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

Original Air Date: Week of January 25, 2007

Host Kevin O'Connor helps a homeowner select wall-to-wall carpet and install it properly with the assistance of a professional installer. Back in the loft, Kevin, along with general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscaping contractor Roger Cook ask, "What is it?" Then Tom shows Kevin a few tips for using a tablesaw safely and demonstrates a new type of emergency-brake that helps prevent tablesaw injuries.

Shopping for and installing wall-to-wall carpet
Kevin and a homeowner visit a local home center to shop for new carpeting. An expert shows them some choices and explains the differences of each type, which include pile and berber. They also discuss durability and stain resistance. For a high-traffic area, the expert recommends a berber carpet. The homeowner places an order and Kevin returns several days later to help install the new carpet. First, they remove the old carpeting by cutting it into smaller pieces and scrape any glue and padding from the concrete floor underneath. The installer then checks the condition of the "tackless" strips, which hold the carpet in place around the perimeter of the room. He decides to add additional strips in some areas to help secure the carpet when it is being stretched. He then brings in the new carpeting to determine where to make the cuts. The installer decides to lay out the carpet so there are no seams near the front door, which is a high traffic area. Once the carpet is cut roughly to size, the installer carefully joins the seams together near the back of the room using a special adhesive strip and hot iron. The carpet is then stretched over the tackless strips using a hand tool called a "power stretcher" and the installation is complete.

Where to Find It
Kevin and the homeowner went shopping for carpet at a local Home Depot store.

The carpet was installed by Home Depot's "At Home" installers:
4 Seasons Carpet Workshop Inc.
1560 Elmwood Ave.
Cranston, RI 02910
401-781-8466

Carpet installation tools are available at some rental stores.

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

Where to Find It
Roger showed a retractable device used for hanging plants from the ceiling.
Adjust-A-Hook
Manufacturer: Hillman
(Available online through some national hardware retailers)

Table saw safety
Up in the loft, Tom teaches Kevin a few important lessons for safely using table saws. He shows a saw's blade guard assembly, which includes the blade guard, a splitter and two anti-kickback pawls. The splitter and pawls help prevent the work piece from kicking-back toward the operator. "Kickback" occurs when a piece of wood binds behind the spinning blade, which can throw it toward the operator. Tom also says it's important to make sure the saw's rip fence is parallel with the blade, which also helps to prevent kickback. They discuss feather boards, which help keep the workpiece tight against the fence while cutting. Tom also says to use a push stick when making narrow rip cuts to keep fingers away from the spinning blade. Never use a rip fence when cross-cutting; use a miter gauge instead. Finally, Tom demonstrates a new technology that detects when a human finger comes into contact with a spinning blade. A powerful brake stops the spinning blade within a millisecond to prevent serious injury.

Where to Find It
Featherboards, pushsticks, outfeed supports and other tablesaw safety accessories can be found at your local home center or woodworking supply store.

Tom showed a new type of table saw with an emergency braking system. It is manufactured by:
SawStop, LLC
503-570-3200

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

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