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Season 6 Show Descriptions

Showing results for "Season 6"
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Episode #626
Rebuilding a toilet tank, Lawn Watering, Building a simple bookcase… more
Episode #625
Installing a water pressure reducing valve, Choosing the best types of grass seed, What is it?, Installing crown molding on kitchen cabinets… more
Episode #624
Replacing broken tile, Cutting ceramic and stone tile, Installing glass tile on a kitchen backsplash… more
Episode #623
Overseeding a lawn using a slice seeder, Viewer tip, Preparing a home for sale, Finding and fixing a mysterious plumbing leak … more
Episode #622
Installing granite steps, Choosing "Keyless" Deadbolts, Replacing polybutylene water piping… more
Episode #621
Installing an old full-mortise lockset into a new door, Installing a pellet stove, Non-Gasoline Lawn Mowers… more
Episode #620
Building a soccer goal with PVC pipe, Building stilts, Building a sandbox… more
Episode #619
Increasing attic insulation, Installing landscape lighting, Replacing an old kitchen faucet… more
Episode #618
Installing a Water Softener, Installing fiber-cement siding … more
Episode #617
Improving a lawn, What is it?, Water Supply Piping… more
Episode #616
Replacing a leaky skylight, What is it?, Repairing a 3-way light switch… more
Episode #615
The ATOH crew repairs a smelly dishwasher, transplants a rosebush, changes a circular saw blade, and plays another exciting round of What Is It?… more
Episode #614
Installing thermostatic radiator valves on hydronic radiators, What is it?, Making a refrigerator fit into an opening that is too small, Viewer tip… more
Episode #613
Installing a vinyl fence, Installing an epoxy coating on a garage floor… more
Episode #612
Determining landscape grades, What is it?, Seeing inside walls, Repairing a bathtub drain that won't hold water… more
Episode #611
Improving front steps with bluestone, What is it?, Installing a propane kitchen stove… more
Episode #610
Diverting storm runoff to a "rain garden," What is it?, Refinishing a wood floor … more
Episode #609
Picking a Christmas tree, What is it?, Safety equipment, Caulking a leaky window… more
Episode #608
Improving a muddy backyard, Choosing space heaters, Preventing condensation in a bathroom fan… more
Episode #607
Installing replacement windows, Heating water more efficiency, Home energy audit… more
Episode #606
Removing a dangerous tree, What is it?, Installing interior door trim… more
Episode #605
Repairing a jammed garbage disposer, What is it?, Stripping exterior paint, Drilling and notching in joists … more
Episode #604
Preventing floods, Removing and replacing foundation plants, What is it?, Fixing rotted wood with epoxy… more
Episode #603
Replacing a toilet flange, What is it?, Repairing cracked plaster, Viewer Tip… more
Episode #602
Carpentry squares, What is it?, Installing a patio using concrete bricks… more
Episode #601


Original Air Date: Week of October 4, 2007

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Cleveland, Ohio to help a homeowner replace a bathtub drain trap. Then Richard, along with general contractor Tom Silva, landscaping contractor Roger Cook and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Tom helps a homeowner repair a cracked drywall ceiling.

How to Replace a Bathtub Drain Trap

Richard visited a Cleveland homeowner in need of a new bathtub drain trap. Richard determined that the bathtub was draining very slowly due to an old style of trap called a "drum" trap, which clogs easily and is hard to clear with a snake. Richard removed the old drum trap using a reciprocating saw and pipe wrenches. With the old trap removed, he installed a newer type of plastic trap called a "P" trap. He used a threaded PVC adapter to connect to the old drain line and glued the pieces of the new trap together using PVC cement.

PVC "P"-traps and fittings can be found at your local home center or plumbing supply house.

Technical assistance was provided by:

Woodhill Supply, Inc.

216-229-3900

What Is It?

Roger showed a green, plastic device used for spray-painting sections of a log for cutting firewood.

The Mingo
Manufacturer: SMH Inc.
P.O. Box 1478
Bonners Ferry, ID 83805
888-267-5965


How to Repair a Cracked Drywall Ceiling

Tom helped a homeowner who accidentally stepped through a drywall ceiling while working up in the attic. Instead of cutting out the damaged wallboard, Tom used a system for reattaching it to the wood framing. Tom began by locating the 1" x 3" "strapping" that runs perpendicular to the ceiling joists, spaced 16" on center. Tom then took a piece of plywood with holes in it and used it to force the drywall back against the strapping by wedging it in place with a piece of 2x4 lumber. With the drywall once again tight to the strapping, Tom then drove drywall screws through the holes in the plywood, fastening the drywall to the strapping. Up in the attic, Tom then glued 2 pieces of plywood to the top of the damaged section of drywall and secured the plywood to the drywall with glue and shims. Tom then drove additional screws from below for added strength. With the plywood and bracing removed from underneath the ceiling, Tom applied fiberglass mesh tape and joint compound over the screws and cracks using a "skip trowel" technique to match the existing ceiling texture.

Plywood, lumber and joint compound can be found at your local home center.