The Money Pit is a nationally syndicated, call-in radio show that helps listeners with their home repair and improvement problems. The show has consistently been named among "America's 100 Most Important Radio Shows" by Talkers magazine. It's been on the air for over ten years, and is now carried on over 300 radio affiliates across the nation, as well as on iHeart radio.
Each week, Tom and Leslie take dozens of calls from listeners who ask about everything from pest problems to deck dilemmas. Their combined experience and expertise allow them to offer solutions to a wide range of problems immediately. If they aren't sure how to help, which is rare, they can always point callers in the right direction. Call us at 1-888-MONEY PIT or post your question in our home improvement community. Our call center is manned by a live person 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
Heating Outdoor Living Spaces
Stop Windows from Sweating in Winter
Learn how to stop windows from sweating in winter. Get tips on how to reduce moisture in the home, including properly venting the bathroom and installing a whole home dehumidifier.
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#2577 – Winterizing Pipes | 2026 Real Estate Forecast | Holiday Hosting Hacks | Plumbing Safety Tip
SHOW NOTES:
It is officially December, which means temperatures are dropping, the holidays are fast approaching, and your to-do list is likely growing by the minute. Whether you are stressing about getting your home guest-ready or worrying about winterizing your plumbing before travel, we’re here to help you tackle those projects without breaking the bank.
- Winterizing Pipes: We share critical steps to prevent burst pipes, such as wrapping them in foam insulation and letting faucets drip slightly during extreme cold snaps to relieve pressure.
- 2026 Real Estate Forecast: After years of high rates, experts predict a stabilizing market for 2026, with mortgage rates potentially dropping to around 5.9% and home prices seeing steady, modest growth.
- Holiday Hosting Hacks: We discuss stress-free ways to prep your home for guests, including focusing cleaning efforts only on visible rooms, adding warm lighting, and using natural scents like cinnamon and pine.
- Plumbing Safety Tip: We explain the importance of tagging your main water valve and turning off washing machine water supply valves before leaving home for extended periods to prevent flooding.
Q & A:
- Debbie from Arkansas found liquid nails stuck to a brick wall behind old plaster. We advise covering it with furring strips or installing faux brick panels rather than ruining the brick by trying to remove the adhesive.
- Rochelle from Delaware has a cracking, dipping concrete slab in her kitchen and received a pricey quote for foam injection. We suggest she consult a structural engineer first or use a floor leveling compound instead of jumping to injection.
- Victoria from Arkansas asked if she could patch small areas of missing shower grout without redoing the whole wall. We confirm she can spot-repair it, but advise doing a test patch to ensure the new sandy grout color matches perfectly.
- Darlene from Baltimore asked for insulation advice to block noise from a stairwell wall. We recommend opening the wall to install mineral wool insulation combined with sound-deadening drywall like QuietRock.
- Brandon sent an email to ask about replacing two-prong outlets in a 1940s home. We strongly advise against DIY electrical work and suggest hiring an electrician to install GFCIs or verify if the boxes are grounded.
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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Apartment Heating
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Install Flashing Around a Chimney
Learn how to install flashing around a chimney. Find out how to layer flashing so that it properly seals the chimney from rain and other leaks.
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Security Lighting
How-to tips on Security Lighting.
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How to Realign Cabinet Drawers and Doors
Find out how to realign cabinet drawers and doors by tightening the screws on the drawer fronts and door hinges. Also get tips on removing cabinet doors before you paint them, and numbering them so you can put them back in the right order.
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#2576 – Warm Up Without High Bills | Winter Floor Protection | 2026 Home Improvement Predictions
SHOW NOTES:
Welcome to this week's episode of The Money Pit! It’s almost the first weekend in December, and while we know you’re running out of time for holiday preparations, we are here to help you manage your home projects before the festivities begin.
- Warm Up Without High Bills: We share simple ways to keep your home
cozy, such as hunting down drafts around windows and doors, changing air
filters, and installing programmable thermostats to save up to 10% on
heating costs.
- Winter Floor Protection: To protect your floors from muddy boots and cookie crumbs, we recommend placing mats at every entrance and using specific cleaning methods for hardwood, tile, and carpet to prevent winter wear and tear.
- 2026 Home Improvement Predictions: Looking ahead, we discuss top trends for 2026, including a heavy focus on energy efficiency like heat pumps, "mini-makeovers" for kitchens rather than full remodels, and multifunctional outdoor living spaces.
Q & A:
- Fred in Delaware built a walkout from his basement and needs to know if he requires double handrails. We advise installing two for safety.
- Barbara from Rhode Island says her upstairs toilet makes a gurgling bubbly sound. We diagnose this as a venting obstruction and suggest using a toilet auger to clear the trap since plunging didn't work.
- Bill from Texas scraped the popcorn texture off his bathroom ceiling and wanted to know how to seal it. We recommend using a primer like Kilz, but strongly advise against adding new texture in a bathroom due to moisture and mold risks.
- Kent in Kansas has a recurring stain on his bathroom ceiling. We determine the issue is likely a deteriorated rubber boot on the plumbing vent flashing, and suggest replacing the flashing before cleaning, priming, and painting the ceiling.
- Kay in South Carolina is looking to renovate a home that has been vacant with no utilities for over seven years. We recommend hiring a professional home inspector to check all systems once the utilities are on and consulting an architect if she plans to change the layout.
- Tamara in Georgia explained that metal rails were cut near her walkway, leaving rust stains on her pavers. To avoid damaging the pavers with a pressure washer, we suggest using lemon juice or vinegar with a wire brush, or a rust-removing product like Iron Out.
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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Staying Put
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How to Locate a Roof Leak
Find out how to locate a roof leak. Get tips on checking places where a pipe goes through the roof and using a garden hose to try to recreate the leak.
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