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

Original Air Date: Week of February 15, 2007

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook shows a homeowner how the brick stairs in front of his house have created a blistering "micro-climate," causing damage to an adjacent shrub. Together, they remove the ailing shrub and replace it with a heat-tolerant yew. Then Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Tom improves the ventilation in an attic by installing a solar-powered roof fan.

Replacing a shrub
Roger helps a homeowner with a "dwarf" alberta spruce tree that is planted near the entrance of the house. Roger finds two problems: Spider mites have killed off part of the bush. The other problem is that the bush is located in a sunny spot next to a large masonry front stoop. This area collects a lot of heat thereby causing stress to the plant. Roger describes this as a "microclimate" and recommends replacing the shrub with a heat-tolerant yew. Together, they remove the old tree, dig a larger hole to receive the new plant, amend the soil, and plant the yew.

Where to Find It
Shrubs such as the dwarf alberta spruce and yew are available at your local garden center. For more information about gardening in microclimates, visit: www.gardening.cornell.edu/weather/microcli.html

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

Where to Find It
Tom showed an electric pump used for filtering and recycling used turkey fryer oil.

Miracle Frying Oil Pump
Supplier: Sportsman's Recipes, Inc.
888-276-6721

Installing a roof-mounted attic fan
Tom helps a homeowner with poor ventilation in his attic. The existing ridge vent and soffit vents aren't doing enough to ventilate moisture and excess heat from the attic. Tom recommends tightening up any voids in the insulation and installing solar-powered attic fans. The fans will be mounted on the south side of the roof for best exposure to the sun throughout the day. Tom cuts a hole through the roof near the peak. He then removes a few shingles, installs the fan, and reinstalls the shingles around the fan's flashing.

Where to Find It
Solar Star® by Solatube
Manufacturer: Solatube International, Inc.
888-SOLATUBE

Up in the loft, Tom showed another attic fan made by a different manufacturer.

SolarCool Attic Vent
Manufacturer: Air Vent, Inc.
800-AIR-VENT

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

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