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

Money Pit Blogs

Toxic Mold and Children

Tue, 04/17/2007 - 21:34 - Money Pit Team

My wife and I are in dire need of your advice on how to properly remediate a mold problem in our home. In short, coffee colored blotches began appearing and spreading in our 4 year old son's bedroom ceiling approximately 4 months ago. Concerned that there was moisture and possibly mold...

Do it Yourself Garage Floors Save Money

Thu, 04/12/2007 - 22:43 - Money Pit Team

I am considering putting down a new floor over the concrete floors in my garage and breezeway.  I'm thinking about hiring a company who which uses a "hybrid polymer" as the new floor.  The price is about $5.95 a square foot which amounts to $3,100 based on the size of my garage and breezeway. ...

CFLs and Dimmers

Tue, 04/10/2007 - 21:48 - Money Pit Team

I'd like to change the lighting in my home over from incandescent to the newer energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), is there a reasonably priced dimmer that can be used? Jntatbeach 3-31-07 8:49am Good question.  To find out, I checked with the leading manufacturer of dimmers...

Building Field of Dreams

Mon, 04/09/2007 - 11:26 - Money Pit Team

I was just wondering what kind of land I would need if I planned on building a baseball complex. Could I build it on just farmland, residential land or would it need to be commercial? Thank you for your time.reedz1 4-8-07 11:14pm Wow…so you want to build your very own Field of Dreams?  We'll,...

Attic Inspection Good Idea

Fri, 04/06/2007 - 10:45 - Money Pit Team

I do home inspections in Alaska and have had several people (mostly contractors) tell me that it is an absolute no-no to open the attic access hole in the cold of winter. What is your take on this? My clients have been more relieved and in many cases financially relieved of future expenses...

Beware Basement Waterproofers

Sun, 04/01/2007 - 19:48 - Money Pit Team

I have a problem with my basement flooding.  A waterproofing company charged me $14,219 to correct. Two of that firms inspectors insisted underground water was being forced up into the cellar via hydrostatic pressure and only a "French" drain would correct it.  Hence, they installed a long deep...

Mildew in Bath

Thu, 03/29/2007 - 21:04 - Money Pit Team

Can you give me advice on how to remove the bathtub mildew in the caulking?  Is their a product that will keep it under control? Or do I need to remove it completely and start over again?   We have at least 4 showers going on a day so it is constantly moist in there.  Thanks for your...

Replacing Grout

Mon, 03/26/2007 - 21:08 - Money Pit Team

I just finished laying down ceramic tile on my kitchen floor.  Once the grout was down, my wife and I looked at it and decided we don't like the color.  I would hate the work, not to mention the mess, of having to remove the old grout and put down new.  Am I able to grout over what's there with...

Poor Water Pressure

Thu, 03/22/2007 - 13:03 - Money Pit Team

I very much enjoy your show on 77 WABC, NY.  I have a well and the water pressure is very low, especially on the 2nd floor where the showers are.  It affects the dishwasher as the dishes usually don't come out clean.  Is there any possible fix for this?  The house is a bit over 50 years' old -...

Gas Log is a Bad Idea

Mon, 03/19/2007 - 16:24 - Money Pit Team

We want to convert our wood burning fire place to natural gas.  Natural gas service is readily available in our home as we use gas for our stove.  How do we do it and who do we call?Nanajdp01  3-18-07 11:58pm Even though I'm a do-it-yourself proponent, this is definitely one area where you DON'T...