A professional chimney sweep explains how to safely prep, inspect, and clean your fireplace before lighting the first fire of the season. Award-winning poet and host of The Slowdown, Maggie Smith, shows us inside the 100-year-old house that carried her family through every chapter. Cheap Old Houses creators Ethan and Elizabeth Finkelstein unpack the reality behind two dreamy listings, including a “reimagined” Southern starter in Macon, Georgia, and a wildly charming but work-heavy 1850s gingerbread house in upstate New York. And our expert shares why a cordless miter saw has become his go to tool for clean, efficient work on job sites.

In this episode you’ll learn:
* How to decide what to tackle first when your old house has sloping floors, drafty windows, and aging siding. (7:52)
* How to get ceiling-fan level comfort in a low, sloped-ceiling addition that doesn’t really have room for a standard fan. (15:12)
* How to repair loose, plank tiles and cracked grout lines without replacing your whole tile floor. (20:41)
* How to deal with a peeling refinish on an old cast-iron tub (26:50)

Are you wasting money this winter because your home isn’t holding in your warm air? Learn how to do your home energy audit, so you can save money and keep comfortable. Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Jeffrey Eugenides takes us inside the prairie-style Michigan home that shaped his childhood and inspired his novel Middlesex, reflecting on architecture, memory, and the way houses shape the stories we tell. And DIY creator Shelby Turner joins us to break down peel-and-stick flooring — how to prep, install, and choose the right materials, plus the tricks that make it renter-friendly and long-lasting.

In this episode you’ll learn:

How to deal with layers of vinyl and asbestos siding when you want to restore the original wood exterior on an old house. (7:59)
How to repair a crumbling exterior concrete window sill (14:38)
How to fix creaky, carpeted stairs without fully rebuilding or replacing the staircase. (20:37)
How to power your home during a blackout using an electric vehicle or backup battery system tied into a dedicated circuit (26:46).

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

TikTok’s cleaning expert Brandon Pleshek shows you how to bounce back from the Thanksgiving mess with simple routines and tools that make any home feel fresh fast. Actor William H. Macy shares the story of his Vermont cabin—and the hard-earned lessons he learned about woodstoves, flies, and finding comfort in the chaos. And food legend Alton Brown breaks down how to build a better backyard grill setup for all your holiday cooking, using just a few basics and some smart know-how. Plus, our experts take your calls on tiles, ceilings, wiring, stucco, and whether your HVAC really needs a surge protector.

Five Things You’ll Learn This Episode:
* How to know if you need dedicated surge protectors for your HVAC system (9:06)
* How to deal with ugly inset floor tile you want to change (14:25)
* How to stop bathroom ceiling paint from peeling (18:23)
* How to safely replace knob-and-tube wiring—and convince an electrician to help (23:54)
* How to repair cracked stucco around a window after leaks and storms (27:44)

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

Give your house a holiday makeover with the latest and greatest from the north pole. We tell you the latest decoration trends and technology with Jason Woodward from ChristmasDesigners.com. Actor Steve Schirripa reflects on his journey from a crowded Brooklyn apartment to building his dream home in Las Vegas, and how it shaped his understanding of what “home” really means. Also, what happens if your contractor exceeds a quote? We talk about why that happens, and how you can protect yourself.

In this episode you will learn:

* How to track down and fix a stubborn roof leak where a stucco dormer wall meets the roof. (7:24)
* How to repair torn, peeling paint so wall patches disappear even when the light hits them just right. (14:08)
* How to diagnose and permanently fix a leaking tiled deck over living space below. (21:18)
* How to tell if your new metal chimney liner needs to be grounded or protected from lightning. (27:54)
* How to keep a contractor honest and on budget when agreeing on price for a job (39:53)

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

How to make your home run itself from your phone—simple automations you can set up in minutes, even if you’re not techy. Comedian Tig Notaro opens the door to her family’s Gulf Coast home and the love, loss, and resilience held in its walls. And Cheap Old Houses returns with real listings under $50K—and honest advice on what it really takes to fix them up.

On This Episode You Will Learn
*How to tell if you should repair your roof or replace it. (7:27)
*Why painting a driveway is tricky and what to do if the paint is peeling. (15:04)
*How to keep new floors dry on a concrete slab. (20:45)
*How to tell if a wall crack is just cosmetic or a sign of a bigger problem. (26:08)

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

This week on This Old House Radio Hour, we’re breaking down home and renter’s insurance—what you really need, what’s worth skipping, and how to keep premiums affordable without leaving gaps. New York Times Bestselling author and National Book Award nominee Rachel Kushner shares the lessons she learned growing up in a small Oregon bungalow, where creativity mattered more than square footage. And we’ll help you choose the right bathroom exhaust fan so your walls stay dry, your air stays fresh, and your mornings stay quiet.

On This Episode You Will Learn:

* How to keep pigeons off your roof safely and effectively. (9:41)
* How to know when it’s time to call in a pro versus trying it yourself. (11:09)
* How to make cold floors feel warmer without major renovations. (14:56)
* How to seal up drafty old windows and save on energy bills. (21:05)
* How to repaint peeling trim the right way without stripping lead paint. (26:52)

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

Best-selling author Gretchen Rubin shares simple, free ways to make your home feel happier and more organized. Henry Rollins reflects on DC row houses, Ian MacKaye’s attic, and how the punk scene shaped his sense of home. Plus, Cheap Old Houses highlights two historic homes under $30,000, and our experts take listener questions on real home repairs.

What you’ll learn:

*The right tools to remove old staples and nails from hardwood floors. (7:34)
*How to track your home’s energy use and spot problems early. (14:16)
*How to protect your belongings and hire a contractor for basement repairs. (20:24)
*The best way to clean white residue off brick and masonry. (27:24)
*What to check before buying a fixer-upper on a tight budget. (40:14)

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

It’s an hour of Halloween Horror This Old House style! What happens when your dream home comes with… ghosts? Realtor Cindy Hagley reveals the chilling truths behind buying a stigmatized or haunted house—and what buyers should ask before the ink dries. Then, filmmaker Ronan Day-Lewis revisits his family’s eerie Connecticut farmhouse, where the basement still gives him nightmares. Plus, our electrician shows you how to keep your Halloween decorations from turning your front yard into a real horror show—and our experts tackle your spookiest home repair questions.

What You’ll Learn:

*How to silence a door that creaks like something out of a haunted mansion. (8:18)
*How to strip and refinish a porch ceiling so it doesn’t peel like old wallpaper in a ghost story. (14:15)
*How to safely raise a vaulted ceiling without bringing the house down. (20:34)
*How to re-mortar crumbling fireplace bricks before they crumble completely to dust. (26:13)
*How to power up Halloween lights and inflatables without any shocking surprises. (40:04)

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