Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
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.
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.

![How to Clean Paint Spills | Ask This Old House
In this video, paint spills might be intimidating, but with enough haste and the right products, removing drips from most surfaces is a breeze. Paint expert Mauro Henrique shows host Kevin O’Connor how.
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse.
Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH
Want weekly tips, project guides, and behind-the-scenes content from the TOH crew?
Sign up for our free newsletter here: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/newsletters
Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/streaming-app
Where to find it?
Vinegar: Mauro uses a vinegar [https://amzn.to/4qGQVvN] and baking soda [https://amzn.to/4q62psR] paste to clean paint from the carpet.
Dish Soap: Mauro uses dish soap [https://amzn.to/3Z7DVDv] to clean paint from carpets and hardwood floors.
Denatured alcohol: Mauro uses denatured alcohol [https://amzn.to/4pxtnbz] to clean paint from the tile.
About Ask This Old House TV: From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.
Follow This Old House:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB
Twitter: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest
Instagram: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseIG
How to Clean Paint Spills | Ask This Old House
https://www.youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/ How to Clean Paint Spills | Ask This Old House](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2hwIZ01eFLM/mqdefault.jpg)







![How to Install Granite Hillside Steps | Ask This Old House
In this video, mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner address sloped fire pit access by installing granite steps, proper drainage, and a gravel path in the yard.
SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse.
In a perfect world, every homeowner’s yard would be flat and ideal for hosting. But when a homeowner realized his yard wasn’t so ideal, thanks to the steeply sloped path from his driveway to his fire pit, he knew he needed help. Mason Mark McCullough offered a perfect solution: granite steps on the hillside.
Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH
Want weekly tips, project guides, and behind-the-scenes content from the TOH crew?
Sign up for our free newsletter here: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/newsletters
Plus, download our FREE app for full-episode streaming to your connected TV, phone or tablet: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/pages/streaming-app
Where to find it?
Mark uses granite as steps on the side of the yard. (Can be found at a local stone yard)
Mark uses a dolly [https://homedepot.sjv.io/dOEJJ2] to carry stones down the hillside.
Mark uses a pry bar [https://homedepot.sjv.io/oqGvRg] to break up the dirt below the stone’s intended area.
Mark uses a tape measure [https://homedepot.sjv.io/XmWKAX] to measure the length and width where the stones will go.
Mark uses spray paint [https://homedepot.sjv.io/XmK93b] to mark where the stone steps are meant to land.
Mark uses a hand tamper [https://homedepot.sjv.io/R5YjLy] to flatten/level the dirt beneath the hole he created for the stone step.
Mark uses a wheelbarrow [https://homedepot.sjv.io/LKWdGo] to carry various materials such as granite, dirt, and tools. You can also rent them at Home Depot [https://homedepot.sjv.io/DyPaen]
Mark uses a level [https://homedepot.sjv.io/JKWda7] to ensure the stone step is level for safe walking.
Mark uses a shovel [https://homedepot.sjv.io/EEWdjQ] to dig the proper-sized hole for the granite step.
Mark uses granite chips [https://homedepot.sjv.io/vPO63y] to fill in the dirt surrounding the granite step.
Mark uses a mattock [https://homedepot.sjv.io/9LrdPj] to break up the dirt on the hillside.
Mark uses a rubber mallet [https://homedepot.sjv.io/nLVg7a] to tap the stones in place.
Mark uses a string line [https://homedepot.sjv.io/LKWdqL] to mark the step layout and keep everything aligned.
Mark uses stakes [https://homedepot.sjv.io/xLR63d] to keep all of the stones aligned.
Mark uses landscape fabric [https://homedepot.sjv.io/jeB63v] to keep the weeds from sprouting between the rocks.
About Ask This Old House TV: From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.
Follow This Old House:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseFB
Twitter: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseTwitter
Pinterest: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHousePinterest
Instagram: http://bit.ly/ThisOldHouseIG
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisoldhouse
How to Install Granite Hillside Steps | Ask This Old House
https://www.youtube.com/user/thisoldhouse/ How to Install Granite Hillside Steps | Ask This Old House](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3ytwopiFAkc/mqdefault.jpg)
