#2456 – Mold or Mildew? Key Clues to Stay Safe | Invasive Plant Danger | Seal Gaps with Spray Foam

The Money Pit Home Improvement Podcast

SHOW NOTES:

Today, we’re talking about mold vs. mildew and why knowing the difference matters. We’ll also cover an invasive plant that’s threatening property values. Plus, discover how spray foam can help you seal gaps and save on heating costs like never before. Listen in for all this and more expert advice for all your home improvement questions!

- Mold vs. Mildew: Is it mold or mildew? Get key clues to know the difference and keep your home safe.

- Invasive Plants: This invasive plant species is causing serious problems for homes and properties across the U.S.

- Spray Foam: A DIY spray foam kit offers an effective solution for sealing drafty gaps and saving energy.

Q & A:

- Cleaning: Can you clean grease stains from a garage floor? We advise Kathy to clean the floor with a TSP paste, then apply an epoxy paint finish that’s durable and easy to maintain.

- Heating: Can Nathan use a wood-fired stove for in-floor heating? It can be done but will require more work to maintain, so an oil-fired boiler may be a better choice.

- Painting Doors: A worker used canned spray paint to paint Anna’s doors and now they’re sticking! She gets tips on how to remove, strip, prime, and paint the doors again.

- HVAC: Ed is concerned about a client who’s using cheap HVAC filters. We confirm that better filters are needed and dispel myths about any HVAC damage they may cause.

- Deck Stain: Sue’s deck is peeling after she mistakenly applied latex stain over the oil-based stain. She’ll need to scrape the surface before using an oil-based primer and stain.

- Fire Safety: Dave has questions about the danger of using reflective foil-faced insulation tape behind his heater. It’s an off-label use, so he should keep an eye out for potential risks.

- Siding: Should Mary be using caulk on the nail holes and seams when installing concrete siding? She only needs to touch up any nail holes that have broken through.

- Door Swing: Scott’s bathroom door blocks the light switch, but it would be easier to relocate the switch than to change the direction of the door swing.

- Gutters: Esther needs to replace the gutters but is afraid of cracking the asphalt shingles. We recommend attaching the gutters directly to the fascia with gutter screws.

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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