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Ask This Old House TV

Ask This Old House

How do you decide what questions to answer on the show?

We check the Ask This Old House mailbox every day which is filled with an average of 5000 requests. Many homeowners often face similar household challenges. We try to answer those that are the most universal and compelling to our national audience. Although we can't answer every home repair request, your dilemma may be addressed in the Ask This Old House section of This Old House magazine. (If you're not a subscriber, you can try two sample issues free.)

How do you select the House Calls?

We go on a House Call when a selected problem can't be solved in the barn loft, such as how to dig a post hole or how to rebuild basement stairs. When we're on the road we'll announce the cities we'll be visiting so keep an eye on our site to see if we will be visiting your area.

I How Do I submit a Request for Ask This Old House?

You can email us here

I sent in a question and didn't get an answer — why not?

Unfortunately we receive so many questions that we are unable to reply to everyone personally. We can make some suggestions about where to find the information you need, but if we don't select your question to answer, we can't provide you with an individual response.

Remember, the Ask This Old House mailbox is only for home improvement questions. For all other correspondence, including technical questions about the Web site, letters to the editor, queries about the TV show or magazine, or any other comments or questions, please use our Feedback page.

If you don't select my question, where can I get the help I need?

First, try browsing the archive of questions — our experts have already answered a lot of them, you may find that your problem has already been addressed.

Next try searching our entire site for an article that might answer your question — we have thousands of pages of information about owning, repairing, and improving homes.

You can also try posing your question to other homeowners in our discussion forums. Someone else has probably faced the same problem already and may be able to help you. Check out our Home Renovators' Forum, a place where homeowners and do-it-yourselfers can compare notes, ask questions, and learn from one another's experiences.

It's helpful to check with your local hardware store or home center about questions specific to your house. They're familiar with the kinds of houses in your neighborhood, so it's likely that they've heard your question or a similar one before.

We also send out a free weekly e-mail newsletter with links to articles that you may find helpful. If you aren't a subscriber, sign up here.

I saw a great product on the show — where can I find it?

Most of the products you see on an episode of Ask This Old House may be found in the Show Descriptions page for each episode.

Where's Norm? Why isn't he on Ask This Old House?

We'd love to have master carpenter Norm Abram on Ask This Old House, but as you know he's already working on two television series, This Old House and The New Yankee Workshop. He also serves on the editorial board of This Old House magazine, where he writes the "Norm's Notebook" column. As much as he'd like to join us on Ask This Old House, he just doesn't have time to take on another show.

How can I contact the crew? Can I get an autographed photo of them?

All mail for the crew, including requests for photos and autographs, should be sent to This Old House, 135 West 50th St, 10th floor, New York, NY 10020.

When does Ask This Old House air in my area?

A new season begins each year in the fall. You can check the TV schedule — select your state from the pull-down menu to see the day and time Ask This Old House airs in your area.

Where is the loft located?

The renovated barn loft, which is stuffed with plumbing, carpentry, painting, and gardening tools, is located in the New England area.