Home with Dean Sharp

It's an all calls weekend!  Dean tackles listener questions about 'banging' in pipes after a new water heater has been installed, replacing front doors in an older home when a contractor wants to replace it with something cheap and easy, whether or not you should shellack old oak floors, building a firepit in the backyard, whether you can put windows with different color frames in the same home, and whether wood countertops are a real viable option in a kitchen. 

Dean continues an all calls weekend, answering questions about a concrete slab crack, how to fix a wood floor after a nasty water leak, water proofing a shower in an old home. Installing 'privacy glass,' how to prevent cats from congregating on a roof and whether or not you need an engineer to draw up blueprints for a home remodel.

Dean finishes up the all calls weekend with a few water heater questions, what kinds of alternatives there are for termite tenting that would allow someone to remain in the home and how to fix a roof leak. 

Dean takes your home improvement calls! 

Dean takes your home improvement calls!

Today we're talking about finding your personal home decoration style. Every great project begins with intention, theme and some sense of style. Style is an extension of one's personality. Dean talks about why personal style in your home is important, and what the difference is between style and fashion. Can one's style be aspirational? Of course! We learn about what that means. 

A caller wants to know about installing can lights versus attic lights, while another caller asks about how to make their space feel more cohesive if their style doesn't mesh well with the style the house already has. Another caller, whose home burned down in the Altadena wildfires, wants to know before he begins rebuilding if a stick house is better than a modular house. Dean also talks about wood garages with wood siding and how to waterproof and insulate it properly. 

Dean poses the question, what if my style conflicts with my neighbor's style? He explains that all neighborhoods have a specific style and flow, which means you must tackle each specific design project in a different way. Designers help you transform your style thoughts into practical expressions. For example, what if you have a preference for everything black? Dean talks about how to apply that style preference to your home in a tasteful way. 

It's an all-calls weekend on Home with Dean Sharp! Dean answers your home-related questions live, offering expert advice with his signature clarity and charm. In this episode, he discusses estimated price per square foot in Wrightwood, CA, dives deeper into square footage concerns with a caller, and shares tips on how to properly shut and secure wet paint for future use.

This episode, Dean covers the ins and outs of barn-style doors and how much privacy they really offer, explores blown-in attic insulation, weighs the pros and cons of split air conditioners, and discusses what causes dips in tile floors. Whether you're remodeling or just curious, Dean brings expert advice with a down-to-earth twist.

Dean breaks down why color is one of the trickiest design elements in your home. From the science of light and perception, to cultural meanings and psychological effects, Dean reveals how color shifts with light, mood, and mindset—and why that perfect paint swatch can look totally wrong on your wall. Plus, why blue is everywhere… and nowhere.

Dean answers listener questions on everything from choosing the right white paint for rentals to fixing cement board cracks and solving the dreaded “water hammer” pipe noise. Plus, stove hood options for island cooktops, how to properly paint composite trim, and why vinyl-safe paint could save your project. It's color, construction, and real-world fixes—served straight from the House Whisperer.

Dean dives deeper into the nuances of working with color, revealing how our perception shifts based on light and context. He explains the importance of using large paint samples on primed surfaces and viewing them under different lighting throughout the day. Dean breaks down the concept of mass tones and undertones in paint, recommending a simple hack: use physical swatches of cyan, magenta, and yellow—the primary reflective colors—to reveal hidden undertones in complex shades. He also highlights useful tools like color wheels and high-tech color identifiers to help you choose the perfect hue for any space.

Dean has an all-calls weekend where he answers all of your questions surrounding your home!  Dean talks about secured doors + glass doors. Dean advices on noise cancelling an apartment located on a busy street with some soundproofing options. Dean talks about building a chicken coop and shares the type of chicks he has in his ranch. 

Dean discusses trapped moisture in a glass sliding door, snake proofing a snake infestation, replacing a wheet screed. Lastly, Dean talks floor pops on a hardware flooring and how to treat the issue.

In this hour, Dean welcomes bird expert Richard Armoring of Wild Birds Unlimited to explain how to attract beautiful birds to your garden, why birdsong is vital for our wellbeing, and how to avoid common pitfalls like rodents and squirrels. Plus, Dean shares his personal “life list” of backyard birds and how you can start one, too.

In Hour 2, Dean Sharp is joined by bee expert Nicole Paladino of Bee Catchers for a deep dive into the vital role of bees in our ecosystem and what homeowners should know during spring swarm season. They bust the myth that bees are pests, explain the truth behind Colony Collapse Disorder and 2025's surprising hive loss numbers, and teach listeners what to do (and what not to do) when a swarm or hive shows up on their property. It's a powerful hour about coexisting with nature—right in your own backyard.

Dean wraps up his spring-themed show by diving deep into all things trees with certified arborist Bob Loft, from tree trimming and fruit-thinning tips to the environmental and real estate benefits of mature trees. Dean also shares his philosophy on integrating our homes with the natural world, not fencing it out.

It's an All-Call Saturday with Dean Sharp, the House Whisperer. Dean opens the phone lines and takes on listener questions about home design and construction—everything from repairing aging foam trim on a 30-year-old stucco house to deciding whether to swap out standard white vinyl windows for sleek black aluminum frames. Along the way, Dean shares design philosophy, practical tips, and why even small changes can make a big architectural impact.

In Hour 2 of All Calls Weekend, Dean Sharp continues taking your calls and solving home challenges from every angle. First up, a question about window upgrades leads to a discussion of thermally broken aluminum frames and how to shop smart when you have contractor pricing. Then, Dean breaks down everything you need to know about replacing an aging electrical panel—including when it's necessary and when it's not. Finally, a homeowner plagued by persistent woodpeckers gets a lesson in peaceful coexistence with nature, with tips on deterrents, feeders, and finding harmony between your home and the wildlife around it.

Dean talks about pest control and is joined by founder of ECOLA Pest Control, Sue Fries. Sue Fries talks about her mission with ECOLA and some of the treatments the company provides without any toxic chemicals to provide a safety environment to each person. Dean and Sue talk about termites and how much damage they cause in homes. Plus, Dean and Sue talk about orange oils and how it's not recommended for human health and environment. 

Dean and Sue advise a caller about the electromagnetic device to help remove rodents + bugs from their outdoor area. Dean and Sue discuss how to fumigate for pests without harming plant life. They discuss wood framing and repair due to pest damage in the attic and the type of options with ECOLA products. How to treat wood boring beetles. Lastly, ECOLA's service warranty is broken down and how to treat mosquitoes. 

Dean and Sue talk about California's ankle biter mosquitos and how the UV bug zappers don't work for them. Sue discusses a product that helps control mosquito population. They share tips on getting rid of rodents from attics. Dean and Sue talked about all forms of pest control and ant control. 

Dean talks all-things home: interior, exterior, construction, DIY, remodeling etc.  Dean talks about a flagstone patio, removing weeds and decomposed granite. Plus, Dean talks well-made plumbing fixtures. 

Dean advices a caller dealing with water entering her room and causing the dry wall to be replaced frequently due to the slope on her yard.Dean talks stucco and how it should never run down into the soil as it will continue to ruin the material (water damage) + Dean covers leaving a water heater on vacation mode to save some money and the chances of it being damaged. Lastly, Dean shares his input when seeking a reliable handy worker and how to find one. 

Dean Sharp kicks off Easter Sunday with a conversation about the magic of makeovers—budget-friendly updates that can dramatically transform your home without the cost of full remodels. He breaks down the difference between a makeover, renovation, and remodel, and explains why design layered with creativity always wins. In this hour, Dean focuses on simple but high-impact bathroom updates, from swapping out your toilet and mirror to upgrading your shower head—all doable, affordable, and instantly refreshing.

Dean Sharp continues the makeover magic by taking listener calls on everything from staining outdoor surfaces and cleaning dishwasher lines to choosing the right tree for backyard firepit shade. He shares practical advice on long-lasting finishes, explains how an air gap works, and discusses safe digging practices with a reminder to call 811 before any outdoor project. Plus, Dean makes a case for the humble—but stylish—shower curtain as part of your bathroom refresh.

Dean Sharp continues his makeover magic by taking listener calls and offering solutions to preserve the charm of historic homes—like an 1882 farmhouse looking for the perfect specialty door. He explores creative, cost-effective ways to upgrade your space, from reimagining window trims to adding feature walls that pack a design punch. Dean wraps the hour by encouraging listeners to lean into creativity over cost when it comes to transforming their homes.

Dean gives listeners small, easy tips to do a little 'makeover magic' in their homes. Dean answers listener questions about whether it's better to tent or spot treat when subterranean termites are only in certain areas of the home, how to properly install a wood burning stove in a home in the high desert, and the right self-sealing underlayment for roof shingles. 

Dean gives listeners small, easy tips to do a little 'makeover magic' in their homes. Dean answers listener question on how to repair a roof and aluminum siding damaged by a hailstorm, the pros and cons of canned lighting vs lamps, how to repair a concrete block wall damaged by tree roots, can galvanized steel be painted effectively and how to repair damage to bricks caused by removing the bolts for a satellite dish.

Dean introduces his DIY's fix-it tips type of show of advice on DIY projects and about Puzzle Lab, the puzzle company with various styles of them. Dean says it's all about the little things & the first step is to work with two wrenches when working on pipes and what to add into a DYI toolbox. Dean continues with the small things and approaches small DYI projects. Lastly, Dean talks about glueing wood with wood glue and says to clamp them together for the best results

Dean advices about painting a home and stucco + the type of paint to use. The important part of painting is the preparation. Dean talks about re-staining a mahogany front door and how to treat mahogany doors right. Dean continues to talk about stains and original coating of mahogany doors. Plus, Dean talks about sanding projects and sanding tricks. 

Dean continues to share his little things, tips and skills list. The secret of using a screwdriver. Dean recaps the show's tricks, tips and techniques & discusses the different colored meanings of wire nuts.  Dean talks about the splitting of hardwood and softwood & how to avoid it.+ how big should pilot holes should be. Dean explains the differences between a wrench and pliers.

Dean talks about his recent project out in Albuquerque New Mexico and Tina's enjoyment of puzzles.  Dean shares what type of solution to use when cleaning kitchen cabinets that have been painted over wood. Dean talks about cabinet hardware that has automatic storage with a Kitchen Aid appliance installed in them. Lastly, Dean advices on placement of a shutter fence without covering an ocean view on a tract home. 

Dean does further research on placing a shutter as a fence in a home. Dean continues to discuss the best way to create a shutter blind that provides privacy + showcase the views from a caller's home + installing a roof. Dean discusses attic vent codes and everything about ventilators and their problems. 7:50a Dean discusses what is required of home ventilators. 

Dean introduces Special Guest John Cordero from the Kitchen Store as he joins the show. John Cordero talks about his business and how the kitchen store showroom is a playground to every customer + where cabinets came from. Dean shares some history on cabinets such as height placement of them throughout the years and how it has changed to fit the modern life. John Cordero explains the anatomy of cabinets and shares a fun fact of them too! 

Dean and John Cordero from the Kitchen Store give advice to a caller who is looking to upgrade their old cabinets without spending too much money. Dean advice a caller about replacing a water heater with an electric, tankless water heater. Dean and John Cordero say to get inspired and know your home before beginning any project. Plus, Dean says a custom design home is luxury, but that it doesn't mean that it must be done with luxury categories. 

Dean and John Cordero from the Kitchen Store talks trends such as lighting and the baseline drawers. Dean talks about the blind corner problem in many kitchens and other tricky problems.  Dean and John dive into the idea of customization as luxury. Lastly, Dean talks wood material when it comes to cabinets: oak, maple, cherry, walnut

Dean introduced the gang and is ready for an all-calls weekend where he answers any burning question one may have surrounded their home. Dean provides a caller information on an anti-slip coding product that prevents slippage and is easy to clean tile floors. Dean gives tips on how to secure a mailbox post that is already on the concrete floor. Dean talks about sagging ceilings and how to determine exactly what is causing it 

Dean continues to figure out what's causing the ceiling to sag down. Dean says to avoid painting concrete patio due to the moisture it creates and wear and tear usage + exterior epoxy concrete coating. Lastly, Dean advices a caller with their broken toilet tank and replacing their laminated floor. 

Dean tackles calls from listeners regarding drain maintenance, replacing a tub with a shower, hot plugs, smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and what is better for your home, separate ones or combination ones.

Dean takes calls from listeners seeking advice on replacing old school light bulbs in antique fixtures, tankless urinal odor problems, when doing a kitchen remodel, do you start with the floor first or install the cabinets first, retaining wall basics, contractor problems and turning an detached garage into an ADU.