1. On the Air - iPod, uPod, We All Pod!
2. Ask Tom & Leslie - Spackle Solution
3. Short Cuts - Cracking Up
4. Fun Fact - Handyman How-to
5. Dot Common Sense - Got Junk?
6. On the Wire - Gasping for Air

ON THE AIR

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ASK TOM & LESLIE

This week's question comes to us from Marilyn C. in Smithfield, Rhode Island. She says, "I did some spackling on the walls in my hallway before priming and painting them. When you look at the wall from the side, I can still see the paper tape. Is there anything that can be done to cover this?"

Yes, Marilyn there is - more spackle! Seriously, once the wall has been painted, you are pretty much back to square one. You will need to lightly sand that area again, and then re-spackle. To help you avoid the same hassles next time, here area a couple of tricks-of-the-trade that will help:

First, the secret to a good spackling job is the use very thin coats and to apply them first with a small spackle knife (4 -6 inch blade) and then use larger knives to taper off the spackle into the surrounding drywall.

Secondly, when you THINK you are done and BEFORE applying any paint, grab a really strong flashlight and hold it against and parallel to the wall you just repaired. As the light bounces over the affected area, you'll be able to see exactly how this will look later, when the sun hits it in that very uncomplimentary direction revealing a pockmarked wall still needing work!

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GOT A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR MONEY PIT?

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. Weíll get back to you with the answer ñ 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.

FUN FACT

Are porch and sidewalk cracks creating a dangerous tripping hazard around your home? You might think you'll just have to live with it, since hiring someone doesn't seem worthwhile. But you can repair this problem yourself! If you're tripping yourself up outside your home because of cracks in concrete, don't worry - this is a repair project you can take on. Cracks in concrete can be easily fixed with a flowable urethane sealer, available in home centers or hardware stores. This repair material fills the voids left by cracks and remains flexible so it won't fall out when the concrete expands or contracts. It's an easy do-it-yourself job that can prevent further damage caused by water, as well as eliminate a tripping hazard. To keep your concrete surfaces clean, use a pressure washer along with an application of mildicide. The mildicide kills fungus that detracts from the concrete's surface and the pressure washer blasts years of grime away.

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COOL TOOLS

Hiring a handyman for your home repair project can be a good option if you're lacking in the DIY department. But there is one major flaw with this process that can set you back both time and money. Make sure your handyman is tooled and ready for your project the minute he walks in your door. If you're paying a handyman by the hour, giving thorough information up front will you save you time and money. Meet with him first and lay out - in detail - what you need done, and list the materials needed. Get in writing who will provide these materials, and include a maximum time frame and cost for the completed job. This will eliminate unnecessary trips to the hardware store and last minute delays.

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DOT COMMON SENSE

Spring cleaning means getting rid of the clutter and junk you've been piling up for years. What do you do with it all? If you've got a huge pile of stuff, keeping it on the curb 'til trash day might not be the best idea. Renting a dumpster means having an eyesore on your front lawn for a while, something the neighbors might not love. Plus, you'll have to do all the heavy lifting yourself. If that doesn't sound like fun to you, we have a solution. Call in the folks from 1-800-GOT-JUNK. Two uniformed pros will show up, load up their clean, shiny truck with your old, dirty stuff and you'll never have to worry about it again! Call 1-800-GOT-JUNK or visit www.GotJunk.com for more info.

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ON THE WIRE

Coughing and sneezing all the time? It might be more than just spring allergies. Have you considered that the air inside your home may be hazardous to your health? Recent reports say that irritants - not germs - may be the cause of chronic colds. Most home generate about 40 pounds of dust per year for every 1,500 square feet of space. One ounce of dust can hold 40,000 dust mites. Americans are getting smart to this: five million portable air cleaners are sold every year. But research shows that most small, portable air cleaners will not effectively remove allergens from the air. Instead, consider a whole house air cleaner. A whole-house air cleaning system is generally the most efficient and effective way to reduce all airborne contaminants in a home, including dust, pollen and bacteria - year-round. You would need about ten portable HEPA air cleaners to get the same results as the Aprilaire Model 5000 Whole-Home Air Cleaner. It removes virus-sized particles and it's consistently rated number one by Consumer Reports. Installed by a heating and cooling contractor, this low maintenance system is allowing homeowners to breathe a sigh of relief. Visit www.Aprilaire.com for more info.

Mold can also affect the air you breathe. To find out how to diagnose and get rid of it, check out our new Mold Resource Guide. The Mold Resource Guide will answer your most frequently asked questions about mold and give you next steps if you think you have a problem. It's in the tools and resources section at www.moneypit.com.

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