Show Descriptions
Showing results for "Season 1 | Episode #101"
Original Air Date: Week of October 10, 2002
In the debut episode, host Steve Thomas joins plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Roger Cook, and general contractor Tom Silva in the Ask This Old House loft to give viewers a chance to ask questions and get expert advice about their homes. Tom shows Steve how to build a replacement window screen using inexpensive parts purchased from a home center. Roger demonstrates how an old olive barrel can be modified to act as a rain collector and be used to water a garden. Responding to a letter from a homeowner, Richard and Steve demonstrate how to find and fix a leak in a 20-year-old dishwasher. Roger demonstrates the proper technique for sharpening lawn mower blades. Tom hits the road for the first House Call of the season, to a tall homeowner whose low ceiling threatens to knock him out on his way to the basement.
Repairing a WindowScreen
Tom shows Steve how to build a replacementwindow screen using inexpensive parts purchased from a homecenter.Where to Find It
The following materials for windowscreens can be purchased in your local hardware store or homecenter:
Phifer charcoal fiberglass screen
Phifer.125" diameter gray screening spline
Screen Tightâ„¢screen frame corners
Aluminum window screen framechannels
Saving the Rain
Roger demonstrates how an old olive barrelcan be modified to act as a rain collector and be used to water agarden. Multiple barrels can be connected to increase the amount ofwater stored.Where to Find It
The Great American Rain Barrel Co.
1715Hyde Park Ave.
Hyde Park, MA 02136
Phone: 800-251-2352
Fax: 617-361-2638
Looking for Headroom
This homeowner's basement stairs had treadsthat were deeper than necessary, which meant that the staircase took upmore room than it had to. If the treads were smaller, the lower stairswouldn't be as close to the ceiling. Tom solves the problem by cuttingback stair treads to create much-needed headroom. He explains that theideal total measurement for tread and riser combined is 17 inches, witha minimum of 8 inches for the tread.Where to Find It
Treads, stringers, and supporting hardware canbe purchased in your local lumberyard or home center.
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