Removing Asbestos & Lead in Your Home + How to Banish Musty Smells + Rhett McLaughlin’s Fairy Tale Log Cabin

This Old House Radio Hour

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)
This Old House Radio Hour has been nominated for a Signal Award in the advice and how to category. Help us win by voting today!
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