This Old House Radio Hour

Cleaning Dirty Ducts + Sheng Wang’s Bayou Childhood + Forced Air vs. Baseboard Heat

A five-foot snake inside the ductwork?! This week on Radio Hour, we uncover the strange, dusty, and sometimes creepy world hiding inside your vents — and what actually happens during a duct cleaning. Comedian Sheng Wang takes us back to his packed suburban Houston childhood home, where 12 relatives shared one house and the neighborhood bayou became an endless adventure. Plus, House Therapy tackles a family battle over baseboard heat versus forced hot air, and we answer your questions about damaged cork floors, mysteriously heated tiles, rocky hillsides, and cracking plaster ceilings. In This Episode You’ll Learn: * How to repair shiny tape damage on cork flooring without refinishing the entire floor * Whether warm floor tiles could mean leaking HVAC ducts beneath a slab foundation * What plants can actually survive on a steep shale hillside with almost no soil * What causes “alligator” cracking on old plaster ceilings and how to fix it All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

Vacation-Proof Your Home + Italian Family Memories + Attic Renovation Secrets

Before you leave for vacation, your home might need a checklist of its own. Home maintenance expert Kyshawn Lane shares the simple steps that can help prevent leaks, odors, pests, and costly surprises while you’re away. Then, “Bare Feet” on PBS host Mickela Mallozzi reflects on growing up in a loud, loving Italian-American home in Stamford, Connecticut, where food, family, and constant renovations shaped her idea of home. Plus, builder Charlie Silva explains what it really takes to turn an attic into usable living space. In This Episode You’ll Learn: * Whether ventless all-in-one washer dryers are a smart choice for older homes * How to properly paint stucco without trapping moisture * What to do after discovering rodent nests inside bathroom walls * Why a UPS battery backup might warn you about “faulty wiring” All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

Grow Better Tomatoes + Tom Papa’s Jersey Shore Chaos + The Shed Showdown

Tomatoes are the holy grail of the home garden, but getting them right isn’t always easy. This week, Farmer Dean shares a simple, surprisingly effective way to grow thriving plants almost anywhere, no backyard required. Then, comedian Tom Papa takes us back to his childhood beach house on the Jersey Shore, where 17 people, one bathroom, and endless pasta dinners somehow added up to pure magic. Plus, House Therapy returns with a couple at a crossroads: rebuild a rotting pool shed piece by piece, or start fresh with something new. And as always, we’re taking your calls and tackling real home dilemmas. In This Episode You’ll Learn: * How to remove deep, dark water stains from wood flooring. (7:38) * What to look for when comparing contractor bids for foundation repair. (14:02) * Whether ice dams are still a threat after installing a new roof. (19:07) * How to diagnose and fix high indoor humidity in an older home. (24:52) All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

Fire Safety 101 + Rob Corddry’s Childhood Home + Cut Renovation Costs

A house fire can start in seconds. This week, a firefighter breaks down the simple two-minute plan that could save your life and the most common mistakes people make in an emergency. Then, comedian Rob Corddry returns to his childhood home in Massachusetts, reflecting on the place that shaped him and the moment everything changed. Plus, how to handle renovation sticker shock, what contractors wish homeowners knew, and your home improvement questions answered. In This Episode You’ll Learn: * How to fix a countertop gap caused by an out-of-square wall. * Whether a standard water heater can replace a boiler in a radiant heating system. * How to think about moisture and vapor barriers when re-siding a home in a humid climate. * Why caulk keeps cracking and how to fix it so it actually lasts. All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

Smart Home Security 101 + Alonzo Bodden’s Dream House + Hydrangea Grow Guide

Your smart home might be making your life easier, but it could also be making you an easy target. A cybersecurity expert explains the most common mistakes people make with connected devices and the simple fixes that can protect your home. Then, comedian Alonzo Bodden takes us inside the Los Angeles hill house he dreamed about for decades after years on the road. Plus, if your hydrangeas aren’t blooming, it might come down to when and how you’re pruning. We break down how to identify your plants and get them thriving again. In This Episode You’ll Learn: * How to safely install a corner shelf in a tiled shower without damaging the tile * What to do when a ceiling fan loses power after an electrical mishap involving a backup generator * How to fix squeaky, uneven second-floor floors without removing newly installed carpet * How to diagnose water seeping into a garage foundation and whether a neighbor’s construction could be the cause _ All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.