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

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/this-old-house-radio-hour-7435754/how-to-remove-smoke-smells-gas-fireplace-safety-lewis-black-s-basement
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/this-old-house-radio-hour-7435754/how-to-remove-smoke-smells-gas-fireplace-safety-lewis-black-s-basement.md
Podcast: [This Old House Radio Hour](https://stenobird.com/podcast/this-old-house-radio-hour-7435754)
Published: 2026-02-10T08:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://pdrl.fm/53c558/pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/americanpublicmedia/podcasts/this_old_house_radio_hour/episodes/2026/02/10/thisoldhouseradiohour_47_20260210_128.mp3?awCollectionId=apm-TOHRH&awEpisodeId=01KGSECPT8ZW6AJ0NDV4483WY8
Audio file: https://pdrl.fm/53c558/pscrb.fm/rss/p/mgln.ai/e/5/dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/play.publicradio.org/podcast/o/americanpublicmedia/podcasts/this_old_house_radio_hour/episodes/2026/02/10/thisoldhouseradiohour_47_20260210_128.mp3?awCollectionId=apm-TOHRH&awEpisodeId=01KGSECPT8ZW6AJ0NDV4483WY8
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/this-old-house-radio-hour-7435754/episodes/how-to-remove-smoke-smells-gas-fireplace-safety-lewis-black-s-basement
Duration seconds: 3090

## Resource

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.

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## Transcript

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