#2578 – Clear Tips on Buying New Windows | Granite Countertops in a Weekend | Holiday Lighting Safety

SHOW NOTES: Happy holidays, everyone! With just a few weeks left until Christmas, we're making sure you get those home projects done and make DIY doable with clear tips and advice. Join us as we chat about these home improvement topics and questions from callers like you: - Clear Advice on Buying New Windows: We simplify the confusing process of buying new windows by explaining the labels from the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). Understanding these ratings will help you compare energy performance and save money. - Granite Countertops in a Weekend: If you’re noticing areas that need help in the kitchen, we share an easy DIY solution to give your countertops a fresh, sleek look with a smooth granite finish in just one weekend. - Holiday Lighting Safety: We offered safe and sound tips for holiday decorating, such as checking all your lights for the UL seal of approval for safety. We also discussed easy ways to replace frayed lighting strands from last year. Q & A: - Sally reported that her two large, double-pane picture windows are fogged up with moisture trapped between the panes. Unfortunately, this moisture indicates a failed Thermopane seal, which cannot be restored or repaired, so replacement is the only viable remedy. - Tim in Michigan is dealing with wrinkles in his sheet vinyl linoleum floor and mentioned that the subfloor beneath the kitchen addition is uneven. We recommend he first use a floor leveling compound to smooth out the subfloor, and then install a new, affordable product instead of chasing the issues with the old sheet product. - Maya in Iowa needs to remove old, glued-on outdoor carpet that is deteriorating on her concrete steps. She should use a chemical adhesive remover to soften the glue for easier scraping, and then consider covering the steps with an outside-rated ceramic tile or thin pavers. - Greg in Louisiana has a toilet shut-off valve handle that broke off, and he needs to replace the valve with limited working space between the pipe and the wall. We recommend using PEX fittings, which are inexpensive and easy to install without soldering. - Beverly wants to paint her cedar patio posts white to match her home's trim, but her builder warned that painting would trap moisture and cause the posts to rot. We advise her to disregard the builder's warning, prime the posts with an oil-based primer, and then apply a solid color stain to protect the wood.   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