I'll show you my tricks on how not to get ripped off by a bad foundation contractor—seriously, learn the moves so you don't end up paying for drama and a leaky floor. We dig into crawlspace realities too (that gross air with spiders and rodents absolutely can creep into your home), plus why radon testing and encapsulation might be the smart play in some markets. Hour two is our Around the House Annual Fall Home Maintenance Checklist: caulk windows, doors and siding, inspect weatherstripping, and fix that garage door seal — basically hunt down every sneaky air gap like a homeowner ninja. I’ll walk you through replacing failing caulk and seals so you can keep drafts, wasted energy, and terrible power bills where they belong: nowhere near your wallet. Stick around for practical tips, a few questionable DIY confessions, and our usual banter — and yeah, subscribe and leave a review so we can keep dodging rogue ladders together. Catch us this Saturday; we’ll help you make your home better, make you laugh, and maybe convince you to keep your hammers swinging and your WiFi strong. If you want to avoid getting hosed by a shady foundation contractor, we walk you through the real-world stuff that saves you time, money, and your sanity. I break down the red flags—what a slick sales pitch sounds like versus what good work actually looks like—and share practical tricks for vetting people who want to dig under your home. We talk crawlspaces like they’re the underworld they really are: dusty air full of spiders, bugs, and the kind of critters that show up in horror movies. I explain why that filthy air sneaks up into your living space, how vents and airflow factor into the problem, and why encapsulation can be the sensible insurance policy if you’re writing checks and want peace of mind. There’s nuance here: encapsulation isn’t always legally required, but where radon is common (hi, Oregon), testing and mitigation can turn a “maybe” into a “do it.” We also get into the nuts and bolts of installation—how to handle posts and concrete bases, what to wrap and what not to wrap, and the silly mistakes that create more headaches than they solve. I warn you against “well-intentioned” DIY attempts that make problems worse (yes, don’t poke around blindly down there), and I give you smart steps to make sure your contractor actually knows what they’re doing. By the end of this segment you’ll have a checklist of things to ask, things to demand on the contract, and the confidence to call out anything that smells like a scam.
- We walk you through spotting shady foundation contractors so you don't get ripped off, promise.
- I explain crawlspace hazards—dirty air, spiders, and rodents—that can creep into your living spaces.
- We emphasize radon testing and possible encapsulation, especially in areas where radon is common and risky.
- I give a badass fall home maintenance checklist: caulking, weatherstripping, garage seals, and energy-saving fixes.
- We show tricks like using a trouble light at night to find sneaky air gaps around doors and windows.
- I warn against DIY crawlspace mistakes—partial encapsulation or ignoring wrapped posts can actually make problems worse fast.
- We invite you to subscribe, leave reviews, and follow our channels to keep the shenanigans and practical tips coming.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- YouTube
- Around the House
- aroundthehouseonline.com
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Information given on the Around the House Show should not be considered construction or design advice for your specific project, nor is it intended to replace consulting at your home or jobsite by a building professional. The views and opinions expressed by those interviewed on the podcast are those of the guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Around the House Show.
