In this episode of About Your House, Ray Terry sits down with the team from ABS Insulating to discuss how spray foam insulation can improve comfort, reduce energy costs, and create a healthier, more efficient home.

The conversation covers attic encapsulation, energy savings, air sealing, moisture control, gutter systems, proper drainage, metal building insulation, and the importance of hiring experienced insulation professionals. The guests also discuss the growing demand for skilled trades, opportunities in the construction industry, and the mission behind Put Tools in Schools.

Whether you're building a new home, remodeling, adding a room, or simply looking to lower your utility bills, this episode offers valuable insights every homeowner should know.

Topics Covered: • Spray foam insulation benefits • Attic encapsulation and energy savings • Air sealing and home efficiency • Gutter maintenance and water management • Metal building insulation • Home comfort improvements • Skilled trades careers • Put Tools in Schools initiative

For more home improvement tips and expert advice, subscribe and follow About Your House with Ray Terry.

Are we doing enough to prepare the next generation for skilled trades careers?

In this episode of About Your House with Ray Terry, Ray discusses the growing need for trade education through Put Tools in Schools, exposing students to careers in HVAC, plumbing, electrical work, carpentry, welding, cooking, leadership, and more.

Joining the conversation is Kevin from Garden Nomad, who shares practical gardening and landscaping advice, including soil health, composting, water conservation, irrigation systems, native plants, rainwater collection, and sustainable landscaping practices.

Topics include: ✔️ The skilled trades labor shortage ✔️ Why students need more exposure to career pathways ✔️ Trade schools and workforce development ✔️ Healthy soil, compost, and gardening tips ✔️ Water management and rainwater harvesting ✔️ Native plants vs. traditional lawns ✔️ Irrigation myths and water conservation ✔️ Leadership, mentorship, and teaching the next generation

Learn more about Put Tools in Schools: https://puttoolsinschools.org

For more episodes of About Your House, subscribe and stay connected for weekly conversations about homes, trades, construction, landscaping, and community development.

#PutToolsInSchools #TradesEducation #Gardening #Landscaping #AboutYourHouse #RayTerry #HVAC #Plumbing #Electrical #Carpentry #HomeImprovement #WaterConservation #SustainableLiving #TradeSchool #WorkforceDevelopment

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#PutToolsInSchools #AboutYourHouse #RayTerry #Gardening #Landscaping #TradesEducation #TradeSchool #HVAC #Plumbing #Electrical #HomeImprovement #WaterConservation #SustainableLiving #WorkforceDevelopment #GardenNomad

Ray Terry sits down with Kevin Garth, also known as the “Garden Nomad,” for a deep conversation about sustainable gardening, native plants, pollinators, rain barrels, meadow lawns, and creating harmony in your backyard ecosystem.

From bird feeders and squirrels to bees, butterflies, carpenter bees, and natural landscaping, this episode explores how homeowners can work WITH nature instead of fighting against it. Kevin also shares his philosophy on environmental stewardship, community gardens, and why gardening knowledge is disappearing from younger generations.

Topics covered include: • Native plants vs invasive species • Meadow lawns instead of traditional grass • Pollinator-friendly landscaping • Bird feeders, squirrels & backyard wildlife • Rain barrels & water management • Carpenter bees & natural pest control • Organic gardening & avoiding chemicals • Creating microclimates in your yard • Stewardship and sustainable landscaping

Featuring: Ray Terry Kevin Garth – Garden Nomad

Presented by: Put Tools In Schools Queen City Home Store Floor Coverings International Southeast Charlotte

#gardening #nativeplants #pollinators #organicgardening #backyardgarden #sustainableliving #rainbarrel #bees #landscaping #gardeningtips

In this episode of “About Your House,” we sit down with Garden Nomad to talk about gardening, healthy soil, landscaping, irrigation systems, composting, and sustainable living.

We also discuss the growing need for trade education through Put Tools in Schools and why exposing young people to skilled trades is more important than ever.

Topics include:

• Soil health & composting
• Gardening tips for beginners
• Sweet potatoes, tomatoes & easy crops to grow
• Irrigation systems & rain barrels
• Native plants vs traditional lawns
• Water management & erosion control
• The importance of skilled trades
• Landscaping vs yard maintenance
• Sustainable gardening practices

Learn more about Put Tools in Schools: puttoolsinschools.org

Guest: Garden Nomad Website: gardennomads.com

Listen to “About Your House” weekly on Fox Sports Radio Charlotte and streaming platforms.

#Gardening #Landscaping #SoilHealth #Composting #SustainableLiving #OrganicGardening #PutToolsInSchools #Trades #HomeImprovement #WaterConservation

In this episode of All About Your House, the conversation dives deep into crawl space encapsulation, moisture control, termite inspections, pest prevention, ventilation systems, and the hidden issues affecting modern home construction.

Industry experts discuss why crawl space systems fail, the dangers of poor drainage and improper encapsulation, and how homeowners can better protect their homes from moisture, termites, rodents, and structural damage.

The episode also explores the growing shortage of skilled trades workers, the decline in construction quality, and why putting tools back into schools is more important than ever.

Topics Covered:

• Crawl space encapsulation myths
• Moisture barriers & ventilation
• Termite inspection access requirements
• Dehumidifiers under homes
• Pest prevention tips for homeowners
• Mice, spiders & common household pests
• Why new construction quality is declining
• Trade schools & skilled labor shortages
• Home maintenance essentials every homeowner should know

Special thanks to Grattan Pest Solutions and Rhino Lift Foundation Solutions for supporting the show.

#HomeInspection #CrawlSpace #PestControl #Construction #HomeMaintenance #Trades #CharlotteNC

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From fire ants and carpenter ants to roaches, mosquitoes, gutters, and pest prevention, this episode dives deep into the bug problems homeowners deal with every spring and summer in the Carolinas. 🐜🪳🦟

We sit down with pest control expert Les Grenda to talk about:

• Fire ant treatments & bait tips
• Why reading labels and instructions matters
• How pests spread through neighborhoods
• Roach activity during warm months
• Mosquito breeding hotspots around your home
• Why clogged gutters attract insects
• Pest prevention tips for homeowners and families

If you live in North Carolina or South Carolina, this episode is packed with useful advice to help protect your home and yard this season.

Be sure to LIKE 👍 COMMENT 💬 and SUBSCRIBE 🔔 for more home improvement, pest control, and homeowner tips!

What’s happening to Charlotte, NC? In this powerful conversation on the “About Your House” radio show, the hosts and guest Mark Sprinkle dive deep into the city’s rapid growth, rising taxes, housing concerns, construction quality, infrastructure issues, education, homelessness, and the future of the skilled trades.

From tiny homes and affordable housing to skyrocketing property taxes and declining construction standards, this episode covers real concerns from longtime Charlotte residents and builders who have watched the city change over decades.

The conversation also shifts into solutions — including mentorship, skilled trades education, entrepreneurship, and the importance of helping young people discover purpose through hands-on learning.

PLUS: great insight on roofing, attic encapsulation, modern building products, HVAC efficiency, and what homeowners should know about today’s construction methods.

Featured Topics:

• Charlotte growth & development concerns
• Rising property taxes in Charlotte
• Tiny home communities discussion
• Homelessness & affordable housing
• CMS & education concerns
• Skilled trades shortage
• Construction quality today vs. the past
• Roofing innovations & metal roofs
• Attic encapsulation & HVAC efficiency
• Entrepreneurship in the trades
• Put Tools In Schools initiative

Special thanks to Mark Sprinkle of Handyman Services 73 for joining the conversation and sharing decades of experience in construction and home improvement.

Listen to “About Your House” every Saturday and Tuesday for expert home improvement advice, construction insights, and real conversations about the future of our communities.

#CharlotteNC #HomeImprovement #Construction #HousingCrisis #SkilledTrades #Roofing #HVAC #RealEstate #TinyHomes #Education #Tradesmen #AboutYourHouse #Handyman #NorthCarolina

Ray and Mark dive deep into Charlotte history, skilled trades, construction careers, and why hands-on learning matters more than ever. From growing up in Charlotte neighborhoods to discussing the disappearance of shop classes, apprenticeship programs, and the future of construction careers, this episode is packed with real talk and valuable life lessons.

The conversation also covers:

• Why skilled trades are making a comeback
• Mike Rowe’s message about trade careers
• Construction labor shortages
• Teaching kids how to use tools
• Handyman work and woodworking
• The importance of creativity and hands-on learning
• Charlotte history and local neighborhoods
• Passing down knowledge to the next generation

If you enjoy conversations about construction, woodworking, tools, trades, handyman work, and Charlotte history, make sure to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more weekly content!

#CharlotteNC #SkilledTrades #Construction #Woodworking #Handyman #MikeRowe #TradeSchool #ShopClass #DIY #Tools #Contractor #BlueCollar #Tradesmen #Electrician #Carpentry #HomeImprovement

In this insightful gardening discussion from the “Back to Your House” show, the conversation dives deep into the hidden world beneath our feet — soil health, microbes, insects, and how nature truly balances itself.

Instead of reaching for chemicals, the guests explore how ecosystems naturally regulate pests, why diversity in planting matters, and how “dirt vs soil” is more than just a phrase — it’s a mindset shift. They also break down companion planting, native plants, wildlife balance (including snakes), and even how trees and plants communicate in ways science is still uncovering.

You’ll also hear practical gardening advice for the Carolinas, including seasonal planting tips like squash, radishes, beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes — plus how community gardens can bring people together in meaningful ways.

🌱 Topics covered: • Soil vs dirt explained simply • Why insects are part of the ecosystem • Companion planting basics • Native vs non-native plants • Garden biodiversity & balance • Microbes, worms, and soil life • Seasonal planting tips for spring/summer • Community gardening benefits

Whether you’re a beginner gardener or a seasoned grower, this conversation will change how you see your backyard forever.

In the second half of Hour 1, the conversation continues with master gardener insights on growing healthier food at home in the Charlotte area. The panel dives deeper into companion planting methods like the traditional “Three Sisters” (corn, beans, and squash), seasonal planting strategies for tomatoes, peppers, okra, and cucumbers, and how soil health and sunlight impact garden success.

The discussion also explores edible and medicinal plants commonly found in home gardens, including cilantro, dandelion, garlic, onions, and okra, along with perspectives on herbal teas, natural nutrition, and soil ecology. The group shares practical tips on container gardening, acidic vs. neutral soil preferences, and how to design plantings that mimic natural ecosystems.

The conversation closes with broader reflections on gardening education, hands-on learning, and community skill-building through local workshops focused on trades, tools, and self-sufficiency.