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.
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51:30
The Terrifying Truth About Toxic Mold + Nick Offerman’s Farmhouse Wisdom + Easy Insulation Fixes
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.
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51:18
Hurricane Season Survival Guide + How To Tame Ceiling Cracks
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.
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51:18
Removing Asbestos & Lead in Your Home + How to Banish Musty Smells + Rhett McLaughlin’s Fairy Tale Log Cabin
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
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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