SHOW NOTES:
- DIY or Hire a Pro?: Do you have the DIY skills or should you pay for a professional contractor? How to decide.
- Tap Water Safety: Tests can determine how safe your water is for cooking, drinking, and bathing.
- Insulation: Cooler weather is a great time to find out if your home has enough insulation.

YOUR QUESTIONS:
- Rusty Washing Machine: Sherry’s washing machine dispenser is rusting. If it’s not that old, it’s worth getting a replacement part and having it repaired.
- Insulation: Ed wants to insulate the gap between the drywall and masonry. It would be more effective to seal any drafts and add insulation to the attic.
- Popcorn Ceiling: Can you clean a popcorn ceiling? Margaret won’t be able to clean it, but gets tips on how to remove the popcorn texture or repaint it.
- Retaining Wall Materials: Should Robert use blocks or poured cement to build a retaining wall? Blocks are more attractive and less work but need to be installed properly for the retaining wall to last.
- Weed Removal: Kim is fighting a weed problem and gets info about using plastic sheets, weed block, and spray products for her lawn.
- Leaning Wall: A brick retaining wall is leaning forward from the soil that’s expanding and pushing against it. Howard gets options for replacing the wall.
- Leaking Windows: Rain and bugs are coming inside Georgia’s leaking windows. They should be sealed with better flashing under the exterior siding.
- Cracked Drywall: Drywall cracks are a common problem, but Patrick gets tips on using fiberglass tape and how to spackle over it to stop the cracks.
- Woodpeckers: Knock, knock. Who’s there? Barb gets advice on how to scare away woodpeckers that keep tapping at her house.
- DIY Fire Pit: James wants to build a DIY fire pit. We recommend a fire pit kit that includes all the materials he needs.
- Cracks in Brick: A crack going up a brick wall may have many causes. Unless it’s an active crack, Judith can use silicone sealant to keep out damaging moisture.

ASK A QUESTION:
- Need answers to your own home improvement or decor 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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