Ask This Old House

Show Descriptions

Showing results for "Season 3 | Episode #326"

Original Air Date: Week of March 28, 2005

General contractor Tom Silva makes a house call to Atlanta, Georgia to show homeowner Terry Andrews how to use masonry fasteners to install window boxes on his brick townhouse. Then Tom, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscaping contractor Roger Cook, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, back in the loft, Richard shows Kevin several different ways to make copper pipe connections, including a new solderless system. Then, Roger helps homeowner Alan Lear of Carlisle, Massachusetts install a perimeter drain to catch rainwater running off of his roof.

Installing Window Boxes on Brick Siding

Tom installs copper window boxes onto brick siding using masonry fasteners. He first selects a fastener that will expand inside the siding when the bolt is tightened. He then measures for the location of the brackets so the boxes will be centered under the window. He then pre-drills holes for the fasteners using a hammer drill and masonry bit. He then tightens the bracket bolts and hangs the boxes.

Where to Find It

Window boxes
Smith and Hawken
P.O. Box 8690
Pueblo, CO 81008-9998
800-940-1170
www.smithandhawken.com

Masonry fasteners like the ones Tom showed can be purchased at your local home center. Hammer drills and masonry bits can be purchased or rented at most home centers or tool rental companies.

What is it?

Tom shows a magnetic broom for picking up metal fasteners off the floor and Richard showed a device for bending copper tubing.

Where to Find It

Magnetic Broom
SMV Industries
(Contact information not available)

Similar magnetic brooms are available some home centers and hardware stores.

Tubing bender
Great Neck Saw Manufacturers, Inc.
165 East 2nd Street
Mineola, NY 11501
516-746-5352
www.greatnecksaw.com

Making Plumbing Connections

Richard shows how to make a number of copper plumbing connections, including a "sweat" connection, "flared" connection, "compression" connection, and "crimp" connection.

Where to Find It

The professional crimping tool that Richard demonstrated is:
RIDGID/Viega Pro-Press System
888-743-4333
www.propresssystem.com

Other tools and materials (including solder, flux, plumbing torches, flaring tools, and compression fittings) are available at your local home center or plumbing supply company.

Installing a "Drip Strip"

Roger installs a perimeter drain to catch rainwater falling from a roof. He first digs a shallow, V-shaped trench and lines it with plastic. He then inserts a perforated plastic pipe and covers it with crushed stone and filter fabric.

Where to Find It

Lightweight perforated pipe, gravel, plastic sheeting and filter fabric can be purchased at your local garden center or home center.

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Meet Our Crew

Norm Abram: Master carpenter of This Old House since the series' 1979 premiere, and host of The New Yankee Workshop since its premiere a decade later, Norm Abram has inspired millions of homeowners to renovate and restore their homes. Seen across the … more

More Crew Bios:

Tom Silva |Chris Wolfe |Richard Trethewey |Kevin O'Connor |Roger Cook