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

Original Air Date: Week of February 22, 2007

General contractor Tom Silva removes the cracked and warped boards on an old deck and installs new composite decking using hidden fasteners. Afterward, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey quiets down a noisy steam heating system.

Installing composite decking with hidden fasteners
Tom helped the homeowner remove his old, pressure-treated deck boards and install new composite decking. The old deck boards had peeling paint and were cracked and warped. The homeowner wanted to replace them with a low-maintenance alternative and chose composite decking made from recycled plastic and sawdust. First, Tom carefully removed the old railings so that they could be reinstalled later. He then pried off the old deck boards one at a time. Tom then cut and installed the first new composite deck board against the side of the house and screwed it into place using special composite deck screws, which are colored red to match the deck. Once the first board was in place, Tom installed the rest of the decking using "hidden" deck fasteners. These fasteners are screwed to the joists and have prongs that dig into the sides of each deck board, holding them together with the correct amount of spacing in between. Tom then installed the final deck board with screws, just like the first one, and the installation was complete.

Where to Find It
Tom installed new composite deck boards made from plastic and sawdust:
Trex
800-289-8739

Quieting a noisy steam radiator
Richard helped the homeowner with a noisy 1-pipe steam system. The homeowner complained about a "hammering" sound coming from one of the radiators. Richard explained that with a steam heating system, steam fills the radiators, which give off heat to the rooms. As it cools, the steam inside the radiators condenses back to water and flows back to the boiler to be heated again. In order for the water to flow back to the boiler, the radiators need to be "pitched" in the right direction. If they're not, condensate will just sit at the bottom of the radiator and cause "banging" the next time steam enters the radiator. To fix this problem, Richard recommended putting plastic furniture cups under the legs on one side of the radiator; this will cause the top of the radiator to be level so that all of the condensate in the radiator will flow back to the boiler.

Where to Find It
Richard shimmed a steam radiator using plastic furniture cups, which are available at any hardware store or home center.

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

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