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

Original Air Date: Week of February 21, 2008

General contractor Tom Silva demonstrates how to install an old mortised lockset on a new door. Afterwards, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner install a pellet stove to provide supplemental heat during the cold winter months. Back in the loft, landscaping contractor Roger Cook shows host Kevin O'Connor several different types of lawn mowers that do not require gasoline.

Installing an old full-mortise lockset into a new door

Up in the loft, Tom showed Kevin how to take an antique full-mortise lockset and install it into a new wooden door. Tom started by measuring for the height of the doorknob. Next, he held the lockset against the door and traced around it to get the proper location and depth. With all markings in place, Tom drilled holes into the edge of the door using a “portable drill press,” which allowed him to keep the drill perpendicular to the edge of the door. After drilling a series of holes at the same depth as the lockset, Tom squared up the corners with a sharp chisel and hammer. With a deep hole cut for the lockset, Tom chiseled out a wider, shallow mortise to allow the lockset’s mounting plate to lay flush with the edge of the door. Tom then used the same drill press to drill holes in the sides to accept the spindle for the door knobs. He then attached the remaining hardware and the installation was complete.

Where to find it?

Antique full mortise locksets are available at many architectural salvage yards. There are also reproduction locksets available through a number of specialty suppliers, including:

Rejuvenation
2550 NW Nicolai St
Portland, OR, 97210
(888) 401-1900
www.rejuvenation.com

Van Dyke's Restorers
P.O. Box 278
39771 S.D. HWY. 34
Woonsocket, SD 57385
(800) 558-1234
www.vandykes.com

Tom used a portable drill press to drill the holes for the mortise.

AccuDrill Precision Drill Guide (part #36-37) Manufacturer:
General Tools & Instruments Co., LLC.
80 White Street
New York, NY 10013
(212) 431-6100
www.generaltools.com

Installing a pellet stove

Richard and an expert helped a homeowner who wanted a new pellet-burning stove as a source of supplemental heat in her living room. The stove itself has a “hopper,” where wood pellet fuel is loaded. An electric auger then automatically feeds the pellets into the belly of the stove, where they’re burned for heat. The stove is controlled by a thermostat, and the pellets are made from recycled wood products. The stove was installed in a corner of the living room; a heat-resistant pad was placed on the wood floor to protect it. To install the exhaust pipe for the stove, the installer cut a hole in the wall, being careful not to cut through a stud. He then mounted plates on both the inside and outside of the wall to protect the wall from the heat of the exhaust pipe. Next, a separate smaller pipe was installed to bring fresh air into the stove for combustion. With both pipes installed through the wall, the final connections were made to the stove and the installation was complete.

Where to find it?

The installation was performed by Rob Dardano, who has over 30 years of experience installing hearth products throughout New England:

Rob Dardano
www.southsidefireplaces.com
800-479-4949

The "Empress" pellet stove is manufactured by:
Enviro Fireplace Products
www.enviro.com

Additional assistance was provided by:

Black Magic Chimney
21 New Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-876-4456
www.blackmagicchimney.com

Russo Products
61 Pleasant Street
Randolph, MA 02368
781-963-1182
www.fireplaceseast.com

Non-Gasoline Lawn Mowers

Roger showed Kevin several different types of lawn mowers that do not use gasoline, including a corded electric mower, a battery-powered cordless electric mower, and two manual reel mowers.

Where to find it?

The corded electric mower (18" deck, model no. MM575) is manufactured by Black and Decker (www.blackanddecker.com).

The cordless battery-powered electric mower (20" deck, model no. UT13122) is manufactured by Homelite (www.homelite.com). It is available from The Home Depot (www.homelite.com).

The smaller manual reel mower is a Brill Luxus 33. It is available from several online vendors, including www.reelmowerguide.com and www.peoplepoweredmachines.com.

The larger manual reel mower is 20" Scotts Classic. It is available at many homecenters, hardware stores, and online vendors.

Other assistance for this segment was provided by:

American Lawn Mower Company
www.reelin.com
800-633-1501

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

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