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.

Then, The Splendid Table’s Francis Lam takes us back to the New Jersey home of his childhood. With vivid stories of birthday parties, incense-filled kitchens, and Hardy Boys books read in a mirror-covered living room, Francis reflects on how homes carry our deepest identities and contradictions.

We also help callers tackle squeaky floors, stubborn drafts, mismatched temperatures, and that infamous 1970s gold bathtub. Plus, a fresh edition of House Rules and a real estate segment from Cheap Old Houses featuring a tiny Gothic summer cottage and a quirky Kansas gem for under $55,000.

All this, plus a “Simple Fix” from Tom Silva that will stop your window drafts cold.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to reduce indoor allergens room-by-room (0:55)

Where to place air purifiers for maximum impact (3:56)

Tips for dealing with uneven heating in split-level homes (17:13)

How to fix squeaky wood floors with a DIY plug-and-glue method (22:49)

When that faint stain on your drywall means trouble—and when it doesn’t (27:53)

This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we explore what it means to build a truly inclusive home—one that works for every member of your family, including those who are neurodivergent. Dr. Susan Faja from Boston Children’s Hospital walks us through practical design tips for supporting sensory needs at home, from choosing the right lighting and colors to building calming spaces that actually work.

Then, author Sloane Crosley takes us on a tour of her charmingly off-kilter West Village apartment, where a tilted floor, tulip tree view, and bookshelf-lined walls have shaped both her writing and her sense of home.

Next, it’s DIY time. We help listeners insulate attics, restore old wood siding, seal leaky outlets, and repaint crumbly foundations. And finally, Catio Bob stops by to explain how to give your cat the backyard of their dreams with the perfect outdoor enclosure—plus how to build one yourself.

All this, plus a round of House Rules and a no-tools-needed picture hanging hack.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

How to design a home that supports neurodivergent family members (0:55)

What to consider when insulating an attic space—vented vs. unvented (8:42)

Best materials for restoring historic wood siding and trim (16:38)

How to seal outlets to prevent drafts (21:54)

How to prep and repaint a stone foundation (26:28)

What a catio is, how to build one, and why your cat might need it (39:37)

Martin Poirier is best known as the Soundproof Guide on YouTube. He walks us through the essentials of blocking unwanted noise and turning your home into a peaceful retreat.

Our friends from Cheap Old House return with a steel-clad, mid-century time capsule that still shines in rural Iowa.

Comedian Paula Poundstone shares a deeply personal story about the magical Massachusetts duplex and the generous family that took her in and changed her life.

Plus, we answer your questions about radon mitigation, roof leaks, crumbling chimneys, and the best way to floor around an indoor pool!

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Noise Abatement: The Best Soundproofing tips for renters. (0:55)

Radon: The best way to read your Radon level, and some sure ways to mitigate it… Even if you have a sump pump in the basement. (8:34)

Roof Leaks: We help a listener identify the possible source of a leak in her home. We share a useful garden hose trick that can pinpoint the exact location before investing in expensive repairs. (17:43)

Pool Flooring: Indoor pools used to come with carpet, but what should you use to replace it? We have a solution that won’t grow mold. (22:17)

Chimney Repairs: We help a caller with a steep quote, and unpack why chimney fixes can be pricey—and how damage at the top can mean deeper water problems inside. (28:17)

Lustron Homes: What makes steel-paneled Lustron houses so rare, low-maintenance, and perfect for anyone who loves retro design with modern durability. (40:21)

This episode starts in the kitchen with chef and Hedley & Bennett founder Ellen Marie Bennett, who shares her professional kitchen wisdom that anyone *renters included* can use to make their cooking space more efficient and joyful.

Then, we head to the red rock canyons of Utah, where former miner Grant Johnson spent 30 years carving his off-grid dream home by hand.

Also, beekeeper Ariel Silva, aka Bowser Bee on TikTok and Instagram, explains how to start a hive in your own backyard, no matter where you live—even if it’s a rooftop in the city.

We also tackle listener questions about cracked ceilings, old doors, keeping woodpeckers away, and bricks shaken loose by an explosion.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Smarter Kitchen Flow: How thinking in zones—prep, cook, serve, store, and clean—can turn any kitchen into a more functional and stress-free space. (0:54)

Ceiling Cracking?: What might cause a piece of drywall to sag from the ceiling, and why you don’t have to panic right away! (8:53)

Woodpecker Deterrent: Woodpecker’s marking up your home? We might have the fix to make your home less attractive to them. (17:28)

Hanging an Old Door: Why building a new door frame may be the best way to hang an antique door. (22:13)

Post-Blast Brick Repair: How structural cracks in brickwork can hide deeper issues, and why replacing the full façade might be necessary if insurance allows. (28:00)

Life Inside Stone: One man spent 30 years hand-blasting a 5,700 sq ft home into solid rock—and why living in stone can bring unexpected peace. (32:27)

Backyard Beekeeping Basics: Learn everything you need to start your own beehive from Bowser Bee on TikTok and Instagram (40:49)

On this This Old House Radio Hour, we’re helping parents breathe a little easier with a full guide to babyproofing your home, courtesy of Stephanie Lyons from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. From newborn-safe sleep setups to toddler-proof kitchen fixes, we cover every stage of early development with tips that make your home safer—without turning it into a padded cell.

Then we visit the Massachusetts South Shore, where New York Times bestselling author J. Courtney Sullivan tells us how a weathered beach cottage became her real-life literary retreat—and the unexpected joys of moving back to her hometown.

Plus, Ethan and Elizabeth Finkelstein of Cheap Old Houses showcase a $35,000 Arkansas cottage and a 150-year-old general store in Pennsylvania ripe for restoration. And, as always, our team of experts take your home improvement calls, from shifting laminate floors to hurricane-proofing stucco, fridge mishaps, and generator upgrades.


In This Episode You Will Learn:

How to babyproof for every stage: from newborns to crawling toddlers (1:03)

How to shift floating floorboards a DIY Trick (8:13)

Safe and simple ways to repair cracks in stucco around windows (17:32)

Installing the right portable generator safely for hurricane prone homes (26:25)

How to keep your A/C running efficiently by cleaning filters and avoiding overcooling (39:13)

This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we explore the spaces that bring us together—both inside and out. Architect and author Charlie Hailey joins us to discuss the surprising resurgence of the American porch, what makes it such a powerful space for connection, and how to design one that enhances airflow, light, and livability. Then we head to Morrison, Colorado, where musician Nathaniel Rateliff gives us a tour of his rustic mountain hideaway—complete with a recording studio and cliffside views. In our call-in segment, we tackle everything from crumbling brick railings to filling in a missing hot tub hole in a deck, choosing smart venting options for old houses, and whether to trust those free arc fault detectors from your insurance company. Finally, Kamaria Gray of Detroit’s Hood Stead Farm shares tips for starting an urban garden anywhere—even on a windowsill. Whether you’re a DIYer, a porch-sitter, or a green thumb in training, this episode’s packed with inspiration and smart advice you can use.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

[0:55] – Porch design tips: Six-sided structure, passive cooling, sloped floors, air circulation, screened protection, blue ceiling effect
[8:35] – Masonry fix: Water-damaged brick, bugs under brick, how to stop freeze/thaw damage
[17:03] – Deck repair: How to fill an old hot tub hole, reframe and weave in decking, DIY structure support
[21:22] – Arc fault detectors: Are they worth it? Pros, cons, privacy concerns, and DIY monitoring alternatives
[26:24] – Bathroom ventilation: How to vent through a soffit, prevent rot, best practices for short overhangs
[40:29] – Urban gardening tips: Soil prep, composting, what to grow first, pest deterrents, low-stakes learning
[49:55] – Simple Fix: Remove lint from roller covers with painter’s tape for smoother paint jobs

This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we’re scrubbing deep, digging trenches, and pulling back the curtain on the emotional side of homeownership. We open the episode with Brandon Pleshek—aka “Clean That Up”—who shares his go-to DIY vinegar-based cleaner, why it works, and where you should never use it. Then it’s onto the phones, starting with a call from California about whether vintage tile can (and should) be saved.

Our weekly House Rules game delivers a quick hit of lawn care wisdom, while a listener from Brooklyn gets a hard truth about the perils of combined sewer systems. We cover safe ways to remove lead paint from masonry, how to properly replace a rake board, and why PVC might be the best upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

In My Old House, Peter Sagal (host of NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!) shares the darkly funny, deeply relatable story of buying the wrong house for all the wrong reasons. Finally, Cheap Old Houses delivers a bank vault with Airbnb potential and a train caboose you can live in—with one smart DIY trick for seed spreading to close the show.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

DIY Vinegar Cleaner (0:55):
Make a simple, effective cleaner using 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup water, and 1 tsp dish soap. Great on glass and hard surfaces—but avoid marble, granite, and wood.

Vintage Tile Advice (9:48):
If the glaze is worn or the pattern fading, you may need to replace—but decorative vintage tile is often worth preserving.

Lawn Tip (House Rules):
Grubs—not beetles or cinch bugs—are eating your grass from below. Here's how to identify and control them.

Flooding Solution (17:27):
Combined storm/sewer systems can cause backups during heavy rain. Why a sump system or rerouting is essential in older cities.

Lead Paint Safety (21:38):
Use an over-the-counter swab test to check old paint for lead before scraping. If positive, consider hiring a pro or using EPA-safe methods.

Rake Board Repair with PVC (26:49):
When your spotlight rips away from old wood trim, replace the rake board with maintenance-free PVC—just mind the expansion gaps.

Simple Fix – Bucket Seeding Trick:
No broadcast spreader? Use a bucket and your hand to cast seed—just like feeding chickens. Perfect for small lawns or quick reseeding.

-- other moments --

Peter Sagal (32:27)
Save This Old House (41:24)

This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we’re making your home smarter, safer, and more soulful—whatever your age, stage, or style. Rick Cantino from Operation Independence joins us with essential advice for aging in place, from grab bars to threshold-free showers to stair lifts that won’t kill your curb appeal. Then we take your calls: a fireplace switch that only works if you smack it, post-contractor tile repairs, and the right way to refinish butcher block. Later, Third Eye Blind’s Stephan Jenkins takes us inside his decade-long restoration of a San Francisco Victorian. Plus: the real difference between gas and induction—and the DIY weed killer that actually works.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:
• How to make your home safer for senior. (0:55)
• Wiring a wall switch for a gas fireplace (8:38)
• How to hide tile holes after glass shower reinstallation (16:35)
• The best food-safe finish for butcher block counters (23:04)
• Fixing HVAC issues in multi-level homes (27:36)
• Stephan Jenkins’ renovation journey in a San Francisco Victorian (32:56)
• Gas vs. induction: which is right for your kitchen? (41:09)
• Simple Fix: DIY weed killer you can mix in minutes (49:46)

This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we’re helping you bring order to the chaos—starting with the junk drawer. The founders of the Neat Method join us to share their ultimate organizing approach: no label maker required. Then, we roll up our sleeves for practical fixes around the house, including how to repaint a metal garage door, treat cedar beams damaged by roof leaks, and repair crumbling brick. Plus, we share a simple fix on how to drill into your walls without hitting pipes or wires. Finally, Marketplace host David Brancaccio shares the story of losing his beloved Altadena cottage to wildfire—and what it means to build a home for the next 99 years.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• The best way to organize any space.  (1:08)
• Fixing a floating floor (9:27)
• Repairing bricks with damaged faces (17:50)
• Water-stained cedar beam solutions (23:14)
• How to repaint a steel garage door without peeling (26:42)
• David Brancaccio’s journey of loss and rebuilding after fire (32:51)
• Cheap Old Houses: A circular midcentury gem + a 7,200 sq ft schoolhouse (40:20)
• Simple Fix: How to drill safely without hitting pipes or wires (49:48)

Call the hotline with your questions: (877) 864-7460

This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we’re shifting the energy—literally. Architect and modern feng shui expert Cliff Tan joins us to share how simple design changes can create more harmony, balance, and positive flow in your home. From furniture placement to room orientation, Cliff breaks down the ancient principles of feng shui with a fresh, accessible approach. (1:01)

Then: imagine secretly building an apartment inside a mall. That’s exactly what Michael Townsend and eight artists did in 2003 inside the Providence Place Mall. Michael shares how they constructed a hidden 700-square-foot home—and lived there for four years undetected. (32:46)

Want to make your lawn look like your favorite Baseball Field? If you build it… We can help you… Former Director of Grounds for the Boston Red Sox, David Mellor, joins us to share his tips and tricks to give your yard a major league overhaul. (40:27)

Plus, the This Old House experts are standing by to solve your most pressing home improvement issues:

(8:07)—Jenn Nawada and Zack Dettmore help Cory in Texas restore his classic porch, adding a creative DIY twist that blends traditional materials with a more flexible alternative, preserving the timeless look.

(18:12)—Zack Dettmore and Jenn Largesse chat with Kathy from New Jersey about an unusual challenge: her block house has no insulation between the walls and the exterior. Jenn and Zack share some solutions to update her walls and add that much-needed insulation, especially during the winter.

(22:54)—Mauro Henrique and Zack Dettmore help listener Pam in Michigan, who wants to paint the bricks in her home. Mauro goes over the best ways to paint brick and the steps you need to take if you want to paint the bricks around your fireplace.

(26:50)—Richard Trethewey and Zack Dettmore speak with Adam from Ohio. Adam is interested in retrofitting his existing heating system to incorporate propane as a fuel source. Richard evaluates whether Adam can make this upgrade.

All that, plus a round of our house rules game, and a simple fix for unsticking your windows.

This Old House Radio Hour is produced by Ember20 and distributed by American Public Media.