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)


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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.

Inspector Fletch walks us through the essentials of a professional home inspection—from spotting foundation cracks and moisture intrusion to attic ventilation and hidden safety risks—so homeowners can protect their biggest investment with confidence. Plus, New Yorker editor David Remnick recalls life in a Moscow flat as a young correspondent during the collapse of the Soviet Union, showing how home and history intertwine in unexpected ways. Finally, our experts break down the red flags, green lights, and smart questions to ask before hiring a contractor so you don’t get burned.

In this episode, you will learn:
Spot foundation cracks and moisture problems before they turn into costly repairs. (3:32)
Phase and prioritize projects as a new homeowner so you save money and stress. (8:56)
Handle wiring issues safely and know when it’s time to call a licensed electrician. (14:49)
Fix a rotted bathroom floor caused by leaks with a clear, step-by-step repair. (20:21)
Hire the right contractor by recognizing red flags and asking the smart questions. (49:14)

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

Keywords
#homeInspection #foundationcrack #moistureproblems #electricalwiring #whentocallanelectrician #bathroomfloorrot #toiletleak #howtohireacontractor #contractorredflags
#David Remnick #TheNewYorker #Russia #ThisOldHouse #DIY #HomeImprovement

Learn how the right paint colors can boost your mood, why muted patterns calm anxiety, how to test pipes for lead with a magnet, the fix for mysterious cracking tile noises, and whether solar panels work on moonlight. Plus: Mike and Molly’s Billy Gardell shares the story of buying his first home, experts tackle driveway erosion, and you’ll get pro tips like removing marble stains with baking soda and protecting tools with charcoal.

We meet the founders of Move Over Bob, a fast-growing initiative to inspire more young women to enter the trades, Bangles founder Susanna Hoffs takes us inside the living room she transformed into a recording studio, and Alton Brown shows us how to hack everyday hardware into outdoor cooking gear. Plus, our experts tackle listener calls ranging from squeaky theater floors to century-old wiring, offering hands-on solutions for projects big and small.

In this episode you will learn:

Stage squeaks: How to locate joists, use trim/finish screws, and fill for a seamless, quiet repair. (8:41)
Paint hole filling: Using Bondo and other high-quality fillers for thousands of small nail holes, and the importance of keying filler deep into wood for durability. (16:14)
Historic siding (1888 cottage): Oil vs. water-based primer and topcoat strategy for long-term exterior durability. (17:08)
Marble vanity + cracked sink: Which professional to call first (plumber vs. countertop fabricator), replacement options, and pitfalls of vessel sinks. (19:52)
Old wiring (cloth/asbestos wrapped): Why electrical tape is not enough, safety concerns, and when a full rewire is the only option. (27:26)

Keywords
#MoveoverBob #womenintrades #SuzannaHoffs #DIY acoustics #Alton Brown #outdoorcooking #squeakystage #oilvswaterprimer #marble #asbestoswiring

The future of home security — from smart locks and cameras to Wi-Fi safety and DIY alarm systems. Plus, Grammy-winning banjo player Alison Brown takes us inside Nashville’s legendary Hillbilly Central, we tour a historic 1811 log home and a lakeside A-frame in Indiana with Cheap Old Houses, and our pros answer your DIY questions on fascia repair, smart mirror installation, ventless dryers, and roof moss removal.

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 build a layered modern home security system with high-security locks, cameras, alarms, and Wi-Fi safeguards. (1:04)
The right way to repair fascia boards, prevent wood rot, and protect your roofline with proper priming and painting. (11:18)
How to safely install a smart mirror on a tiled bathroom wall, including wiring tips and circuit planning. (14:09)
The surprising benefits of a ventless dryer—from saving energy to reducing fire risk and adding placement flexibility. (21:24)
The best way to remove moss and lichen from your roof without damaging shingles, plus tricks to stop regrowth. (27:14)
A mason’s simple fix for mortar that’s drying too fast, saving time and material on any masonry project. (50:06)

KEYWORDS
#homesecurity #smartlocks #smartcameras #alarmsystems #passwordsecurity #smarthome #deadbolt #homesafety #ThisOldHouseRadio Hour #alisonbrown #nashville #ventlessdryer #smartmirrorinstallation

Discover how tool lending libraries are transforming DIY, get expert advice on fixing crank-out windows, troubleshoot EV charging electrical mysteries, and explore actress and filmmaker Embeth Davidtz's soulful Hawaiian home restoration—plus insider tips for buying your next air conditioner. From hands-on repairs to design inspiration, this episode of This Old House Radio Hour delivers practical know-how you can use right now.

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

Step-by-step solutions for repairing or replacing a crank-out window sash without breaking the bank (8:06)

Expert troubleshooting for electrical issues caused by EV chargers, solar panels, and GFCI outlets (13:56)

Fixing weather stripping on a wood front door (21:06)

Replacing or removing a glass tile backsplash (25:42)

How to choose the right air conditioner for your space—covering BTUs, efficiency, noise levels, and must-have modern features (40:07)

Keywords: #toollendinglibrary #DIY #homeimprovementtips #crank-outwindowrepair #EVcharger #airconditionerbuyingguide #EmbethDavidtz #Kauai #portableACvswindowAC #BTUcalculator #ThisOldHouseRadioHour