SHOW NOTES:

Welcome to The Money Pit Home Improvement Show! Today, we've got a jam-packed hour filled with expert advice and practical DIY solutions for all your home improvement projects. Here’s a rundown of the main topics and caller questions we’ll be tackling today:

- Instant Hot Water Solutions: We'll explore smart fixes like hot water recirculation pumps that deliver hot water instantly and can save you up to 17,000 gallons of water annually, including how they work, their cost, and DIY-friendly options.

- Building Your Dream Patio: Thinking about a new patio for fall? We'll guide you through building a poured concrete patio from scratch using crack-resistant concrete, covering prep, pouring, and finishing techniques.

- The Power of Composite Flooring: Discover why this next-generation flooring material is becoming a favorite for its stylish, affordable, durable, and waterproof qualities, perfect for any room, along with installation tips.

- Fall Fireplace Safety: Before you light that first cozy fire, we'll discuss essential steps to prep your fireplace for safe use, including inspections, cleaning, and detector checks.

 

Q & A:

- Nancy from Illinois is trying to build a deck but is battling massive tree roots. We advise her to consider designing the deck to require fewer supports or potentially having a tree company grind sections of the roots.

- Colin is building a secure safe room and looking for a vault door. We suggest repurposing an old safe door or using a heavy-duty commercial steel door with multiple deadbolts, with an added tip on reinforcing cinder block walls with rebar and concrete.

- Katherine has changed her lighting design for her basement and wants to know how to patch up old fixture holes. We recommend disconnecting any live wires, using ceiling plates if wires remain, or patching with drywall if the wiring is completely removed and dead.

- Amanda from Pennsylvania just bought a 100-year-old home with beautiful original hardwood floors that squeak, especially on the stairs. We suggest locating and tightening the loose boards using specialized trim screws that won't back out like nails.

- Sandy spilled hot wax on her carpet and upholstered chair and needs to know how to clean it. We gave her a clever trick: use a brown paper bag and a hot, non-steam iron to melt the wax, which then sticks to the bag for easy removal.

- Jim (via email) asked if his new crawl space door needs to be weatherproofed like other exterior doors. We affirm that it absolutely does, recommending a drip edge, silicone caulk, and a solid coat of exterior paint to protect against moisture and damage.

 

ASK A QUESTION:

Need help with your own home improvement or décor question? We’d love to help! Call the show 24/7 at 888-MONEY-PIT (888-666-3974) or post your question here: https://www.moneypit.com/ask.

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