#2554 – Patio Heaters to Extend Outdoor Fun | Spooky Home Sounds | Save Money on Your Water Heater

SHOW NOTES: Welcome back to The Money Pit! It's mid-September, and with so much happening, it's easy to get sidetracked from your home projects. But don't worry, we're here to help you keep things working and organized. We've got a great show lined up for you today, with topics that include: - Extending Outdoor Fun with Patio Heaters: Just because it's fall doesn't mean your outdoor enjoyment has to stop! We'll explore how patio heaters can keep you entertaining, dining, and relaxing outside even as temperatures drop. - Decoding Spooky Home Sounds: With Halloween just around the corner, you might be hearing some mysterious bangs, pops, scratches, or whistles around the house. We'll decode these top mystery noises of the season, explain what they really mean, and show you how to fix them before they give you the creeps! - Saving Money on Your Water Heater: Your water heater might be silently draining your wallet. We'll share smart ways to cut energy costs, reduce water waste, and keep your hot water flowing efficiently, plus tell you how to score up to $600 in tax credits for making a smart upgrade. Q & A: - Marcus in Louisiana asks about thermal barriers for his attic. We confirm that these radiant barriers do work by reflecting heat, but require proper perpendicular and clean installation to be effective. - Ellie in Wisconsin is celebrating a new home and wants to install wall shelving in her bathrooms. We encourage her DIY spirit, with advice on suitable anchors for lighter items in drywall and the importance of matching anchor ratings to the shelf's weight. - Matt in Ohio is struggling with recurring mold in his shower. We identify improper ventilation and persistent moisture as the likely culprits, recommending a humidistat and antimicrobial caulk after managing the moisture issue. - Dan in Maryland has greasy kitchen cabinets above his stove and asks for cleaning recommendations. We recommend using Murphy's Oil Soap with warm water and microfiber cloths, along with a gentle abrasive pad for tougher spots. - Brad emailed us about building a large patio roof and asked about overlapping it with his existing house roof without connecting. We strongly advise against overlapping as a standalone structure, instead recommending securely tying the patio roof into the house for structural integrity. - Andrew, also via email, reported thunder-like vibrating sounds from the copper pipes in his basement after a new water heater was installed. We attributed this to loose pipes causing a "water hammer" effect and suggested securing them with brackets. 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