Ask This Old House

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Season 5 Show Descriptions

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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


Original Air Date: Week of January 18, 2007

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook heads to Denver to help a pair of homeowners remove an overgrown Juniper bush. Then, up in the loft, host Kevin O'Connor and general contractor Tom Silva demonstrate the proper way to coil extension cords. Then, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner replace a pop-up drain assembly on the pedestal sink in his bathroom.

Removing an overgrown Juniper bush
Roger helps a pair of Denver homeowners remove an overgrown "Pfitzer" Juniper bush. The bush is at least 40 years old and is hiding the front of the house. After months of trying to shear it, the homeowners decided they want to remove it completely. Roger starts by using bypass loppers to remove the smaller branches on the outside of the bush. Once the inside of the bush is exposed, they use a chainsaw to remove some of the larger limbs. Once all the limbs are removed, they remove the six stumps left behind with shovels and mattocks. The mattocks are used to chop through the roots and pry the stumps out of the ground.

Where to Find It
Chainsaws, shovels and mattocks can all be found at your local home center.

Coiling an extension cord
Up in the loft, Tom shows Kevin a few ways to coil an extension cord properly. First, he shows several gadgets used for coiling up cords, but Tom doesn't like most of them because they wind the cords too tightly, which can damage them over time. Tom then introduces TOH gaffer Kenny Boyle, who has coiled miles of extension cords used for lighting the TV show. Kenny recommends an "over-and-under" technique, which allows the cord to remain flat when it's being used. Tom also shows how to coil a cord in a 5-gallon bucket with a hole in the bottom, which allows easy access to the cord's plug.

Replacing a pop-up assembly in a pedestal sink
Richard helps a homeowner replace a pedestal sink's "pop-up" drain assembly. The pop-up assembly's finish has worn off, causing it to corrode and look unsightly. To replace the pop-up, Richard must dismantle the pedestal sink. He first disconnects the supply valves and drainpipe from the sink and removes the sink from the wall. Richard then removes the pop-up assembly from the sink and installs a new one using plumber's putty and pipe sealant for a good seal. He then reattaches the sink's basin to the wall using toggle bolts and reconnects the drain and supply lines.

Where to Find It
Drain pop-up assemblies can be purchased at your local home center or plumbing supply house.
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
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