1. On the Air - Great Prize Giveaway
2. Ask Tom & Leslie - Uneven Flooring
3. Short Cuts - Are You Color Cautious?
4. Fun Fact - Girl Power
5. Dot Common Sense - www.TheGutterbrush.com
6. Cool Tools - Maintain the Value of Your Home

ASK TOM & LESLIE

This week's question comes to us from Tami Barb Mathias, West Virginia. She says, "I have a house built in 1953 and the builder used green wood for the floor joists so the floors are all uneven causing the linoleum to tear and peel up. What is the best way to fix this? There is a dirt floor cellar under the house so the joists are easy to get to."

Well Tami, since the vinyl is damaged, it sound's like you will need a new floor. Before you do that though, it might make sense to try and lower the highest floor joists to eliminate some of the peaks and valleys in your floor. To do this, identify the highest floor joist. Then, from the basement, drill a 1 inch hole about two inches down from the top of the center of the joist. Next, use a saw to cut from the inside of that hole downward through the joist. This will allow the joist to "flex." Apply pressure from the top to get the joist down to the level where you want it. Then add a new joist side-by-side to the old one by gluing a bolting the two together. The new joist will support the load of the floor in its newly flattened position. While this is rather a simple carpentry job, its best left up the pros to accomplish. Lastly, you'll have to replace the floor. Due to the unevenness you are experiencing now as well as the chance that more joists might bow in the future, it might make sense to use a laminate floor instead of a vinyl floor. Laminates are much less likely to be impacted by uneven floors and are far more durable than vinyl.

GOT A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR MONEY PIT?

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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.

According to the 2005 Lifestyle Press Survey, most homeowners are still afraid to use color to brighten up their homes. The survey found red is the number one color people would love to paint on their walls-yet it's also the number one color people are most afraid to use. Don't be afraid - it's just paint after all! If you're really nervous, add a splash of color to coffee tables, cribs, cabinets, doors, desks or other furniture instead of your walls.

FUN FACT

It's official, women are the power consumers and marketers are finally realizing this. The voice of the female consumer, once ignored and overlooked by product manufactures, is now being heard loud and clear. According to consulting firm Growth Strategies, women make or influence 80% of consumer purchases and handle 75% of family finances, accounting for nearly 2 trillion dollars in consumer spending each year. Even manufacturers who traditionally target men - like those of home improvement products -- are changing their tune. For example, a recent ad campaign from Home Depot showed families and couples working on home-improvement projects together.

DOT COMMON SENSE

Are you looking for the best gutter guard you can find? The GutterBrush effectively blocks debris from accumulating on the gutter floor while allowing water to flow unobstructed into and through the gutter. This simple solution provides homeowners with the best protection for keeping gutters clear and clog free while offering enormous savings vs. the numerous gutter covers and helmets on the market. Most leaves and large debris will pass over the Gutter Brush as it rests inside your roof gutters. Small items caught in the top of the GutterBrush blow away or decompose and are flushed through natural cycles of sun, wind and rain leaving behind a clean gutter. The GutterBrush costs a fraction of what you would spend with alternative gutter protection systems. Its 360 degree protection blocks leaves, branches and other debris as well as nesting birds, rodents and insects. It bends and forms to easily adapt to any gutter shape or corner. It's fast and easy to install. There are no tools needed and you can do it yourself. The GutterBrush is also warranteed for 10 years. For more information, check out www.TheGutterbrush.com.

COOLTOOLS

When you take on your major spring cleaning projects, don't forget the often-neglected areas of your home that need to be properly maintained. Doing things like cleaning gutters and around the entryway of your home, help keep the exterior in good condition. Also, check the wood trim and other woodwork. The best time to protect it is before the summer heat and rain get a chance to penetrate. Scrape, prime and re-paint that wood now. Inside, clean the coils of your refrigerator, the lint out of your dryer vent and the air filter of your furnace. These simple chores will keep essential appliances running smoothly and help them last longer. Lastly, clear away dead foliage and branches lying in outside beds and on the lawn, so landscape diseases and weeds don't have a safe haven.

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Copyright 2005 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.