Episode

Viewer Tips

Host Kevin O'Connor heads to sunny southern California where he and a local expert help a homeowner learn how to wash windows like a professional. Window cleaning expert Garry Jalowka tells them that ordinary dishwashing detergent mixed with water works best because it doesn't evaporate quickly like ammonia-based cleaners do. He then shows how to get professional-quality results using different types and sizes of squeegees and rags.

What is it?

The guys try to guess the intended purpose of an unusual-looking product.

Flushing an electric water heater.

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helped a pair of homeowners flush sediment from their electric water heater. The water heater was 10 years old and had not been adequately maintained. Richard suggested draining the tank to remove the sediment, but warned that the tank might later leak due to its age. Richard flushed the tank using a hose connected to an electric pump which pulled the water and sediment from inside the tank to the outside of the house. Once the water ran clear, Richard added some water to the tank to stir up any remaining sediment on the bottom and then pumped it out again. A few weeks later, the homeowners reported that the tank had started leaking, just like Richard warned that it might. So, Richard replaced their water heater and brought the old one up into the loft for an autopsy, which revealed that corrosion inside the tank had caused it to leak.