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Share ideas and learn about the latest in home improvement and décor from Tom and Leslie.

Money Pit Blogs

Checking for Damage After Irene

Mon, 08/29/2011 - 16:12 - Tom Kraeutler

If Hurricane Irene passed through your area, it would be wise to inspect your home for storm damage. Obvious storm damage, like a broken window, is easy to spot. But if you don't look closely, you might miss little problems that could develop into big repair bills later.

Check your foundation...

Garbage Disposal Woes: How to Get Out of a Bind

Mon, 08/29/2011 - 14:54 - Leslie Segrete

When your garbage disposal jams it often automatically shuts off, and may not restart when you flip the wall switch. Many homeowners don’t know there’s a reset button located on the bottom of the unit. It’s usually very small and often red or black. So get a flashlight and look under the unit....

Is Remodeling on the Rise?

Wed, 08/24/2011 - 15:09 - Tom Kraeutler

BuildFax, a service that collects and organizes construction records on millions of properties from cities and counties across the United States, reports that in June 2011, remodeling activity in the U.S. reached the highest level since the index was introduced in 2004. This upward trend matches...

Keep Leftovers Fresh With These Fridge Maintenance Tips

Fri, 08/19/2011 - 11:41 - Leslie Segrete

It’s summer, so everybody is cooking and grilling and eating outdoors. When I grill, I always want so many different choices and flavors that I end up with a ton of leftovers. If you’re like me, you’ll want to make sure your refrigerator is running correctly so that leftover burger or rib is...

10 Million Dollar Prize Winning Light Bulb Ready for Sale

Mon, 08/15/2011 - 16:26 - Tom Kraeutler

With the expected phase out of incandescent bulbs beginning with the 100 watt bulb at the end of this year, competition is hot for a new wave of energy efficient light bulbs that delivers the shine without the ka-ching of high energy bills.  And a competition with a 10 million dollar prize is...

Kitchen Design Trends: What's Now and What's Next?

Sun, 08/14/2011 - 11:04 - Tom Kraeutler

How will today’s social, economic and generational conditions impact kitchen design? That question is the focus of “GenShift 2011: Lifestages Redefining the Kitchen,” a study from Masco Cabinetry based on an online survey of 1,027 U.S. homeowners ages 18-65.

The study identifies changes in...

Add a Skylight to Brighten a Room and Save on Energy

Fri, 08/12/2011 - 19:42 - Leslie Segrete

What can you add to your home to help make it seem more spacious, save you money and possibly help your health? A skylight! Skylights open rooms up to natural light, make small spaces seem larger and create energy efficient possibilities that may help lower your utility bills. Plus, it will take...

Easy to Make Wall Organizer

Fri, 08/12/2011 - 19:29 - Leslie Segrete

Need a new way to get and stay organized? A good place to start might be to get all that clutter off your desk and onto the wall where it’s easy to see and easily accessible. But there’s got to be a method to your madness. If you just start tacking everything up on the wall, then it’s a whole...

7 Simple Ways to Stay Cool

Fri, 07/22/2011 - 11:22 - Tom Kraeutler

With near-record breaking temperatures across the country, smart homeowners can still stay cool and cut costs with these seven simple tips from the Edison Electric Institute:

  • Set the thermostat at 78 degrees or higher when the house is occupied, and at 85 degrees when no one’s home (you’ll...

EPA to Review Chemicals Used in Home Improvement Products: Paint, Adhesives to be Evaluated

Wed, 07/13/2011 - 12:09 - Tom Kraeutler

There's now one more good reason to "go green" when choosing your home improvement products.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a new rule to protect consumers by requiring companies to report new uses of chemicals known as glymes in consumer products. Glymes are chemicals...