Ask This Old House

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Season 5 Show Descriptions

Showing results for "Season 5"
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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


Original Air Date: Week of December 9, 2006

Tile contractor Joe Ferrante helps a homeowner install a brand new kitchen backsplash using glass tile. Then, landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner replace a damaged section of lawn using sod.

Installing glass tile on a kitchen backsplash
Tile expert Joe Ferrante helps a homeowner who wants to install tile on a kitchen backsplash. The homeowner has selected a type of "glass" tile made up of a series of small, glass squares that are attached to a mesh backing to make installation easier. Before they can install the glass tile, they have to remove the existing tile. To remove it, Joe uses a small flatbar, a hammer and two scrapers. Joe gently taps on each tile to get them off in solid pieces. Once the tiles are removed, Joe scrapes the adhesive off the wall with a scraper. He then mixes up some thin-set and uses it to smooth out the irregularities in the wall. Once the thin-set is smooth and dry, Joe lays out his tile and measures where he'll need to make cuts. For setting the tile, Joe uses more thin-set and trowels it onto the wall. He uses a straight-edge trowel instead of a "notched" one because the notches will show through the glass tile. Joe then applies the tile to the wall. To get around the electrical outlet, Joe cuts three of the small tiles off the grid and presses it onto the wall. For around the window, Joe uses a flush-cut saw to notch the window stool so he can slide the tile behind it, which is easier than trying to cut the tile to fit neatly around the window stool. Joe then cuts two of the small tiles to fit around the top and bottom of the electrical outlet, using a small plastic spacer to keep the grout joints even.

Where to Find It
Advice and technical assistance was provided by:
Joe Ferrante, tile expert
Ferrante Tile
10 Linwood Avenue
North Reading, MA 01864
781-396-6327

Glass tile supplied by:
Tile Showcase
(617) 926-1100

Joe used thin-set mortar manufactured by Laticrete

Repairing a damaged lawn with sod
Roger helps a homeowner repair a small damaged area of her lawn using sod grown at a sod farm. Roger determined that the lawn was damaged by a fungus, due to poor soil drainage caused by stone dust found in the soil. Roger digs out the stone dust and replaces it with a mix of topsoil, compost and sand. Once the soil is in place, Roger replaces the damaged grass with several pieces of Bluegrass sod, which matches the existing lawn perfectly. Finally, Roger recommends watering the sod twice a day for two weeks to help it get established.

Where to Find It
Topsoil, compost and sod can be purchased at your local garden center or home center.
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
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