SHOW NOTES: Have you been feeling drafts all winter long and wondering if replacing old or drafty windows is a wise move? 7 key questions can help determine if this project is right for you. If you need to hang something heavy on a wall, it’s always best to connect into wood studs. But if you can’t find one, new fasteners may allow you to connect directly to the drywall. We share how to choose the right anchor for the job. One item that is probably floating around your junk draw right now is cau...
Feb 14, 2022•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: If you’ve been thinking about a remodeling project and wondering what to do with your ceiling, a drop ceiling is probably not on your list! But these ceilings are not just the boring flat large tiles we’ve grown up with. We’ll share some amazing transformations that are possible with the newest innovations in these ceilings. You probably don’t think much about your home’s electrical panel until a circuit trips – and then you have to! Tripped circuits may be a sign your panel is ready...
Feb 10, 2022•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: The laundry room might seem safe enough, but anywhere there’s extreme heat and lots of water, there’s potential for trouble. We’ll walk you through the most common laundry room trouble spots and tell you how to prevent leaks, fires and breakdowns. If you are ready to shop for new appliances, there are two price tags you need to consider. The first is the price you pay and the second is the cost to operate that appliance. We’ll share tips on how the easy way to determine both and avoi...
Feb 07, 2022•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Adding a basement bathroom can make the space more useable and but below grade bathrooms need special designs in order to drain. We’ll share what you need to know to make sure your bathroom will “go with the flow”. When you ask for a 2x4 at the local lumber yard, did you now that the wood they give you actually measures a lot less? These days it’s not always easy to get what you pay for – and that includes buying lumber. We share why and how make sure your money goes as far as it can...
Feb 03, 2022•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: If you are planning to make the switch from carpet to one of the many beautiful solid surface floors, getting the old carpet torn out can be a hassle. Worse, it can reveal problems that need to be fixed before the new floor can be installed. We’ll share how prep for your new floor like a pro. When it comes to maintaining your home, painting is a project that’s among the most basic of DIY projects. But it’s also a project that can go terribly wrong if you don’t take just three steps b...
Jan 31, 2022•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Natural stone countertops are beautiful but also require a ton of maintenance to keep them looking as good. We sort out whether these attractive kitchen surfaces are worth the hassle, along with some equally attractive but easier to care for alternatives. If getting rid of old wallpaper stands between you and your dream room, we can help! Learn the right steps to remove wallpaper quickly and easily. If you’re a pet-lover and taking on new decor or remodeling projects, we’ve share tip...
Jan 27, 2022•40 min•Ep 2174•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Winter is rough on roofs so now is a good time to plan for any roof work that might be needed to be done come spring. We’ll share tips for a DIY roof check to know if a roof needs to be repaired or replaced - in today’s Smart Spending Tip. Got closets 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. If you’d like to make your home more energy efficient, a home energy audit is ...
Jan 24, 2022•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Want to tackle a home improvement project but don’t have much time? Tom & Leslie share 5 fast hacks that take 30 minute or LESS to complete. Plus share a full list of 30 more home improvements you can do in under 30 minutes! Home fire risk goes up in the winter, but did you know that not all smoke detectors work with every type of fire? We’ll explain how to choose the best smoke detectors to make sure you’re protected. If you’re a renter, we share tips to help you save money heating ...
Jan 20, 2022•40 min•Ep 2172•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Thinking adding solar power to your home can reduce electricity costs? Not all panels deliver the same amount of electricity. Tom & Leslie explain which options deliver the most power and best savings. And if you like homes that feel bigger than they are, there’s a new trend in what’s known as a broken or semi-open floor plan beginning to catch on. Well top-line those details. With half of the winter behind us, it’s time to think about making sure your outdoor trees will bloom this s...
Jan 17, 2022•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Improving your insulation is the easiest and least expensive way to get comfortable and save money. To help, Tom & Leslie review the most popular types of insulation – including a new “itch-free” fiberglass insulation plus another that’s fire resistant to over 2000 degrees! A serious commercial stove can boost both your cooking powers, and your home's resale value. We’ll share what you need to know if you’re looking for one of these brawny commercial beauties in your kitchen. And are...
Jan 13, 2022•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Do you enjoy watching birds visit your yard in warmer weather, but miss them in the winter? Tom & Leslie share tips to help attract visits from your fine feathered friends all year long: even in the cold months! Need a workshop, maker space, sewing center or other studio space? We share tricks for carving out room for your past time using hidden space you may not even know you have! Cold floors can be very uncomfortable and raise your heating costs. We identify the top causes of cold...
Jan 10, 2022•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Icicles may be attractive, but they’re an early warning of some potentially serious roof leaks. Learn how to stop the leaks caused by ice dams and even get your homeowners insurance company to pay for a new roof! Painting is the easiest and least expensive way to completely change the look of a room. But many DIYers struggle when it comes to picking the best color for their project! We’ll share simple tips to help chose the perfect paint colors Did your furniture pick up a little ext...
Jan 06, 2022•39 min•Ep 2168•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Buying a house in 2022? We’ve got 4 key questions you might want to ask the home seller before you move in. Kitchen floors can take a real beating, especially over the holidays. If your floors are ready for a refresh, we’ll share tips on the best kitchen flooring for this hardworking space. Undecking the halls is never fun, but you might be making it tougher than it has to be. Get hacks for taking down and storing holiday decorations quickly and easily. Plus, answers to your home imp...
Jan 03, 2022•40 min•Ep 2167•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: A wood stove is a fantastic way to stay warm in winter. But not all wood delivers the same heat. Learn how to supercharge your wood stove for max heat and which fuels can actually be unsafe to burn or can damage your stove. Natural stone countertops are a popular choice for kitchen renos - but they need a lot more care than most people know. We’ll reveal what type of stone countertop is hardest to maintain and reveal an alternative that delivers the same beauty with almost none of th...
Dec 30, 2021•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: If you need new furniture for the New Year but fear it may not be in the budget - Upcycling may be a great solution for a fresh look at a fraction of the cost. Tom & Leslie have tips to help you get started. If you are a renter, did you know that your possessions are usually NOT covered by your landlord’s insurance? We’ll tell you the one thing you can do to make sure your covered in the event of a flood, fire or other disaster. Doors that stick are an annoying problem that doesn’t r...
Dec 27, 2021•40 min•Ep 2165•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Have you made energy saving improvements to your home that upped its “green” factor? Those improvements may help you sell your home more quickly than the competition. Tom & Leslie share improvements with the best ROI along with tips on how to present these when it comes time to sell. When the weather outside turns frightful, a fire might be delightful – but not if it drives up your heating costs! We have tips on simple steps to make your fireplace energy-efficient. You are probably i...
Dec 23, 2021•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: It’s not easy to keep track of every little thing in your home that requires attention upkeep. Well now, there’s an app for that! It’s been created by Consumer Reports and helps manage your home like a pro. Vinegar works well as for salads and cooking, but did you know there are many ways to use it to keep your home clean? We’ll share 5 ways to use vinegar to keep your appliances, your bathroom and even your tools clean and working well. The holidays leave little time for things to g...
Dec 20, 2021•40 min•Ep 2163•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Getting ready to refresh your home with some new décor for the year ahead? We’ll share 5 ways to save lots of money decorating your home sweet home for 2022! We know your kids are counting the minutes, but is your chimney ready for Santa – and for the colder temperatures right behind him? We’ve got advice for chimney repair and cleaning tips that keep your home safe and structurally sound. Lots of cleaning going in this month with all the holiday visits happening – one of the harder ...
Dec 16, 2021•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: With the holidays almost here, many parents are already dreading the moment when neatly wrapped presents become incoming piles of toys. We share easy organizing tips to help. You can’t see it or smell it but according to the EPA, hundreds of people die accidentally each year from CO poisoning caused by heating systems -- We’ll have a way to keep you safe. Your basement may serve as your home’s storage area, an extra play space for the kids or even your laundry room … but basements ar...
Dec 13, 2021•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: If you’d like to improve the energy efficiency of your home but wondered whether the improvements would pay off, the EPA now has a program that can prove the savings before the projects even started. Bathtubs can last a lifetime, but their finishes won’t! If your bathtub finish is worn, you don’t have to get rid of the whole tub. We share much less expensive solutions. As you do your gift shopping – have you noticed how many retailers offer the opportunity to purchase an “extended” w...
Dec 09, 2021•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Winter weather can be especially hard on your home’s plumbing system – especially if your pipes freeze and break. We’ll share simple tips to stop this from happening this holiday season. Now that we’ve sailed past Thanksgiving, Christmas is right around the corner so if you’re thinking about decking those halls – you might be wondering whether you should go with a fresh or fake tree this year. Coming up – we’ll talk pros and cons of each, including some tips on how to choose the fres...
Dec 06, 2021•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: As heating bills are starting to rise, we share are several low cost to no cost things you can do to keep them under control while also staying comfortable. Ready for a quick kitchen refresh? Kitchen backsplashes keep the walls behind your counters clean and updating them can be a fun and affordable project to do yourself. Hanging holiday lights only to find that half a string is out? Get fast, free and easy holiday light fixes to restore the festive spirit! Is your bathroom floor lo...
Dec 02, 2021•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Breathing fresh clean air inside your home is more important than ever but you don’t have to throw open windows to let in freezing air to get it. We share tips on the best air filters for a steady supply of fresh indoor air. With all the holiday meals happening now, have you noticed that when you run your dishwasher, are dishes coming out dirtier than when they went in? We’ll share tips for keeping your dishwasher working properly – and end once and for all the often-debated family q...
Nov 29, 2021•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Painting is a project 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. We’ll share pro tips for painting success. Looking for a simple way to cut heating and cooling costs? A smart programmable thermostat can cut both heating and cooling costs by 10%. Learn how to heat up your home on a budget. If you are thinking of updating your bedroom with a new mattress or furniture, we’ll have...
Nov 25, 2021•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Kitchen renos peak after the holidays when the frustrations worn out kitchen layouts peak. If you’re planning a kitchen redo for 22, we’ll tell you how to choose new cabinets that’ll step up the space and not blow the budget. Are you ready to pick up a new snowblower before the first major snowstorm hits? Consumer Reports has you covered. Home and appliances reporter Paul Hope joins us with their picks of the best snowblowers on the market. Are messy pets creating a decorating dilemm...
Nov 22, 2021•40 min•Ep 2155•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Are your kids’ rooms ready for a design refresh? We’ve got tips to help you design a room that can grow as fast as they do. Home repairs often come as a surprise for most owners, but did you know that many are predictable if you know when your home was built. We share hacks to help you determine your homes age, and the most common repairs to expect! And as we move toward winter, are you looking to get everybody up & active on those not-so-sunny days. Adding a game room may be the ans...
Nov 18, 2021•39 min•Ep 2154•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Have you ever been surprised by a big electric bill? We’ll share the most common places energy is wasted. If you’re shopping for a home, buying an older home can be a good deal – but only if you’re ready for the restoration and repair that come along with the job. We’ll share tips for buying and repairing older homes. Do your faucets sound like they are crying out in pain? Faucets that sound like screams, squeal or whistle can get pretty annoying. We’ll share has silence noisy faucet...
Nov 15, 2021•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: If we had to name a project that can really change the look of a kitchen, or even a bath, replacing the countertop would be high on the list! But while removing and replacing a countertop is a costly and complicated project, simply restoring the surface with a stone coating is not. We show you how to do it in a weekend! There’s nothing like a good, steamy shower – BUT too much moisture can cause paint to peel, and mold to grow. We’ll share a solution to keep that moisture in check. C...
Nov 11, 2021•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Thinking about updating your kitchen in time for holiday meals but concerned about the timing and costs? Get tips on easy updates you can do over a weekend that can totally transform your space without the hassles. If you love the personality of older homes, some of that personality can come out in the way of a noisy plumbing system! We’ll share the source and the solution to all that banging and clanging. Chilly weather may leave your home looking dark and dreary, but not if you spr...
Nov 04, 2021•38 min•Ep 2150•Transcript available on Metacast SHOW NOTES: Fall weather may be refreshing but the cooler temperatures can also usher pests like stink bugs into the warmer spaces of your home. Get tips to keep these smelly invaders out. Weather-related power outages are becoming more frequent but choosing the right type of backup generator to power your home can be difficult. Consumer Reports Home & Appliances Reporter Paul Hope joins us with tips and the results of their latest testing. Are you faced with beautiful, old but drafty windows? N...
Nov 04, 2021•39 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
