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

Money Pit Blogs

Help with Stenciled Concrete

Fri, 01/12/2007 - 14:59 - Money Pit Team

Our patio and home are 43 years old. Over the years the patio has developed some uneven sections that have been corrected with mud-jacking. Now we are considering rejuvenating the look of the patio by having it professionally stenciled.  We've been told that they clean the patio, then spray the...

Chilly Kitchen Solution

Tue, 01/09/2007 - 09:59 - Money Pit Team

I recently redid my kitchen which included raising the ceiling to the roof and installing a large skylight. Since then the upstairs area of the kitchen and surrounding rooms seem colder. Could it be when the contractor did this construction he didn't insulate properly?? Is there a way to fix...

Need Help with Leaking Roof

Sun, 01/07/2007 - 21:45 - Money Pit Team

We are experiencing a roof leak in our 5 year old home and are about to replace the ceiling in my daughters room due leak damage.  The problem seems to occur when snow, which sits on top of a roofing vent, begins to melt, although I can not confirm this.  I've contacted our insurance agent who...

How to Save Money with Heat Pumps

Sat, 01/06/2007 - 11:31 - Money Pit Team

I have a 2-stage heating system that switches from an electric heat pump to a gas furnace when the outside temperature drops to 10 degrees or when the temperature differential (set/actual) is more than a few degrees. My question is this: is it worth it to program the thermostat to a lower...

Need Low-Odor Paint Solution

Wed, 01/03/2007 - 14:46 - Money Pit Team

I'm taking on some painting projects this winter and am looking for a safer paint.  Lately I seem to be more sensitive to working with paint.  I get an allergic reaction that makes my eyes water and leads to some nasty headaches.  Are there any options for a more environmentally friendly paint...

Finding Leak in Bathroom Ceiling

Mon, 01/01/2007 - 20:21 - Money Pit Team

I discovered a water stain all around the ceiling in our small bathroom, and a few weeks later noticed a water stain in the shape of a circle more than a foot in circumference about 6" in from the water stain all around where the ceiling meets the walls. We had a plumber come in and he sawed a...

Stripping Paint

Thu, 12/28/2006 - 21:44 - Money Pit Team

I found your podcast a couple of months ago and have been listening to it ever since.  Good stuff!  Moving on to my question, this year my wife and I bought our first house.  It's a 1910 bungalow and we love it; however there are a few things that we'd like to change around the house.  The...

Kitchen Cabinet Makeovers

Wed, 12/27/2006 - 00:23 - Money Pit Team

I recently purchased an older home.  The home has plenty of kitchen cabinets, but the fronts have been badly abused.  What can I do to give them a new look? I love the look of wood, antique, etc.meemee 12-22-06 5:12am You have lots of options when it comes to refinishing your cabinets but first...

Solving Copper Pipe Leaks

Fri, 12/22/2006 - 11:15 - Money Pit Team

Can plumbing just "spring a leak" if there's been no stress on it?  My 30 year old townhouse has copper pipes and I noticed a wet spot in the ceiling in the basement last night.  Got the ladder out and peered up into the ceiling from the work room (could see the pipes going around the area of...

Noisy Bathroom Solution

Thu, 12/21/2006 - 11:47 - Money Pit Team

I plan on replacing the sheetrock walls in the bathroom using the Dens Armor drywall.  Will this product significantly reduce the noise caused when someone is showering or running water in the sink or flushing the toilet?  Also, is it feasible to insulate between the studs with fiberglass...