The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

Steve describes the problems and fixes for masonry chimneys. Alex thinks his ridge vent is mistakenly blocked. Jordan and Katherine ask about buying fixer-uppers. Kerry wonders if he should flash a deck ledger with a drainage space.

Brain and Ian help Patrick answer listener questions about vapor retarders under ridge vents, potential profits and pitfalls from fixer-uppers, and best practice for flashing ledgers spaced from the wall for drainage.

Tune in to Episode 688 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• Should there be a vapor- or air-control material under ridge vents
• Buying a new home far from your current home
• Do you need flashing when deck ledgers have drainage spaces

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 688

➡️ Sign up for an All Access Membership or the 2024 Fine Homebuilding Archive

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

Connor shares his final blower door numbers. Ryan has an FHB Project Guide idea. Josh wonders about the right roof for his Queen's row house. Jim says prospective contractors all want to use spray foam. Patrick asks about building your own cabinets.

Grant, Ian and Patrick talk about the challenges of roof work in a busy city, choosing the right insulation for new builds and the challenges and payoff of building your own kitchen cabinets and built-ins.

Tune in to Episode 687 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• The materials and methods for replacing a flat roof in an urban setting
• The merits and pitfalls of spray foam insulation
• Building your own frameless and face-frame cabinets

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 687

➡️ Sign up for an All Access Membership or the 2024 Fine Homebuilding Archive

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

John reminds the Podcast that not too long ago FHB magazine commonly had fireplace ads. Michael thinks bionic arms can help with drywall sanding. Austin asks for advice on building brick steps. Alex wonders if a ground-source heat pump is right for his new house. George asks about a foundation for a greenhouse.

Tune in to Episode 686 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• Will forgoing a fireplace sacrifice marital bliss
• Where you can learn more about brick steps in FHB
• The pros and cons of ground-source heat pumps
• Shallow foundations for outbuildings

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 686

➡️ Sign up for Fine Homebuilding All Access

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

Pel says shares a NY Times story describing the challenges of being a legit contractor.

Eric asks how to fix the drywall above his shower unit. Chris wonders if there's an easy way to add an air barrier above his tongue-and-groove ceiling. Mike is trying to fix a wall rotted by a patio poured against it.

Tune in to Episode 685 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• How to patch drywall subject to wetting
• Stopping air movement through a paneled ceiling
• Hot to fix a wall that with concrete poured against it

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 685

➡️ Sign up for Fine Homebuilding All Access

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

Home ventilation systems and respect for old houses is the focus of conversation in this information-packed episode. The team talks about masonry heaters, ductwork for an ERV, and the absence of the perfect porch flooring.

Tune in to Episode 684 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• What is a masonry heater and why you'd want one
• Whole-house ventilation and the risk of poor indoor air-quality
• The right material for porch flooring

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 684

➡️ Sign up for Fine Homebuilding All Access

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

Adam says scouting is introducing young people to trade work. Ian, Grant, and Patrick talk about cooling and preventing radon in a barndominum. Spenser asks if he needs an ERV.

Tune in to Episode 683 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• Making a big building comfortable and radon-free
• The challenges of hydronic cooling
• When do you need an ERV and HVAC planning

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 683

➡️ Sign up for Fine Homebuilding All Access

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

Steve has photos of tree roots that broke up a concrete slab. Ian, Grant and Patrick talk about Nate's basement flooring and vapor control. Zachary shows the architectural treasures he found at salvage shops. Nick asks if a well-sealed crawlspace can distribute conditioned air.

Tune in to Episode 682 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• Sensible options for basement flooring
• Treasures found at architectural salvage shops
• Effective HVAC distribution and efficient heating and cooling

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 682

➡️ Sign up for Fine Homebuilding All Access

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

Rob tells new builders not to fall for tool marketing from retailers. Charles describes rebuilding after wildfire. Matt asks about fixing rot and oddly-placed WRBs. Kurt's garage roof is leaking. Scott is replacing his basement slab and adding in-floor heat.

Tune in to Episode 681 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• Fixing a house with a missing water-resistive barrier (WRB)
• Domed concrete roofs and how to make them waterproof
• Replacing a concrete floor in an existing basement

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 681

➡️ Sign up for Fine Homebuilding All Access

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

Derek shares thoughts on waterproofing shower panels. Kerry has favorite corded and cordless tools. Matt asks if knob and tube wiring is safe. Neils is wrapping his head around air leaks and vapor diffusion. Dale asks why Grant hates gutter covers.

Tune in to Episode 680 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• Making custom shower panels watertight
• What to do when you find knob and tube wiring
• Do gutter covers cause more problems than they solve

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 680

➡️ Sign up for a Fine Homebuilding All-Access Membership.

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.

Matthew says Vermont is like the Wild West. Jerry has photos of the greediest dormer ever. Kevin shares a story about schools bringing back shop class. Russell asks about his wet storm doors. Alex and Jeff ponder fireplaces in their new builds. Jason wonders if he should remove the insulation in his basement ceiling.

Tune in to Episode 679 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast to learn more about:

• Why condensation occurs on door and window glass
• Why fireplaces are a bad idea for heating
• The right place to put basement insulation

Have a question or topic you want us to talk about on the show? Email us at [email protected].

➡️ Check Out the Full Show Notes: FHB Podcast 679

➡️ Learn about Building Custom Cabinets with Gary Streigler, the new E-learning course from Fine Homebuilding

➡️ Follow Fine Homebuilding on Social Media:

Instagram • Facebook • TikTok • Pinterest • YouTube

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and rate us on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you prefer to listen.