Ask This Old House

Installing a new shower base
Richard helped a homeowner remove a "vintage" 1970's yellow shower enclosure and replace it with a new acrylic shower base. They removed the old shower stall with a reciprocating saw, hammers and pry bars. Richard also used the reciprocating saw to cut the PVC drainpipe underneath. Once the old shower stall was gone and the wall's framing was exposed, Richard measured the rough opening to make sure the new base would fit. The new base was slightly deeper than the old one, so he had to cut away some of the floor tile to accommodate the new base. Richard also discovered a plumbing vent pipe in the wall that prevented the new shower base from sitting tight up against the wall's studs. To remedy the situation, he screwed narrow strips of plywood to the studs to allow the new base to be fastened securely. He then cut a new hole in the sub floor to accommodate the new drainpipe. Before permanently installing the new base, Richard attached the new drain assembly. He then inserted the base into the rough opening and used a spirit level and wooden shims to ensure that the base was level in all directions. Once it was level, he drilled pilot holes in the base's nailing flange and used water resistant deck screws to fasten the base to the studs. Finally, Richard relocated and installed a new PVC drain trap from the basement underneath and the installation was complete.

Where to Find It
Faucet aerators are available at your local home center or plumbing supply house.

Installing a rain barrel
Roger helped a homeowner use rainwater from her roof for irrigation by installing a rain barrel. The barrel was made of oak and was once used for storing whiskey. It had been modified with a brass fitting on top for accepting the rainwater from a gutter downspout and it had a spigot on the bottom for connecting a soaker hose. To prevent the barrel from rotting on the bottom, Roger set the barrel on concrete "barrel blocks." The next step was to connect the barrel to the downspout. The barrel came with a plastic diverter that mounts on the aluminum downspout. When the barrel becomes full, excess rainwater will be diverted back into lower section of the downspout. Roger attached the diverter to the downspout using metal gutter screws. He then modified the bottom section of the downspout using a template and cut an opening using metal-cutting shears. Roger then secured the remainder of the downspout to the house with a gutter strap and screws. He then attached a hose to the diverter that will supply water to the barrel. Finally, he connects the soaker hose to the barrel and the installation is complete.

Where to Find It
Roger installed a recycled oak whiskey barrel that was modified to collect rainwater for irrigating plants.

Manufacturer: Aaron's Rain Barrels
978-790-1816