THE WELCOME MAT

It's the time of year millions of Americans dread: Hurricane Season. Many Americans on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are probably used to storm preps as just part of summer and fall. But this year's outlook is enough to scare even the veterans. The outlook calls for a very high likelihood of an above-normal hurricane season, with up to 17 named storms, as many as 10 hurricanes, and several major hurricanes. And if you live inland and think you're safe from any storm's path... think again. Once a storm makes landfall, it can continue to cause devastation for hundreds of miles. Our advice? Be like a Boy Scout and always be prepared! Listen to our nationally syndicated radio show for more and read on...


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  1. On the Wire - Wild Weather
  2. Ask Tom & Leslie - Water Woes
  3. Got A Question About Your Money Pit?
  4. On the Air - Cool Off without Paying Up
  5. Dot Common Sense - Weatherproofing Wood
  6. Fun Fact - Lawn Loss
  7. Short Cuts - Cool Comfort
  8. Share This Information With A Friend!
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On the Wire - Wild Weather

Hurricane season is now officially underway, and will run through the end of November. It can be nerve-wracking if you are one of the millions of people who live along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts – from Texas to New England. If you don't, even as far as 100 miles away from the coast is considered fair game for hurricanes. For some help keeping your eye on the eye of the storm, visit www.NOAA.gov where you can get up to the minute satellite images and the latest tracking info. And make sure you hit www.moneypit.com for storm-proofing tips that will help keep your home and family safe.

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Ask Tom & Leslie - Water Woes

"I am trying to purchase a condo and during my inspection of the home, I noticed water standing in the basement near the center of the basement floor. I was told that the water was caused by improper grading on the outside of the condo, but I did not see any entry point through the windows or down the walls. Just a puddle of stale looking water in the middle of the floor. The water seemed to be coming up through the cement floor, is that possible?"

It is possible that the water stems from improper grading and drainage and it may very well not be so obvious that you see it enter and run across the floor. More likely, the water is running down the outside of the foundation, going under the floor and being drawn up through the force of capillarity. Most wet basements can be solved through improvement in grading and drainage. Visit www.moneypit.com for more advice. That being said, since this home has not been purchased yet, the basement water should be considered a "major defect" and should be corrected by the seller prior to closing. Because this is a condo, correction becomes a sticky situation. The seller may not be allowed to work on the exterior drainage as the land belongs to the condo association. You certainly want to avoid getting in the middle of that too. Get your attorney and real estate agent to work out the details.
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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!

  1. 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.
  2. 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!
  3. 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 - Cool Off without Paying Up

This week on the radio show, learn why you are better off using a programmable thermostat this summer to save on energy costs. Another way to cool off without paying up is opening up and letting in the breeze. Screens will keep the bugs out – BUT if you have children, there is one extra safety measure you should take. Find out what it is. To listen to the show online or download our Podcast, hit www.moneypit.com.

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Dot Common Sense - Weatherproofing Wood

To protect your outdoor wood surfaces from the elements, make sure you consider your choice of stains. BEHR® Paints offers a line-up of solid, semi-transparent and clear waterproofing stains to provide ultimate durability and wood protection. Ideal for all wood and composite surfaces, BEHR Premium Solid Color Weatherproofing Stain with NanoGuard® technology provides a durable finish that resists cracking, peeling and blistering. It hides surface imperfections but allows the wood texture to show through. Developed with a urethane-fortified 100 percent acrylic latex formula, the stain provides excellent crack and scuff resistance. It offers mildewcide/algaecide, enhanced water-resistance, UV protection, is available in over 1600 colors and has been formulated for computer color matching. This product comes with a 10-year customer satisfaction guarantee on decks and a 25-year guarantee on fences and siding. For more information visit www.Behr.com or The Home Depot. back to the top

Fun Fact - Lawn Loss

Are you concerned that a summer drought and hot sun could leave your lawn looking more like a hayfield than a putting green? Don't worry! Even if your lawn ends up looking dead at some point this summer, don't throw in the trowel. Lawns affected by droughts are smarter than you think. Even though it may look like a lost cause, it's really just dormant and will come back in full swing when the rain returns. To prevent damage to dormant lawns, avoid walking on dried out areas. back to the top

Short Cuts - Cool Comfort

You've heard the saying,"It's not the heat, it's the humidity"?. It doesn't just apply to famous subtropical destinations - it can be the culprit in your home's interior comfort as well. Adding Aprilaire's Whole Home Dehumidifier to your heating and cooling system keeps the atmosphere comfy (in the ideal humidity range of 25-60%) and moisture-loving, health-threatening molds and other pesky microorganisms at bay. This comfort workhorse senses atmospheric changes way before you ever could, and removes more moisture from the air than an air conditioner does on its own. Aprilaire's Whole Home Dehumidifier removes humidity, while allowing your air conditioner to focus on temperature – without wasteful over-cooling. And it stays on duty year-round, too, which is especially handy in the spring and fall when your AC runs only occasionally if at all. Learn more about the Aprilaire Whole Home Dehumidifier at www.Aprilaire.com.

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