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This Old House Radio Hour: Daily Summaries Delivered
by American Public Media
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.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 6 days ago51 min
Stop Wasting Electricity + Ryan Hamilton’s Humble Childhood Home + Home Elevators Go Mainstream
Why does your electric bill keep going up and what can you actually do about it? Consumer reporter Jeff Rossen shares simple ways to cut your energy costs. Comedian Ryan Hamilton returns to the tiny Idaho house where he grew up and reflects on how its simplicity and spectacular views shaped his idea of what makes a home feel comfortable. Plus, we dive into the strange rise and fall of the waterbed, then accessibility specialist Blake Watson explains how a new generation of residential elevators and stair lifts is making it easier to age in place.On this episode you’ll learn:* Why underwater lights that repeatedly trip a GFCI breaker could point to water intrusion, damaged wiring, or a failing fixture. * How to securely mount a freestanding projector screen in a finished basement without tearing into your floors or ceiling. * How to clean and re-stain weathered cedar shingles when you don’t know what finish was previously used.All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.
- 1 weeks ago50 min
Designer Dorm Rooms + John Wilson’s Century-Old House + A DIY Toilet Dispute
Dorm rooms have come a long way from cinderblock walls and milk-crate storage. Designer Shelly Gates explains why some families are spending thousands to transform college dorms into picture-perfect spaces and shares the tricks that make tiny rooms work harder. “History of Concrete” filmmaker John Wilson takes us inside the century-old Queens house that became both his first real home and an unlikely inspiration for his work. We uncover the secret history of microwave and House Therapy returns to settle a marital dispute over a sinking toilet and whether this repair is really DIY-able.In This Episode You’ll Learn:* If a 110-year-old home with an unreinforced brick foundation needs an expensive foundation replacement. * How to repair a chipped cast-iron tub when rust keeps returning. * What could be causing a furnace humidifier to repeatedly clog and leak. All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.
- 2 weeks ago51 min
Why We Hate the Big Light + Erin Napier’s Haunted Childhood Home + Choosing the Right Driveway
Why does turning on the “big light” instantly kill the vibe? Home design curator Andrew Maddock explains why harsh overhead lighting can make a room feel uninviting and how layering warmer lights can transform your space. HGTV’s Erin Napier returns to the Mississippi ranch house her grandfather built from salvaged materials, where childhood memories include an encounter with a surprisingly friendly ghost. Plus, we reveal the secret history of the alarm clock and driveway expert Patrick Mattingly breaks down the pros and cons of asphalt, concrete, gravel, and pavers.On this episode you’ll learn:* Why discovering live knob-and-tube wiring during a renovation is a job for a licensed electrician, even if you were told the old wiring had been disconnected. * Why a repeatedly crumbling shower wall may signal water damage behind the surface and require more than another round of grout and mortar. * How to track down a leak in an old concrete fountain and seal hairline cracks without changing its appearance.All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.
- 3 weeks ago51 min
Your Thermostat Is Lying + Tan France’s ‘Bougie Grandma’ Tudor + The Trouble With Flipped Houses
What’s the right temperature for your AC? HVAC expert Ty Branaman explains why the number on your thermostat matters less than humidity, airflow, and radiant heat when it comes to actually feeling comfortable at home. Welding instructor LLashanna Ingraham Lintamo shares advice for young women interested in careers in the trades. Queer Eye’s Tan France takes us inside the Salt Lake City Tudor he painstakingly designed as a celebration of his British and South Asian roots. Finally, Contractor Zack Dettmore reveals the red flags to look for before buying a flipped house. On this episode you’ll learn: * How to create a barrier-free shower that’s easier to clean and more accessible and why waterproofing the entire bathroom floor is essential. * Why a freshly painted ceiling can look patchy and blotchy, and how proper priming can help you get an even finish.* What to consider before removing your home’s siding to add exterior insulation, including thermal bridging, moisture, and how much insulation you actually need. All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.
- Sep 1, 202651 min
Can AI Run Your Home? + Matthew Quick’s Outer Banks Dream + The DIY Power of 3D Printing
Can AI actually run your home better than you can? AI expert Tiffany Chazey explains how it can manage everything from lights to maintenance reminders and where humans should stay in control. Silver Linings Playbook author Matthew Quick reflects on the stunning Outer Banks home that became a symbol of both his success and some of the hardest years of his life. In Secret History of Your Home, we uncover the surprisingly scandalous history of the dinner fork, and YouTuber and engineer Jake Ward shows how a 3D printer can make custom replacement parts and clever fixes for everyday problems around the house. All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at (877) 864-7460.
- Aug 25, 202651 min
Mosquito-Proof Your Yard + Kasie Hunt’s Forever Home + The Wild History of the Murphy Bed
Want fewer mosquitoes in your backyard without resorting to chemical sprays? Botanist Joseph Reynolds explains how to use non-toxic methods to dramatically reduce their numbers. CNN anchor Kasie Hunt takes us inside the landmark 1949 mid-century modern house that gave her the sense of home and permanence she'd always wanted. In The Secret History of Your Home, we reveal how the Murphy bed went from a clever solution to a romantic problem to a Prohibition-era accomplice and modern luxury. And find out when a leaking deck is too complicated for a DIY repair, and why waterproofing may be one project worth leaving to a pro.On this episode you’ll learn: * Why painting tile flooring usually isn’t a great long-term solution and which flooring options can create a durable, uniform look throughout a home. * How to stop mice from nesting inside an outdoor mini-split unit and repair the insulation they’ve chewed through.* When a growing crack across your ceiling could indicate structural movement—and when it’s time to have a professional investigate. * Why walls can appear to “cry” or sweat and how excess indoor moisture and poor ventilation may be causing it.All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.
- Aug 18, 202651 min
Gas vs. Charcoal, Settled + Justin Halpern Moves Home + The Dark History of the Light Bulb
Gas or charcoal…which really makes for a better barbecue? James Beard Award-winning chef J. Kenji López-Alt settles the debate and shares the grilling techniques that can make a difference no matter which fuel you choose. Abbott Elementary showrunner Justin Halpern returns to the San Diego house where he grew up and recalls how moving back home after a breakup helped change the course of his life. Plus, we reveal the cutthroat (and sometimes deadly) battle that gave us electric light, and drywall expert Lydia Crowder shares the pro techniques that can make patches virtually disappear.On this episode you’ll learn: * What to prioritize as a 50-year-old home starts needing major maintenance, and how to tell when an aging roof really needs replacement. * How to build a long-lasting brick patio, from preparing the gravel base to getting the drainage and slope right. * How to save money on a full bathroom remodel by tackling some of the work yourself and what plumbing is better left to a pro. * Whether upgrading the electrical service in a century-old home means you also need to replace old knob-and-tube wiring at the same time.All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at (877) 864-7460.
- Aug 11, 202651 min
The Tankless Water Heater Debate + Jonathan Knight’s Crazy Old House + Grow a Living Fence
Should you replace your traditional water heater with a tankless model? Plumbing expert Ryan Carpenter breaks down the pros, cons, and hidden costs of both systems, including what homeowners should know before making the switch. Jonathan Knight of New Kids on the Block and Farmhouse Fixer shares memories of growing up in a bustling Victorian home that sparked his lifelong passion for restoring old houses. Then, In The Secret History of Your Home, we take a look at the long, messy history of the toilet. Finally, Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada explains why "living fences" are becoming one of the hottest trends in backyard design. On this episode you'll learn: * How to know whether a damaged standing seam metal roof needs a simple repair or a full replacement. * Whether a solar chimney can actually cool your home and why it works better in some climates than others. * What might be causing squeaky parquet floors and a simple trick that could quiet them down. * Why bathroom ceiling paint keeps bubbling and peeling, even after you've repainted it.All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at (877) 864-7460.
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About This Old House Radio Hour
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.
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