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

Original Air Date: Week of December 30, 2006

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook takes a homeowner shopping for mulch and shows her how to re-mulch and edge her garden beds. Then, general contractor Tom Silva shows a homeowner how to replace broken sash balancers in his double-hung windows.

Mulching garden beds
Roger and the homeowner went to a local farm that sells several varieties of mulch. They examined a few different types and Roger shared a rule-of-thumb for determining the quantity of mulch: one cubic yard of mulch will cover approximately 300 square feet with a 1-inch layer of mulch. They selected a "triple grind" pine bark mulch and had it delivered. Back at the house, Roger began by stripping the old mulch out of the garden beds. The old mulch was spread too thick and was preventing air and water from getting down to the roots of the plants. Once the old mulch was stripped from the beds, Roger demonstrated how to clean up the edge of the bed using a half-moon edger. They then added a 1" layer of new mulch to the bed. To prevent rot, Roger made sure that the mulch did not come into contact with the shrubs' trunks.

Where to Find It
Mulch, mulch forks, and half-moon edgers are available at your local nursery, garden center or home center.

Repairing a sash-balancer in a double-hung window
Tom helped a homeowner install a new sash-balancer in a 20-year old double-hung window. The bottom sash would not stay open because the cord connecting the spring balancer to the sash had broken. Tom removed the sash and balancer and discovered that finish nails had been driven into the balancer, causing it to fail. Tom solved the problem by installing replacement sash balancers on both the right and left side of the window.

Where to Find It
Tom installed replacement sash balancers for a window manufactured by:
Andersen Windows
888-888-7020

Supplier: Brockway-Smith Company (BROSCO)
800-225-7912

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

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