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

Original Air Date: Week of November 16, 2006

Host Kevin O'Connor and energy efficiency expert Bruce Torrey conduct an energy audit of a house. Using an infra-red camera, they locate areas where weather-stripping and insulation can be improved. Then Kevin, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscaping contractor Roger Cook, and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Richard demonstrates how to remove an old toilet seat that has corroded bolts.

Home Energy Audit
Kevin and home energy efficiency expert Bruce Torrey tour a 10-year old house to find places where energy efficiency can be improved. They start by looking at the home's interior walls and ceilings through an infrared thermal camera that shows where cold air can get inside and where warm air can escape. Downstairs looks fine, but upstairs Bruce finds some problems. The camera reveals cold air coming into the house near the eaves of the roof. He also finds some spots where insulation has been improperly installed in the attic. For the rest of the audit, Bruce uses a "blower door," which creates negative pressure inside the house to better show where air leaks are occurring. Using a smoke pencil, Bruce detects air leaks around an exterior door. Back upstairs, the infrared camera shows cold air inside a bathroom wall, which suggests that the top of the wall is unsealed, letting expensive heated air escape up into the attic. The camera also shows inadequate air sealing around pull-down steps leading up to the attic. Up in the attic, Bruce shows a type of "dome" that seals around the attic steps to prevent heat loss. Bruce then notices "sooting" on several fiberglass insulation batts, indicating that warm air has escaped into the attic. He pulls up one of the batts, revealing the bathroom wall below where a major air leak is occurring. To seal it, Bruce sprays a two-part polyurethane foam over the opening. He also shows how to seal around ceiling penetrations like bathroom fans and light fixtures. Near the eaves, Bruce finds that cold air is actually blowing underneath the insulation batts, making the rooms below chilly. To remedy this, Bruce recommends a cardboard baffle for each rafter bay that will direct cold air up and over the batts, preventing cold air from infiltrating the rooms below.

Where to Find It
Bruce Torrey is a certified level 1 Infrared Thermographer and the proprietor of Building Diagnostics in Sandwich, MA. He also writes articles for trade publications and consults with insulation contractors, builders and architects on proper insulation and air-sealing techniques.

Bruce Torrey
Building Diagnostics
888-503-2233

You may be able to locate other energy efficiency experts through your local utility company or insulation contractor.

Therma-Dome Attic Stair Cover
Supplier: Black Energy
404-836-7777

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

Where to Find It
Roger shows a "fence tensioner," a tool used for stretching a chain link fence during installation.

Fence tensioners are available where chain link fencing supplies are sold.

Removing a toilet seat with corroded bolts
Up in the loft, Richard shows Kevin a few ways to remove toilet seats with corroded or hard-to-reach bolts. He shows a basin wrench, ratcheting wrench, and socket wrench for getting at the nuts in tight spaces. He also shows a penetrating liquid lubricant for nuts that have become corroded and frozen. Richard then shows how to carefully remove a toilet seat by cutting through the bolts with a mini-hacksaw and uses a wide-blade knife to protect the toilet bowl while cutting.

Where to Find It
Basin wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, socket wrench, mini-hacksaws and penetrating spray lubricants can all be found at your local home center or plumbing supply house.

Episode #506

Rebuilding a small exterior deck and stairs.… more

Episode #505

Planting flower bulbs in fall, making straight rip cuts with a circular saw, what is it?… more

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