Ask This Old House

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Season 6 Show Descriptions

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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


Original Air Date: Week of November 8, 2007

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook and arborist Matt Foti help a homeowner remove an old tree that threatens to fall on her house. Then Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Then Tom helps a homeowner bring some character into a room by installing wood trim around a plain doorway.

How to Remove a Dangerous Tree

Roger and Matt consult with a homeowner who is worried about a large red maple tree that is leaning toward her house. Upon close inspection, Matt finds that the tree has severe rot inside its trunk, making it very likely that it could fall and damage the house. Roger also explains that the tree has a "V-crotch," a structural defect high up in the tree that could fail due to a heavy snow-load or wind. Matt and Roger decide the best course of action is to completely remove the tree.

Matt Foti, Certified Arborist
Matthew R. Foti Landscape and Tree Service
30 Fairbanks Rd
Lexington, MA 02421-7729
781-861-0505

What Is It?

Tom showed an electric mat used to prevent fog buildup on a bathroom mirror.

Fog Free Reflections
107-C Executive Drive
Dulles, VA 20166
877-438-3643


How to Install Interior Door Trim

Tom helps a homeowner add character to a living room doorway by installing new wood trim. The homeowner wanted to match the new trim to the existing "colonial" trim upstairs. To help Tom get an exact match, he used a "profile gauge," a tool that takes an impression of the existing trim's profile. Tom then traced the profile from the gauge onto a piece of paper and took it with him to a local millwork shop. After finding an exact match, they headed back to the house and got to work installing the new trim. Tom began by removing the old baseboard that was in the way. Next, he measured the doorway opening and cut the pieces for the "jamb." Rather than install the jamb assembly in place piece by piece, Tom decided to build most of the unit on the floor. After screwing the jamb sides to the header piece, Tom then attached the trim pieces to the jamb assembly using finish nails. He then stood the entire unit up in the opening, checked for plumb, and nailed the trim to the wall. Tom then attached the trim to the other side of the doorway and the installation was complete.

Profile Gauge: Supplier: Lee Valley Tools Ltd.
P.O. Box 1780
Ogdensburg, NY 13669-6780
800-871-8158


Mill Yard: Anderson & McQuaid Millwork
170 Fawcett St
Cambridge, MA 02138
(800) 640-3250]
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
Replacing a bathtub drain trap, What is it?, Repairing a cracked drywall ceiling… more