Well, the quarantine has not been good for many industries but the Wall Street Journal reports that one is actually doing quite well. Any guesses? It’s the JIGSAW PUZZLE INDUSTRY! If you’ve caught a case of cabin fever, then adding a game room may be the answer you’re searching for stay at home entertainment! Tom & Leslie tell you how to get this project started. Plus… · Building a garden wall is a project that that’s fun to build on a beautiful Spring day—We’ll share tips on how to build a ston...
Apr 23, 2020•39 min•Ep. 1990
Could germs actually be lurking in your laundry? It may seem counterintuitive, but for the health, safety and cleanliness of your family, it’s important to actually wash your washing machine. Tom & Leslie tell you how to deep clean your machines, just ahead. Plus... Summer is only a few weeks away when air conditioning will be a big part of our comfort plan. But when it comes to AC, the refrigerant that we’ve relied on for decades, known as “freon” has now been banned by the EPA! We’ll talk thro...
Apr 20, 2020•41 min•Ep. 1989
If one of your favorite foods (or your kid’s favorite!) is pizza, imagine being able to grow all of your favorite pizza toppings right in your backyard? You can if you grow your own Pizza Garden. We’ll share tips on how to do just that. Plus For a home to be healthy, it has to breathe. That’s why ventilation is important! But if your home is energy efficient it - could potentially be too airtight for healthy living? They CAN and often DO require extra ventilation to maintain a healthy indoor air...
Apr 16, 2020•40 min•Ep. 1988
Whether you have a green thumb or need to hire out the job, sprucing up your landscaping is a great way to step up your landscaping. Tom & Leslie have tips on how you can create a simple landscape plan to for a beautiful exterior to your home. Plus… Flu season is upon us and along with all the concerns we have about viruses, do you know the difference between a cleaner, sanitizer and disinfectant? We’ll tell you what you need to know to make sure your home is safe. Garages are spaces where most ...
Apr 13, 2020•40 min•Ep. 1987
Re-tiling a bathroom is a great way to update the look, function and feel of this space. But if you want to make it last, it’s what goes UNDER the tile that counts. Tom & Leslie share what you need to know. Also… Now that it’s Spring cleaning season, the #1 tool you need to work and work well is your vacuum! If yours just doesn’t have the sucking power it used to – we share troubleshooting tips to get it back in action. Did you know that less than half of all households have the recommended numb...
Apr 09, 2020•39 min•Ep. 1986
As you start to spend more time outside, it’s a good time make sure your yard is pet-friendly and safe. We’ll share tips on the must have elements to keep your pets happy, plus the surprisingly common plants to avoid because they can make your dog sick! just ahead. Plus, ideas on… How to build a greenhouse to help you get a jump on Spring gardening and assure a steady supply of veggies until Fall. We’ll share some DIY options that you can set up in as little as a couple hours. · Adding a backyar...
Apr 06, 2020•41 min•Ep. 1985
If you’re looking for a good place to start your Spring cleaning, windows can be just that. Tom & Leslie share tips on a streak free cleaner you can mix yourself. Plus: · If you’re planning on hiring a pro to help get a project done, there’s one extra thing you might want to check before pressing go: making sure you’re not liable if a worker gets hurt at your home! We’ll share how to check that your contractor has the right insurance. · Have you noticed that your home seems to trip circuits brea...
Apr 02, 2020•39 min•Ep. 1984
Wintertime is when most home fires occur - so if you’re a renter, the time to insure your possessions is now. Discover a few small upgrades that pay off big for houseguests. Learn how to install and customize a security system before you head out Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 01, 2020•44 min
Spring is a season where we like to get kids busy outside, especially since they have been cooped up indoors most of the winter. But warmer weather is also the most dangerous time of year for child-aged accidents. In this episode, Tom & Leslie have smart safety tips for this potentially hazardous season. Plus… Learn a very earth-friendly way to clean and disinfect surfaces though your house like countertops, walls and floors to eliminate the risk of viruses hanging out. You may know what good ca...
Mar 30, 2020•40 min•Ep. 1983
If you’ve got a deck, warmer weather means BBQ’s and parties may be just ahead. But before the crowd arrives, Tom & Leslie share FIVE SIGNS to watch for that could signal your deck may be ready to collapse! Plus: · Now that it is Spring, it’s like the Goldilocks season – not too hot and not too cold to tackle just about any project inside or out. We’re going to start you off with some easy updates to save money on heating, cooling and lighting just ahead. · Spring rains combined with power outag...
Mar 26, 2020•40 min•Ep. 1982
Wouldn’t it be nice if your house could tell you when it’s about to break down – BEFORE it actually breaks down? Well, that technology exists today! It’s called predictive maintenance and is sort of like a check engine light for your car! Tom & Leslie tell you all about it – plus Nothing says Spring like throwing open the windows and breathing some fresh Spring air! But if your screens are filthy, you just might be sucking in something not quite so fresh! We’ll share a formula for quick and easy...
Mar 23, 2020•40 min•Ep. 1981
As we move closer to spring, we move closer to spring storms which can bring on MOLD! But is getting rid of mold a DIY project or one that requires the specialized skills of a Pro? The answer is – it depends. We’ll share DIY tips to help clear the air, just ahead. Plus: And with all the concerns now about viruses it’s a good time to think about the products we to disinfect our homes, because all disinfectants are not created equal. We’ll share tips on a product that is hospital grade and earth f...
Mar 19, 2020•39 min•Ep. 1980
Adding a backyard deck is one sure-fire way to increase your home’s living space but is building a deck a DIY project? Tom & Leslie share some guidelines. Plus… Do you have really long room in your home that’s about as appealing to decorate as a bowling alley? Learn a few painting tricks and furniture tweaks for the layout, that will leave you with a room that feels cozy and comfortable. Do your electrical circuit breakers of fuses trip more than they should? If so, it may be your electrical ser...
Mar 16, 2020•40 min•Ep. 1979
Whether you’re creating a kid’s room for a new arrival or updating a space for kids who insist they’re not little anymore, working on a child’s room can be a fun, creative adventure. Tom and Leslie walk through the key design considerations for this important space. Plus… Spring showers and melting snow can leave your yard a soggy mess. We show you how to dry up those wet and soggy yards so you can enjoy them all spring and summer long. Basements are one place that get damp and can become hard t...
Mar 12, 2020•40 min•Ep. 1978
Today, it’s easier than ever to be eco-friendly. But when it comes to choosing eco-friendly floors for your home, understanding how the product is produced is key. Tom & Leslie explain what to look for. Plus: · As you look around your home, are cracks, holes, and nail pops taking away from your otherwise well-maintained space? away your home’s age? Tips on how to fix them yourself. · It may still be chilly out, but Spring is ahead which makes now is a good time to think about investing in a much...
Mar 09, 2020•34 min•Ep. 1977
If you love the look of hardwood on your floors, you might not realize that this same product can be used to create a beautiful accent wall. Tom and Leslie have tips for this project, plus: Has this ever happened to you…you’re in the middle of drying your hair and the power goes out! Well, circuit breakers trip for a reason… we’ll tell you WHY these devices keep you safe and WHAT to do if they keep tripping. If you know the age of your home, you can stay ahead of problems common to its vintage, ...
Mar 05, 2020•38 min•Ep. 1976
Kitchen countertops are often the most heavily used work surfaces in the home. But did you know that with a few changes, you can make those surfaces work harder for you instead of the other way around? Tom & Leslie share THREE ways to improve countertops to make them easier to use. Plus… A new survey by Lending Tree show single women are far outpacing men in homeownership. We’ll share those surprising stats and explore the reasons behind the trend. Turning your master bedroom into a luxurious ma...
Mar 02, 2020•40 min•Ep. 1975
As the saying goes, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and that’s certainly true when it comes to the choices Americans make in home décor. Tom & Leslie share results of a new survey where Americans voted on the worst home décor choices in the last 50 years – and yes, we have a winner! All that plus, If building a new deck is a project for your Spring to-do list, learn the ups and downs of building deck steps, which are often built to be unsafe! You’ll learn how to how to make sure they’re so...
Feb 27, 2020•39 min•Ep. 1974
If your family is like most, you probably use the garage as much as your front door for access and security. But if your door is old and worn, it could not only be unsafe, it could also be providing easy access for intruders when you are away. Learn tips to update your garage door, plus... Would you do anything to avoid shoveling snow again? We’ve got a serious driveway solution for anyone who’s had enough shoveling for one lifetime. Here’s an idea we can get behind: Better toilet seats. From co...
Feb 24, 2020•39 min•Ep. 1973
Do you have champagne home makeover dreams on a beer budget? We’ve got tips on 7 home remodeling projects you can do with less than a thousand bucks, coming up. Plaster walls are common in older homes – but cracks are almost as common after decades of settling. We’ll share a trick of the trade to make repairing those plaster cracks easy and fast. And, just because you are a renter, doesn’t mean you can’t make changes to cut heating costs in your home or apartment. We’ve got solutions to solve yo...
Feb 20, 2020•39 min•Ep. 1972
If you’ve got an active household, your furniture is likely to take a few hits from time to time - especially if you have kids! We’ve got tips to make water rings, dings, dents and scratches disappear, plus… We all know power tools can hurt you in an instant, but are yours causing slow, serious harm over time? We’ll highlight a health risk among DIYers that’s got medical experts talking. Bathtubs can last a lifetime, but their finishes won’t! The good news is you don’t have to get rid of the who...
Feb 17, 2020•39 min•Ep. 1971
If there’s one room you’d like to be bright and cheery, it’s the kitchen! We’ll have tips on lighting to keep that space looking bright – even when it’s dark outside. Plus… If winter storms and the power outages, they bring have you considering a generator, we’ve got tips to help you pick the best type of generator for your home. Ready to take on some home improvement projects, but don’t feel you have the time? Not possible! We’ll highlight several projects you can get done in 30 minutes or less...
Feb 13, 2020•39 min•Ep. 1970
Shower heads with built in speakers, water heaters that detect leaks, and kitchen faucets you can talk and hand showers that deliver aromatherapy to were just some of the many cool new home products we spotted at the 2020 International Builders Show. We’ll have a full report, plus: If you’ve been feeling the chill of high heating bills, the best way to lower costs and warm things up is by adding extra insulation. We’ll share the areas of your home where insulation delivers the best ROI, and the ...
Feb 10, 2020•37 min•Ep. 1969
It may still be chilly out, but Spring is ahead and a time we can look forward to warm weather, birds chirping - and the sounds and smells of loud gas-powered lawn equipment! Get tips on a new battery technology that can deliver plenty of lawn mowing power, without the hassle. Plus… · A gorgeous banister and a dramatic new post can add a stylish look to your stairs. But years of manhandling can lead to shaky stairs and loose railings. Learn the easy fix. · If you’ve been chipping away a lot of i...
Feb 06, 2020•39 min•Ep. 1968
Need some extra prep space in your kitchen? Tom & Leslie share tips for adding kitchen islands, even in small spaces, and more including: How to upcycle furniture for your kitchen island, including which pieces make the best islands and a trick for having a kitchen island you can move out of the way when the extra space is not needed.When you think of your roof – you don’t necessarily think of designer colors – but color is where it’s at when it comes to your roof. We highlight the best roof col...
Feb 03, 2020•39 min•Ep. 1967
Have you ever had a paint project that didn’t dry right, wouldn’t cover a stain or peeled off faster than it should have? Tom & Leslie share tips for painting success and more including: Pro painting secrets to avoid brush marks, prevent spills, cut down on the number of trips back to the paint can, stop paint from bleeding through masking tape, and reducing the number of coats of paint you need for a project. Downsizing is a big trend these days – but if living small isn’t for you, get tips on ...
Jan 30, 2020•39 min•Ep. 1966
If you’d love to add more light to your kitchen, there is a new window trend emerging that aims to do just that and in a very unusual way. Tom & Leslie share that tip, plus: The real winter is just beginning, so make sure that your car has an emergency kit at the ready. Get tips on how to properly stock it. Do you ever feel like no matter what you do, you just can’t get your house to be warm enough? We’ve got solutions for heating even the coldest rooms. Do you have a bathroom with tile colors t...
Jan 27, 2020•38 min•Ep. 1965
Got closets that are busting at the seams? We’ve got steps for a simple closet makeover that takes less than an hour or two to get done and will help you find the space you need. Plus: calls about, hiring a professional home inspector when buying a home, cleaning dryer vent and lime deposits, eliminating squirrels in the attic, and removing wallpaper. Keeping heating costs down is usually a lot easier for home heated with gas or oil than for those heated by electricity. We’ll share how new effic...
Jan 23, 2020•39 min•Ep. 1964
Do you have a list of projects to get done but concerned you won’t be able to handle any surprises that come up once walls and floors are all torn up? We teach you how to manage a home improvement project budget that plans for all the possibilities. Plus: Whether your roof leaks, heat goes out or fridge is on the fritz, unexpected repairs are a part of owning a home. We share tips for setting a realistic household budget help you handle the surprises and the expense of emergency repairs. Stone c...
Jan 20, 2020•40 min•Ep. 1963
Tired of paying high heating bills? Get tips on the best ways to use insulation to lower heating costs, plus ways to brighten your home in these dark winter days, when to fix vs replace an appliance that breaks down. In this episode: Insulation is the single most effective way to reduce home heating costs. But with so many insulation options to choose and so many places to add insulation, Tom & Leslie walk you through how to know makes the most sense for your unique home. Are you tired of feelin...
Jan 16, 2020•40 min•Ep. 1962
