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Episode #626

Original Air Date: Week of March 27, 2008

Up in the loft, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows host Kevin O'Connor how to replace all the parts inside a typical toilet tank. Next, landscaping contractor Roger Cook and Kevin head outside for a look at different types of above-ground sprinklers and some basic tips on watering a lawn. Finally, back in the loft, Tom shows Kevin how to build a very simple but elegant bookcase using plywood and portable power tools.

Rebuilding a toilet tank

Up in the loft, Richard showed Kevin how to remove a toilet tank and replace all of the working parts. A toilet tank has two major components, a “fill valve” and a “flush valve.” Sometimes, repairs can be made to these parts without removing the tank from the bowl. However, if water is seeping from the underside of the tank, a rubber seal could be leaking and the tank probably needs to be removed so that the seals can be replaced. Often, it also makes sense to replace all of the parts inside the toilet at the same time since older parts may fail in the near future. With the tank and old interior parts removed, Richard used replacement parts from a “toilet repair kit,” which contains all of the parts needed to completely rebuild a toilet tank including a new fill valve, flush valve, tank bolts and rubber seals.

Where to find it?

The toilet repair kit that Richard used is manufactured by:

The valve that Richard installed was manufactured by:

Fluidmaster, Inc. (model # W43AK)
30800 Rancho Viejo Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949-728-2000
www.fluidmaster.com

It is available at The Home Depot (www.homedepot.com).

Lawn Watering

Roger explained to Kevin that the amount of water needed by a lawn is determined by the climate, soil conditions, and type of grass. In the northeast, Roger generally suggests that lawns receive one inch of water (from either sprinklers or natural rain) per week in the summer months. He then demonstrated several different lawn sprinklers, rain gauges, timers, and watering accessories.

Where to find it?

The above-ground sprinklers and timers are manufactured by the following companies:

L. R. Nelson Corporation
One Sprinkler Lane
Peoria, IL 61615
800-635-7668
www.lrnelson.com

Melnor, Inc.
3085 Shawnee Drive
Winchester, VA 22601
540-722-5600
www.melnor.com

The pop-up in-ground sprinkler is manufactured by:

Watering Made Easy
3930 Forest Village
Kingwood, TX 77339
877-280-4485
www.wateringmadeeasy.com

Building a simple bookcase

Up in the loft, Tom showed Kevin how to build a very simple bookcase. The bookcase was made from cabinet-grade birch-veneer plywood, which is available at most home centers and lumberyards. Tom joined the pieces for the bookcase together using “pocket screws” and a special jig. Other tools needed for the project include a circular saw, cordless drill, and plunge router. All exposed edges of the plywood were covered with iron-on edge banding, which has a layer of birch veneer on one side and heat-activated glue on the other.

Where to find it?

All of the tools and materials needed for this project are available at most home centers and woodworking supply stores, including:

Woodcraft Supply, LLC
Corporate Headquarters
1177 Rosemar Rd
P.O. Box 1686
Parkersburg, WV 26102
(800) 225-1153
www.woodcraft.com

The pocket hole jig that Tom used is manufactured by Kreg Tools (www.kregtools.com).

Download free plans for Tom’s bookcase.

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Episode #624

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Episode #623

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Episode #619

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Episode #617

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Episode #616

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Episode #615

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Episode #614

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Episode #609

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Episode #608

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Episode #607

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Episode #606

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Episode #605

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Episode #604

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Episode #603

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Episode #601

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