This Old House Radio Hour

Building Tomorrow: A Special Look at the Future of Housing

Building Tomorrow is a special collaboration between Marketplace and This Old House Radio Hour that asks a simple but urgent question: how do we build homes that can last the next hundred years? From wildfire rebuilds to factory-built housing, this hour explores how new materials, new methods, and new ideas about community are reshaping the future of housing in America. Hosted by Jenn Largesse and Marketplace’s David Brancaccio, the episode blends reporting, lived experience, and hard science to show what’s possible right now.In this episode you’ll learn about: * A massive prefab factory where homes are built like cars on an assembly line.* A disaster research campus where engineers crash-test houses against hurricanes, hail, and wildfire.* A cutting-edge microfactory using software and small factories to build homes faster, locally, and at scale.* Touring a pioneering cross-laminated timber home built as a living case study in low-carbon construction.* How a 100-year-old house is transformed into a net-zero, future-ready home.* A tiny-house community redefining retirement, aging, and what “home” really means.Note: In the segment featuring Aloe Blacc's pre fabricated home, the exterior is made of cement fiber but the interior is not. The home's fire resilience comes from a combination of steel framing, fiber cement siding, and triple paned windows. 

How to Remove Smoke Smells + Gas Fireplace Safety + Lewis Black’s Basement

Learn how to get rid of stubborn smoke odor in a home. Restoration expert Darren Hudema breaks down how to ID the type of smoke you’re dealing with, what you can safely tackle yourself, and when it’s time to call a certified pro We visit comedian Lewis Black’s childhood bungalow, where basement ping-pong rivalries, radio as a lifeline, and his family’s creative streak shaped the person he became. Then Cheap Old Houses returns with two sub-$30K listings, breaking down what’s charming, what’s alarming, and what’s realistically fixable. Finally, Zach shares a deceptively simple favorite tool: a toothbrush, for cleaning glue squeeze-out from detailed trim before it hardens.In this episode you will learn: * How to safely start using gas fireplaces you have not turned on in years. (9:02)* How often key home systems should be inspected and where to find a seasonal home maintenance checklist. (12:08)* What to do when window and shutter work leaves new drywall cracks, damaged corner bead, and rust bleed-through. (14:16)* How to replace a stuck drain on a pedestal sink and when removing the sink (or replacing it) is the most practical path forward. (19:38)* Which air-conditioning options work best for older, historically detailed homes without existing ductwork, plus the pros and cons of different options. (25:35)All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

Freeze-Proof Your Pipes + Fix a Flawed Shower + Make Your Bedroom a Sleep Sanctuary

With even colder days ahead, Jody Gardner from Climate Control Kansas City shares how you can protect your pipes from bursting, and the technology you can use to make sure a burst pipe does not flood your home. Chef Roy Choi walks us through the first house his immigrant family owned in Orange County and how a bustling, fermentation-heavy kitchen shaped his senses, his privacy, and ultimately his path as a chef. Finally, sleep expert Dr. Michael Bruce shares simple bedroom upgrades that improve rest by working with your body’s five senses.In this episode you’ll learn:*Whether running your central HVAC fan can really replace a bathroom exhaust fan, and why moisture control still matters for mold prevention. (8:31)*Why a poorly sloped shower floor can’t be fixed from the surface, plus smarter options for dealing with staining and discolored grout. (14:13)*What it means when an outlet still shows power after the breaker is off, and how to safely verify electrical work with the right testing tools. (20:28)*How to insulate a drafty sunroom to make it more comfortable year-round. (26:20)All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

Easy Weekend Home Upgrades + Contractor Secrets + John Grisham’s Farmhouse

If your home feels a little tired after the holidays, we’ve packed this episode with fast, budget-friendly upgrades you can tackle in a single weekend—from smart lighting tricks and warm color temperatures to simple layering that instantly makes rooms feel brighter, calmer, and more put-together. In Contractor Confidential, we break down how to handle unfinished renovation details, manage a punch list, and follow up with a contractor without awkward conversations or surprise costs. Plus, bestselling author John Grisham takes us inside his 200-year-old Virginia farmhouse, sharing the daily writing rituals, quiet workspaces, and deep family history that make “the big yellow house” a true home. In this episode you will learn: * Tell the difference between harmless ceiling cracks from normal house movement and cracks that mean it’s time to call a contractor. (7:36)* Understand what low levels of asbestos under old tile actually mean, and when it’s a real health concern versus unnecessary worry. (14:11)* Why contractors often recommend full window replacement for a rotten sill—and what smaller, less expensive repair options may still exist. (18:20)* The right order to prime and patch plaster walls before painting over wallpaper, so you don’t end up with bubbling or peeling paint. (26:11)All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.

Smarter Moving Tips + Susan Orlean’s Schindler House + DIY Wallpaper Made Easy

A professional mover shares the biggest mistakes people make, the packing supplies that actually matter, and the small planning choices that can save your stuff (and your sanity) on move day. We visit a 1946 Rudolph Schindler home in Los Angeles with author Susan Orlean, who brought the home back to its original vision. Plus, a mother-daughter wallpaper team explains why wallpaper is back, what types to choose for different rooms and lifestyles, and why today’s materials and techniques make hanging (and removing) it far less intimidating than its reputation.In this episode you will learn:* Condensation and dripping on exposed beams in a vaulted ceiling after a roof rebuild, especially on sunny days in humid weather (9:01)* Why water-based paint peels off oil-based paint, and how to fix it using stripping and the right bonding primer (14:40)* Whether lifting a 120-year-old house is a realistic flood-mitigation strategy and how to weigh cost, disruption, and insurance impacts (20:32)* Adding a neutral wire to a 14-50 receptacle used for an EV charger so it can also power an RV, and whether hardwiring is the better setup (28:02)All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-This Old House Radio Hour! — That’s (877) 864-7460.