While most folks focus on how their landscape looks they may not be as focused on their “LIGHT” scape! With the right combination of outdoor low-voltage lighting, there’s a whole new view awaiting you. We’ll walk you through the options. And also, ahead, if you’re a dog lover, getting up at all hours of the day or night to let your pooch out is not always very convenient. Now there’s a new type of automatic pet door on the market that gets built right into your home’s exterior door. We’ll share ...
Mar 01, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2079
When it comes to the topic of home improvement, there’s often more bad advice than sage wisdom – and that bad advice spreads like wildfire! We tackle some of the most common tales, share quick how-to tips and help you separate fact from home repair fiction. If you wanted to sell your home today, there are 5 décor elements that will keep buyers from ever pulling up to the curb. We share those and what a survey of the nation’s top real estate agents say you’ll need to do in a post pandemic world t...
Feb 25, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2078
Picking the perfect paint color is a great way to brighten up any room but finding that wow color really makes the magic happen. We’ve got tips on the best paint colors to spark both a brighter space and a better mood! If you have hot water heat, you know that radiators can be nice and comfy in cold months. But if air gets stuck in that system, radiators can ping, bang and become cold as ice! The fixes are pretty simple –we’ll share tips for fine-tuning your noisy heat. Wood floors are beautiful...
Feb 22, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2077
If you’re a renter, you may think you’re stuck with your kitchen. Not so! We’ll share 5 non-destructive spruce ups for your rental space that can be done without wrecking your security deposit! Filters for your heating and cooling system can help remove dust and make it a bit easier to breath. But with so many to choose from, which type really does the best job? We teach you how to decode the ratings to find the best air filter, just in time for the Spring allergy season. Power outages can strik...
Feb 18, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2076
Farmhouse décor is more popular than ever. Tom & Leslie help you get started with ideas for eco-friendly farmhouse fix ups. Is your family growing? Before you hear the pitter patter of little feet – It’s smart to make sure home sweet home is safe as can be for kids. We’ve got everything you need to know about baby proofing your money pit, coming up. While many young adults return home to save money, a basement may be a good choice for a bedroom and a bit of privacy. But building codes demand som...
Feb 15, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2075
High-efficiency washers are on the rise, and Energy Star-certified dryers can cut energy by an impressive 25% -- BUT are these more efficient (and more expensive) washers and dryers a smart buy? We could all use a little more sunshine this time of year…spotless windows can help! We’ve got tips on how to clean your windows like a pro, and you won’t even need any paper towels. Has Valentine’s Day got you feeling extra romantic? Wondering what the best quality SHEETS are to cuddle up in? We’ve got ...
Feb 12, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2074
If there’s one room you’d like to be bright and cheery, it’s the kitchen! We’ll have tips on kitchen lighting to keep that space looking bright – even when it’s dark outside. If you enjoy a glass or two of wine during these long chilly winter days - we’ll share a few simple stain cleaning solutions for any “merlot mishaps” that may happen along the way. And if you’ve been chipping away at a lot of ice this winter, we’ll have a trick of the trade to help make it disappear, especially when it free...
Feb 08, 2021•41 min•Ep. 2073
If you’ve ever thought of adding hardwood floors to your home, you might be surprised to know that some hardwoods are, well, not as hard as others! We’ll have tips on how to choose the toughest hardwoods for maximum durability in today’s Smart Spending Tip. Tiles are beautiful and decorative elements for floors and walls but finding replacements when one or two cracks can seem near impossible. We’ll share tips for repairing or replacing hard to find tiles. Did you know that over 350,000 house fi...
Feb 04, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2072
Whether you’re dealing with a repair or dreaming about a reno, hosts Tom Kraeutler and Leslie Segrete serve as your coach, helper or home improvement therapist for all things remodeling, decor or fix up! From bathrooms to basements, and gardening to garages, you’ll get expert advice to help you tackle your to-do’s with confidence, and have a little fun along the way! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 02, 2021•2 min
In 2020 millions of us took on projects to INVEST in the NEST! Now that well we’re into the new year, there’s no sign that trend is slowing down. We’ll highlight the next big décor trends for 2021 including the best choices for indoor greenery, in today’s Smart Spending Tip. If you think maintaining YOUR money pit is a hassle… just consider what it takes to keep the PEOPLE’S house running! For starters, just painting the exterior takes 570 gallons of paint. We share a few fun facts about what it...
Feb 01, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2071
In floor heating is one of the best and most comfortable ways to heat a house. We walk you through 3 options to add radiant heating in both new and existing homes. If you rent a house or apartment, there’s an insurance loophole that can cost tenants big if your home was damaged by a flood or fire. We share a simple solution to keep you protected. We get a lot of questions about how to clean tile grout – which always seem to look great the day it’s put in and then quickly turns to dirty and drab!...
Jan 28, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2070
Would you like to do a better job of taking care of your home but just don’t have the time? We’ve got 30 home repairs you can do in 30 minutes or less! Tile is a timeless and durable choice for a floor but aside from the look, choosing the best TYPE of tile is the only way to make sure that beautiful floor lasts. We’ll share tips to help you choose the best tile and save in today’s Smart Spending Tip. Did you know that with every breath you take, you may be inhaling not only clean fresh air, but...
Jan 25, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2069
If you’ve been feeling winter drafts whip through your windows, we walk you through a simple checklist to help you figure out if benefits of replacement windows are worth the cost. There’s nothing worse than hanging a heavy picture only to have it come crashing down! We’ll share a tried-and-true way to secure your wall hangings safely. Do some of your meals come out HALF baked? Don’t blame the cook, blame the oven. We’ll explain why all oven temperatures can vary and how to fix the problem. Plus...
Jan 21, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2068
A little bit on paint goes a long way, especially when you apply the new 2021 Color of the Year! If you are looking to refresh your space, this year’s color can open up a ton of possibilities. We’ll share what it is and décor ideas on where to use it. With a little work, a garage can be a great place to find space for storage, organization, crafts and projects – if it’s warm and heated. We’ll share tips to help you seal up and save. Treating slippery sidewalks with sidewalk salt will cause ice t...
Jan 18, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2067
Does your laundry room feels dark, cluttered and disorganized and maybe even a bit dangerous? We’ve got tips for safe laundry room renos that will brighten your space and put everything in its place! If you’d like to enjoy fresh water from every faucet in your house, a whole house water filter can do that just as it comes into the house – bringing you crisp, clean water from every tap in your home. We’ll share the best options for a fresh water supply. If you live in a home with a fireplace, you...
Jan 14, 2021•37 min•Ep. 2066
The right combination of kitchen lighting can beautify your space while improving the functionality of work areas. We highlight the best kitchen lighting options for ambient, task, and accent lighting in today’s Smart Spending Tip. We hear a lot these days about ways to make sure the air inside our homes is clean – but unfortunately a lot of that advice is just plain wrong! We talk with expert Jeff May, author of My House is Killing Me, on what we’re doing right - and what we’re doing wrong to b...
Jan 11, 2021•45 min•Ep. 2065
Tired of chilly floors? Adding radiant heat to your home’s floor can provide a for a very comfortable and energy efficient home, not to mention stopping the shock of setting foot on a cold floor first thing in the morning! We highlight two systems that can work for both new and existing homes. Are you tired of feeling, well, tired? For many people, these shorter and colder days can bring on a case of the blues that can impact your mood, focus and energy. We’ve got easy DIY pick-me-ups to beat th...
Jan 07, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2064
If you are busting at the seams and looking for some getaway space for crafts or projects, a heated garage may do the trick. This was a project Tom took on during the quarantine and he share tips on the easiest ways for you to warm up this workspace at your home. Americans have been taking on home improvement in record numbers. But as we improve our homes, should we also be improving our insurance policies to make sure they’re protected from fires, floods and other disasters? Tom & Leslie talk t...
Jan 04, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2063
If you have an electric water heater, you probably know all too well it's also the most expensive way to get hot water. Smart home technology has now arrived providing options for water heaters that not only cost less to operate but include built-in leak protection to stop floods. If your roof starts to leak when the snow starts to melt, – you might have a common problem known as an ice dam, we’ll have tips to melt this problem away – and an important tip on how to get your insurance company to ...
Dec 31, 2020•38 min•Ep. 2062
Thanks to the pandemic, getting fresh clean air inside your home is more important than ever. But you don’t have to throw open windows in frigid weather. We’ll share ways to makes sure the air INSIDE your home is as clean as possible in today’s Smart Spending Tip. With so many folks spending a lot of time at home these days, it’s a great time to think about how smart home products can make our homes more convenient and safer. We’ll share some new ways to do just that. A leaking water heater can ...
Dec 28, 2020•39 min•Ep. 2061
According to a new survey by Travelers, 75% of Americans have been taking on home improvement projects since the quarantine began – and I’d venture a guess that this is more activity than the home improvement industry has seen in decades. We’re going to take a look at the top 5 projects folks are taking on in just a bit. Are outside noises disturbing your sleep or work? You can minimize those sounds. Whether it’s traffic noise, the train, noisy neighbors or loud plumbing, we’ll have tips to help...
Dec 24, 2020•39 min•Ep. 2060
· Now is the season for many things and unfortunately one of those is the fire season. There are more smoke and carbon monoxide incidents in these next couple months than any other time of the year. Tom & Leslie highlight new smart home technology that can help keep you safe. Getting ready to refresh your home with some new décor? Not sure if your budget is ready to handle the hit? We’ll share 5 ways to save lots of money decorating your home sweet home in today’s Smart Spending Tip just ahead. ...
Dec 21, 2020•41 min•Ep. 2059
A warm fire from a wood stove or fireplace adds comfort and to a chilly winter day. But did you know that not all firewood delivers the same level of heat. We’ll share tips on how to select the best firewood for comfort and safety, coming up. Whether your furnace is shot or you’re ready for a more efficient upgrade, a new furnace should never be an impulse buy. But too often, that’s exactly what does happen – especially if your furnace gives out in the middle of winter! We’ll explain how to shop...
Dec 17, 2020•39 min•Ep. 2058
Space is at a premium these days and one area not to overlook is UP, the attic! We highlight several ways to take advantage of the attic space overhead, including how to plan for ceiling height, stairs, heating, cooling and décor. If you think back over the years, have you made energy saving or other improvements to your home that upped its “green” factor? Those green home improvements could just help you sell your home more quickly than the competition. Tom & Leslie tell you why, just ahead in ...
Dec 14, 2020•39 min•Ep. 2057
If you’ve been thinking about investing in a home but don’t have the funds to go it alone, buying a home with a partner can be an option. Tom and Leslie walk you through the steps you should consider before making that big purchase. If you are tightening your belt, you may be thinking about slashing your home maintenance budget. That could be a BIG mistake, we’ll explain why. Do you ever feel like you’re always having trouble finding the tool you’re looking for? If your workshop or craft space i...
Dec 10, 2020•39 min•Ep. 2056
Fall is the flooring season and with dozens of products and an infinite number of designs, we’re going to share some tips and new digital tools to help you find the perfect floor choice for your home. We’re all cleaning and disinfecting more than ever before now and with the holidays coming up, that’s only going to get more intense. Well share tips on a really handy Disinfectant that cleans, disinfects and deodorizes in one step and is also effective against the COVID 19 virus on hard non-porous...
Dec 07, 2020•41 min•Ep. 2055
If your walls are showing cracks, holes or nail pops – we’ve got tips to get them back in shape once and for all. Plus… If you’re tired of shoveling after every storm -- a snow blower can do it for you! But they’re not one-size-fits-all – we’ll tell you how to choose the best snow blower for the job Have you ever been surprised by a big electric bill? We’ll share the most common places energy is wasted – in today’s Smart Spending Tip Thinking about purchasing a home from another era? It’s actual...
Dec 03, 2020•39 min•Ep. 2054
Are you preparing to deck your halls this holiday season…and maybe even your windows, doors and trees? Make sure your holiday lights are working before you spend hours stringing and hanging them. We’ve got fast, free and easy holiday light fixes Home projects have never been more popular than they have over the last few months of the pandemic. But DIY doesn’t mean you need a full shop full of tools to tackle. We’ll share fun, smaller projects that you can get done with staplers, glue guns and si...
Nov 30, 2020•40 min•Ep. 2053
When it comes to maintaining your home, painting is a project that’s among the most basic of DIY projects, and one which most homeowners are happy to tackle themselves. But it’s also a project that can go terribly wrong if you don’t take just three steps before you start. One appliance that you may own and you’ll never want to be without again is your garbage disposer. But during the holidays, disposers get jammed more than any other time in the year. If that happens to you, there’s no need to p...
Nov 26, 2020•39 min•Ep. 2052
Do you love the look of a classic parkway floor with an intricate Chevron pattern. We’ll share a new way affordable to add that hand-crafted look to your home. For the last few months we’ve all been cleaning our homes a lot more than we had before the pandemic. But with all those cleaning products, did you ever wonder if you were exposing yourself to toxic chemicals in the process? We’ll share a better cleaning option If you are thinking of updating your bedroom with a new mattress or furniture,...
Nov 23, 2020•41 min•Ep. 2051
