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

Original Air Date: Week of March 6, 2008

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook shows host Kevin O’Connor how to improve a lawn using a “slice seeder.” Next, plumbing contractor Richard Trethewey and general contractor Tom Silva share a tip from a viewer on how to drive a nail in a tight spot. Afterward, Kevin is joined in the loft by a real estate specialist for some tips on preparing a home for sale. Finally, Richard visits a homeowner to help fix a water leak in her living room ceiling.

Overseeding a lawn using a slice seeder

Roger and Kevin work on improving a lawn with several bare patches using a power "slice seeder." This machine has a "hopper" that holds grass seed. The seed drops down into the bottom of the machine where it’s buried just below the top of the soil. This gives the seed good contact with the soil without the need for hand raking or de-thatching.

Where to find it?

Slice-seeders are available at many rental centers. The one that Roger used is manufactured by:

Ryan (Mataway Overseeder model #544873B)
Commercial Grounds Care, Inc:
One Bob-Cat Lane
Johnson Creek, WI 53038
866-469-1242
www.ryanturf.com

Viewer tip

Richard demonstrated a tip on how to hammer nails in hard-to-reach places using a length of plumbing supply tubing and a carriage bolt.

Where to find it?

Carriage bolts and plumbing supply tubes are available at any hardware store or home center.

A similar tool, called a "Gutter Nail Driver," is manufactured by:

Malco Products, Inc.
PO Box 400
14080 State Highway 55 NW
Annandale, MN 55302-0400
800-328-3530
www.malcoproducts.com


Preparing a home for sale

Kevin and a real estate specialist discuss how to prepare a house for sale. They discuss inexpensive kitchen improvements like adding fresh paint and hardware to kitchen cabinets, a new sink faucet, and under-cabinet lighting. They also discuss how basic landscape improvements can dramatically improve the "curb appeal" of a home. Finally, they review why it may be a good idea for a home seller to have a professional home inspection done before putting the house on the market in order to avoid any last-minute surprises.

Where to find it?

Real estate specialist Robert Schwartz is from Century 21
wwww.century21.com

Finding and fixing a mysterious plumbing leak

Richard helped a homeowner with a mysterious leak that caused a water stain on the foyer ceiling. First, Richard went to the upstairs bathroom and inspected the bathtub and toilet. He also looked at the floor tile and shower door. He then decided to open up the ceiling below to help determine the source of the leak. Using a reciprocating saw, Richard cut out a large, square piece of drywall just below the bathtub and toilet. With the ceiling opened up, Richard determined that neither the toilet nor bathtub drains were leaking. Back upstairs, Richard discovered that water was leaking around the shower door and down through the floor. To fix the problem, Richard installed a "door sweep" on the shower door to prevent water from escaping. He then removed some old tile grout around the base of the tub and applied a bead of silicone caulking, making a watertight seal. Finally, Richard replaced the ceiling drywall below and the repair was complete.

Where to find it?

The new shower door sweep was provided by:

Banner Glass Shelmar
187 Water Street
Wakefield, MA 01880-2527
800-922-1759
www.bannerglassshelmar.com

To repair the ceiling, Richard used drywall and joint compound, which are available at any home center or lumberyard.

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

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