#2577 – Winterizing Pipes | 2026 Real Estate Forecast | Holiday Hosting Hacks | Plumbing Safety Tip

SHOW NOTES: It is officially December, which means temperatures are dropping, the holidays are fast approaching, and your to-do list is likely growing by the minute. Whether you are stressing about getting your home guest-ready or worrying about winterizing your plumbing before travel, we’re here to help you tackle those projects without breaking the bank. - Winterizing Pipes: We share critical steps to prevent burst pipes, such as wrapping them in foam insulation and letting faucets drip slightly during extreme cold snaps to relieve pressure. - 2026 Real Estate Forecast: After years of high rates, experts predict a stabilizing market for 2026, with mortgage rates potentially dropping to around 5.9% and home prices seeing steady, modest growth. - Holiday Hosting Hacks: We discuss stress-free ways to prep your home for guests, including focusing cleaning efforts only on visible rooms, adding warm lighting, and using natural scents like cinnamon and pine. - Plumbing Safety Tip: We explain the importance of tagging your main water valve and turning off washing machine water supply valves before leaving home for extended periods to prevent flooding.   Q & A: - Debbie from Arkansas found liquid nails stuck to a brick wall behind old plaster. We advise covering it with furring strips or installing faux brick panels rather than ruining the brick by trying to remove the adhesive. - Rochelle from Delaware has a cracking, dipping concrete slab in her kitchen and received a pricey quote for foam injection. We suggest she consult a structural engineer first or use a floor leveling compound instead of jumping to injection. - Victoria from Arkansas asked if she could patch small areas of missing shower grout without redoing the whole wall. We confirm she can spot-repair it, but advise doing a test patch to ensure the new sandy grout color matches perfectly. - Darlene from Baltimore asked for insulation advice to block noise from a stairwell wall. We recommend opening the wall to install mineral wool insulation combined with sound-deadening drywall like QuietRock. - Brandon sent an email to ask about replacing two-prong outlets in a 1940s home. We strongly advise against DIY electrical work and suggest hiring an electrician to install GFCIs or verify if the boxes are grounded.   ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Welcome to this week's episode of The Money Pit! It’s almost the first weekend in December, and while we know you’re running out of time for holiday preparations, we are here to help you manage your home projects before the festivities begin. - Warm Up Without High Bills: We share simple ways to keep your home cozy, such as hunting down drafts around windows and doors, changing air filters, and installing programmable thermostats to save up to 10% on heating costs. - Winter Floor Protection: To protect your floors from muddy boots and cookie crumbs, we recommend placing mats at every entrance and using specific cleaning methods for hardwood, tile, and carpet to prevent winter wear and tear. - 2026 Home Improvement Predictions: Looking ahead, we discuss top trends for 2026, including a heavy focus on energy efficiency like heat pumps, "mini-makeovers" for kitchens rather than full remodels, and multifunctional outdoor living spaces.   Q & A: - Fred in Delaware built a walkout from his basement and needs to know if he requires double handrails. We advise installing two for safety. - Barbara from Rhode Island says her upstairs toilet makes a gurgling bubbly sound. We diagnose this as a venting obstruction and suggest using a toilet auger to clear the trap since plunging didn't work. - Bill from Texas scraped the popcorn texture off his bathroom ceiling and wanted to know how to seal it. We recommend using a primer like Kilz, but strongly advise against adding new texture in a bathroom due to moisture and mold risks. - Kent in Kansas has a recurring stain on his bathroom ceiling. We determine the issue is likely a deteriorated rubber boot on the plumbing vent flashing, and suggest replacing the flashing before cleaning, priming, and painting the ceiling. - Kay in South Carolina is looking to renovate a home that has been vacant with no utilities for over seven years. We recommend hiring a professional home inspector to check all systems once the utilities are on and consulting an architect if she plans to change the layout. - Tamara in Georgia explained that metal rails were cut near her walkway, leaving rust stains on her pavers. To avoid damaging the pavers with a pressure washer, we suggest using lemon juice or vinegar with a wire brush, or a rust-removing product like Iron Out.   ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Welcome back to The Money Pit! Happy Thanksgiving weekend, everyone! We are here to help you tackle your home improvement challenges – from safety tips to planning projects to finding the best deals this busy holiday season. Check out these hot topics, plus listeners’ calls and solutions: - Safe and Stress-Free Babyproofing: We offer smart, stress-free tips to quickly baby-proof your space before hosting family and friends with little ones this holiday season. - Smart Shopping Secrets: We share secrets for smart holiday shopping, noting that the best deals for tools and DIY gear appear around Black Friday and into early December, while appliances see deep discounts in November and January before new models arrive. - Planning Ahead for Home Projects: Learn why winter is actually the best time to plan your spring home improvements, as starting early helps secure quality contractors who get booked months in advance. - Cleaning Range Hood Filters: We discuss a simple 10-minute maintenance job: cleaning your kitchen range hood filter by soaking a metal filter in hot soapy water mixed with baking soda.   Q & A: - Lynn in New Hampshire needed advice on protecting her old cedar siding. Since natural cedar is resistant to insects but not UV light, we proposed two options: applying boiled linseed oil for natural protection without changing the color or applying a solid color stain over an oil-based primer for maximum longevity. - Carol in Maine was replacing older outlets and was unsure how to connect them to the new receptacle. Due to the serious risks involved with electrical work, we strongly advised her to hire a professional electrician. - Bill in Michigan has an unlevel floor in his attached garage, causing water from his car to pool in low spots and run toward the house wall. The recommended solution was to apply a self-leveling compound just over the areas of unevenness to correct the runoff. - Doug in Rhode Island was installing frost-free hose bibs and wanted our opinion on using SharkBite push-to-connect fasteners. We affirmed that SharkBite connectors are the perfect product for this application, as they create a permanent, watertight, solder-free connection, which is ideal for tight spots. - Heather in Tennessee had a 6x8-inch area of hardwood floor that buckled after a water filter leaked, and she sought a repair method that avoided the hassle of sanding and refinishing the entire floor. The solution was to hire a professional carpenter to discreetly cut out matching floor boards from a less visible area, such as a closet or pantry, and use them to replace the damaged section.   ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Welcome back to The Money Pit! Even with Leslie sporting a "brand new voice" (thanks, cold!), we're here this holiday weekend ready to help you fix up your home sweet home. Listen in as we offer tips on a range of home improvement topics and DIY dilemmas! - Choosing the Right Christmas Tree: We help you decide between a real or artificial Christmas tree, breaking down the pros and cons for each option, from the sturdy branches and fragrance of the Fraser Fir to the convenience and energy efficiency of pre-lit LED artificial trees. - Best Tool Gifts for DIYers: We share our favorite tool gifts for DIY enthusiasts from the Popular Mechanics holiday gift guide, featuring practical finds as well as fun gadgets that still get the job done. - Winterization Tips: We offer essential winterization tips, including shutting off and draining all outdoor faucets and hose bibs to prevent burst pipes. We also demonstrate how to find and seal drafts around windows and doors to help maintain heat and cut energy costs. - Healthier Indoor Air Quality: The show also featured tips for keeping indoor air healthier by filtering the air, keeping the humidity level between 35 and 40%, and installing and using exhaust fans in bathrooms.   Q & A: - Greg called in with a flooring quandary, attempting to cover 6,000 square feet of concrete with an epoxy coating. The proposed solution is to prepare the concrete first by leveling uneven areas, then choosing a quality epoxy product and following the multi-step curing process carefully. - Macy was seeking advice for starting a bathroom remodel and deciding whether to use a construction company or a remodeling business. We advise her to prioritize experienced contractors and first select all desired fixtures and materials so that all companies can bid on the exact same items. - Bryce was considering using a polyethylene panel/sheet to repair his bathroom ceiling and wanted to know if it was a good substitute for wallboard. We recommend he use water-resistant drywall (green board) instead for a seamless repair. - Marian reached out regarding a leak near her chimney and needed a product to coat it to stop water from entering. We suggest applying a vapor-permeable masonry sealer to the chimney structure, which seals out water while still allowing any internal moisture to escape.   ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Welcome to The Money Pit! As the holiday season kicks into full swing, our homes start working overtime, whether we're hosting guests, cooking festive meals, or just trying to keep the utility bills manageable. This week, we're here to help you get your biggest investment running smoothly – from laundry room prep and crucial plumbing repairs to dealing with smoke damage and rescuing your holiday budget. - Laundry Room Maintenance: We discuss preparing your laundry room for the influx of guest linens and cozy sweaters by sharing smart maintenance tips for washers and dryers. - Safe and Effective Cleaning Solutions: Bruce Yako, the CEO of Jaws International, joined us to explain how their Just Add Water system uses reusable bottles and concentrated, EPA Safer Choice-certified pods to provide streak-free cleaning while reducing plastic waste. - Holiday Budget Plan: We offer a Holiday Budget Rescue Plan, suggesting simple actions like lowering your thermostat by a degree or two to save on heating costs and switching traditional holiday lights to LEDs, which use up to 80% less energy. - Water Valve Precautions: As a crucial safety measure, homeowners should locate and test the main water valve to ensure it works properly, and always remember to turn off the water supply valves to the washing machine when leaving home for an extended period to prevent burst hoses.   Q & A: - Jackie from Michigan is converting an old tub into a tile shower and needs to know how to handle the pipe that previously went to the tub faucet. We advise that she cannot just cap the pipe; she must install a shower valve to get water to the shower head, and should also include a pressure balance valve to maintain constant water temperature. - Richard from Illinois has dealt with a damp spot in his brick chimney for 50 years, despite having previously replaced the flashing and chimney liner. We suggest that the highly porous brick is likely absorbing heavy rainfall, and he should apply a vapor-permeable masonry sealer to slow absorption. - Brenda’s 1908 Kansas home has crumbling poured concrete basement walls, and she cannot lift the heavy block house to replace them. We stress that because this is a significant structural issue, she must hire a structural engineer who will design the precise fix, create specifications for contractors, and inspect the repair upon completion. - Jack emailed us about copper pipes in his apartment buildings that are developing pin holes and leaking. This deterioration is caused by highly acidic water, so he should consider replacing the damaged copper sections with PEX piping, which better resists acidity.   ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Welcome back to The Money Pit! With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we’re here to help you rush through your home improvement to-dos and provide fast, stress-free ways to get your house in tip-top shape before the holiday hits. We’ve got tips on everything from lightning protection to tackling holiday spills and getting your home ready for winter. - Stain Removal: We offer tried-and-true stain-busting tricks using pantry staples to manage inevitable holiday spills like red wine, greasy gravy, and cranberry sauce. - Proper Home Insulation: We detail how to check if your home has enough insulation. Options for insulation include affordable fiberglass batts, blown-in cellulose or fiberglass, or professional spray foam. - Saving Energy in Winter: Energy-saving winter tips include checking weather stripping and installing a door sweep to block cold air, using a smart thermostat to automate heating schedules, and wrapping older water heaters with an insulation blanket. - Improving Indoor Air Quality: We offer tips for maintaining healthier indoor air quality, such as using an air purifier, keeping the humidity between 35-40%, and ensuring proper air circulation by leaving doors open and using exhaust fans in bathrooms.   Q & A: - Jason in Arkansas was concerned about lightning control after installing a metal roof, especially since lightning recently destroyed his heat and air unit. We advise him to look into installing a proper lightning rod system, which typically involves a heavy copper cable running down the exterior wall to a 4- to 6-foot grounding rod. - Nancy in Georgia was dealing with a squeaky top-floor doorway after removing carpet. The solution is to locate the floor joists by finding the nailing pattern and then using long drywall screws to tightly screw down the subfloor across the entire area. - Dan in Georgia asked for advice on painting his vinyl siding because his wife disliked the current color. We strongly advise against painting the vinyl siding because paint layers will peel and require re-painting every five to six years. - Dave in Ontario, Canada, discovered that the wooden header was dry-rotted above his detached cement block garage door. We explain that he needs to build a temporary support wall inside the garage to hold the roof rafters while he disassembles and replaces the deteriorated header. - Emily (via email) wrote in about a fuzzy white growth on her basement walls that she feared was mold. We identify the growth as likely efflorescence, a mineral deposit left after moisture evaporates, and recommend that she manage exterior moisture by cleaning gutters and sloping the soil away from the foundation.   ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Welcome to The Money Pit! Home sweet home is the biggest investment you’ll ever make, but it doesn't have to be a bottomless money pit. We know you’re busy at this time of year with holidays and projects, but we’re here every week to help you handle those improvements, whether you have questions about painting, plumbing, home safety, security, or curb appeal! - Smart, Damage-Free Ways to Decorate for the Holidays: We emphasize the importance of using plastic light clips instead of nails or staples to prevent damage to your siding or roof. We also stress power safety, recommending outdoor-rated lights, weatherproof extension cords, GFCI outlets, and smart plugs or timers to control usage. - Simple Strategies to Keep Your Home Safe While Traveling: Make your house look lived in by using varied timers on lights and having trusted neighbors check on packages and park in the driveway. Key safety measures include locking all doors and windows and setting the thermostat to 55-60 degrees to prevent pipe freezing. - Must-Have Winter Checklist: We run through a must-have checklist of essential items to stock up on now, such as ice melt that’s safe for concrete and pets, snow tools, furnace filters, and emergency items like batteries, flashlights, and extra phone chargers. - Hide Messy Wires: Finally, we cover smart and simple ways to hide messy TV wires for a clean, modern media setup.   Q & A: - Karen in Pennsylvania needs a sturdy way to install a railing post into a prefabbed hollow concrete porch step. We advise using blue Tapcon screws specifically designed for masonry surfaces. - Pete in Ohio and his wife want to install canned lights in their finished, two-story home ceiling. We caution that this is an advanced electrical project requiring special tools, making it a job best handled by a professional electrician. - Lori in Missouri asks about a less messy way to remove her popcorn ceiling to achieve a flat surface. We suggest she first test for asbestos, then use the "wet scrape" method by spraying the ceiling lightly with a garden sprayer, letting it soak for 10–15 minutes, and scraping it off carefully with a wide spackle knife. - Robin in Wisconsin was refinishing her basement floor and has areas of carpet glue residue that resist sanding. We explain that sanding warms up adhesives and makes them stickier, advising her to choose a more rigid vinyl plank with an underlayment to bridge the small areas of uneven glue instead of trying to scrape or sand further. - Rich in Illinois has cedar siding that is weathered and untreated, and he seeks advice on how to secure and treat it. We recommend applying an oil-based anti-tannin primer first to prevent the natural oils from leaking, followed by a latex-based exterior stain to achieve a durable finish that could last around 15 years. - Ronnie emailed from New York City, asking if he should close off the five HVAC vents in his unused basement to save money. We advise against shutting off a large portion of the system, as it may strain the 15-year-old HVAC unit by forcing it to work harder.   ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Hey, everyone! With the seasonal craziness upon us, it feels like we're cramming more stuff into the same schedule. Join us this week as we share how to get your house in order, keep it in tip-top shape through the winter, and prepare for spring with these time-saving tips: - Caulking for Winter Protection: We share why checking and sealing your exterior caulking now is crucial to prevent energy leaks, energy loss, and sky-high heating bills this winter. - Transforming Your Garage into a Workshop: Learn how to convert that chilly, cluttered garage into a warm, usable workspace by winterizing appropriately and making specific upgrades. - Understanding the Housing Market Crunch: We dig into the current real estate affordability crisis and discuss the “golden handcuffs effect.” While high rates and surging prices make affordability a challenge, buyers are gaining slightly more negotiating power. - Preparing Your Appliances and Fireplace for the Holidays: Before Thanksgiving, we give tips on how to give your dishwasher a deep clean. For your fireplace, ensure your chimney has been professionally inspected and swept, and check for debris like nests before starting it up for the season.   Q & A: - Scott in Florida wants to swap the location of the shower and toilet in his first-floor master bathroom, but we advise against it since moving plumbing drains in a concrete slab requires massive construction. The better solution is to make the existing shower smaller and convert that wasted space into a storage closet. - Amy in South Dakota observed grayish discoloration on the wood parts of her windows and on the metal frames. We recommend sanding the oxidized gray wood and refinishing it with an exterior-grade, oil-based urethane. - George in Connecticut was planning to install natural wood flooring over the carpet in his family room, above a dry basement. He was advised to choose prefinished hardwood for its durability and easier installation. - Belinda is adding GFCI outlets to her older home and asked if they require their own circuit breaker. We confirm they do not, and an electrician can splice the GFCI into existing wiring to protect that outlet and others downstream if needed. - Dennis in Michigan was trying to remove powdered roofing cement that had gotten wet, cured, and hardened onto his stained concrete garage floor. He should first scrape off as much cured material as possible and then use a solvent like mineral spirits or acetone, working it in with a wire brush to break down the remaining material. - Dave in Houston, Texas, sought advice on whether to glue down or float the engineered wood flooring he is installing in his second-floor bedrooms. We prefer floating floors because they are easier to install, lock together, and allow for expansion and contraction.   ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Coast to coast and floorboards to shingles, this is The Money Pit! As we enter this wonderful, thankful time of year, we are focused on making sure your home is prepped to look nice and stay safe before the holiday guests and cooking sprees begin. Listen in for this week’s home improvement topics and calls, including: - Refreshing Your Home's Exterior: Fall provides crisp, dry weather that is perfect for refreshing your exterior paint. We’ll give you some tips on how to boost curb appeal and better protect your home. - Preventing Holiday Plumbing Disasters: Before guests arrive, take steps to avoid kitchen clogs and toilet backups, such as avoiding putting grease, potato peels, or bones down the garbage disposal. - Essential Fire Safety for the Season: Holiday lights and decorations can increase fire risks, so use surge protectors and avoid daisy-chaining extension cords, which can overload wires. Also, always remember that unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires. - Quick Clean-Up Preparation: Since spills are inevitable during big meals, prep a quick grab-and-go stain-fighting kit with essentials like paper towels, a carpet-safe stain remover, white vinegar, and a scrub brush.   Q & A: - Cameron has a 100-year-old home with counterweighted windows, and he needs to restring the weights. To fix this, he needs to carefully remove the interior trim/casing to gain access to the cavity behind the sash, making sure to use a utility knife to cut the paint seam first to avoid damage while repairing the window. - Nicole is dealing with loud banging pipes in the basement every time water is run. The noise is either "water hammer" from loose pipes shaking against the wood framing, or the well pump turning on and off too frequently. - Linda wants to build a single concrete structure that can serve as a patio in the summer and a covered carport for her collectible car in the winter. To get a solid, permanent base, we recommend consulting with a professional. - Bill installed a new LED light fixture and noticed there is a 1.5 to 2-second delay before the light actually comes on when flipped. This behavior is actually normal due to the complex internal circuitry required to bring the light up and maintain the correct level. - Gail emailed to say she recently moved and asked how to stop the stains left by falling acorns on her concrete driveway. The recommended solution is to stay on top of maintenance by scrubbing the stains with a strong solution of oxygenated bleach.   ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

SHOW NOTES: Welcome back to The Money Pit! As the days grow shorter and we settle into the realities of daylight savings time, it's the perfect time to tackle those crucial home improvement projects and winter preparations. We’re here every week with home improvement how-tos, hacks, tips, tricks, and advice to help you fix up your home sweet home! Today’s featured home improvement topics and calls include: - Home Improvement ROI: We break down the top five home improvement projects that will deliver the biggest bang for your buck. - Hiring Contractors: We share our insider checklist for hiring the right contractor, emphasizing the critical steps you need to avoid getting scammed this holiday season. - Outdoor Chore List: We detail the essential last outdoor chores you need to complete before winter settles in. - Refreshing a Backyard Garden Bed: For those with an unused space, we discuss how to rejuvenate a tired backyard garden bed in the fall.   Q & A: - Tracy in Florida was considering installing high-density styrofoam crown molding instead of traditional wood because she isn't handy. Foam trim is an excellent DIY choice, as it is easy to cut and install and once painted, it is indistinguishable from wood. - John in Arkansas has a height difference where a new addition meets his house's slab foundation, complicating the connection of LVP flooring, especially near an exterior door. We think John should install a transition strip (saddle) to safely navigate this height difference. - Dewey owns a three-unit building where a basement unit has a bad odor coming from the drywall due to a previous sewage flood. To address this, he needs to hire a remediation company to tear out the impacted drywall and wiring. - Gail in Virginia has an oil boiler that is delivering water that is too hot, and she cannot turn the boiler temperature down without impacting the heating performance. She needs to have a technician locate and correctly set the mixing valve built into her tankless coil system to automatically add the proper amount of cold water.   ASK A QUESTION: Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices