On the Wire - Calling All Home Improvement Pros!
The Money Pit wants you! Are you a home improvement pro? Do you nail, plumb, wire, pipe, vent, brick, cut or nail your way through homes for a living? We are looking for a few of the proud and the brave to share some insight with us. Tell us what you wish your clients knew BEFORE they hired you. Tom and Leslie are writing a new book that could feature your story. We'll pick three pros to interview on our national radio show this fall, and select many more to include in our upcoming book! So, here's your chance. Help us help you by telling us what you wish consumers knew before hiring you for a home improvement project. Visit www.moneypit.com for details.
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Ask Tom & Leslie - Making Bad Tile Better
“About four years ago I completely remodeled the bathroom and picked a floor tile that I am not happy with. Why? Because it has a flat -or non glossy- type finish and it shows every shoe scuff & gets dirty very quickly! Plus the color is an off-white which displays dirt easily and the color looks dull in contrast to the white fixtures. I don't know if I can put a different type of tile floor over it without messing up the built in radiator or if there is anything that can be done to the tiles to make them more user-friendly.”
Other than re-grouting, ceramic tile is not a material that lends itself to any sort of refinishing. However, as long as the base layer is secure (no loose tile, etc.) and the floor is structurally sound, you can easily add another layer of tile on top of the existing tile. If you are mentally done with ceramic tile, another material you should consider is laminate floor. Available in an unbelievable range of colors and style, laminate floors are very moisture resistant and a perfect choice for a bathroom makeover. It to, can also be laid right over the old tile floor.
As for the heat question, if you are referring to radiant heat that is in the floor, this should not be a problem. If you have a radiator that is built in to the wall, you should also be ok as long as you have at least a 3/8 of an inch or so underneath the radiator to slip in the additional layer. The only possible negative effect I can foresee is that it might be more difficult to get that radiator out of it ever had to be repaired to replaced. This however, would be a rare situation since old radiators are one of the most durable plumbing products ever invented!
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Got A Question About Your Money Pit?
You can do-it-yourself but you don't have to do-it-alone. Getting in touch with us is as easy as 1 - 2 or 3!
- The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.moneypit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
- Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
- Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.
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On the Air - Angie's List
Sometimes the hardest part of your home improvement project is deciding that it’s better left to a pro. Then you face the task of finding someone reliable, trustworthy and knowledgeable. Most people rely on word of mouth from friends or family. There is a way to make that network a little bigger. Learn about it when Money Pit hosts Tom and Leslie talk to Angie Hicks, the founder of Angie’s List. To find out where we broadcast in your area or download the radio show, visit www.moneypit.com.
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Dot Common Sense - Furniture.com
Aging baby boomers are living longer, more independent lives than their predecessors. That means that Americans are finding themselves in different living arrangements. More parents are moving in with their adult children. And more seniors are living on their own much longer as well. For older Americans living at home – on their own or with their families – making the right interior design and furnishing decisions can go a long way towards achieving the friendlier, safer, and more enjoyable living environment they’re seeking. To help create a more “senior friendly” home, Furniture.com has the following tips and ideas:
Private sanctuary – For many seniors who live with their family, the bedroom is often their only personal space. Customize furnishings to create a personal sanctuary for one’s privacy, hobbies, and memorabilia. Choose a bed that offers easy access (onto and off) along with appropriate support and comfort.
Easy storage – Provide adequate, easily accessible storage that doesn’t require reaching, bending or straining. Choose dressers and wardrobes with large or D-loop handles that don’t require fine finger dexterity. Many children’s dressers feature easy-rolling guides and built-in safety stops.
Support at dinner – Consider investing in dining chairs that provide good back support and have strong, sturdy arms. Seat cushioning adds comfort, but should be securely fitted to the chair.
Remember that the goal in redesigning a living space for senior use is to enable that senior to maintain her freedom within a safe, comfortable and friendly living environment. Communication is crucial. Share opinions and ideas and create the solution together. Furniture.com offers consumers the best of Internet shopping by merging the convenience, accessibility and ease of online shopping with the proven infrastructure of the nation’s largest retail furniture chains.
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Fun Fact - Light the Way
Take full advantage of what your outdoor escape has to offer by adding some lighting. Low voltage lighting has made it truly easy to create beautiful areas of light on your garden or even to highlight architectural details of your home. The fixtures are available in many styles so you can find ones that work with your tastes. Low voltage is great choice for outdoor lighting because it casts an even glow which is great for highlighting flower beds or walkways. You can attach a fixture high up into a tree to cast a moonlit glow or use lights to highlight your favorite tree or arbor. Many low voltage items are sold as kits at your local home center and are a perfect weekend do-it your self project. Not only does the lighting help to enhance your escape it adds value to your home and helps keep everyone safe on those newly lit pathways.
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Short Cuts - The Main Problem
Avoid a major flood while you’re trying to figure out how to shut of your water main. The main water valve controls all flow of water into your house. It’s usually located on the lowest level of your home near the street. Know where it us. Then clearly label it and make sure everyone in the house knows how to turn it off. In case of any plumbing emergency, like a burst pipe, you’ll want to shut off the water main quickly to avoid wasting water and damaging your home.
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Copyright 2007 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.
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