Ask This Old House

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Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a pair of homeowners get control of a privet hedge that has grown to be over 10 feet tall. He recommends "rejuvenation pruning" to reduce its overall size and allow more sunlight to reach the inside of the hedge. Roger begins on the sunny side of the hedge, using bypass loppers to remove some branches growing away from the main stems. This makes small holes for sunlight to reach the inside. Using bypass hand-pruners, Roger then tapers the hedge, making it narrower at the top. This will allow more sunlight to get into the base and will help to shed snow from the top of the hedge during the winter months.

Where to Find It
Step ladders manufactured by: Lynn Ladder & Scaffolding Co., Inc.
800-596-6717

Some of the pruning tools were manufactured by:
Fiskars

Installing a new basement laundry sink
Plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner install a laundry sink in the basement of her new townhouse. First, he explains that the sink's drain must be higher than the main drainpipe so that gravity will allow water to drain freely. The main drainpipe is a little too high, so Richard puts concrete blocks underneath the sink to raise it up. He then cuts into the main drain line and installs a fitting that will receive both the pipe coming from the sink's drain and a pipe leading to a vent. After cutting and gluing together all of the PVC drain pipes, Richard installs the sink's faucet. He then cuts into the copper water supply lines and installs new shut-off valves that will supply hot and cold water to the sink's faucet. He then uses steel-braided hoses to make the final connections between the supply valves and the faucet.

Where to Find It
The "Utilatub" laundry sink was manufactured by:
Mustee & Sons, Inc.
Laundry sinks and all of the other materials needed for this project are available at your local home center or plumbing supply house.