SHOW NOTES:

Today, we discuss patio heaters to help you extend your outdoor season and address whether squeaky floors are a sign of a bigger issue, along with tips for fixing them. We also share energy-saving strategies for your water heater to cut down energy bills. Listen as we answer these and other home improvement questions!

- Squeaky Floors: Follow these steps to find solutions for squeaky floors.

- Patio Heaters: Extend your outdoor living season with patio heater options for year-round comfort.

- Water Heaters: Soak up the savings with these water heater efficiency tips.

Q & A:

- Cleaning Cabinets: Dan is trying to clean the grease off cabinets above the stove and microwave. We’ve got tips on how to use Murphy’s Oil Soap to clean the cabinets.

- Water Quality: Linda sees black particles in the water from her toilet and sink. We suggest cleaning the aerators on the faucet and installing a whole-house water filter.

- Pine Flooring: Daniel is installing pine flooring on his porch. We agree with his idea of staining the planks beforehand and offer tips on what fasteners to use.

- Brick Repair: One corner of the brick foundation is crumbling. Katherine gets advice on using products to repair the brick and mortar and matching the color of the surface.

- Driveway Runoff: Rain runoff on the sides of Randy’s driveway is exposing PVC pipe. We recommend digging out the dirt and filling the area with gravel that won’t wash away.

- Wasps: Gail is having a problem with wasps on the side of her house. Sticky wasp traps can be very effective, along with spraying strong scents that will repel the wasps.

- HVAC: Is it a good idea to replace an oil furnace with a heat pump? It can be expensive to replace the furnace and remove the oil tank, but improved heat pump technology has become less expensive and more efficient to use.

- Snow on Roof: Will putting a tarp over a log cabin roof help prevent snow buildup? It’s not that effective unless the snow is dry and light, and LaDonna will still need to use a roof rake.

- Central Vacuum: Water is appearing inside the central vacuum system pipes. Sean needs to insulate the pipes completely to prevent condensation from forming.

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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