This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we explore the spaces that bring us together—both inside and out. Architect and author Charlie Hailey joins us to discuss the surprising resurgence of the American porch, what makes it such a powerful space for connection, and how to design one that enhances airflow, light, and livability. Then we head to Morrison, Colorado, where musician Nathaniel Rateliff gives us a tour of his rustic mountain hideaway—complete with a recording studio and cliffside views. In our call-in segment, we tackle everything from crumbling brick railings to filling in a missing hot tub hole in a deck, choosing smart venting options for old houses, and whether to trust those free arc fault detectors from your insurance company. Finally, Kamaria Gray of Detroit’s Hood Stead Farm shares tips for starting an urban garden anywhere—even on a windowsill. Whether you’re a DIYer, a porch-sitter, or a green thumb in training, this episode’s packed with inspiration and smart advice you can use.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

[0:55] – Porch design tips: Six-sided structure, passive cooling, sloped floors, air circulation, screened protection, blue ceiling effect
[8:35] – Masonry fix: Water-damaged brick, bugs under brick, how to stop freeze/thaw damage
[17:03] – Deck repair: How to fill an old hot tub hole, reframe and weave in decking, DIY structure support
[21:22] – Arc fault detectors: Are they worth it? Pros, cons, privacy concerns, and DIY monitoring alternatives
[26:24] – Bathroom ventilation: How to vent through a soffit, prevent rot, best practices for short overhangs
[40:29] – Urban gardening tips: Soil prep, composting, what to grow first, pest deterrents, low-stakes learning
[49:55] – Simple Fix: Remove lint from roller covers with painter’s tape for smoother paint jobs

This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we’re scrubbing deep, digging trenches, and pulling back the curtain on the emotional side of homeownership. We open the episode with Brandon Pleshek—aka “Clean That Up”—who shares his go-to DIY vinegar-based cleaner, why it works, and where you should never use it. Then it’s onto the phones, starting with a call from California about whether vintage tile can (and should) be saved.

Our weekly House Rules game delivers a quick hit of lawn care wisdom, while a listener from Brooklyn gets a hard truth about the perils of combined sewer systems. We cover safe ways to remove lead paint from masonry, how to properly replace a rake board, and why PVC might be the best upgrade you didn’t know you needed.

In My Old House, Peter Sagal (host of NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!) shares the darkly funny, deeply relatable story of buying the wrong house for all the wrong reasons. Finally, Cheap Old Houses delivers a bank vault with Airbnb potential and a train caboose you can live in—with one smart DIY trick for seed spreading to close the show.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN:

DIY Vinegar Cleaner (0:55):
Make a simple, effective cleaner using 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup water, and 1 tsp dish soap. Great on glass and hard surfaces—but avoid marble, granite, and wood.

Vintage Tile Advice (9:48):
If the glaze is worn or the pattern fading, you may need to replace—but decorative vintage tile is often worth preserving.

Lawn Tip (House Rules):
Grubs—not beetles or cinch bugs—are eating your grass from below. Here's how to identify and control them.

Flooding Solution (17:27):
Combined storm/sewer systems can cause backups during heavy rain. Why a sump system or rerouting is essential in older cities.

Lead Paint Safety (21:38):
Use an over-the-counter swab test to check old paint for lead before scraping. If positive, consider hiring a pro or using EPA-safe methods.

Rake Board Repair with PVC (26:49):
When your spotlight rips away from old wood trim, replace the rake board with maintenance-free PVC—just mind the expansion gaps.

Simple Fix – Bucket Seeding Trick:
No broadcast spreader? Use a bucket and your hand to cast seed—just like feeding chickens. Perfect for small lawns or quick reseeding.

-- other moments --

Peter Sagal (32:27)
Save This Old House (41:24)

This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we’re making your home smarter, safer, and more soulful—whatever your age, stage, or style. Rick Cantino from Operation Independence joins us with essential advice for aging in place, from grab bars to threshold-free showers to stair lifts that won’t kill your curb appeal. Then we take your calls: a fireplace switch that only works if you smack it, post-contractor tile repairs, and the right way to refinish butcher block. Later, Third Eye Blind’s Stephan Jenkins takes us inside his decade-long restoration of a San Francisco Victorian. Plus: the real difference between gas and induction—and the DIY weed killer that actually works.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:
• How to make your home safer for senior. (0:55)
• Wiring a wall switch for a gas fireplace (8:38)
• How to hide tile holes after glass shower reinstallation (16:35)
• The best food-safe finish for butcher block counters (23:04)
• Fixing HVAC issues in multi-level homes (27:36)
• Stephan Jenkins’ renovation journey in a San Francisco Victorian (32:56)
• Gas vs. induction: which is right for your kitchen? (41:09)
• Simple Fix: DIY weed killer you can mix in minutes (49:46)