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

Original Air Date: Week of February 14, 2008

n this special episode devoted to projects for kids, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows two kids how to build a soccer goal using PVC plumbing pipes. Next, up in the loft, general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates how to build a pair of stilts. Then, landscaping contractor Roger Cook shows a family how to build a sandbox and make replicas of fossils.

Building a soccer goal with PVC pipe

Richard and his two "assistants" built a soccer goal out of PVC pipe, a type of plastic piping available at any hardware store or home center. Normally used in plumbing, PVC is great for building a soccer goal because it’s easy to cut and assemble with glue. First, they measure and cut the necessary pieces of pipe to length. Next, they assemble the goal using "elbow" and "tee" fittings. Finally, they apply "deer netting" to the back of the goal and attach it with cable ties.

Where to find it?

PVC pipe, fittings, glue and deer netting can all be found at your local home center

Step-by-step instructions for this project are available at:
www.thisoldhouse.com/family

Building stilts

Up in the loft, Tom shows two kids how to build a pair of stilts using building materials commonly available from a home center. The legs for the stilts are made from wooden stair rails. For the steps, the kids trace wooden templates onto 1x8 poplar. Once cut, these pieces were glued and fastened together with nail and screws. Tom then drilled holes into the steps and the poles and fastened them together with carriage bolts. For traction, they attached rubber stoppers onto the bottoms of the poles.

Where to find it?

The supplies needed for building stilts are available at any home center or lumberyard.

Step-by-step instructions for this project are available at:
www.thisoldhouse.com/family

Building a sandbox

Roger and four kids built a sandbox and created replicas of fossils to hide in the sandbox. They started the project by making the fossils. First, Roger had the kids find several items that could be pressed into buckets of sand, which would become molds. They then removed the items and poured plaster of paris into the molds and set them aside to dry and harden. Next, Roger and the kids turned their attention to building the sandbox. For the "frame" of the sandbox, Roger chose 4x4 rot-resistant cedar timbers. Next, they dug a square hole for the sandbox and set the cedar timbers into place around the perimeter. Roger laid a second course of timbers on top of the first, making sure to overlap the joints at each corner of the frame. He attached the timbers using 6-inch timber screws. Roger then laid landscape fabric over the entire assembly and fastened more timbers over the fabric, holding the filter fabric in place. Finally, they poured sand into the new sandbox and the sandbox was complete. Afterward, they took their new "fossils" out of the molds and buried them in the sandbox.

Where to find it?

Cedar timbers, landscape fabric, sand and plaster of paris are all available at your local home center or lumberyard.

The Plaster of Paris that Roger used for this project is manufactured by:
DAP Products Inc.
2400 Boston Street
Suite 200
Baltimore, MD 21224
(800) 543-3840
www.dap.com

The timber screws are manufactured by:

FastenMaster
153 Bowles Road
Agawam, MA 01001
800-518-3569
www.fastenmaster.com

Step-by-step instructions for this project are available at:
www.thisoldhouse.com/family

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

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