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

Original Air Date: Week of December 27, 2007

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner install a new vinyl fence. Then host Kevin O'Connor heads to Omaha, Nebraska, where he helps install a protective epoxy coating on a homeowner's garage floor.

Installing a vinyl fence

Roger and fencing contractor Mike McLaughlin helped a homeowner install a new vinyl fence in his backyard. Like a wood fence, each 8-foot section of the vinyl fence is made up of tongue-and-groove vertical slats with top and bottom rails that slide into mortises in the posts. Roger and Mike began the installation by establishing the location and height of the fence using a string and line level. Next, they marked the locations for each of the post-holes with spray paint. Roger dug the first hole near a neighbor’s driveway using a manual post-hole digger, so as to not damage the driveway. They set the first post into the hole at the appropriate height, checked for plumb, and filled the hole with concrete. For the remaining holes, Roger and the homeowner used a gas-powered auger to speed up the process. They set the first panel in place and secured it to the first post with screws. Next, they set the second post in place, secured it, and filled the hole with concrete. They did the same thing for the rest of the fence, making sure each post stayed plumb and each panel remained level. The final step was to insert decorative "spindles" on top of each panel and attach caps to the top of the posts.

Where to find it?

The vinyl fence was manufactured and installed by:

Mike McLaughlin
PRO Fence Co.
835 Woburn Street
Wilmington, MA 01887
(781) 933-1234
www.profenceco.com

The other supplies for this project, including concrete and post hole diggers, are available at most home centers and tool rental companies.

Installing an epoxy coating on a garage floor

Kevin traveled to Omaha, Nebraska to help an antique car enthusiast put a protective epoxy coating on his garage floor. After determining that the concrete did not have a previous sealer, they used a degreaser to remove any existing oil and grease from the concrete. Next, they used an "acid etching" solution to abrade the surface so the epoxy would adhere properly. Once the floor had dried, they mixed the 2-part epoxy together, waited 30 minutes for it to set-up, then applied it directly to the floor with paint brushes and rollers. The next day, they applied a second coat and added decorative flakes into the wet epoxy to hide the cracks and give an attractive appearance to the floor.

Where to find it?

The epoxy coating and acid etching solution are sold together as a kit. It is manufactured by:

Quikrete Epoxy Garage Floor Coating
Manufacturer: Valspar
1191 Wheeling Rd
Wheeling, IL 60090
(800) 845-9061
www.quikretecoatings.com

The degreasing liquid was Krud Kutter (800-466-7126, www.krudkutter.com).

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

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