The HomeGirls

Join the HomeGirls as they explore the interesting, scary, and hilarious things that are going on behind the walls of your home. Each episode discusses the history of various home topics; the building science behind each topic; and how worried you, the homeowner, should be about each topic. From pipes, toilets, foundations, roofs, attics, and even pest: this is truly one of a kind show that combines humor, history, building science, and a few home inspection tips.

Season Finale: The HomeGirls 10/19/2022

Season Finale: The HomeGirls We’re wrapping up Season 4, not with fencing, but an announcement. Join us for a walk down memory lane. Thanks for another great season! /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/24737991

Fiber Cement Board: It’s Pretty Hardie 09/27/2022

Fiber Cement Board: It’s Pretty Hardie Is it Fiber Cement Board or is it Hardie Siding…or is it both? In this episode we discuss FSB and all of its variations, while also highlighting how Joanna Gaines fooled us all into moving to Waco. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/24506997

Condos: Condomania 09/01/2022

Condos: Condomania Living in the two story New York condo that overlooks Central Park sounds like a dream, but may also be a Gossip Girl-level nightmare. In this episode we discuss the ups and downs of Condo living and why HOAs are evil…get ready upper east siders. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/24242268

The Future of Homes: Trailers, Modular Homes, and Tiny Homes 08/03/2022

The Future of Homes: Trailers, Modular Homes, and Tiny Homes Have you ever wanted to live in a home the size of a walk-in closet? In this episode we discover the hidden history of Trailers, Modular Homes, and Tiny homes; we also find out that Isis is blessed enough not to know who the Duggars are. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/23946813

Gas Lines and Gas Appliances: An Ode to Hank Hill 08/03/2022

Gas Lines and Gas Appliances: An Ode to Hank Hill Let’s talk about how gas went from eco-hero to eco-zero. In this episode we discuss the invisible vapor that runs our lives. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/23827664

HVAC Systems: Conditioned by Air Conditioning 06/15/2022

HVAC Systems: Conditioned by Air Conditioning Imagine living in Houston, Texas without AC…you can’t because you couldn’t. In this episode we discuss the hot and cold of HVAC systems while sitting in our fruit fly filled podcasting studio. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/23438435

Water Wells: Well that Escalated Quickly 05/05/2022

Water Wells: Well that Escalated Quickly In this episode we discuss how gross water wells are, and relive the trauma of Baby Jessica falling down a well. Fun times for all! /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/23021075

Sprinkler Systems: Slippery When Wet 04/07/2022

Sprinkler Systems: Slippery When Wet Is it a Sprinkler System or an Irrigation System? This episode hashes out that age-old argument and more! /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/22715300

Fireplaces: Burn Baby Burn 03/07/2022

Fireplaces: Burn Baby Burn Fireplaces are the OG HVAC system, the OG oven/cooktop, and the OG TV. In this episode we head back to the middle ages to discover how fireplaces have and have not changed. Numerous digressions include: America’s Funniest Home Videos, King of the Hill, and Mary Poppins. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/22369190

EIFS: Extremely Inconvenient Finishing Systems 02/23/2022

EIFS: Extremely Inconvenient Finishing Systems Our Season 4 Premier kicks off with a discussion on EIFS. EIFS was meant to replace stucco…and it definitely just made things worse. Prepare for a strong discussion on anarchy and rotted houses. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/22234580

Code: Get Codified 10/29/2021

Code: Get Codified Our season 3 finale tackles Building Codes! The idea of Building Codes seems pretty straight forward until you consider that there are different codes for each state, county, and city in the United States...a spooky concept for our Spooky Season episode. Side note: thanks for listening in 2021 and we look forward to chatting with you in 2022! /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/20986418

Don’t do Whippets 09/09/2021

Don’t do Whippets Air pollution is bad so we shouldn’t go outside, right? WRONG! In this episode we learn how everything in our homes, cars, and clothing is going to kill us. Be prepared to doubt everything you know. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/20422064

Rodents: The Rat’s Name is Remy 08/02/2021

Rodents: The Rat’s Name is Remy Sure raccoons are cute, but they can also turn you into a zombie. In this episode, we dive into the world of the rats, mice, raccoons, and armadillos. Make sure you wash your hands after listening to this episode. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/20007956

Bugs: A Bug’s Life 07/09/2021

Bugs: A Bug’s Life Texas has giant flying cockroaches and that is all you need to know... /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/19760441

Arsenic: The Poison of Kings 06/01/2021

Arsenic: The Poison of Kings Arsenic sounds like a pretty serious thing to be worried about in your home...turns out it’s pretty minor. In this episode we talk about how arsenic went from political tool to occasional inconvenience. Fair warning: there are quite few digressions along the way. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/19314137

Lead: Time to take the Lead 04/27/2021

Lead: Time to take the Lead The Greeks and Romans really did have it all: fancy armor, big parties, and lead poisoning? This episode we talk about one of the most controversial household dangers: lead. Learn how our homes used to be filled with lead and, in some cases, still are. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/18881084

Asbestos: It Took the Best of Us 04/12/2021

Asbestos: It Took the Best of Us Imagine a magical material that would prevent a house from burning down, clothes from catching on fire, and fire-proof furniture...that is asbestos. In this episode we explore the tale of a shiny rock that was supposed to save mankind, until it killed everyone who touched it. Mesothelioma is more than an annoying commercial that played during Saturday Morning Cartoons, it is the end result of a story of how money always wins. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/18694601

Pesticides: The Silent Spring 03/11/2021

Pesticides: The Silent Spring We always knew the government was secretly poisoning us. In this episode we discuss the history of pesticides and what to look out for in your home. Enjoy this episode until the FBI decides to take it down... /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/18283958

Radon: Radon Killed the Video Star 02/23/2021

Radon: Radon Killed the Video Star It’s lurking in your basement, coming for you and your family. This episode we discuss another odorless, invisible gas: Radon. Turns out breathing in radiation is actually really really bad for you. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/18064772

Carbon Monoxide: Altered Carbon 01/25/2021

Carbon Monoxide: Altered Carbon Our Season 3 premiere starts off with a silent killer. This season we will be focusing on household dangers, starting with the scariest one of all: Carbon Monoxide. Let’s discuss what Aristotle was trying to warn us about all along. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/17682491

Phase II and Phase III Inspections: It’s More Than Just a Phase 12/04/2020

Phase II and Phase III Inspections: It’s More Than Just a Phase Part Two of our Two Part Season Finale discusses the Phase II and Phase III Inspections. Get ready for a surprising twist as we close out Season Two and 2020 with a satisfying ending. See [talk to] you in 2021! /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/17065157

The Phase I Inspection: It’s Not a Phase, Mom! 11/18/2020

The Phase I Inspection: It’s Not a Phase, Mom! Part One of a Two Part Season Finale introduces the New Construction Phase Inspections. Turns out a foundation is more than just poured concrete! In this episode, we try our best to explain what’s holding your house up and why you shouldn’t listen to Builders. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/16862777

Windows: They Snatchin’ Your People Up 11/11/2020

Windows: They Snatchin’ Your People Up We take our windows for granted, after all, they only protect us from weather, insulate our house, and add delicate sunshine to a room...no big deal. In this episode, we finally give windows the justice they deserve. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/16772366

Mold: The Tale of the Statchy Boys 10/30/2020

Mold: The Tale of the Statchy Boys Sit back, relax, and let us tell you the Urban Legend of the Statchy Boys. Our Spooky Season episode details the terrifying history of mold; where it comes from; and how it eats your house. Prepare to sleep with your lights on and your bathroom air vent running... /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/16616417

Decks and Decking: That Big Deck Energy 10/09/2020

Decks and Decking: That Big Deck Energy Nothing like a symbol of wealth and prosperity hanging off the back of your house. In this episode, we’ll discuss the deck as a status symbol, different types of decking, and why Houston is such an exciting place to live. We’re giving off major big deck energy here. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/16341239

Exterior Cladding: Time to take Sides 07/30/2020

Exterior Cladding: Time to take Sides Vinyl, and wood, and stucco OH MY! In this episode, we face the demanding wind and discuss the various types of siding found on homes. Exciting cameo by the US Census Bureau, SpongeBob Memes, and that one meme with the guy holding a butterfly... /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/15417899

Grading and Drainage: Somehow We Keep Ending Up Back At Sewers 07/07/2020

Grading and Drainage: Somehow We Keep Ending Up Back At Sewers What sounds like the most boring topic ever ends up being very exciting. In this episode we head back to Ancient Babylon where we discover that throwing poop in your moat is a relatively recent invention. What does this have to do with how water moves around a property? You’ll have to listen to find out! /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/15120095

Pools: A Dive into the Deep End 06/22/2020

Pools: A Dive into the Deep End A pool is the ultimate status symbol, right? Well, yes if you can afford to replace the tiny fossils that filter the water...In this episode we take a deep dive into residential pools: the good, the bad, and the mysterious floating object. Special guest star: a bear! /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/14921708

Attics: The Goldilocks Theory 05/28/2020

Attics: The Goldilocks Theory What happens when you have an unhappy attic? You have an unhappy home...in this episode we discuss why your attic needs to be not too hot, not too cold, but just right. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/14605850

Septic Systems: Do You Smell Something? 05/18/2020

Septic Systems: Do You Smell Something? Our Season 2 premiere starts off with a bang as we discuss septic systems and what happens when lightning strikes your toilet. Put your galoshes on and prepare to step into the wild world of personal sewage treatment plants. /episode/index/show/homegirls/id/14469725

The HomeGirls

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