Hard water is quietly damaging your pipes, appliances, hair, and skin. Plumbing expert Tucker Yarbrough explains what causes it, how to spot it, and the best solutions for every budget. Then, bestselling author Ann Patchett takes us back to the wild Tennessee farm of her childhood. Plus, building engineer Ross Trethewey explains why understanding your home as a system can save you thousands, and where homeowners should start before investing in solar panels or a new heating system.

In This Episode You'll Learn:
* Whether waterproofing an entire bathroom floor is worth it when installing a freestanding tub
* How difficult it is to restore painted mid-century wood ceilings and fireplaces
* How to protect an upstairs laundry room from leaks and washing machine failures
* What might be causing a lingering odor after mold remediation and flooring replacement

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

Open floor plans promised connection and convenience, but more homeowners are starting to want their walls back. Architect Alexander Dahlgren-Jawad explains why separate rooms may actually make homes more functional, private, and comfortable. Then, hip hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy takes us inside his historic Harlem brownstone filled with jazz history, original woodwork, and stories from the Harlem Renaissance. Plus, fence expert Brian King shares the biggest mistakes homeowners make when installing a fence.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* What to do when old shower tile starts failing and how to safely handle concerns about silica dust.
* How to investigate a mysterious basement ceiling water stain after a harsh winter.
* Why windows in a manufactured home may shift out of plumb after being moved and how to fix them.
* Whether broken pull-chain ceiling lights and fans can be repaired without replacing the entire fixture.

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

A five-foot snake inside the ductwork?! This week on Radio Hour, we uncover the strange, dusty, and sometimes creepy world hiding inside your vents — and what actually happens during a duct cleaning. Comedian Sheng Wang takes us back to his packed suburban Houston childhood home, where 12 relatives shared one house and the neighborhood bayou became an endless adventure. Plus, House Therapy tackles a family battle over baseboard heat versus forced hot air, and we answer your questions about damaged cork floors, mysteriously heated tiles, rocky hillsides, and cracking plaster ceilings.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How to repair shiny tape damage on cork flooring without refinishing the entire floor
* Whether warm floor tiles could mean leaking HVAC ducts beneath a slab foundation
* What plants can actually survive on a steep shale hillside with almost no soil
* What causes “alligator” cracking on old plaster ceilings and how to fix it

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

Before you leave for vacation, your home might need a checklist of its own. Home maintenance expert Kyshawn Lane shares the simple steps that can help prevent leaks, odors, pests, and costly surprises while you’re away. Then, “Bare Feet” on PBS host Mickela Mallozzi reflects on growing up in a loud, loving Italian-American home in Stamford, Connecticut, where food, family, and constant renovations shaped her idea of home. Plus, builder Charlie Silva explains what it really takes to turn an attic into usable living space.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Whether ventless all-in-one washer dryers are a smart choice for older homes
* How to properly paint stucco without trapping moisture
* What to do after discovering rodent nests inside bathroom walls
* Why a UPS battery backup might warn you about “faulty wiring”

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

Tomatoes are the holy grail of the home garden, but getting them right isn’t always easy. This week, Farmer Dean shares a simple, surprisingly effective way to grow thriving plants almost anywhere, no backyard required. Then, comedian Tom Papa takes us back to his childhood beach house on the Jersey Shore, where 17 people, one bathroom, and endless pasta dinners somehow added up to pure magic. Plus, House Therapy returns with a couple at a crossroads: rebuild a rotting pool shed piece by piece, or start fresh with something new. And as always, we’re taking your calls and tackling real home dilemmas.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How to remove deep, dark water stains from wood flooring. (7:38)
* What to look for when comparing contractor bids for foundation repair. (14:02)
* Whether ice dams are still a threat after installing a new roof. (19:07)
* How to diagnose and fix high indoor humidity in an older home. (24:52)

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

A house fire can start in seconds. This week, a firefighter breaks down the simple two-minute plan that could save your life and the most common mistakes people make in an emergency. Then, comedian Rob Corddry returns to his childhood home in Massachusetts, reflecting on the place that shaped him and the moment everything changed. Plus, how to handle renovation sticker shock, what contractors wish homeowners knew, and your home improvement questions answered.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How to fix a countertop gap caused by an out-of-square wall.
* Whether a standard water heater can replace a boiler in a radiant heating system.
* How to think about moisture and vapor barriers when re-siding a home in a humid climate.
* Why caulk keeps cracking and how to fix it so it actually lasts.

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

Your smart home might be making your life easier, but it could also be making you an easy target. A cybersecurity expert explains the most common mistakes people make with connected devices and the simple fixes that can protect your home. Then, comedian Alonzo Bodden takes us inside the Los Angeles hill house he dreamed about for decades after years on the road. Plus, if your hydrangeas aren’t blooming, it might come down to when and how you’re pruning. We break down how to identify your plants and get them thriving again.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How to safely install a corner shelf in a tiled shower without damaging the tile
* What to do when a ceiling fan loses power after an electrical mishap involving a backup generator
* How to fix squeaky, uneven second-floor floors without removing newly installed carpet
* How to diagnose water seeping into a garage foundation and whether a neighbor’s construction could be the cause
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All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

If your houseplants keep dying, it might not be your fault, it might be your approach. The duo behind Tanner the Planter share simple, practical ways to actually keep your plants alive, from choosing the right plant for your space to knowing when (and when not) to water. Then, Bravo’s Carl Radke takes us back to the small Pittsburgh home that shaped his childhood—filled with both warmth and hardship—and reflects on how that space still defines his idea of home today. Plus, A flooring expert breaks down the real differences between hardwood, laminate, and LVP, and how to decide whether to repair or replace when damage starts to show.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* Whether to use spray foam insulation in a cold, old farmhouse basement (and concerns about future renovations, safety, and off-gassing).
* How to handle stone steps and a walkway that have become embedded in a growing tree without damaging it.
* The correct step-by-step order for renovating a basement bathroom from scratch.
* Diagnosing a mysterious intermittent scratching noise coming from a cold air return vent.

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

Spring cleaning gets a smarter, faster makeover with tips from a viral cleaning expert who shares the tricks that actually make a difference, from ceiling fan hacks to the right way to clean your walls. Then, MS Now anchor Chris Hayes takes us inside his off-the-grid woodland retreat, and his all-in obsession with clean energy. Plus, in House Therapy, a vintage toilet sparks a full-blown standoff, and we help settle whether to restore or replace.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How to fix stripped cabinet hinge holes so they actually hold.
* What to do after uncovering an old (and possibly unusable) fireplace.
* How to stop squeaky floors without tearing up your whole house.
* Why wood trim can change color over time, and what you can (and can’t) do about it

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

Garage doors are the hardest-working system in your home, so what happens when they start to fail? We break down how to maintain, repair, and replace them before small issues become costly problems. Then, Senior Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy reflects on the Sacramento home that shaped his lifelong belief in justice, tolerance, and moral responsibility. And finally, a practical guide to cleaning and preserving your upholstery, so your couch can survive everything from spills to everyday wear.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How to temporarily fix a misaligned window that won’t close (8:52)
* Whether and how to rebalance an uneven HVAC system (14:50)
* What causes a retaining wall to bulge and how to prevent further damage (20:20)
* How to manage humidity and radon in a multi-level home (26:30)

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