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

Original Air Date: Week of March 20, 2008

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner with very high water pressure by installing a "pressure reducing valve." Next, landscaping contractor Roger Cook is joined in the loft by turf expert Mary Owen to discuss which types of grass are appropriate for certain climates and conditions. Then Roger and Richard, along with host Kevin O'Connor and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Tom helps a homeowner who ran into a problem while installing crown molding on his kitchen cabinets.

Installing a water pressure reducing valve

Richard helped a homeowner who complained that his water pressure was too high. Richard tested the incoming water pressure from the street with a gauge and found it to be over 100 pounds per square inch (PSI). Normal water pressure should be around 50 or 60 PSI, so Richard recommended installing a pressure reducing valve or PRV. A PRV is a valve that takes high water pressure delivered to the house from the water utility and reduces it down to 50 or 60 PSI, which is safer for plumbing fixtures and water-using appliances.

Where to find it?

Pressure reducing valves (PRV's) are available in plumbing supply houses and some home centers.

The valve that Richard installed was manufactured by:

Watts Regulator Company
815 Chestnut Street
North Andover, MA 01845
978-688-1811
www.watts.com

Choosing the best types of grass seed

Up in the loft, Roger is joined by a turf specialist to discuss a few different varieties of grass that are suitable for home lawns, depending on climate and soil conditions. Roger also gives some general tips on lawn maintenance and watering.

Where to find it?

Roger was joined by University of Massachusetts turf specialist Mary Owen. For more information, please contact the Turf Program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (www.umassturf.org).

For additional information about varieties of grass and lawn maintenance, please visit: www.american-lawns.com

What is it?

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

Where to find it?

Tom demonstrated the "hoverpad," a pneumatic platform that is used to move heavy objects (such as shop tools and workbenches) across smooth surfaces. It is manufactured by:



General International
8360, du Champ-d'Eau
Montreal (Quebec)
Canada, H1P 1Y3
514-326-1161
www.general.ca

For more information, visit: www.hoverpad.com

Installing crown molding on kitchen cabinets

Tom helped a homeowner who tried to install crown molding on a bank of new kitchen cabinets. The homeowner ran into trouble when he tried to cut two inside miters for a corner cabinet. Tom suggested removing all of the molding that the homeowner had already installed and starting from scratch. To get the exact angles for both the inside and outside miters, Tom made a set of wooden "gauge blocks" for each corner. He then used these blocks to transfer the exact angles to his electric miter saw. Tom then fastened the molding to the cabinets using headless "pin" nails, which leave holes that are nearly invisible.

Where to find it?

Pre-finished crown molding is typically a special-order item available wherever kitchen cabinets are sold.

The electric miter saw (model: KAPEX) that Tom used is a new product manufactured by Festool and is expected to be available for purchase in the United States sometime in 2008. For more information, contact:

Festool USA
Tooltechnic Systems, LLC
400 N. Enterprise Blvd
Lebanon, IN 46052
888-337-8600
www.festoolusa.com

To install the molding, Tom used a Senco "FinishPro 10" pin nailer (www.senco.com).

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

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