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This Old House Radio Hour — Home & Garden
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.

Subscribe today on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts—and start building a better home, one episode at a time.

Latest Episodes:

Is Your Fridge Spying on You? + Billy West’s Haunted Bungalow + How Blenders Changed History Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

Is your smart home spying on you? Cybersecurity expert Patricia Egger reveals what your connected appliances know about you and how to protect your privacy. Then, Futurama voice actor Billy West takes us inside his haunted 1926 Hollywood bungalow, where mysterious ghosts and old Hollywood history collide. Plus, uncover the surprising history of the blender, from frozen daiquiris to groundbreaking DNA research. And in House Therapy, a couple battles over whether to turn their unfinished attic into a home office or a kids' playroom.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
* How to tell whether an oversized HVAC system or undersized ductwork is causing heating problems.
* When a leaking shower can be repaired and when it's time to tear it out and start over.
* How to deal with an unexpected three-inch difference in floor height during a basement renovation.
All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

Who Will Build America's Future? + The Bedroom TV Debate + Roof Repair Secrets Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

In the first of a series called Work In Progress, This Old House's Kevin O'Connor sits down with Business Roundtable President and COO Kristen Silverberg to explore America's skilled labor shortage and how workforce training could help.
Then, is having a TV in your bedroom ruining your sleep? A sleep expert weighs in on the debate and explains why breaking the habit can be harder than you think. Then, bestselling author Robert Kolker takes us inside his unconventional childhood home in a 1970s utopian community, complete with orange shag carpeting, unusual angles, and a ladder connecting his bedroom to a playroom. Plus, uncover the surprising history of the Lazy Susan, from a Victorian-era solution to the servant problem to its unlikely role in Chinese restaurants. And roofing expert Travis Jones reveals the warning signs your roof may be failing and when it's time to repair or replace it.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
* How to get started in the electrical trade when you're considering a career change as an adult.
* Whether a sagging drywall ceiling is at risk of collapsing and how to repair it.
* Which walls actually need washing before repainting your home's interior.
All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

Should You Talk to Your Plants? + Barbara Kingsolver’s Farmhouse + DIY Reality Checks Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

Should you be talking to your houseplants? Plant stylist Hilton Carter explains why forming a relationship with your plants might actually help you become a better plant parent. Then, Barbara Kingsolver takes us inside her 120-year-old Appalachian farmhouse, where generations of stories are embedded in everything from the kitchen cabinets to the handmade stone porch. Plus, we uncover the surprising history of the burglar alarm, from ancient Roman guard geese to the Queen's nurse. And general contractor Zack Dettmore explains how to know when a DIY project is worth tackling yourself and when it’s time to call in a pro.
In This Episode You’ll Learn:
* How to troubleshoot a shower with stubbornly low water pressure, even after replacing the showerhead and cartridge.
* What to do when the built-in box gutters on an 1880s home begin to fail.
* Why marble floor tiles might suddenly crack and lift near an exterior patio.
All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

Stop Wasting Electricity + Ryan Hamilton’s Humble Childhood Home + Home Elevators Go Mainstream Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

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.

Designer Dorm Rooms + John Wilson’s Century-Old House + A DIY Toilet Dispute Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

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.

Why We Hate the Big Light + Erin Napier’s Haunted Childhood Home + Choosing the Right Driveway Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

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.

Your Thermostat Is Lying + Tan France’s ‘Bougie Grandma’ Tudor + The Trouble With Flipped Houses Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

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.

Can AI Run Your Home? + Matthew Quick’s Outer Banks Dream + The DIY Power of 3D Printing Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

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.

Mosquito-Proof Your Yard + Kasie Hunt’s Forever Home + The Wild History of the Murphy Bed Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

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.

Gas vs. Charcoal, Settled + Justin Halpern Moves Home + The Dark History of the Light Bulb Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

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.

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