This Old House Radio Hour

Are appliances really built to last anymore? This week, we find out why your grandmother’s washing machine might outlive yours, and what to look for when buying appliances that go the distance.

In our series, Work In Progress, This Old House's Kevin O'Connor talks with HII CEO Chris Kastner about America's manufacturing renaissance and how paid apprenticeships are creating lucrative careers without the burden of college debt.

Then, how far is too far when it comes to Halloween decorations? A professional haunted house designer shares his secrets for creating a truly terrifying yard. And an energetic strategist explains how to banish unwanted spirits from your home. “Evil Dead” star Bruce Campbell takes us back to his childhood home, where backyard forts and homemade horror movies helped launch his career. Plus, we uncover the wild history of Halloween pranks, from stolen gates to the invention of trick-or-treating, and learn how to create the ultimate listening room at home.

In This Episode You'll Learn:
* How to protect and refinish expensive mahogany garage doors without having to redo them every year.
* Whether gaps around your front door could be a warning sign of foundation problems.
* What to do if your electrical panel is missing a protective cover and if you need to replace the entire panel.

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

Is your smart home spying on you? Patricia Egger, head of security at Proton, reveals what your connected appliances know about you and how to protect your privacy. Then, Futurama voice actor Billy West takes us inside his haunted 1926 Hollywood bungalow, where mysterious ghosts and old Hollywood history collide. Plus, uncover the surprising history of the blender, from frozen daiquiris to groundbreaking DNA research. And in House Therapy, a couple battles over whether to turn their unfinished attic into a home office or a kids' playroom.

In This Episode You'll Learn:
* How to tell whether an oversized HVAC system or undersized ductwork is causing heating problems.
* When a leaking shower can be repaired and when it's time to tear it out and start over.
* How to deal with an unexpected three-inch difference in floor height during a basement renovation.

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

In the first of a series called Work In Progress, This Old House's Kevin O'Connor sits down with Business Roundtable President and COO Kristen Silverberg to explore America's skilled labor shortage and how workforce training could help.

Then, is having a TV in your bedroom ruining your sleep? A sleep expert weighs in on the debate and explains why breaking the habit can be harder than you think. Then, bestselling author Robert Kolker takes us inside his unconventional childhood home in a 1970s utopian community, complete with orange shag carpeting, unusual angles, and a ladder connecting his bedroom to a playroom. Plus, uncover the surprising history of the Lazy Susan, from a Victorian-era solution to the servant problem to its unlikely role in Chinese restaurants. And roofing expert Travis Jones reveals the warning signs your roof may be failing and when it's time to repair or replace it.

In This Episode You'll Learn:
* How to get started in the electrical trade when you're considering a career change as an adult.
* Whether a sagging drywall ceiling is at risk of collapsing and how to repair it.
* Which walls actually need washing before repainting your home's interior.

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

Should you be talking to your houseplants? Plant stylist Hilton Carter explains why forming a relationship with your plants might actually help you become a better plant parent. Then, Barbara Kingsolver takes us inside her 120-year-old Appalachian farmhouse, where generations of stories are embedded in everything from the kitchen cabinets to the handmade stone porch. Plus, we uncover the surprising history of the burglar alarm, from ancient Roman guard geese to the Queen's nurse. And general contractor Zack Dettmore explains how to know when a DIY project is worth tackling yourself and when it’s time to call in a pro.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How to troubleshoot a shower with stubbornly low water pressure, even after replacing the showerhead and cartridge.
* What to do when the built-in box gutters on an 1880s home begin to fail.
* Why marble floor tiles might suddenly crack and lift near an exterior patio.

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

Why does your electric bill keep going up and what can you actually do about it? Consumer reporter Jeff Rossen shares simple ways to cut your energy costs. Comedian Ryan Hamilton returns to the tiny Idaho house where he grew up and reflects on how its simplicity and spectacular views shaped his idea of what makes a home feel comfortable. Plus, we dive into the strange rise and fall of the waterbed, then accessibility specialist Blake Watson explains how a new generation of residential elevators and stair lifts is making it easier to age in place.

On this episode you’ll learn:
* Why underwater lights that repeatedly trip a GFCI breaker could point to water intrusion, damaged wiring, or a failing fixture.
* How to securely mount a freestanding projector screen in a finished basement without tearing into your floors or ceiling.
* How to clean and re-stain weathered cedar shingles when you don’t know what finish was previously used.

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

Dorm rooms have come a long way from cinderblock walls and milk-crate storage. Designer Shelly Gates explains why some families are spending thousands to transform college dorms into picture-perfect spaces and shares the tricks that make tiny rooms work harder. “History of Concrete” filmmaker John Wilson takes us inside the century-old Queens house that became both his first real home and an unlikely inspiration for his work. We uncover the secret history of microwave and House Therapy returns to settle a marital dispute over a sinking toilet and whether this repair is really DIY-able.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* If a 110-year-old home with an unreinforced brick foundation needs an expensive foundation replacement.
* How to repair a chipped cast-iron tub when rust keeps returning.
* What could be causing a furnace humidifier to repeatedly clog and leak.

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

Why does turning on the “big light” instantly kill the vibe? Home design curator Andrew Maddock explains why harsh overhead lighting can make a room feel uninviting and how layering warmer lights can transform your space. HGTV’s Erin Napier returns to the Mississippi ranch house her grandfather built from salvaged materials, where childhood memories include an encounter with a surprisingly friendly ghost. Plus, we reveal the secret history of the alarm clock and driveway expert Patrick Mattingly breaks down the pros and cons of asphalt, concrete, gravel, and pavers.

On this episode you’ll learn:
* Why discovering live knob-and-tube wiring during a renovation is a job for a licensed electrician, even if you were told the old wiring had been disconnected.
* Why a repeatedly crumbling shower wall may signal water damage behind the surface and require more than another round of grout and mortar.
* How to track down a leak in an old concrete fountain and seal hairline cracks without changing its appearance.

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

What’s the right temperature for your AC? HVAC expert Ty Branaman explains why the number on your thermostat matters less than humidity, airflow, and radiant heat when it comes to actually feeling comfortable at home. Welding instructor LLashanna Ingraham Lintamo shares advice for young women interested in careers in the trades. Queer Eye’s Tan France takes us inside the Salt Lake City Tudor he painstakingly designed as a celebration of his British and South Asian roots. Finally, Contractor Zack Dettmore reveals the red flags to look for before buying a flipped house.

On this episode you’ll learn:
* How to create a barrier-free shower that’s easier to clean and more accessible and why waterproofing the entire bathroom floor is essential.
* Why a freshly painted ceiling can look patchy and blotchy, and how proper priming can help you get an even finish.
* What to consider before removing your home’s siding to add exterior insulation, including thermal bridging, moisture, and how much insulation you actually need.

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

Can AI actually run your home better than you can? AI expert Tiffany Chazey explains how it can manage everything from lights to maintenance reminders and where humans should stay in control. Silver Linings Playbook author Matthew Quick reflects on the stunning Outer Banks home that became a symbol of both his success and some of the hardest years of his life. In Secret History of Your Home, we uncover the surprisingly scandalous history of the dinner fork, and YouTuber and engineer Jake Ward shows how a 3D printer can make custom replacement parts and clever fixes for everyday problems around the house.

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at (877) 864-7460.