by-step staining tips for a finish that’ll last you years. Looking to step up your outdoor kitchen? We highlight the latest trends in outdoor cooking, including smokers, wood-fire pizza ovens, cast-iron cookery and outdoor rotisseries to kick up your outdoor cooking and entertaini...

Show Notes: Outdoor kitchens are more popular than ever. We’ll share a system you can use to construct it yourself that’s as easy as stacking blocks. If a new floor is in your project plans for this Spring, LL Flooring has developed digital tools for both DIY'rs and Pros. We talk with CEO Charles Tyson to learn how these new tools and services will help make sure the job comes up exactly as planne...

Show notes: Built-in, backyard firepits are really hot right now. With just a bit of planning you can build a firepit yourself. We tell you how. And with spring rainstorms in full swing, now is a good time to evaluate, repair or replace your gutters. If yours are in bad shape, serious structural problems can result. We’ll tell you what to look for when choosing a gutter company. If you’re painting...

Show notes: A pizza garden is a fun way to get the whole family involved in gardening. Kids get a kick out of growing their own food and then being able to eat it. This is also a great way for parents to sneak in some veggies. We’ll walk you through exactly what you’ll need to grow your own pizza – right in your backyard. When you pop out of bed in the morning and head for that first shower of the...

Show notes: The Spring real estate market is well underway and more urban dwellers than ever heading to the suburbs for space and tranquility. If you’re ready to sell your home, we’ll share 4 easy projects you can do in a weekend to boost curb appeal and land a buyer quicker than the competition. If you have ever had a major storm hit your house, you know that a home which is usually safe, sound,...

Episode notes... There’s a lot of focus on Spring cleaning this time of year but rather than treat this like one big dusty holiday, we’ve found it easier to set yourself up for success with a 12-month cleaning calendar that breaks cleanup shores into small, very actionable projects. And if you love the look of your wood windows, door and trim, but spotted rot that set in over the long-wet winter,...

Show notes... Did you know one dandelion plant can make up to 15,000 weed seeds? If you want to win the battle against these green invaders, we share tips on how to tackle stopping weeds for the entire season. If you’ve ever remodeled a bathroom, one of the most difficult areas to get right is the shower. We’ll share a kit that takes all the guess work out of that project for leak proof showers. A...

Show notes... Have you ever noticed that over the winter, garages always seem to get smaller as stuff piles up? That’s why now is a great time to make the garage your first big Spring-cleaning project! We’ll show you how to get it done in 4 steps! Building a backyard deck is one sure-fire way to increase your home’s living space for the warmer months as well as add to your home’s value. But can it...

Show notes... If you’ve been working from home and ready to get out of the spare bedroom, basement or carved-out closet you call an office, we’re going to walk you through everything you need to know to set up a productive, comfortable outdoor home office OUTSIDE that it’ll keep you close to nature and the comforts of home at the same time. Spring may have sent a lot of rain your way…but if you ha...

Show Notes: Earth Day is just about here, and a perfect time to talk about our favorite tricks of the trade for saving water, energy and money at the same time. Painting is a popular spring project and one that can be made a LOT easier if you know just a few painting tricks that pros use every day. We’ll share those trade secrets coming up. Few home improvements bring more beauty and value to a ho...

Show Notes: Nothing signals the start of spring better than those fresh blooms like daffodils and tulips in full color! But if you want to enjoy those beautiful spring blooms, you need to plant bulbs now. We’ll share tips just ahead. With all the rainy, wet Spring weather ahead, repairing rotted wood on your windows, doors or wood columns may be on your to-do list. We’re going to make those projec...

Show Notes: Last year was one of the biggest ever for home gardening and this Spring many are already getting those plants in the ground. If you’re ready to find your inner green thumb, the best way to may not be to dig down but to build up, by constructing a raised bed! We’ll show you how. You probably know improving the energy efficiency of your home means you’ll spend a lot less money heating a...

Show Notes: If you think the best way to save time and energy cutting the grass is to set the mower as low as possible so you won’t have to mow that often, you might be surprised to find out that can end up being MORE work in the long run. We’ll share why, just ahead. We all love the look of a freshly painted room, but the getting ready part? Not so much! New paint and primer products promise to s...

Show notes: Buying a single-family home to rent out has always been a popular approach for investors. Now however, investors are buying homes they plan to split into multiple rental units. We’ll share how to know if this makes economic sense for you. If you love the look of terrazzo floors but not the cost, we’ll share a new product that uses real stone to provides a terrazzo finish for concrete s...

Show notes: Buying a single-family home to rent out has always been a popular approach for investors. Now however, investors are buying homes they plan to split into multiple rental units. We’ll share how to know if this makes economic sense for you. If you love the look of terrazzo floors but not the cost, we’ll share a new product that uses real stone to provides a terrazzo finish for concrete s...

SHOW NOTES: Over the winter, garages get pretty gross. Between the stuff that never quite gets put away from last fall -- to the dirt that drips off your car – the floors can be a real mess. We’ll highlight the best garage floor solutions that are easy to clean. Given that over the last year we’re all been we’ve all been eating out a lot less, the kitchen has become an even more important "hub" of...

SHOW NOTES: You can flush away a pile of cash upgrading your bathroom. Luckily, you don’t have to. We’ve got 4 low-cost ways to spruce up your space for under $200 bucks! Even the cleanest of homes can have mold, and we’re not just talking about what you might find in last week’s leftovers! We share the surprising places mold can hid and what to do you do when you find it. When you move into an ap...

In this episode: Small kitchens can be tough places to work in. But a few modest updates can make small kitchens feel bigger and work better. Tom & Leslie share tips in today’s Smart Spending Tip. If you’re thinking about getting your outdoor furniture out for the warm months ahead, chances are after an entire winter in storage -- it’ll be looking a lot worse for wear! We’ll have tips to get your...

In this episode: Building a Shed is a fun DIY project. But did you know that whether the shed is wood, steel or vinyl, just ONE step can mean the difference between a shed that lasts for a season and one that can last decades. We share that tip plus the best options for shed storage. Nothing keeps your home looking updated better than a current kitchen. If you’re thinking about switching out old k...