#2488 - Are Natural Stone Countertops Worth It? | Wallpaper Removal | Quick Home Improvement Tasks

SHOW NOTES: Today, learn the lifesaving benefits of home fire sprinkler systems, six must-know painting tips to help you get pro results, and how changing your furnace filter can make a big impact on your heating bill. Plus, we’ve got expert answers to callers’ home improvement questions! - Fire Safety: Get added safety on tap by installing a home fire sprinkler system. - Painting: These 6 simple tips will save you time and money on your next painting project. - Filters: Improve your HVAC system’s efficiency by using the right furnace filters.   Q & A: - Storm Door: The trim on Katie’s entry door is melting from heat trapped behind the storm door. We explain why storm doors aren’t needed and how to ventilate the space. - Window Leak: Water is leaking inside the top of Dan’s window from a rotted gutter. He should fix the gutter and fascia board first and monitor the leak. - Roofing: Mary is getting confused by all the choices for replacing her roof. It sounds like the tiles need repair, not replacement, and she needs to clarify options with other roofing professionals. - Water Heater: Fred’s old gas water heater is vibrating. It’s not worth fixing, and we recommend installing a tankless water heater that’s more efficient. - Chimney: An external chimney has cracked and the mantle inside has shifted. Rebecca needs to find a professional home inspector or structural engineer, not a contractor. - Cleaning: Old bathroom tiles have lost their luster. A matte finish won’t get shiny, but Cheri gets tips for the best way to clean the tile surface and what to use.   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: In today’s episode, learn the fastest way to remove old wallpaper, find out if natural stone countertops are worth the upkeep, and discover five easy home improvement hacks you can complete in 30 minutes or less. Plus, we’ll help turn your dream project into a reality, with answers to more home improvement questions! - Stone Countertops: Natural stone countertops require ongoing maintenance, but are they worth the hassle? - Wallpaper Removal: Removing wallpaper is always a challenge, but these tips can make it easier and faster. - Quick Home Improvement: You can get these home improvement tasks done in 30 minutes or less.   Q & A: - Tile Grout: Is it a bad idea to use white grout with white bathroom tile? It’s a fine choice, but Christine should use silicone grout that’s easy to clean or properly seal sand grout. - Roofing: Joe’s roof shingles don’t extend far enough over the gutters. There should be a drip edge and we have tips for extending the shingles and installing flashing. - Siding Gap: Jennifer wants to seal a gap between the wood siding and brick to keep out pests. Options include steel wool or foam insulation that must be primed and painted. - Window Wells: The metal window wells near the driveway are getting rusted. James gets advice on replacing them with plastic wells that won’t corrode from weather and salt. - Driveway Stains: How can Richard remove oil and rust stains from his new driveway? He should mix TSP into a paste and let it sit before scrubbing the surface. - Shower Leak: Maria’s shower is leaking into the subfloor. We have tips for finding and sealing a leak in the shower pan or the grout around it.   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: In this show, we’ve got advice to save on heating costs, detox your mattress for better sleep, and ensure your home is fire-safe with the right smoke detectors. Plus, we’re here to answer more home improvement questions, so be sure to listen in for DIY tips! - Mattress Cleaning: Rest assured and get a healthy sleep with cleaning tips to detox your mattress. - Heating Costs: Cut your heating bills by finding and sealing energy leaks around your home. - Smoke Detectors: Get the right kind of smoke detectors to protect against every type of fire.   Q & A: - Clogged Plumbing: Nicole doesn’t want to use harsh chemicals on her clogged shower drain. A drain snake is cheap and effective, but she may need to call a professional drain cleaner. - Attic Vent: John’s roof vent sometimes leaks. It may be from wind-driven rain, so we suggest installing a ridge vent that runs down the peak of the roof. - Painting Bathroom: Can Chris paint over her outdated bathroom tiles? It can be done but may not last, so she may want to decorate around the old tile colors for now. - Cement Board: Jeffrey gets tips for using colored silicone caulk that expands and contracts to fix his cracked cement board siding. - Appliance Stains: It’s frustrating to keep stainless steel appliances clean! We recommend some products Tom can use to maintain his appliance surfaces. - House Noises: What is that humming and buzzing sound in Diane’s house? It will take some detective work to track down house noises from drafts or plumbing vibrations. - Doors: Al’s prehung metal door rotted around the door jamb. It’s not worth repairing, so he should replace the door with a fiberglass model that doesn’t rust and is more efficient. - Countertops: What kind of countertop is best for a remodeled kitchen? Lori learns the pros and cons of granite, marble, quartz, laminate, and tile countertops. - Insulation: How should Kenny insulate his tin roof? We discuss two types of insulation options, depending on how the roof is put together and the structure of the house. - Mailbox: How can Lynn replace a rusted mailbox in a brick enclosure? She finds out steps for cutting off the inside bolts and finding a new mailbox that fits the space.   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: On this show, tackle top home improvement challenges by learning how to tell if your windows need replacing, conquering garage clutter to make space for your car, and uncovering the benefits of a home energy audit. Plus, listen in for more expert advice for DIY callers like you! - Replacing Windows: These 7 key pane points will tell you when it’s time to replace your windows. - Garage Space: Take back that parking space with tips for organizing your garage. - Energy Audit: Learn how to improve your energy efficiency with a home energy audit.   Q & A: - Plumbing: Are faucets from a big box store just as good as those from a plumbing supply store? Joni shouldn’t worry about quality if she’s still buying a good brand. - Garage Doors: Frank’s garage door opener won’t close them. He can try doing a factory reset, but they may need to be replaced if they’re too old. - Groundwater: It’s not worth the work involved for Shawnee to redirect an underground spring that keeps a small area of her yard wet. - Water Heater: James noticed moisture inside the fiberglass insulation on his water heater. He gets tips for finding leaks, regulating the water heater, and installing a timer. - Mold: Broken pipes inside the walls have caused a lot of mold. Sharaine needs to call a professional to safely remove the mold and avoid contaminating the rest of the house. - Concrete: One area of Roy’s concrete driveway is tilting toward the garage. Mudjacking can lift and stabilize it as long as it’s done evenly and doesn’t crack the slab. - Toilet: Patty’s toilet runs a few times each day and the water bill is going up. It’s an easy fix to replace the worn-out fill and flush valves inside the tank.   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: Got roof leaks, too much clutter, or chipped ceramic tiles? This episode offers simple steps to manage leaks, expert advice to declutter your home, and creative solutions for repairing damaged tiles. Tune in for your home improvement fix and more DIY advice! - Home Organization: Clear your mind and your space with home organization tips to conquer clutter. - Leaks: Learn how to minimize damage from a roof or plumbing leak. - Ceramic Tiles: Try these handy hacks when you can’t find a replacement for broken ceramic tiles.   Q & A: - Driveway Repair: Ed’s concrete driveway is starting to separate at the expansion joint. He gets tips on using a backer rod and urethane caulk to seal the gap. - Structural Support: Mary wants to open up her ceiling rafters, but she should consult an engineer or architect to design a structural plan for this risky project. - Insulation: The furnace can’t heat an old house with poor insulation. Andy should install two layers of criss-crossed insulation in the attic. - Floor Gap: There’s a gap between the new wood floor and the front door threshold. We advise Nancy to use a piece of molding for a thin gap or cut a piece of flooring for a wide gap and tap it into place. - Windows: How can Karen let the heat in but keep the cold out of her windows? Cellular shades can be left open during the day and closed at night to keep things comfortable. - Siding: Should Mike replace Western red cedar siding with pine? Pine is not insect- or weather-resistant, so we suggest looking at Hardie Plank siding instead. - Painting Garage Doors: Carolyn needs to refinish her metal garage doors. She gets tips for sanding, priming, and painting the doors with the right products. - Sink Surface: There’s an ugly black ring around the bathroom drain. Debra can try cleaning it with oxygenated bleach, abrading the surface, or covering the area with a wide drain. - Painting Siding: Paint just won’t stick to David’s redwood siding. It’s a smart idea to apply Kilz primer first, then use good quality paint over it as soon as possible.   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: Today, we’ll share five easy ways to prevent mold from taking over your indoor space this winter, clever updates to make your small kitchen feel more spacious and functional, and a guide to installing water filters that provide fresh, tasty water while saving you money. Plus, we’re ready to hear what’s on your home improvement to-do list, so listen in for answers to more DIY questions! - Small Kitchens: Gain space and improve functionality with big, easy updates for small kitchens. - Mold Prevention: Learn 5 ways to stop mold before it starts and keep your home healthy. - Water Filters: Choose from two types of water filters for drinking water that tastes better and costs less.   Q & A: - Appliances: Charmagne’s washing machine is shaking and making loud noises. We suggest adjusting the feet to make sure it’s level and using anti-vibration blocks. - Ceiling Leak: Water leaked through the kitchen light from the apartment upstairs. If the ceiling bows, Kevin should poke a hole to release any water, but a single leak that dried won’t be a mold problem. - Flooring: Chunks are coming out of Dina’s laminate floor that she can’t find anywhere. She may be able to get a patching compound that matches from the manufacturer. - Mold: David can feel moisture in the back of cabinets and closets in his cinderblock house. He gets tips for cleaning with bleach and ventilating the closets to dry them out. - Soundproofing: Catherine can hear her neighbors through the beam running through her basement. We discuss using soundproofing drywall to frame in the beam. - Pet Odors: A tenant’s puppy left stains and odors on Carol’s floors. She gets tips for stain and odor removal products, priming and painting surfaces, and installing pet-friendly carpeting. - Painting: Ross has residual stains on his concrete cellar walls. He can clean the mineral deposits with a vinegar solution, then apply an oil-based primer and masonry paint. - Power Surge: Can Rick save on his utility bills by connecting everything to a surge protector or power strip? Maybe, but not much.   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: Today, we’re shedding light on the best kitchen lighting options, solving damp laundry dilemmas with clever dryer hacks, and adding life to your backyard by attracting winter birds. Plus, listen in as we help callers with their toughest DIY challenges! - Clothes Dryer: Put a new spin on drying your laundry with tips to avoid wrinkles, damp clothes, and static. - Kitchen Lighting: Get bright ideas for choosing the perfect kitchen lighting for every task. - Bird Feeders: These bird feeders will have feathered friends flocking to your yard this winter.   Q & A: - Gutters: Risa’s gutters keep getting clogged with leaves. We recommend thin mesh gutter guards as the best option and warn against gutter sales scams. - Flooring: A leaking French drain is bubbling up Keith’s epoxy flooring. We have tips for repairing the drain and adhering commercial tile to a damp slab. - Electrical: The automatic light in a closet sometimes arcs when it comes on. That’s a very dangerous electrical fire hazard that Ming needs to have replaced immediately. - Foundation: Steve wonders if a solid concrete foundation is better than cinderblock for preventing moisture. It may be stronger, but improving the outside drainage is most important. - HVAC: Is it possible to convert a fireplace to open both ways if there are two chimneys? Danuza learns why it can’t be done and what to discuss with a fireplace expert. - Roofing: Paul needs options for replacing his old flat roof. We stress how quality workmanship makes all the difference when installing a flat roof. - Bath Tile: Spider cracks are suddenly forming on Stephanie’s acrylic liner walls. If it’s just the glazing on the surface, she can apply car wax to buff and hide the cracks.   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: On today’s show, we’re discussing home improvement resolutions that stick, the ins and outs of adding a basement bathroom, and our favorite DIY hacks to make your projects a breeze. Plus, we’re here to help you get unstuck on any project, so listen in for answers to more questions from DIYers just like you! - Home Improvement: Nail down the new year with home improvement resolutions you can actually keep. - Basement Bathrooms: Smart drainage solutions for basement bathrooms will help you go with the flow. - DIY Hacks: Fix it fast with 4 favorite home improvement hacks to get things done quickly and easily.   Q & A: - Roof Leak: Dan’s trying to seal leaks coming through his metal roof. If it’s a flashing issue near seams or pipe openings, he should overlap the panels and use silicone caulk. - Heated Floor: Can Sylvia install in-floor heating with Terrazzo tile? It’s a big, expensive project but PEX piping can be run through the underlayment beneath the tile floor. - Plumbing Leak: Fletch shares his experience with contractors who misdiagnosed water in the basement that was really coming from a leak in a refrigerator water line. - French Doors: The whole bottom of Fran’s French doors have rotted from rain exposure. The area’s too big to patch and we suggest installing new fiberglass doors. - Laminate Flooring: Leroy learns that laminate flooring has layers and not one color all the way through, but it is designed to stand up to heavy use and rolling chairs. - Termites: Dawn found termite damage after taking down a wall. We explain how to reinforce the beam by attaching another one, rather than replacing the damaged beam. - Countertop: We have advice for Jack on how to cut a laminate countertop to install a double oven and the best tools to use to prevent splintering. - Wheelchair Ramp: How can you keep snow and ice off a wheelchair ramp without damaging the wood? Sue should use less-corrosive calcium chloride salt mixed with sand. - Electrical: Dot calls to give an update on her kitchen remodeling project and reports how the electrician successfully ran wiring through the slab under the laminate floor. - Mold Removal: Mold is coming up the basement walls in Cumi’s rental home. This is a toxic hazard and the landlord’s responsibility to address the issue and safely remove the mold.   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: On this show, find out why tripped circuits may be a sign your electrical panel is ready for an upgrade, learn an easy way to prevent ice dams on your roof, and get DIY hacks to fix water rings, dings, and dents on your furniture. Plus, listen in as callers’ home improvement questions are answered with expert advice! - Electrical Upgrades: Learn 5 powerful reasons to upgrade your electrical panel. - Ice Dams: Icicles on your roof can indicate a potential roof leak, but there’s an easy way to prevent ice dams. - Furniture Repair: Repair furniture dings, dents, and stains with these easy DIY hacks.   Q & A: - Bathroom: Eddie has a moisture problem in his bathrooms. He should ensure he has enough attic insulation and install humidistats with timers to increase ventilation. - Flooring: There’s sun damage around the floor area where Ty pulled up a rug. Time and UV light will eventually even out the wood flooring unless he wants to sand the entire floor. - Sewer: Betsy has tree root clumps blocking her sewer line. There are ways to clear the sewer line without having to excavate the whole area. - Mice: Mice are coming into William’s house through the basement. He must avoid storing anything that attracts them, seal all gaps, and place bait stations on the basement ledge. - Fireplace: Wind is blowing in all around a gas fireplace. Susan should look for gaps around the box, check the installation guidelines, and install fireplace doors. - Paneling: What is the best way to cover dark wood paneling? If it’s not glued on, David can try removing it. Otherwise, he can paint it or add a layer of drywall over it. - Tile Floor: The ceramic tile floor in a new home is already cracking, probably due to the lack of an isolation membrane installed between the slab and the tile. Debra should have an independent engineer evaluate it.   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: Say goodbye to cold floors, sticky doors, and unused spaces! Today, we explore the benefits of radiant floor heating, simple fixes for stubborn doors, and how to create a hobby studio you’ll love. Whether you’re repairing, improving, or designing, we’ve got the tools and tips to guide you through all your home improvement projects! - Stuck Doors: Finding solutions for stuck doors requires some smooth moves. - Heated Floors: Step into comfort by adding radiant heat to your floors. - Hobby Space: Craft your escape by designing the perfect hobby space.   Q & A: - Electrical: Why do some outlets have 2 prongs and others have 3 prongs? Lisa learns how they’re grounded differently and that it’s always a good idea to update wiring. - Brick: Some areas of Julian’s brick chimney are flaking off and getting tiny holes. He should use a vapor-permeable silicone-based sealer to reduce moisture soaking into the brick. - Water Heater: Colleen wants to replace her two old water heaters with tankless units, but we offer two options that would be more efficient for an electric system. - Heated Driveway: Is a heated driveway a good idea for a snowy climate? Dylan gets info on how the cables are installed and the operating costs involved. - Generator: Rich is looking for a good natural gas generator to power his whole house. This Kohler whole-house generator comes highly recommended for ease of use and peace of mind.   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