Ask This Old House TV

Showing results for "Season 6"
Scan the episodes below and select "more" to get information on products or services you saw on that episode.

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

Original Air Date: Week of November 29, 2007

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook is on a special mission to pick the perfect Christmas tree at a local tree farm. Later, up in the loft, Roger shares a few tips for keeping Christmas trees healthy throughout the holiday season. Then Roger, host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and general contractor Tom Silva try to answer the question, "What is it?" Afterward, Tom heads to Florida to show a homeowner the proper way to caulk a leaky window.

Picking a Christmas tree

Roger visits a local Christmas tree farm where several different varieties of trees are grown. Roger examines a Douglas Fir, Balsam Fir, and Concolor Fir (also called a White Fir), but ultimately he selects a Fraser Fir for its strong branches and unique coloring. Later, up in the loft, Roger gives some tips on watering a freshly-cut tree.

Where to find it?

Roger visited a local Christmas tree farm:

Evergreen Farm
155 Kendall Hill Rd.
Sterling, MA 01564
(978) 365-5818

More information on Christmas trees can be found at the following websites:

Massachusetts Christmas Tree Association
www.christmas-trees.org

National Christmas Tree Association
www.christmastree.org

What is it?

The guys try to guess the intended purpose of an unusual-looking product.

Where to find it?

Kevin showed an antique "burglar alarm" system that would fire a shot of gun-powder if a door was opened. It was patented in 1857 by Simeon Coon (patent no. 18,236).

Safety equipment

Richard showed Kevin safety equipment necessary for home improvement jobs including eye, ear and lung protection.

Where to find it?

Safety supplies are available at any hardware store or home center. The equipment that Richard showed is sold under the brand AOSafety and was supplied by:

Aearo Company
5457 West 79th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46268
(317) 692-6666
www.aosafety.com

Caulking a leaky window

Tom visited a homeowner in Florida who had a problem with rainwater leaking around window, causing damage to his interior wall. On the outside of the house, Tom discovered that the caulk that was applied to seal the joint between the masonry wall and window had failed. To repair the leak, Tom and the homeowner scraped away the old caulking. They then re-caulked the window using an acrylic-latex caulk with a silicone additive. Tom chose this type of caulk because it’s flexible, paintable and waterproof. To smooth and shape the caulking, Tom used a wet finger to form a concave shape to the bead of caulk, which will help shed water.

Where to find it?

Paint scrapers, 5-in-1 tools, and caulking are available at any hardware store or home center.

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

Replacing a bathtub drain trap, What is it?, Repairing a cracked drywall ceiling… more