The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast Tom Kraeutler & Leslie Segrete

SHOW NOTES:
In today’s show, we'll uncover how to find and eliminate hidden germs in your home. Then, learn about a home improvement company dedicated to finding permanent homes for children in foster care. And if your landscaping is giving you a headache, we've got tips on choosing hassle-free shrubs. We’re here to help with all your DIY projects, so listen in for more answers to your home improvement questions!
- House Cleaning: Keep your home healthy and clean by finding germs that are hiding in plain sight.
- Safe Homes: This home improvement company is dedicated to finding safe, forever homes for foster kids.
- Easy-Care Shrubs: Sprucing up your outdoor space is easy with low-maintenance shrubs.
 
Q & A:
- Garage Construction: Sandy needs suggestions for building a new garage. An architect could design ideas that fit her home and the surrounding neighborhood.
- Electrical Wiring: Gary wants to change one existing light to two fixtures on either side of the bathroom mirror. It’s an easy project for an electrician to split the wiring.
- Floor Stains: There are pet stains and odors in Merilyn’s wood floors. She gets tips on how to sand, vacuum, stain, and finish the floors to hide the stains and seal the odors.
- Insulation: White moldy areas are appearing on the radiant barrier insulation in Ed’s attic. We explain to Ed why it’s not very effective and could be trapping moisture.
- Tile Floor: Is there a way to fill cracks and chips in a tile floor and refinish the surface? It may not be worth the time and effort, so Margaret should consider replacing the tile or installing a laminate floor over it.
- Cracked Bathtub: Tim’s new bathtub already has two cracks. It’s a big job to remove it, but using a fiberglass repair product from an auto shop could buy him some time.
- Home Addition: Joan wants to add an enclosed space over the patio for her cats. It’s a large project and she should consult a professional to design the proper specifications to build an addition.
- GFCI Outlets: John wants to install GFCI bathroom outlets. Rather than remove the existing outlets that are tiled in place, he can make the entire circuit in the electrical panel ground fault-protected. 
 
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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Introducing Humanizing Content for Increased Social Media Engagement with Eric Morgan from Grow Your Law Firm.
Follow the show: Grow Your Law Firm
Welcome to episode 219 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with Eric Morgan, the President/CEO of Roux Advertising in New Orleans. Eric discusses the importance of social media marketing for lawyers. They delve into strategies for building brand awareness, engaging with audiences, and utilizing platforms like YouTube to boost visibility and growth. The conversation highlights the significance of a solid content strategy, creative messaging, and community involvement for law firms looking to maximize their online presence.
 
As the President/CEO of Roux Advertising, Eric takes a strategy-first approach to building marketing campaigns that grow call and case volume for his law firm clients around the U.S. In this method, his 29 years of strategy mapping, account management, media buying, creative production, and analytics across legal marketing and other categories, brings clarity, accountability, and a healthy return to marketing campaigns. He applies his award-winning data-driven campaign building to client initiatives across offline, online, non-traditional, and community outreach advertising efforts. His insights and approach have helped deliver successful marketing strategies and media campaigns for brands across the U.S., including Morris Bart, LLC, Frank D. Azar & Associates, The Law Office of Craig Goldenfarb, Wayne Wright Injury Lawyers, Shelly Leeke, Harrah’s Casino, Louisiana Office of Tourism, Hotel Monteleone, and Visit Baton Rouge.  
 
Eric earned an M.B.A. at Tulane University and a B.A. from Loyola University in Advertising Communications with a minor in Marketing. With over 29 years of marketing, strategy, advertising and media buying experience, Eric regularly speaks on the topics at conferences. In 2009, he was named Top Executive of the Year by the Advertising Club of New Orleans. He has taught Advertising Media Planning in Loyola University’s Communications Department and is a fellow of Loyola’s Institute for Environmental Communications and the Institute of Politics. Eric sits on the Board of Directors of the Go.Be., supporting entrepreneurial minority small business owners, and is a past board member of Louisiana Chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and the Tulane Association of Business Alumni. 
 
What you’ll learn about in this episode:
 
Unlock the Personal Side of Legal Practice: Explore the impact of showcasing personal aspects, community involvement, and charity events in transforming lawyers into relatable figures. Discover how this approach significantly boosts engagement and visibility, giving your legal brand a human touch. Revamp Your Social Media Strategy through Experimentation: Dive into the world of crafting a powerful content strategy. Experiment with various content types, from staff highlights to community involvement, and tailor your approach dynamically based on audience reactions. Utilizing YouTube Shorts: Delve into the effectiveness, affordability, and scalability of YouTube advertising. Uncover the unique advantages of YouTube shorts, providing an accelerated path to growth and increased engagement for your legal brand. Navigating the Challenge of Multiple Social Media Profiles: Overcome the complexities of maintaining brand consistency and community engagement across various profiles. Establish clear guidelines and role delineation to streamline your social media presence effectively and make sure your audience understands. Social Media Mastery for Legal Success: Learn to harness the full potential of social media marketing and elevate your online presence for lasting client relationships. Explore personal engagement strategies, innovative content approaches, leverage YouTube advertising tools, and maintain a consistent brand message acro

SHOW NOTES:
Get ready for summer with water-saving solutions and outdoor living tips! Discover new plumbing fixtures to effortlessly reduce water usage, expand your living space by creating a dry, clean area under your deck, and get top picks for lawnmowers. Whatever your home improvement project may be, listen in for all the advice you need!
- Saving Water: Saving water is made easier with water-saving plumbing fixtures.
- Underdeck Space: Find out how to gain dry, usable living and storage space under an elevated deck.
- Lawn Mowers: New rankings reveal the best lawnmowers that make the cut with Consumer Reports.
 
Q & A:
- Lawn Care: Just one area of grass is not growing or getting green. Deb should have soil samples tested to see if that part of the lawn needs different seeds, fertilizer, or care.
- Carpenter Bees: Carpenter bees are boring through Steve’s wood joists. He can either treat the surface and seal the holes or replace the wood with synthetic material that the bees won’t eat.
- HVAC: Carl is concerned about recent changes in HVAC refrigerants. We have details about the new eco-friendly alternatives that are replacing Freon.
- Bath Remodel: Who should Macey contact to do a bathroom remodel? We suggest finding experienced professionals and getting multiple estimates for the exact work she wants done.
- Peeling Paint: Paint is peeling on Ray’s ceiling, probably due to adhesive problems from prior layers of paint. He must use a paint stripper before priming and repainting.
- Structural Issue: Erin thinks her slab house needs to be releveled. A structural engineer can diagnose the problem and how it should be fixed.
- Cabinets: Are there cabinets made with non-chemical materials? Steven should look for cabinetry that meets CARB 2 standards.
- Sump Pump: Renee’s sump pump wasn’t coming on, then filling with water and making gurgling sounds. We have tips about air in the line and how to improve the drainage around the house.
- Squeaky Floor: Will Donna’s squeaky floor be an issue for a homebuyer? It’s not a structural issue but it is annoying, so we explain how to stop the squeak.
 
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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SHOW NOTES:
Today’s show is all about making the most of your home's spaces! First, we'll discuss choosing durable, low-maintenance kitchen countertops. Then, we'll explore making use of the area under your second-story deck with under-deck drainage systems. And if your asphalt driveway is worn out, we have expert replacement tips. Save time, money, and effort with answers to these and other home improvement questions!
- Countertops: Busy kitchens require the most durable countertop materials that are easy to maintain.
- Underdeck Space: Make the most of unused living space under your second-story deck.
- Driveway Repair: Get tips on replacing an asphalt driveway that’s showing wear and tear.
 
Q & A:
- Deck Stain: Pauline’s stained deck is already looking worn again. She should apply an oil-based primer and a solid deck stain with more pigmentation that will last longer.
- Garage Door: There’s dry rot around the garage door’s wood header. Dave needs to build a temporary wall to hold up the roof while replacing the header.
- Skylight: Will installing a skylight interfere with viewing the TV screen clearly? Ginny’s tubular fixtures will point light downward, so it shouldn’t be an issue.
- Driveway Repair: Scott’s old aggregate stone driveway is starting to crumble. It would be hard to repair that rough surface and we suggest replacing the driveway instead.
- Patio Furniture: Lucy needs to clean the patio furniture that was left outside. She gets tips on the best way to clean different surfaces and materials.
- Windows: Edwin is renovating his 1875 post and beam house and needs advice on keeping the aesthetics of the old windows with energy-efficient replacement windows.
- Ridge Vents: Are ridge vents really necessary? Mary doesn’t like them, but learns they’re doing what’s needed to provide ventilation and prevent moisture in the attic.
- Water Heater: Mary can’t replace the electric water heater with a tankless model, but she can switch to an electric heat pump water heater instead.
- French Doors: Is there a way to seal the bottom of French doors to keep rainwater out? David should concentrate on solving his drainage problems to divert water away.
 
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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SHOW NOTES:
Today’s show shines a spotlight on home safety! First, learn what to check to prevent deck collapses, and then discover how to protect your home’s water quality. Finally, find out why metal roofs are your best bet against severe weather. Get answers to these and other home improvement questions on this Money Pit episode!
- Deck Collapse: Safeguard your outdoor fun with a five-step DIY checkup to avoid a deck collapse.
- Water Quality: Learn how to maintain high-quality water that’s clean, safe, and tastes great.
- Metal Roofs: Ride out the storm with a metal roof that stands up to severe weather.
 
Q & A:
- Crown Molding: Tracy has questions on how to install crown molding. It’s a difficult carpentry job but using DIY foam molding makes it easy to cut, install, and paint over.
- Foundation Moisture: Glen found water in his crawlspace and gets tips to improve the grading, gutters, and downspouts to keep water away from the foundation.
- Water Heater: It takes too long for the water to get hot because of the distance between the water heater and Loretta’s bathroom. We suggest installing a hot water recirculating system with a timer.
- Chimney: Nothing has solved a persistent damp spot on the bedroom wall next to Richard’s chimney. He should try using a vapor-permeable masonry sealer on the brick.
- Renovating Tips: Kay needs advice on what to check in a home that’s been vacant. She should start by hiring a home inspector to give an overall assessment of what’s needed.
- Smoke Odors: John’s tenant smoked and the smell permeates everything! We’ve got advice for deep cleaning and sealing all the surfaces to get rid of the smoke odor.
- Patio Surface: What kind of base should Linda use for a combination patio and carport? A reinforced poured concrete slab would be the most permanent and durable.
- Pool Deck: What’s the best way to repair cracks around a concrete pool deck? We recommend that Michael use a DIY crack seal product from Quikrete.
- Mold on Brick: Is there an easy way to remove mold from brick without damaging the mortar? Judy can spray on a slow-working mildewcide and let it sit to clean the mold.
 
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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SHOW NOTES:
In this home improvement episode, find out what defines a truly green product, get tips on designing a room that grows with your child, and discover how to create a stunning countertop in a weekend without breaking the bank. Plus, get answers to questions from homeowners just like you for more DIY projects!
- Green Products: Go beyond the labels and learn what defines truly green products for your home.
- Kids’ Rooms: Design space-saving rooms that can adapt to your growing kids.
- Countertops: Create a marvelous marble countertop in a weekend.
 
Q & A:
- Basement Flooring: Colin’s basement concrete floor is uneven. He could use a floor leveling compound but it’s possible to compensate slight unevenness with new flooring.
- Hot Water: It takes a while for the water to get hot. There are advantages to a tankless water heater, but Sharon should consider a bypass valve to recirculate hot water through the pipes.
- Exterior Crawlspace: Chad needs to seal the crawlspace under his modular home against animals. We’ve got tips for securely installing PVC lattice to a frame structure.
- Squeaky Floor: Nancy learns how to stop squeaks in the floor by using long drywall screws alongside nails in the subfloor to prevent movement.
- Roof Leaks: Ice dams under the roof shingles caused leaks in Mary’s home. The damage should be covered by insurance and she needs to contact a public adjuster to be sure the repairs are done right.
- Water Heater: Mike needs to keep draining residue from his water heater. He gets tips on how to speed up the process and buying an affordable water softener.
- Bathroom Leak: There’s water on the ceiling from the upstairs bathroom. Kirsten should check the shower pan and wall tiles for cracks or gaps in the seams or grout.
- Crawlspace: How should the surface of a crawlspace be sealed? Keith should overlap plastic sheeting on the dirt and up the walls to prevent moisture from seeping up.
 
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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices