Home Automation Made Simple + How to Tell if You Need A New Roof + Tig Notaro’s Gulf Coast Sanctuary
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.
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51:18
Home insurance Guide + Sealing Drafty Windows + Safe Pigeon Removal
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.
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51:20
How to Hire a Contractor + Floor Sanding Tips
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.
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51:19
Haunted Houses, DIY Nightmares, and Frightening Fixes
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.
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51:11
Fire Proof Your Home + Fix Squeaky Floors + Adam Carolla’s DIY Nightmare
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.
This Old House has been America’s most trusted source for home improvement, expert renovation advice, and DIY inspiration for over 40 years. Now, that trusted guidance comes to your ears with This Old House Radio Hour—a weekly home improvement podcast designed to help homeowners, renters, and renovators take better care of the places they live. Hosted by This Old House editor Jenn Largesse, and featuring fan-favorite experts like Zack Dettmore (general contractor), Richard Trethewey (plumbing and HVAC specialist), and Jenn Nawada (landscape designer), each episode offers practical, step-by-step solutions to real home improvement problems. Listeners can expect weekly episodes packed with actionable advice on everything from plumbing and electrical upgrades to bathroom remodels, basement waterproofing, HVAC maintenance, flooring installation, window repair, insulation tips, and more. We answer listener questions, break down renovation techniques, and spotlight smart fixes for everyday challenges. Whether you're a first-time DIYer, a seasoned weekend warrior, or just trying to make sense of home maintenance, This Old House Radio Hour is your go-to podcast for trusted home improvement tips, expert advice, and project ideas that actually work.
Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts—and start building a better home, one episode at a time.
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