Ask This Old House TV

Showing results for "Season 4"
Scan the episodes below and select "more" to get information on products or services you saw on that episode.

Episode #426

Installing a mini-split air conditioning system, what is it?, de-thatching a lawn… more

Episode #425

Cutting ceramic and stone tile, installing a sump pump … more

Episode #424

Replacing an old dishwasher, what is it?, sharpening a wood chisel, using lawn spreaders… more

Episode #423

Replacing an interior "hollow-core" door with a new "solid-core" door, repairing a leaky kitchen faucet… more

Episode #422

Repairing stripped threads on a cast-iron radiator, fixing a grading problem, what is it?, stabilizing a wobbly newel post, refinishing an old cast-iron bathtub… more

Episode #421

Installing an instantaneous water heater, planting trees to save energy, installing cellulose insulation … more

Episode #420

Installing a granite driveway marker, what is it, repairing a hot water radiator system … more

Episode #419

Building a custom radiator cover, installing a steam humidifier in a forced-air heating system … more

Episode #418

Transplanting a white spruce tree, what is it?, extending a staircase handrail … more

Episode #417

Repairing a residential well, repairing a hole in vinyl siding … more

Episode #416

Choosing and using hammers, repairing a pressure-assisted toilet, repairing a plastered wall … more

Episode #415

Installing a low cost in-ground sprinkler system, what is it?, pouring a concrete footing for a deck … more

Episode #414

Installing a radon mitigation system, pruning an apple tree for fruit production… more

Episode #413

Installing a new vinyl floor, what is it?, preventing frozen pipes… more

Episode #412

Washing windows like a pro, what is it?, flushing an electric water heater… more

Episode #411

Snowthrowers, what is it?, where to find it… more

Episode #410

Pruning an overgrown privet hedge, installing a new basement laundry sink … more

Episode #409

Original Air Date: Week of December 1, 2005

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey starts the show with a suggestion sent in by a viewer. Richard shows how to use a common wire nut to save a partially-used tube of caulk and demonstrates a new replacement caulk tip. Then, general contractor Tom Silva helps a pair of homeowners replace the worn-out roof on an old garage. Together, they tear off the old roof, lay down felt paper, and re-shingle the roof using new asphalt-fiberglass shingles.

Viewer Tips
Up in the loft, Kevin reads a tip sent in by a viewer on how to save a partially-used tube of caulk. The viewer recommends using a wire nut as a cap for the tube's tip. Richard mentions that some tubes of caulk come with their own caps, but they're easily lost. He shows an aftermarket cap that also works as a tool for spreading caulk in corners. Richard then demonstrates how to insert a screw or nail or use duct-tape or plastic wrap to keep air from getting inside the tip. You can also cut off the end of a dried-up tip or remove the entire tip and use a replacement one that is available online.

Where to Find It
Richard showed a replacement tip for tubes of partially-used caulk.

Caulk Tip Manufactured by: Crawler Products, LLC
866-572-8297

Re-shingling a garage roof using asphalt-fiberglass shingles
General contractor Tom Silva helps a pair of homeowners replace the worn-out roof on their old garage. First, they tear off the old shingles using pitchforks to pry them off. Next, Tom re-secures the old sheathing boards to the roof rafters using 2 inch galvanized staples in a pneumatic staple gun. Tom then installs roof brackets and a plank on which to work. He then installs 30 lb. felt paper and fastens it using a hammer-tacker and ⅜ inch staples. Next, he installs a galvanized steel drip-edge and nails it down along the edge of the roof. He then snaps a series of chalk lines to indicate where each course of shingles will be installed. He then cuts the new asphalt fiberglass shingles to create a "starter course" and installs the remaining shingles with 1¼" galvanized roofing nails in a pneumatic nailer.

Where to Find It
Pneumatic stapler and roofing nailer were manufactured by:
SENCO Products, Inc.
800-543-4596

The asphalt-fiberglass shingles (product number XT25) were manufactured by:
CertainTeed

Roofing shingles and other materials were supplied by:
Harvey Industries
800-882-8945

Episode #408

Circular saw 101, what is it?, installing a new outdoor faucet using PEX, cabling an oak tree to prevent splitting… more

Episode #407

Removing and preventing moss, algae and lichen from a roof, what is it?, repairing a leaky water valve, planting shade-tolerant ground cover under a European Beech tree … more

Episode #406

Building a raised garden bed with landscape timbers, clearing a bathtub drain. … more

Episode #405

Caring for a rose bush, how to steady a wobbly toilet, plugging a basement water leak using hydraulic cement.… more

Episode #404

Repairing a flat wheelbarrow tire, repairing an aluminum rain gutter, viewer tips, installing a thermal expansion tank … more

Episode #403

Installing an under-sink water filter, planting a drought-resistant tree.… more

Episode #402

Quieting creaky stairs, static cling solution, and installing an electric shut-off valve for a washing machine … more

Episode #401

Repairing a mortared stone walkway, patching an oak floor… more