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

This week we break down how to build a net-zero home with YouTuber Matt Ferrell—from electrification and heat pumps to solar, batteries, and smart load-shifting. Then On Point’s Meghna Chakrabarti takes us back to her Corvallis, Oregon childhood home where her parents grew their version of the American dream. And Cheap Old Houses spotlights a 1930s stucco in San Antonio and a Mississippi farmstead with room to grow.

In This Episode You Will Learn:
*Plaster ceilings: How to assess hairline vs. structural cracks and repair them with mesh tape, skim coat, and repainting—without a costly tear-out. (9:04)
*Duct cleaning cadence: How to decide if your ducts actually need cleaning (filter MERV ratings, photo/snake-cam check) and set a realistic 3–5 year schedule. (14:32)
*Hot upstairs/half-story: How to cool and heat a tricky finished attic with a mini-split now, and plan insulation/air-sealing or an over-roof upgrade later. (21:33)
*Leaky gable vents: How to permanently seal/flash problem vents using liquid flashing, a drip edge, and PVC trim for a watertight closure. (25:29)
*Smelly washer: How to de-funk a front-loader with a vinegar/water scrub of the drum and gasket—and keep odors away by drying with the door ajar. (49:50)

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