Show Notes: Backyard decks can bring added value to your home but costly mistakes can quickly take that away. Get tips on building the best deck for your yard. Bathrooms renos are one where you need to get the design decisions done right, the first time to stay on schedule and on budget! We’ll walk you through what you need to know. Do you experience tripped circuits a little more often than you’d like? We’ll share FIVE signs you might need an electric panel upgrade to stay safe and keep the lig...
Jun 14, 2021•38 min•Ep. 2109
Mosquitoes can really suck the fun out of your summer activities, that’s why we are sharing some tips on how to get rid of mosquitoes for good. Stone countertops are a great addition to any kitchen, but we’ll give you some important factors to consider before installing them. Tip over accidents are an overlooked danger to your children. We have some preventative tips to make sure your kids aren’t put in danger. Plus, answers to your home improvement questions about: What to look for in window re...
Jun 10, 2021•37 min•Ep. 2018
Show notes: Summer sun and storms can cause serious damage to your roof. Find out how to spot and stop leaks before they happen. Ever wonder if you’re overpaying a contractor? Tom and Leslie get smart strategies for hiring pros from leading Economist Meisha Fisher of ANGI. A leaking shower can end up being one of the most expensive pluming leaks to repair. Find out how the right shower drain can prevent this from ever happened to you. Are costly cooling bills cutting into your monthly budget? Fi...
Jun 07, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2107
Show notes: Find out how to step up your outdoor living space with step-by-step tips on how to can build your very own fire pit. Has your patio seen better days? We share easy and exciting ways to breathe new life into those crusty concrete patios. Small spaces can make your home feel cramped, but with the right floor, the space can instantly feel bigger. Find out the best hardwood floor patterns to open up a room. Want to step up the deck around your swimming pool? We share stain that stand up ...
Jun 03, 2021•38 min•Ep. 2106
Show notes: Security cameras can protect our homes during our vacation but only with the right placement. Tom and Leslie share strategies yo get the best camera coverage of your home. If you want to start your remodeling project on a level playing field, you first need to start from a level floor. Find out the simplest ways to fix up a floor that is out of whack to get your remodeling project off on the right foot. One of the most expensive home repairs is repairing a leaky shower stall. This is...
May 31, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2105
Show notes: Looking for an easy DIY way to spruce up the backyard? Arbors and Pergolas are a great feature to add to any yard -- AND you can build one yourself! Tom and Leslie give some tips and explain the differences between them. Rotted wood on your windows, doors, columns or any exterior surface can be expensive to replace - but you can save money by restoring the wood instead! We’ll walk you through what products to use as well as how to use them. Summer time makes saving water more importa...
May 27, 2021•38 min
Show Notes: If you'd love to have a backyard pool but can't afford it, don't have the time to care for it or you’re just short of backyard space? We have two words for you: Spool Pool! Tom and Leslie share tips on how you can combine the benefits of a pool and spa in one very refreshing backyard feature. Pruning trees and shrubs is one of the top outdoor tasks for spring. We share best ways to encourage lush new growth, improve air circulation and clear away dead branches that are a safety hazar...
May 24, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2103
Show Notes: Summertime is finally here which means more time out on the deck. Tom and Leslie walk you through the step-by-step staining tips for a finish that’ll last you years. Looking to step up your outdoor kitchen? We highlight the latest trends in outdoor cooking, including smokers, wood-fire pizza ovens, cast-iron cookery and outdoor rotisseries to kick up your outdoor cooking and entertaining game. Butterflies are one of the best parts of spring and summer and attracting them means you’ll...
May 20, 2021•38 min•Ep. 2102
Show Notes: Outdoor kitchens are more popular than ever. We’ll share a system you can use to construct it yourself that’s as easy as stacking blocks. If a new floor is in your project plans for this Spring, LL Flooring has developed digital tools for both DIY'rs and Pros. We talk with CEO Charles Tyson to learn how these new tools and services will help make sure the job comes up exactly as planned Stripping paint off a surface can be a difficult and very messy project. We’ll share a new low-odo...
May 17, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2101
Show notes: Built-in, backyard firepits are really hot right now. With just a bit of planning you can build a firepit yourself. We tell you how. And with spring rainstorms in full swing, now is a good time to evaluate, repair or replace your gutters. If yours are in bad shape, serious structural problems can result. We’ll tell you what to look for when choosing a gutter company. If you’re painting project a fence, deck or the outside of your home, you won’t need to hire a pro. New technology in ...
May 13, 2021•38 min•Ep. 2100
Show notes: A pizza garden is a fun way to get the whole family involved in gardening. Kids get a kick out of growing their own food and then being able to eat it. This is also a great way for parents to sneak in some veggies. We’ll walk you through exactly what you’ll need to grow your own pizza – right in your backyard. When you pop out of bed in the morning and head for that first shower of the day, there’s nothing nicer than stepping on a heated, warmed tile floor to “soften the blow” of the...
May 10, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2099
Show notes: The Spring real estate market is well underway and more urban dwellers than ever heading to the suburbs for space and tranquility. If you’re ready to sell your home, we’ll share 4 easy projects you can do in a weekend to boost curb appeal and land a buyer quicker than the competition. If you have ever had a major storm hit your house, you know that a home which is usually safe, sound, secure and dry can quickly turn into a leaking mess. That’s why when the storm passes, it’s importan...
May 06, 2021•38 min•Ep. 2098
Episode notes... There’s a lot of focus on Spring cleaning this time of year but rather than treat this like one big dusty holiday, we’ve found it easier to set yourself up for success with a 12-month cleaning calendar that breaks cleanup shores into small, very actionable projects. And if you love the look of your wood windows, door and trim, but spotted rot that set in over the long-wet winter, we’ll share an easy way you can restore rotted wood that’s quick, easy and a lot less expensive that...
May 03, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2097
Show notes... Did you know one dandelion plant can make up to 15,000 weed seeds? If you want to win the battle against these green invaders, we share tips on how to tackle stopping weeds for the entire season. If you’ve ever remodeled a bathroom, one of the most difficult areas to get right is the shower. We’ll share a kit that takes all the guess work out of that project for leak proof showers. Apartment living has its advantages but a yard of your own is not typically one of them. But that’s n...
Apr 29, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2096
Show notes... Have you ever noticed that over the winter, garages always seem to get smaller as stuff piles up? That’s why now is a great time to make the garage your first big Spring-cleaning project! We’ll show you how to get it done in 4 steps! Building a backyard deck is one sure-fire way to increase your home’s living space for the warmer months as well as add to your home’s value. But can it be a DIY project, or one that always needs a pro. We walk you through the pros and cons of a DIY de...
Apr 26, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2095
Show notes... If you’ve been working from home and ready to get out of the spare bedroom, basement or carved-out closet you call an office, we’re going to walk you through everything you need to know to set up a productive, comfortable outdoor home office OUTSIDE that it’ll keep you close to nature and the comforts of home at the same time. Spring may have sent a lot of rain your way…but if you have a rainwater collection system at your house… you can use those downpours to keep your lawn and ga...
Apr 22, 2021•36 min•Ep. 2094
Show Notes: Earth Day is just about here, and a perfect time to talk about our favorite tricks of the trade for saving water, energy and money at the same time. Painting is a popular spring project and one that can be made a LOT easier if you know just a few painting tricks that pros use every day. We’ll share those trade secrets coming up. Few home improvements bring more beauty and value to a home than adding a hardwood floor. We share tips on advances in hardwood flooring that make this produ...
Apr 19, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2093
Show Notes: Nothing signals the start of spring better than those fresh blooms like daffodils and tulips in full color! But if you want to enjoy those beautiful spring blooms, you need to plant bulbs now. We’ll share tips just ahead. With all the rainy, wet Spring weather ahead, repairing rotted wood on your windows, doors or wood columns may be on your to-do list. We’re going to make those projects a lot simpler with tips on how to easily restore damaged wood. Once the weather warms and kids sp...
Apr 15, 2021•38 min•Ep. 2092
Show Notes: Last year was one of the biggest ever for home gardening and this Spring many are already getting those plants in the ground. If you’re ready to find your inner green thumb, the best way to may not be to dig down but to build up, by constructing a raised bed! We’ll show you how. You probably know improving the energy efficiency of your home means you’ll spend a lot less money heating and cooling your home. But it’s not always easy to know which improvements that give you the best ret...
Apr 12, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2091
Show Notes: If you think the best way to save time and energy cutting the grass is to set the mower as low as possible so you won’t have to mow that often, you might be surprised to find out that can end up being MORE work in the long run. We’ll share why, just ahead. We all love the look of a freshly painted room, but the getting ready part? Not so much! New paint and primer products promise to save you a big step in the process, but do they really do both? We explain where it works and where i...
Apr 08, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2090
Show notes: Buying a single-family home to rent out has always been a popular approach for investors. Now however, investors are buying homes they plan to split into multiple rental units. We’ll share how to know if this makes economic sense for you. If you love the look of terrazzo floors but not the cost, we’ll share a new product that uses real stone to provides a terrazzo finish for concrete surfaces at a fraction of the price. Plus, if your family is like most, you probably use the garage a...
Apr 05, 2021•40 min
Show notes: Buying a single-family home to rent out has always been a popular approach for investors. Now however, investors are buying homes they plan to split into multiple rental units. We’ll share how to know if this makes economic sense for you. If you love the look of terrazzo floors but not the cost, we’ll share a new product that uses real stone to provides a terrazzo finish for concrete surfaces at a fraction of the price. Plus, if your family is like most, you probably use the garage a...
Apr 01, 2021•39 min
SHOW NOTES: Over the winter, garages get pretty gross. Between the stuff that never quite gets put away from last fall -- to the dirt that drips off your car – the floors can be a real mess. We’ll highlight the best garage floor solutions that are easy to clean. Given that over the last year we’re all been we’ve all been eating out a lot less, the kitchen has become an even more important "hub" of the home – and that’s impacting the way we refrigerate food. We’ll highlight new trends in these al...
Mar 29, 2021•41 min
SHOW NOTES: You can flush away a pile of cash upgrading your bathroom. Luckily, you don’t have to. We’ve got 4 low-cost ways to spruce up your space for under $200 bucks! Even the cleanest of homes can have mold, and we’re not just talking about what you might find in last week’s leftovers! We share the surprising places mold can hid and what to do you do when you find it. When you move into an apartment, you’ll be expected to pay a damage security deposit. Getting it back, may not be quite so e...
Mar 25, 2021•39 min
In this episode: Small kitchens can be tough places to work in. But a few modest updates can make small kitchens feel bigger and work better. Tom & Leslie share tips in today’s Smart Spending Tip. If you’re thinking about getting your outdoor furniture out for the warm months ahead, chances are after an entire winter in storage -- it’ll be looking a lot worse for wear! We’ll have tips to get your outdoor furniture clean and spruced up for the season. Today, it’s easier than ever to be eco-friend...
Mar 22, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2085
In this episode: Building a Shed is a fun DIY project. But did you know that whether the shed is wood, steel or vinyl, just ONE step can mean the difference between a shed that lasts for a season and one that can last decades. We share that tip plus the best options for shed storage. Nothing keeps your home looking updated better than a current kitchen. If you’re thinking about switching out old kitchen countertops for granite, we’ll have design tips to help. In the 20 years Tom spent as a profe...
Mar 18, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2084
Show Notes: As we say goodbye to winter, now is a good time to take a look at your driveway to see what winter’s road salt left behind. We walk you through options for driveway sealing, resurfacing or replacement and share a key detail on the type of asphalt that lasts the longest. Are you dreaming of relaxing on your deck in the warm days ahead, but have a deck that looks more like a nightmare? We can fix that with tips for a deck makeover that you’ll be able to get done for LESS than the avera...
Mar 15, 2021•39 min•Ep. 2083
DIY’rs are ramping up their projects this Spring with 84% planning to take on even tougher projects in 2021 than last year! We’ll share tips on a tool system that can help you get there, with a reliable battery system that works on DOZENS of power and lawn and garden tools. Do you enjoying hanging out in your yard or patio but would love to have a bit more privacy? We share landscaping tips and tricks to create private backyard hideaways If you have a plumbing project to tackle, one type of pipe...
Mar 11, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2082
Are you ready for a new washing machine? We’ll take a look at the most popular features and help you decide which make the best washing machine for your laundry needs. For 55 years, ShopVac has been helping Americans with clean ups that household vacs could never hope to handle. Now this iconic brand has a new owner and some very exciting plans for the future. We hear from the new CEO. And did you know that the average Americans receives a tax refund of about $2,800? We figured, there are a lot ...
Mar 08, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2081
Hearing crazy house sounds from your home’s plumbing, water heater or heating systems? We explain the cause of all that racket and teach you which types of sounds spell trouble and which can be ignored. If there’s one thing in our home we want to be pure and fresh every time we reach for it -- it’s our water! But that’s not always the case. We’ll explain how to offset the smelly water odor – and hopefully get rid of it altogether. If your vintage home has some vintage wallpaper that’s peeling, w...
Mar 04, 2021•40 min•Ep. 2080
