Home with Dean Sharp

Today’s first caller has a problem with termites and is wondering about the company that can turn wood into a metal-like substance that's stronger than steal and not termite prone? Do we really want to blow up the world’s rainforests for the building industry? 

The next caller needs to correct his hardwood floor because the subfloor wasn’t laid properly and now it’s buckling, plus that kind of engineered hardwood is no longer available. How does he fix it? 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the end of 2025! How has your year been? It’s time to turn a corner, and that’s a good thing. Today we’re talking 2026 trends! 

What is a trend, according to Dean? Something like the color of the year, according to Pantone. Dean has no problem with that, but what he doesn’t like is when home decor is treated like disposable fashion that you change out every year or two. 

In other news, home renovation shows like those you see on HDTV are seeing a sharp decline in viewership, so that’s why networks are bringing back the classic home shows we know and love. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s first caller needs a dehumidifier for her house, which was remodeled in 2000 and does not have air conditioning, due to mildew from living close to the beach. She wants Dean's input on how to reduce the damp. 

The next caller has a big porch that needs resurfacing, especially due to pooling water, so he’s asking Dean about the best products to use? 

To tack onto the first caller, this listener is wondering how to rid her home of moisture and mildew if the home is located in a cold environment? 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s the end of 2025! How has your year been? It’s time to turn a corner, and that’s a good thing. Today we’re talking 2026 trends! 

What is a trend, according to Dean? Something like the color of the year, according to Pantone. Dean has no problem with that, but what he doesn’t like is when home decor is treated like disposable fashion that you change out every year or two. 

In other news, home renovation shows like those you see on HDTV are seeing a sharp decline in viewership, so that’s why networks are bringing back the classic home shows we know and love. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether built in the 1830s or 1930s, Dean is a massive fan of California design style, including the beautiful Adobe homes. 

Our next caller phoned all the way from Tampa, Florida, and wants Dean’s opinion on the proper maintenance of his new 8x10 Tuff Shed from Home Depot. 

Another caller has a double-wide mobile home from the 1970s with a metal roof that’s leaking over his car port, and he’s wondering how best to seal up that roof leak. 

Listener Cindy wants Dean’s recommendations on the right mixture for alleviating mold in the tile grout. Dean says mold is kind of a wimp! 

And our final caller was wondering how best to choose a legitimate duct-cleaning service. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a sleepy Saturday following a torrential rainstorm all the way through Christmas week. And here in SoCal the rain has passed — for now. Do you have a leak? 

Today’s first caller lives in a house built in 1935; it’s a Monterey colonial with a California basement, which means just enough space to service the gravity furnace. It doesn't have a sump pump installed, and when it rains, he gets about 2 inches of rain down there. He’s wondering if he should be concerned about the lack of a sump pump following the recent rains. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dean answers your home design calls, including how to shake off the fear of doing what's best after disaster strikes your home.

Also, can you properly build an indoor space for an outdoor hot tub?? 

Who knows??? 

Dean knows.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dean takes all your home design calls, including safe, non-toxic ways to get rid of gophers in the garden, as well as how high your baseboards should be in your house.

Dean is your sherpa up the mountain of home design!!!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today is screen legend Dick Van Dyke’s 100th birthday! On the show today, our first caller has installed a large, horizontal, natural gas fireplace, replacing a wood-burning firebox. The area directly above the fireplace gets extremely hot, up to 230 degrees, is that excessive? 

The next caller had to change out her kitchen stove, but the hardwiring was an issue; she’s wondering if she can use a standard power hookup with her replacement unit. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another caller has a beautiful, old level made from solid wood and brass with a glass top, but the company that manufactured it no longer exists. Is there a company that repairs antique tools? 

What about baseboards and Dean’s 7% rule? This caller has 8-foot and 15-foot ceilings in his house, and he’s wondering about baseboard height when you have different vaulted ceiling heights throughout the home — do you change the baseboard height depending on roof height? 

One of our regular callers has a palmetto riviera stone brickhouse with concrete siding panels that need painting, and he’s wondering about Dean's opinion on color. He’s thinking black! 

Joyce has a home built in 1988 with a pinhole in her hot-water copper pipe under the slab in her utility room that’s presently being dried using professional equipment. Does she re-pipe the whole house or reroute the one pipe? She does live near the ocean, does that add to the issue? 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.