Ask This Old House TV

Showing results for "Season 5"
Scan the episodes below and select "more" to get information on products or services you saw on that episode.

Episode #526

Building a Workbench and What Is It?… more

Episode #525

Lawn Mowing and Edging Basics, What is it?, Repairing and maintaining electric water heaters, Repairing a broken stair tread … more

Episode #524

Replacing a damaged mailbox post,Repointing Brickwork … more

Episode #523

Installing a new radiator/towel bar warmer, What is it?, Controlling crabgrass … more

Episode #522

Replacing a corroded shut-off valve with a "compression" fitting, What is it?, Selecting and planting "climbing" roses … more

Episode #521

Installing composite decking with hidden fasteners, Quieting a noisy steam radiator… more

Episode #520

Replacing a Shub, What is it?, Installing a roof-mounted attic fan… more

Episode #519

Refinishing cast-iron radiators, Installing a standby electric generator… more

Episode #518

Patching a damaged vinyl floor, What is it?, Repairing a leaking in-ground sprinkler system… more

Episode #517

Shopping for and installing wall-to-wall carpet, What is it?, Table saw safety… more

Episode #516

Removing an overgrown Juniper bush, Coiling an extension cord, Replacing a pop-up assembly in a pedestal sink … more

Episode #515

Clearing clogged drains, What is it?, Install Kitchen Cabinets… more

Episode #514

Prune a willow tree, fix a hot-water heater… more

Episode #513

Mulching, Sash Balancers … more

Episode #512

Shower Valve, Recycling Batteries … more

Episode #511

Cedar Clapboards, Chainsaw Etiquette … more

Episode #510

Kitchen Backsplash, Installing Sod … more

Episode #509

Child safety, What is It?, Installing a sump pump… more

Episode #508

Maintaining stone countertops, what is it?, Installing a chain link fence… more

Episode #507

Home Energy Audit, what is it?, Removing a toilet seat with corroded bolts… more

Episode #506

Rebuilding a small exterior deck and stairs.… more

Episode #505

Original Air Date: Week of November 2, 2006

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook and host Kevin O'Connor plant flower bulbs outside the barn. Then, up in the loft, general contractor Tom Silva shows Kevin how to makes straight rip cuts with a circular saw using a customized jig. Then Tom, Kevin, Roger and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Richard helps a homeowner eliminate the water hammer noise from his pipes by installing shock suppressors.

Planting flower bulbs in fall
Roger joins Kevin outside the barn to plant bulbs. Roger shows Kevin how to select both early and late-blooming varieties in order to get a wide variety of colorful flowers throughout spring. For planting, Roger decides on a "natural" look for placement of the flowers by planting the bulbs in clusters around the garden. Compost and bulb fertilizer are mixed into the soil in order to help the flowers keep coming back season after season. To keep the bulbs from freezing in the winter, Roger lays leaves on top of the soil to act as mulch, which will insulate the soil. Roger also shows Kevin how to "force" some bulbs into blooming faster by planting them in indoor containers.

Where to Find It
Bulbs can be purchased at any home center, garden center, or nursery. The bulbs that Roger planted were supplied by:
Mahoney's Garden Center
781-729-5900

Making straight rip cuts with a circular saw
Tom shows Kevin how to make rip cuts on a circular saw using a straightedge. He also shows how to make a custom plywood jig to help make straight rip cuts even easier.

Where to Find It
Tommy showed a self-clamping straightedge used for making rip cuts with a circular saw.

Clamp 'N Tool Guide manufactured by: Griset Industries, Inc.
800-662-2892

What is it?
The guys try to guess the intended purpose of an unusual-looking object.

Where to Find It
Tom showed a large, pink foam device used to insulate the top of a set of pull-down attic stairs.
PINKCap Attic Stair Insulator
Manufacturer: Owens Corning
800-438-7465

What is it?
Richard helped a homeowner install water hammers arrestors for his washing machine. The washing machine was causing a loud banging sound in the pipes whenever it stopped filling with water. To eliminate the noise, Richard installed water hammer arrestors on both the hot and cold water supply lines. Each of these devices has a pressurized diaphragm that absorbs the shock when time the washing machine stops its fill cycle.

Where to Find It
Richard installed two water arrestors on a washing machine.Mini-Trol Water Hammer Arrestor
Manufacturer: Amtrol Inc.
401-884-6300

Episode #504

Installing garage storage cabinets, What is it?, Installing a ceiling fan… more

Episode #503

Installing a new shower base, Installing a rain barrel… more

Episode #502

Replacing a clogged faucet aerator, Selecting houseplants, Quieting a squeaky subfloor under carpet… more

Episode #501

Repairing a bathroom door, planting a bamboo privacy screen, what is it?… more