TikTok’s cleaning expert Brandon Pleshek shows you how to bounce back from the Thanksgiving mess with simple routines and tools that make any home feel fresh fast. Actor William H. Macy shares the story of his Vermont cabin—and the hard-earned lessons he learned about woodstoves, flies, and finding comfort in the chaos. And food legend Alton Brown breaks down how to build a better backyard grill setup for all your holiday cooking, using just a few basics and some smart know-how. Plus, our experts take your calls on tiles, ceilings, wiring, stucco, and whether your HVAC really needs a surge protector.

Five Things You’ll Learn This Episode:
* How to know if you need dedicated surge protectors for your HVAC system (9:06)
* How to deal with ugly inset floor tile you want to change (14:25)
* How to stop bathroom ceiling paint from peeling (18:23)
* How to safely replace knob-and-tube wiring—and convince an electrician to help (23:54)
* How to repair cracked stucco around a window after leaks and storms (27:44)

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

Give your house a holiday makeover with the latest and greatest from the north pole. We tell you the latest decoration trends and technology with Jason Woodward from ChristmasDesigners.com. Actor Steve Schirripa reflects on his journey from a crowded Brooklyn apartment to building his dream home in Las Vegas, and how it shaped his understanding of what “home” really means. Also, what happens if your contractor exceeds a quote? We talk about why that happens, and how you can protect yourself.

In this episode you will learn:

* How to track down and fix a stubborn roof leak where a stucco dormer wall meets the roof. (7:24)
* How to repair torn, peeling paint so wall patches disappear even when the light hits them just right. (14:08)
* How to diagnose and permanently fix a leaking tiled deck over living space below. (21:18)
* How to tell if your new metal chimney liner needs to be grounded or protected from lightning. (27:54)
* How to keep a contractor honest and on budget when agreeing on price for a job (39:53)

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

How to make your home run itself from your phone—simple automations you can set up in minutes, even if you’re not techy. Comedian Tig Notaro opens the door to her family’s Gulf Coast home and the love, loss, and resilience held in its walls. And Cheap Old Houses returns with real listings under $50K—and honest advice on what it really takes to fix them up.

On This Episode You Will Learn
*How to tell if you should repair your roof or replace it. (7:27)
*Why painting a driveway is tricky and what to do if the paint is peeling. (15:04)
*How to keep new floors dry on a concrete slab. (20:45)
*How to tell if a wall crack is just cosmetic or a sign of a bigger problem. (26:08)

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we’re breaking down home and renter’s insurance—what you really need, what’s worth skipping, and how to keep premiums affordable without leaving gaps. New York Times Bestselling author and National Book Award nominee Rachel Kushner shares the lessons she learned growing up in a small Oregon bungalow, where creativity mattered more than square footage. And we’ll help you choose the right bathroom exhaust fan so your walls stay dry, your air stays fresh, and your mornings stay quiet.

On This Episode You Will Learn:

* How to keep pigeons off your roof safely and effectively. (9:41)
* How to know when it’s time to call in a pro versus trying it yourself. (11:09)
* How to make cold floors feel warmer without major renovations. (14:56)
* How to seal up drafty old windows and save on energy bills. (21:05)
* How to repaint peeling trim the right way without stripping lead paint. (26:52)

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

Best-selling author Gretchen Rubin shares simple, free ways to make your home feel happier and more organized. Henry Rollins reflects on DC row houses, Ian MacKaye’s attic, and how the punk scene shaped his sense of home. Plus, Cheap Old Houses highlights two historic homes under $30,000, and our experts take listener questions on real home repairs.

What you’ll learn:

*The right tools to remove old staples and nails from hardwood floors. (7:34)
*How to track your home’s energy use and spot problems early. (14:16)
*How to protect your belongings and hire a contractor for basement repairs. (20:24)
*The best way to clean white residue off brick and masonry. (27:24)
*What to check before buying a fixer-upper on a tight budget. (40:14)

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

It’s an hour of Halloween Horror This Old House style! What happens when your dream home comes with… ghosts? Realtor Cindy Hagley reveals the chilling truths behind buying a stigmatized or haunted house—and what buyers should ask before the ink dries. Then, filmmaker Ronan Day-Lewis revisits his family’s eerie Connecticut farmhouse, where the basement still gives him nightmares. Plus, our electrician shows you how to keep your Halloween decorations from turning your front yard into a real horror show—and our experts tackle your spookiest home repair questions.

What You’ll Learn:

*How to silence a door that creaks like something out of a haunted mansion. (8:18)
*How to strip and refinish a porch ceiling so it doesn’t peel like old wallpaper in a ghost story. (14:15)
*How to safely raise a vaulted ceiling without bringing the house down. (20:34)
*How to re-mortar crumbling fireplace bricks before they crumble completely to dust. (26:13)
*How to power up Halloween lights and inflatables without any shocking surprises. (40:04)

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

Before wildfire season hits, learn how to keep your house from burning before the flames arrive — and why your gutters might save your foundation. Then, Adam Carolla heads back to his childhood home and discovers that “turnkey” doesn’t mean what he thought. Plus, our landscape and lawn experts share the best ways to winterize your yard and garden.

In this episode you’ll also learn:

*Why gutters beat drains for stopping basement leaks (11:58)
*How to paint and seal concrete countertops the right way (14:21)
*The weird but genius baby powder trick for squeaky floors (22:55)
*The safest way to hard-wire your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (26:14)
*How to grow moss on brick with nothing but yogurt and milk (50:12)

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

Is that dark patch on your basement wall harmless—or a hidden health hazard? This week, we’re breaking down what every homeowner should know about mold, moisture, and how to keep your home healthy. Plus, Nick Offerman shares memories from the Minooka, Illinois farmhouse where he grew up.

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

*How to tell if a small patch of floor damage can be spot-fixed or if your whole floor needs sanding to look right. (8:43)
*How to find out why your outdoor lights keep tripping and how to safely test whether it’s the outlet, the transformer, or the wiring. (14:38)
*How to stop cold air from sneaking in under your kitchen appliances by sealing gaps and adding insulation. (18:50)
*How to pick the right kind of insulation and understand what “R-value” really means for keeping your home comfortable year-round. (22:14)
*How to keep paint from peeling off your home’s trim in strong sun and what materials hold up best in hot climates. (25:57)

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

Hurricane season is here—this episode of This Old House Radio Hour goes beyond the basics with a step-by-step hurricane preparedness checklist to harden your home before the next storm hits. Plus, actor–director Griffin Dunne’s Beverly Hills childhood home, and Ethan & Elizabeth from Cheap Old Houses share two waterfront sleepers.

In this episode you will learn:
*How to identify and tame truss uplift so ceiling tape stops cracking. (7:22)
*The safe way to deal with mixed-era wiring. (15:04)
*Beating a below-grade humidity bunker. (21:00)
*Retrofitting insulation in a 100-year-old duplex. (26:21)

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

Remediation Expert Ron Pike explains the simple rule for asbestos and lead: don’t touch it until you test it, and call in a pro if needed. Comedian Rhett McLaughlin (Good Mythical Morning) takes us inside his North Carolina log cabin, where family memories and even a few critters remind us why home matters. This Old House’s Kevin O’Connor checks in from Asheville, one year after Hurricane Helene, to show how families are rebuilding smarter and stronger.

In This Episode You Will Learn:
*Asbestos & lead: If you find a scary-looking old material, don’t panic—stop, test it, and let a professional handle the rest. (1:49)
*Floors: If your new floor makes clicking noises, a contractor can inject glue under the boards so you don’t need to start over. (8:56)
*Painting: Primer alone won’t last outside—paint over it quickly, or it will peel no matter how careful you were. (15:10)
*Siding: Only replace shingles that are cracked or curling; the rest can be left alone to naturally age to gray. (20:10)
*Musty rooms: **Fresh air is the cure—**sometimes adding a small fan or vent is all it takes to clear the smell. (26:58)


This Old House Radio Hour has been nominated for a Signal Award in the advice and how to category. Help us win by voting today!
https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2025/shows/genre/advice-how-to