Ask This Old House

Find more information on Ask This Old House episodes, or more information on products and services you saw on Ask This Old House.

Ask This Old House does not endorse any product or service mentioned within this Web site.

Select a Season:

Season 5 Show Descriptions

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


Original Air Date: Week of January 1, 2007

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook and arborist Matt Foti help a homeowner properly prune his overgrown willow tree. Then, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Denver to fix a hot water heating system that doesn't provide enough heat to a newly-built addition.

Pruning an overgrown weeping willow tree
Roger and certified arborist Matt Foti helped a homeowner tame an overgrown weeping willow tree. In just six years the tree has grown very large and its branches are hanging over into the neighbors' yards. Roger first protects the small plants underneath the tree from falling branches by covering them with plastic pots. Matt begins by cutting the lower branches off using a pruning saw and the "three cut" method to prevent tearing of the tree's bark. For the dead branches that are not reachable from the ground, Roger uses a pole saw. Next, Roger cuts the branches that are rubbing against each other. Matt then cuts the larger branches using a chainsaw using the same "three cut" method. Once the lower branches are removed, one of Matt's professional tree climbers, Andy Murray, climbs the tree to remove the upper branches with a chainsaw. When finished, the tree still has its original weeping shape, but its overall size is reduced dramatically.

Where to Find It
Matt Foti, Certified Arborist
Matthew R. Foti Landscape and Tree Service
30 Fairbanks Rd
Lexington, MA 02421
(781) 861-0505

Adding zone controls to a hydronic heating system
Richard helped a Denver homeowner repair a hydronic heating system that was not providing sufficient heat to a newly-built addition. The new addition was heated with hot water baseboards, supplied by ½" copper pipe. The older part of the home's radiators were supplied by ¾" copper pipe. Richard determined that the ½" pipe was not large enough to sufficiently heat the addition. Rather than replace the ½" pipe with ¾" pipe, Richard decides that a better option is to add zone controls and a new wireless thermostat to the system. When the older part of the house has been sufficiently heated, the zone controls will shut off heat to that part of the house, while continuing to heat the new addition until it becomes sufficiently heated.

Advanced Hydronics, Inc
303-778-7772

Honeywell International Inc.
Phone: (973) 455-2000

Rampart Plumbing and Heating Supply, Inc (manifold parts & valves)
110 W Vermijo Ave, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 - (719) 471-7200
6250 Seneca Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80915 - (719) 574-5074

Water Systems Inc.
303-629-6122
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
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