Are appliances really built to last anymore? This week, we find out why your grandmother’s washing machine might outlive yours, and what to look for when buying appliances that go the distance.

In our series, Work In Progress, This Old House's Kevin O'Connor talks with HII CEO Chris Kastner about America's manufacturing renaissance and how paid apprenticeships are creating lucrative careers without the burden of college debt.

Then, how far is too far when it comes to Halloween decorations? A professional haunted house designer shares his secrets for creating a truly terrifying yard. And an energetic strategist explains how to banish unwanted spirits from your home. “Evil Dead” star Bruce Campbell takes us back to his childhood home, where backyard forts and homemade horror movies helped launch his career. Plus, we uncover the wild history of Halloween pranks, from stolen gates to the invention of trick-or-treating, and learn how to create the ultimate listening room at home.

In This Episode You'll Learn:
* How to protect and refinish expensive mahogany garage doors without having to redo them every year.
* Whether gaps around your front door could be a warning sign of foundation problems.
* What to do if your electrical panel is missing a protective cover and if you need to replace the entire panel.

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.

Is your smart home spying on you? Cybersecurity expert Patricia Egger reveals what your connected appliances know about you and how to protect your privacy. Then, Futurama voice actor Billy West takes us inside his haunted 1926 Hollywood bungalow, where mysterious ghosts and old Hollywood history collide. Plus, uncover the surprising history of the blender, from frozen daiquiris to groundbreaking DNA research. And in House Therapy, a couple battles over whether to turn their unfinished attic into a home office or a kids' playroom.

In This Episode You'll Learn:
* How to tell whether an oversized HVAC system or undersized ductwork is causing heating problems.
* When a leaking shower can be repaired and when it's time to tear it out and start over.
* How to deal with an unexpected three-inch difference in floor height during a basement renovation.

All of this, plus we’re answering your home improvement questions at 877-864-7460.