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

Original Air Date: Week of March 01, 2007

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner replace a corroded shut-off valve with a new one that doesn't require any soldering. Then Richard, along with host Kevin O'Connor, landscaping contractor Roger Cook and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Roger helps a homeowner select the proper rose bushes and plant them so they will "climb" a two-rail fence.

Replacing a corroded shut-off valve with a compression fitting
Richard helps a homeowner with several corroded water shut-off valves in his basement. The homeowner wanted to replace them himself, but was nervous about using a soldering torch. Richard recommends a type of shut-off valve with "compression" fittings that do not require soldering. The valve is attached to the copper supply pipes by tightening a nut on each end, which compresses a "ferrule" onto the copper pipe, ensuring a watertight seal. They begin by draining the water out of the pipe. They then cut off the old valve with a hacksaw and install the new valve. What is it? The guys try to guess the intended purpose of an unusual-looking product. Where to Find It Richard showed a "basket-type pulling grip" used for pulling electrical cable through walls and conduit. It is manufactured by: Greenlee Textron Inc.
800.435.0786

Selecting and planting climbing roses
Roger helps a homeowner select and plant roses alongside her newly-installed fence. They start by visiting a nursery and meet local rosarian Felicity Keen. Felicity shows several different types of roses and talks about the maintenance involved with each type. They settle on a climbing type called "garden sun." Each plant will spread out about 8-feet along each section of fence. Roger plants each one in the center of each fence rail section. They dig holes twice as wide and 6" deeper than each of the plants. They then add 6 inches of topsoil amended with peat moss, fertilizer and composted chicken manure to the bottom of each hole. This will ensure that the rose bushes will be planted level with the grade. They place the plants in the holes, backfill with the amended soil, and soak the roots with water. Roger then ties the plants with jute twine onto the fence rails to "train" them along the fence.

Where to Find It
Roger and the homeowner visited a local nursery where they saw many different varieties of roses.
Russell's Garden Center
508-358-2283

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

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