This Old House Radio Hour

Unclog Any Drain + David Sedaris’ N.C. Retreat + Contractor Installation Red Flags Jun 30, 2026 00:50:08 A stubborn clog doesn't always require harsh chemicals. Chicago plumber Benjamin Vance explains how a wet/dry vacuum, a towel, and a few simple tools can clear drains throughout your home. Author David Sedaris shares the story of finally buying the North Carolina beach house his family had dreamed about for decades, and why it remains deeply connected to memories of his mother. Plus, Cont

Air Conditioning Myths + Ben Gleib's Mid-Century Studio + The Garage Conversion Guide Jun 23, 2026 00:49:50 Every dad seems to have a theory about the thermostat, but does turning off your AC, closing vents, or buying a bigger unit actually save money? Building science expert Allison Bailes shares the smartest ways to stay cool without driving up your energy bill. Then, comedian Ben Gleib takes us inside his San Fernando Valley home, a modest mid-century house transformed into a late-night tele

Hantavirus Warning Signs + Annabelle Gurwitch’s Healing Wallpaper + Backyard Water Features Jun 16, 2026 00:49:51 Hantavirus may be rare, but it can pose a serious risk to homeowners dealing with rodent infestations. Dr. Zachary Rubin explains where the virus hides, how to safely clean up droppings, and the warning signs every homeowner should know. Then, writer Annabelle Gurwitch shares how a roll of vintage wallpaper helped transform a room filled with painful memories into a place of healing and h

Hard Water Woes + Ann Patchett’s Wild Childhood Home + Heat Pump Advantages Jun 9, 2026 00:49:52 Hard water is quietly damaging your pipes, appliances, hair, and skin. Plumbing expert Tucker Yarbrough explains what causes it, how to spot it, and the best solutions for every budget. Then, bestselling author Ann Patchett takes us back to the wild Tennessee farm of her childhood. Plus, building engineer Ross Trethewey explains why understanding your home as a system can save you thousan

No More Open Kitchens + Fab 5 Freddy’s Harlem Brownstone + Fence Building 101 Jun 2, 2026 00:49:51 Open floor plans promised connection and convenience, but more homeowners are starting to want their walls back. Architect Alexander Dahlgren-Jawad explains why separate rooms may actually make homes more functional, private, and comfortable. Then, hip hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy takes us inside his historic Harlem brownstone filled with jazz history, original woodwork, and stories from the

Cleaning Dirty Ducts + Sheng Wang’s Bayou Childhood + Forced Air vs. Baseboard Heat May 26, 2026 00:49:56 A five-foot snake inside the ductwork?! This week on Radio Hour, we uncover the strange, dusty, and sometimes creepy world hiding inside your vents — and what actually happens during a duct cleaning. Comedian Sheng Wang takes us back to his packed suburban Houston childhood home, where 12 relatives shared one house and the neighborhood bayou became an endless adventure. Plus, House Therap

Vacation-Proof Your Home + Italian Family Memories + Attic Renovation Secrets May 19, 2026 00:50:21 Before you leave for vacation, your home might need a checklist of its own. Home maintenance expert Kyshawn Lane shares the simple steps that can help prevent leaks, odors, pests, and costly surprises while you’re away. Then, “Bare Feet” on PBS host Mickela Mallozzi reflects on growing up in a loud, loving Italian-American home in Stamford, Connecticut, where food, family, and constant re

Grow Better Tomatoes + Tom Papa’s Jersey Shore Chaos + The Shed Showdown May 12, 2026 00:50:20 Tomatoes are the holy grail of the home garden, but getting them right isn’t always easy. This week, Farmer Dean shares a simple, surprisingly effective way to grow thriving plants almost anywhere, no backyard required. Then, comedian Tom Papa takes us back to his childhood beach house on the Jersey Shore, where 17 people, one bathroom, and endless pasta dinners somehow added up to pure m

Fire Safety 101 + Rob Corddry’s Childhood Home + Cut Renovation Costs May 5, 2026 00:50:39 A house fire can start in seconds. This week, a firefighter breaks down the simple two-minute plan that could save your life and the most common mistakes people make in an emergency. Then, comedian Rob Corddry returns to his childhood home in Massachusetts, reflecting on the place that shaped him and the moment everything changed. Plus, how to handle renovation sticker shock, what contrac

Smart Home Security 101 + Alonzo Bodden’s Dream House + Hydrangea Grow Guide Apr 28, 2026 00:50:40 Your smart home might be making your life easier, but it could also be making you an easy target. A cybersecurity expert explains the most common mistakes people make with connected devices and the simple fixes that can protect your home. Then, comedian Alonzo Bodden takes us inside the Los Angeles hill house he dreamed about for decades after years on the road. Plus, if your hydrangeas a

Stop Killing Your Plants + Carl Radke’s Story of Home + Flooring Mistakes to Avoid Apr 21, 2026 00:50:38 If your houseplants keep dying, it might not be your fault, it might be your approach. The duo behind Tanner the Planter share simple, practical ways to actually keep your plants alive, from choosing the right plant for your space to knowing when (and when not) to water. Then, Bravo’s Carl Radke takes us back to the small Pittsburgh home that shaped his childhood—filled with both warmth a

Clean Smarter, Not Harder + Chris Hayes’ Dream Cabin + Vintage Toilet Showdown Apr 14, 2026 00:50:38 Spring cleaning gets a smarter, faster makeover with tips from a viral cleaning expert who shares the tricks that actually make a difference, from ceiling fan hacks to the right way to clean your walls. Then, MS Now anchor Chris Hayes takes us inside his off-the-grid woodland retreat, and his all-in obsession with clean energy. Plus, in House Therapy, a vintage toilet sparks a full-blown

Garage Door 101 + Supreme Court Justice Kennedy’s Home + Smarter Sofa Care Apr 7, 2026 00:50:42 Garage doors are the hardest-working system in your home, so what happens when they start to fail? We break down how to maintain, repair, and replace them before small issues become costly problems. Then, Senior Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy reflects on the Sacramento home that shaped his lifelong belief in justice, tolerance, and moral responsibility. And finally, a practical gui

Bee Problems, Solved + A Secret Speakeasy House Tour + Why Contractors Walk Away Mar 31, 2026 00:51:14 Got bees? Before you call an exterminator, a professional beekeeper explains why relocation is often the smarter move, and how to keep colonies from moving into your home in the first place. Seinfeld writer Spike Feresten tours his 1939 Paul Williams–designed home in the Hollywood Hills, from a hidden speakeasy to a basement with a surprising past. And we break down why contractors are wa

The Truth About Luxury Paint + Jake Tapper’s Lake Escape + Biodiverse Backyards Mar 24, 2026 00:51:30 Is luxury paint actually worth the splurge, or are you just paying for branding? This week, we dig into what really separates high-end paint from the rest, from durability and scrub-ability to the chemistry inside the can. Then, CNN anchor Jake Tapper takes us to his quiet A-frame lake house in rural Virginia, a family refuge far from the chaos of Washington. And This Old House landscape

The End of McMansions + Jesse Thorn’s Victorian + Home Theater Secrets Mar 17, 2026 00:51:30 We take a look at what comes after the McMansion, as architecture critic Kate Wagner explains how these oversized suburban status symbols came to define an era and why today’s replacement may be even blander. Then, Bullseye host Jesse Thorn takes us inside his lovingly preserved 1888 Queen Anne in Los Angeles, where original craftsmanship, city noise, and a lived-in sense of history make

Plug-and-Play Solar + A Refugee Family’s Blue House + A $39K Historic Steal Mar 10, 2026 00:51:31 Energy bills are climbing, but a new wave of “plug and play” solar is making it easier for homeowners and renters to start generating their own power without a full rooftop install. Then, author Kao Kalia Yang takes us inside the drafty blue St. Paul duplex that helped her refugee family redefine what “home” could be. Plus, Cheap Old Houses spotlights an 1895 shingle-style Victorian in Ar

Tornado Shelter Truths + Renovation Red Flags + Tracy Sierra’s 300-Year-Old Colonial Mar 3, 2026 00:51:31 As tornado season ramps up, we separate myth from fact about storm protection and explain what actually makes a shelter tornado-rated. Then bestselling author Tracy Sierra takes us inside her 300-year-old New England colonial, where squeaky floorboards, carved windowpanes, and a real bump in the night helped spark her latest novel. Finally, structural engineer Dr. Nehemiah Mabry lays out

The Truth About House Burping + Nick Offerman’s Farmhouse Feb 21, 2026 00:51:31 We discuss the truth about “house burping,” when opening your windows helps, when it doesn’t, and what actually keeps your indoor air healthy. Nick Offerman returns to the Illinois farmhouse that shaped his love of building. Plus, we break down how to make sure your contractor pulls the right permits, before a small oversight turns into a big problem.In This Episode You’ll Learn:* How to

Building Tomorrow: A Special Look at the Future of Housing Feb 17, 2026 00:51:31 Building Tomorrow is a special collaboration between Marketplace and This Old House Radio Hour that asks a simple but urgent question: how do we build homes that can last the next hundred years? From wildfire rebuilds to factory-built housing, this hour explores how new materials, new methods, and new ideas about community are reshaping the future of housing in America. Hosted by Jenn Lar

How to Remove Smoke Smells + Gas Fireplace Safety + Lewis Black’s Basement Feb 10, 2026 00:51:30 Learn how to get rid of stubborn smoke odor in a home. Restoration expert Darren Hudema breaks down how to ID the type of smoke you’re dealing with, what you can safely tackle yourself, and when it’s time to call a certified pro We visit comedian Lewis Black’s childhood bungalow, where basement ping-pong rivalries, radio as a lifeline, and his family’s creative streak shaped the person he

Freeze-Proof Your Pipes + Fix a Flawed Shower + Make Your Bedroom a Sleep Sanctuary Feb 3, 2026 00:51:20 With even colder days ahead, Jody Gardner from Climate Control Kansas City shares how you can protect your pipes from bursting, and the technology you can use to make sure a burst pipe does not flood your home. Chef Roy Choi walks us through the first house his immigrant family owned in Orange County and how a bustling, fermentation-heavy kitchen shaped his senses, his privacy, and ultima

Easy Weekend Home Upgrades + Contractor Secrets + John Grisham’s Farmhouse Jan 27, 2026 00:51:19 If your home feels a little tired after the holidays, we’ve packed this episode with fast, budget-friendly upgrades you can tackle in a single weekend—from smart lighting tricks and warm color temperatures to simple layering that instantly makes rooms feel brighter, calmer, and more put-together. In Contractor Confidential, we break down how to handle unfinished renovation details, manage

Smarter Moving Tips + Susan Orlean’s Schindler House + DIY Wallpaper Made Easy Jan 20, 2026 00:51:29 A professional mover shares the biggest mistakes people make, the packing supplies that actually matter, and the small planning choices that can save your stuff (and your sanity) on move day. We visit a 1946 Rudolph Schindler home in Los Angeles with author Susan Orlean, who brought the home back to its original vision. Plus, a mother-daughter wallpaper team explains why wallpaper is back

Weekly Check List That Prevents Costly Repairs + Fixing Wood Floor Gaps Jan 13, 2026 00:51:19 A few minutes a week can save your home — and your sanity. This episode shows how a simple, year-round home checklist prevents big repairs, answers listener questions on floors, ovens, mirrors, and stone walls, and explores what “home” really means through Pulitzer Prize–winner Viet Thanh Nguyen and Cheap Old Houses. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:*How to create a simple weekly home checkli

Aging in Place + Buying the Right Generator + Roseanne Cash’s Brownstone Jan 6, 2026 00:51:28 Don’t wait for a fall to force change — aging in place is about smart decisions made early. This episode covers the home upgrades that protect your independence, a soulful tour of Roseanne Cash’s Chelsea brownstone, how to choose the right generator before a blackout, and real homeowner calls with practical fixes.In this episode you'll learn:*How to make simple aging-in-place upgrades, li

Make Your Home Feel Bigger + Daryl Hall’s Old House + Cesar Millan’s Dog Run Dec 30, 2025 00:51:32 You don’t need more square footage — just smarter design. Architect Sarah Susanka reveals how simple, non-construction tweaks can make your home feel bigger, while Daryl Hall tours his restored 1787 home, Cesar Millan rethinks the dog run, and our experts answer real homeowner questions live.In this episode you'll learn:*How to safely connect a portable generator to your home and whether

Rodent-Proofing Your Home + Smart Thermostat Secrets + Ken Burns’ Home Studio Dec 23, 2025 00:51:31 Cold weather doesn’t just freeze pipes, it sends mice and rats searching for a warm place to nest. Pest control expert Noel Buckingham explains how to find openings and seal them up so rodents never make it inside. Filmmaker Ken Burns opens the door to the New Hampshire home that has defined his life, his work, and his sense of belonging. This Old House engineer Ross Trethewey demystifies

Chimney Safety 101 + Fixing Slanted Floors + Maggie Smith’s Quirky Foursquare Dec 16, 2025 00:51:19 A professional chimney sweep explains how to safely prep, inspect, and clean your fireplace before lighting the first fire of the season. Award-winning poet and host of The Slowdown, Maggie Smith, shows us inside the 100-year-old house that carried her family through every chapter. Cheap Old Houses creators Ethan and Elizabeth Finkelstein unpack the reality behind two dreamy listings, inc

Fixing Heat Loss + DIY Floor Fixes + Jeffrey Eugenides’s Architectural Muse Dec 9, 2025 00:51:14 Are you wasting money this winter because your home isn’t holding in your warm air? Learn how to do your home energy audit, so you can save money and keep comfortable. Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Jeffrey Eugenides takes us inside the prairie-style Michigan home that shaped his childhood and inspired his novel Middlesex, reflecting on architecture, memory, and the way houses shape the

Holiday Cleanup Made Easy + Bathroom Paint Fixes + William H. Macy’s Cabin Dec 2, 2025 00:51:19 TikTok’s cleaning expert Brandon Pleshek shows you how to bounce back from the Thanksgiving mess with simple routines and tools that make any home feel fresh fast. Actor William H. Macy shares the story of his Vermont cabin—and the hard-earned lessons he learned about woodstoves, flies, and finding comfort in the chaos. And food legend Alton Brown breaks down how to build a better backyar

High-Tech Holidays + Contractor Overages + Steve Schirripa’s Vegas Dream House Nov 25, 2025 00:51:19 Give your house a holiday makeover with the latest and greatest from the north pole. We tell you the latest decoration trends and technology with Jason Woodward from ChristmasDesigners.com. Actor Steve Schirripa reflects on his journey from a crowded Brooklyn apartment to building his dream home in Las Vegas, and how it shaped his understanding of what “home” really means. Also, what happ

Home Automation Made Simple + How to Tell if You Need A New Roof + Tig Notaro’s Gulf Coast Sanctuary Nov 18, 2025 00:51:18 How to make your home run itself from your phone—simple automations you can set up in minutes, even if you’re not techy. Comedian Tig Notaro opens the door to her family’s Gulf Coast home and the love, loss, and resilience held in its walls. And Cheap Old Houses returns with real listings under $50K—and honest advice on what it really takes to fix them up. On This Episode You Will Learn*H

Home insurance Guide + Sealing Drafty Windows + Safe Pigeon Removal Nov 11, 2025 00:51:20 This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we’re breaking down home and renter’s insurance—what you really need, what’s worth skipping, and how to keep premiums affordable without leaving gaps. New York Times Bestselling author and National Book Award nominee Rachel Kushner shares the lessons she learned growing up in a small Oregon bungalow, where creativity mattered more than square footag

How to Hire a Contractor + Floor Sanding Tips Oct 31, 2025 00:51:19 Best-selling author Gretchen Rubin shares simple, free ways to make your home feel happier and more organized. Henry Rollins reflects on DC row houses, Ian MacKaye’s attic, and how the punk scene shaped his sense of home. Plus, Cheap Old Houses highlights two historic homes under $30,000, and our experts take listener questions on real home repairs.What you’ll learn:*The right tools to re

Haunted Houses, DIY Nightmares, and Frightening Fixes Oct 28, 2025 00:51:11 It’s an hour of Halloween Horror This Old House style! What happens when your dream home comes with… ghosts? Realtor Cindy Hagley reveals the chilling truths behind buying a stigmatized or haunted house—and what buyers should ask before the ink dries. Then, filmmaker Ronan Day-Lewis revisits his family’s eerie Connecticut farmhouse, where the basement still gives him nightmares. Plus, our

Fire Proof Your Home + Fix Squeaky Floors + Adam Carolla’s DIY Nightmare Oct 21, 2025 00:51:30 Before wildfire season hits, learn how to keep your house from burning before the flames arrive — and why your gutters might save your foundation. Then, Adam Carolla heads back to his childhood home and discovers that “turnkey” doesn’t mean what he thought. Plus, our landscape and lawn experts share the best ways to winterize your yard and garden. In this episode you’ll also learn:*Why gu

The Terrifying Truth About Toxic Mold + Nick Offerman’s Farmhouse Wisdom + Easy Insulation Fixes Oct 14, 2025 00:51:18 Is that dark patch on your basement wall harmless—or a hidden health hazard? This week, we’re breaking down what every homeowner should know about mold, moisture, and how to keep your home healthy. Plus, Nick Offerman shares memories from the Minooka, Illinois farmhouse where he grew up.All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — T

Hurricane Season Survival Guide + How To Tame Ceiling Cracks Oct 7, 2025 00:51:18 Hurricane season is here—this episode of This Old House Radio Hour goes beyond the basics with a step-by-step hurricane preparedness checklist to harden your home before the next storm hits. Plus, actor–director Griffin Dunne’s Beverly Hills childhood home, and Ethan & Elizabeth from Cheap Old Houses share two waterfront sleepers.In this episode you will learn: *How to identify and ta

Removing Asbestos & Lead in Your Home + How to Banish Musty Smells + Rhett McLaughlin’s Fairy Tale Log Cabin Sep 30, 2025 00:51:18 Remediation Expert Ron Pike explains the simple rule for asbestos and lead: don’t touch it until you test it, and call in a pro if needed. Comedian Rhett McLaughlin (Good Mythical Morning) takes us inside his North Carolina log cabin, where family memories and even a few critters remind us why home matters. This Old House’s Kevin O’Connor checks in from Asheville, one year after Hurricane

Is Your Home Energy Smart? + Foolproof Plaster Repair + HVAC Duct Cleaning Demystified Sep 23, 2025 00:50:54 This week we break down how to build a net-zero home with YouTuber Matt Ferrell—from electrification and heat pumps to solar, batteries, and smart load-shifting. Then On Point’s Meghna Chakrabarti takes us back to her Corvallis, Oregon childhood home where her parents grew their version of the American dream. And Cheap Old Houses spotlights a 1930s stucco in San Antonio and a Mississippi

Home Inspection Nightmares + Shocking Contractor Scams + DIY Fixes You NEED to Know Sep 16, 2025 00:50:54 Inspector Fletch walks us through the essentials of a professional home inspection—from spotting foundation cracks and moisture intrusion to attic ventilation and hidden safety risks—so homeowners can protect their biggest investment with confidence. Plus, New Yorker editor David Remnick recalls life in a Moscow flat as a young correspondent during the collapse of the Soviet Union, showin

Amazing DIY Hacks to Remove Stains, Rust and Scratches + How Paint Colors Boosts Mood + Billy Gardell’s Dream House Sep 9, 2025 00:39:42 Learn how the right paint colors can boost your mood, why muted patterns calm anxiety, how to test pipes for lead with a magnet, the fix for mysterious cracking tile noises, and whether solar panels work on moonlight. Plus: Mike and Molly’s Billy Gardell shares the story of buying his first home, experts tackle driveway erosion, and you’ll get pro tips like removing marble stains with bak

Alton Brown’s DIY Smoker + Paint Hole Filling with Bondo + Replacing Cracked Marble Sep 2, 2025 00:50:54 We meet the founders of Move Over Bob, a fast-growing initiative to inspire more young women to enter the trades, Bangles founder Susanna Hoffs takes us inside the living room she transformed into a recording studio, and Alton Brown shows us how to hack everyday hardware into outdoor cooking gear. Plus, our experts tackle listener calls ranging from squeaky theater floors to century-old w

Home Security That Actually Works + The Benefits of Ventless Dryers + Smart Mirror Installation Aug 26, 2025 00:51:05 The future of home security — from smart locks and cameras to Wi-Fi safety and DIY alarm systems. Plus, Grammy-winning banjo player Alison Brown takes us inside Nashville’s legendary Hillbilly Central, we tour a historic 1811 log home and a lakeside A-frame in Indiana with Cheap Old Houses, and our pros answer your DIY questions on fascia repair, smart mirror installation, ventless dryers

Stop Your EV Charger From Blowing Fuses + Fix Crank-Out Windows Like a Pro + The Ultimate AC Buyer’s Guide Aug 19, 2025 00:51:19 Discover how tool lending libraries are transforming DIY, get expert advice on fixing crank-out windows, troubleshoot EV charging electrical mysteries, and explore actress and filmmaker Embeth Davidtz's soulful Hawaiian home restoration—plus insider tips for buying your next air conditioner. From hands-on repairs to design inspiration, this episode of This Old House Radio Hour delivers pr

Mind-blowing Smart Home Technology + Daryl Hall’s 1787 Farm House + Fixing Cracked Concrete Floors Aug 12, 2025 00:51:19 Tech Radar’s Lance Ulanoff reveals the one smart home upgrade that truly changes how your house functions—and it’s not what you think. Plus, Daryl Hall gives a tour of his 1787 farmhouse, and our experts answer your calls on noisy windows, wobbly railings, and cracked concrete floors. In This Episode, You Will Learn:The one smart home upgrade worth investing in—and how it actually works (

This Simple Fix Will Save Your Crumbling Foundation + Are You Prepared For When the Power Goes Out? Aug 5, 2025 00:51:19 Designer Stacey Lapuk shares how to reinvent your home post-divorce—creating spaces that reflect who you are now, not who you used to be. Plus, we dig into generator basics, haunted house tales from cartoon voice legend Billy West, and DIY fixes for rusted beams, drawer upgrades, and countertop repairs.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:How to redesign your home after divorce or heartbreak (0:

Make Your Home Allergy Free + Fix Squeaky Wood Floors Jul 29, 2025 00:51:05 This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we’re talking about something you can’t see but definitely feel: the air inside your home. Kenneth Mendez, president of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, shares the smartest, science-backed ways to improve indoor air quality—from high-heat laundry to HEPA vacuums—and explains why your bedroom might be the most important place to start.Th

Home Design for The Neurodivergent + Attic Insulation 101 Jul 22, 2025 00:51:05 From designing homes that support neurodivergent family members to building your cat the ultimate backyard enclosure, this episode is packed with practical advice for every kind of household. Plus, we tour author Sloane Crosley’s West Village apartment and share DIY fixes for leaky outlets, drafty attics, wood siding, and crumbly foundations.• Inclusive Home Design (:55)• Attic Insulation

Fix Any Roof Leak + Soundproof Any Room! Jul 15, 2025 00:51:05 Want to block out noisy neighbors, fix roof leaks, or renovate a retro gem? This episode features YouTube’s Soundproof Guide Martin Poirier, comedian Paula Poundstone’s emotional home story, and expert answers to your biggest home questions—from radon and chimneys to indoor pool flooring and Lustron houses. • Soundproofing for Renters (0:55) • Radon Mitigation Simplified (8:34) • Trackin

Ellen Marie Bennett’s Renter-Friendly Kitchen Tricks Will Blow Your Mind Jul 8, 2025 00:50:29 From renter-friendly kitchen hacks with Hedley and Bennett founder Ellen Marie Bennett to backyard beekeeping tips from TikTok’s Bowser Bee, this episode is packed with smart solutions and inspiring stories—including a 5,700 sq ft hand-carved cave home in Utah. Plus, we answer your top home repair questions about cracked ceilings, woodpecker damage, antique doors, and post-blast brickwork

DIY Guide To Babyproofing Your Home, Storm Prep & Cheap Old Houses Gems Jul 1, 2025 00:51:02 Expert babyproofing tips from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital to keep your home safe from newborn to toddlerhood—plus clever fixes for shifting floors, cracked stucco, and prepping your home for hurricanes. • How to babyproof for every stage (1:03) • How to shift floating floorboards (8:13) • Repair cracks in stucco around windows (17:32) • Portable generator safely for hurricane-prone

Nathaniel Rateliff’s Mountain Hideout! + Urban Gardening Made Easy Jun 24, 2025 00:51:01 We explore the return of the American porch with architect Charlie Hailey, tour Nathaniel Rateliff’s mountain recording retreat, and answer your toughest DIY questions—from brick repair and deck fixes to bathroom ventilation and arc fault detectors. Plus, we dig into urban gardening tips with Detroit’s Kamaria Gray—whether you’ve got a backyard or just a windowsill, we’ve got the tools an

Natural Cleaning Hacks + Lead Paint Safety & PVC Fixes You Need Jun 17, 2025 00:51:16 Get these amazing cleaning tips from TikTok’s “Clean That Up” guy Brendan Pleshak. Plus, how to preserve vintage tile, test for lead paint, upgrade rake boards with PVC, fix lawn grubs, stop sewer backups, and hear “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” host Peter Sagal’s hilarious story of buying the wrong house. • DIY Vinegar Cleaner (0:55) • Vintage Tile Advice (9:48) • Flooding Solutions (17:27

Making Your Home Safer for Seniors + Gas vs. Induction Ranges Jun 10, 2025 00:51:19 Make your home safer for seniors with these aging-in-place upgrades, fix fireplace switches and tile holes, and refinish butcher block the right way. Plus, we compare gas vs. induction, share a DIY weed killer that works, and hear from Third Eye Blind’s Stephan Jenkins about restoring his Victorian home. • How to make your home safer for seniors (0:55) • Wiring a wall switch for a gas fi

Declutter Smarter + Fix Your Garage Door, Brick, and Beams Jun 3, 2025 00:51:19 The Neat Method shows us how to declutter any space—no label maker needed—plus expert fixes for damaged brick, cedar beams, and peeling garage doors. We also share a simple trick to drill safely into walls and hear from Marketplace host David Brancaccio on rebuilding after a wildfire. • The best way to organize any space (1:08) • Fixing a floating floor (9:27) • Repairing bricks with dam

Modern Feng Shui Tips + Chrome Fixture Restoration May 27, 2025 00:51:18 Learn how to bring more balance and flow into your home with feng shui tips from architect Cliff Tan, plus expert guidance on porch restoration, wall insulation, brick painting, and propane retrofits. Plus, make your lawn look like Fenway Park with pro tips from former Boston Red Sox groundskeeper David Mellor. Keywords: #feng shui home tips #Cliff Tan feng shui #feng shui furniture plac

William H. Macy Spent 30 Years Fixing This Cabin—Here’s Why May 20, 2025 00:50:31 Expert tips to keep bugs and critters out of your home from the Bug Boys. Plus, William H. Macy gives us a tour of his hand-built Vermont cabin, and Cheap Old Houses spotlights affordable historic homes in Ohio and Michigan. Keywords: #spring pest prevention #how to get rid of bugs #pest control tips #William H. Macy #cabin #woodworking #DIY cabin build #cheap old houses #historic homes

Sound Proofing Your Bathroom + How To Paint Your Garage Door + Walter Mosley’s Los Angeles May 13, 2025 00:50:33 This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we meet Bo Petterson—a 66-year-old dad, DIYer, and unexpected TikTok sensation. Known to millions as @DadAdviceFromBo, Bo began posting home repair videos with his daughter Emily as a way to help her recover from a traumatic brain injury. What started as a private act of love has grown into a viral force for good, offering step-by-step repair tips,

Designing for Disaster: How Los Angeles Builds Back Smarter + Saving The Outsider’s House + Four DIY Fixes: Chimneys, Circuits, Ceilings, and Steam May 6, 2025 00:50:31 This week on This Old House Radio Hour—what does it mean to rebuild not just homes, but entire communities? Sunset Magazine editor-in-chief Hugh Garvey joins us to discuss the magazine’s special issue devoted to the rebuilding of Altadena and Pacific Palisades in the wake of January’s devastating wildfires. Sunset, a voice in California architecture for over 125 years, has assembled an ex

Fixing Knob and Tube Wiring + Patching Moldy Dry Wall + Alessandro Nivola's Brooklyn Row House Apr 29, 2025 00:50:32 This week, we meet writer Patrick Hutchinson who bought a $7,500 off-the grid, moss-covered Craigslist cabin—and taught himself to fix it with YouTube and trial and error. How he went from clueless to carpenter and changed his life. Actor Alessandro Nivola shares how his Brooklyn row house became a living tribute to Brutalism, family, and art history.Plus:– Mold or mystery? Our experts ex

Farm to Table Architecture, Soundproofing your Bedroom, Plus Our DIY Experts Answer Your Home Improvement Questions Apr 22, 2025 00:50:31 On this week’s This Old House Radio Hour, architects Jack Becker and Andrew Linn of BLDUS in Washington, D.C. explain how they’re turning the sustainable food movement into a sustainable building movement with their “Farm-to-Shelter” philosophy—drawing inspiration from Chef’s Table and using regional, regenerative materials to create homes that are beautiful, healthy, and good for the pla

MythBusters Adam Savage, Roseanne Cash's Steampunk Meets Jane Austen Town House + DIY and Home Improvement Answers Apr 15, 2025 00:50:32 Adam Savage—former MythBuster and maker movement icon—joins us to talk about the philosophy of tools, the joy of failure, and building a 200-hour replica of Hellboy’s revolver. Then we visit Charleston to uncover the truth behind those sideways-facing row houses (spoiler: it’s not about taxes). Singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash invites us into her lovingly restored 1855 Manhattan brownstone,

“How Much Do You Pay in Rent" with Caleb Simpson + Home Improvement Q&A + Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin Apr 8, 2025 00:50:32 On this episode of This Old House Radio Hour, we sit down with viral sensation Caleb Simpson, the TikTok star who’s made a name asking one simple question: “How much do you pay in rent?” Caleb shares what 500+ home tours have taught him about housing, design, and what our spaces say about who we are. Then, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin reflects on turning grief int

Ken Burns Shows Us, His Creative Shangri-La, Sarah Susanka On Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better and a Blue Print for Rebuilding Los Angeles Apr 1, 2025 00:51:18 On this week’s episode, we rethink the meaning of home—from the scale of a single room to the soul of a sprawling city.First, visionary architect and best-selling author Sarah Susanka joins us to reflect on the enduring appeal of her groundbreaking book The Not So Big House. She unpacks power of designing for quality over quantity, how smarter, smaller spaces can transform our lives, and

American Picker Mike Wolfe’s Main Street Revival, Historic Homes Under $1,000, and 60-Second Fixes for Everyday Problems! Mar 25, 2025 00:50:59 Welcome to the Premiere of This Old House Radio Hour! Join us for an hour of expert-driven DIY and home improvement, where craftsmanship, history, and hands-on know-how come together. Master carpenter Callum Robinson reads from his bestselling memoir, Ingrained: The Making of a Craftsman, and shares with host Jenn Largesse the deep joy of woodworking—and the stories locked inside every pi

This Old House Radio Hour Podcast - Trailer Mar 11, 2025 00:03:35 This Old House has been America’s most trusted source for home improvement for over four decades. Now, we’re bringing that same expertise to the airwaves with This Old House Radio Hour. Each week we answer your DIY and renovation questions. Plus, we dive into the latest trends from building science to design with an ear for great storytelling about the places we call home.

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