Ask This Old House TV

Showing results for "Season 8"
Scan the episodes below and select "more" to get information on products or services you saw on that episode.

Episode #826, Season 8 of ATOH

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner replace his leaky outdoor faucet… more

Episode #825, Season 8 of ATOH

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner repair a wobbly newel post at the bottom of a staircase… more

Episode #824, Season 8 of ATOH

Original Air Date: Week of 03/18/2010

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook visits a nature center to learn how to attract many different species of birds using different types of birdfeeders and birdseed. Afterward, general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O'Connor visit a home center to identify various types of interior moldings and their uses. Then Roger, Tom, Kevin, and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?" Then Richard helps a homeowner conserve water by installing a new type of "dual-flush" valve in his existing toilet.

Choosing and Using Birdfeeders
Roger visited a nature center where an expert gave tips on feeding birds in the winter. She showed Roger various types of seed intended for different types of birds. Arboreal or tree-dwelling birds such as chickadees, titmice, jays, and nutthatches prefer black-oil sunflower seed. Finches and siskins tend to prefer Niger or Nyjer seed (which is sometimes erroneously called "Thistle"). For the most part, she does not recommend mixed seed blends. The naturalist also showed Roger a variety of bird feeders and several different ways to prevent squirrels and very large birds from eating all the seed. She also noted the importance of providing a source of water for birds in the winter.

Where to Find It?
Roger visited a local bird sanctuary where he saw a wide assortment of bird feeders.

Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
Massachusetts Audubon Society
781-259-2200

The battery-powered "squirrel-proof" feeder is manufactured by:

Droll Yankee
800-352-9164

Choosing Interior Molding
Tom and Kevin visited a home center, where they discussed several types of interior moldings and their uses. They looked at several materials used in the manufacture of moldings, including oak, pine, medium density fiberboard (MDF), and synthetic materials. Tom then showed Kevin a few basic styles and molding profiles including crown, baseboard, cap, shoe, colonial, and chair rail molding.

Where to Find It?
Molding of all types can be found at home centers and professional lumberyards.

What Is It?
The guys try to guess the intended purpose of an unusual-looking product.

Where to Find It?
Richard showed a device used to increase the usable space in a shower by moving the shower curtain.

Shower curtain extender
ShowerBow, Inc.

The ShowerBow was supplied by AbsolutelyNew (888-946-8368), a company that partners with inventors to launch new products.

Converting a Standard Toilet Into a 'Dual Flush' Model
Richard helped a homeowner who wanted to replace his existing toilet with a new one in order to save money on his water bills. New toilets can cost hundreds of dollars, so Richard recommended a new type of "dual flush" valve that could be retrofitted to his existing toilet. With the new valve, the homeowner will use less water when flushing liquids from the bowl. To install it, Richard removed with old flapper-type flush valve and replaced it with a valve that operates at the push of a button. There's one button for liquid waste and another button for solids. Some toilets also require a special "fill valve" to ensure that the bowl is completely refilled, providing the siphon necessary for a proper flush.

Where to Find It?
Richard installed a new type of "dual flush" valve that can be installed in existing single-flush toilets. He also installed a special "fill valve" that must be used in conjunction with the flush valve in certain model toilets.

HydroRight™ Dual Flush Converter & HydroClean 550® Water-Saving Toilet Fill Valve
Manufacturer: MJSI, Inc.
815-741-9768

Episode #823, Season 8 of TOH

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook shows a homeowner how to use and maintain string trimmers… more

Episode #822, Season 8 of ATOH

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner revive a damaged lawn… more

Episode #821, Season 8 of ATOH

Host Kevin O'Connor and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey head to Virginia to help a homeowner replace his old, electric water heater with a heat pump water heater that uses much less electricity… more

Episode #820, Season 8 of ATOH

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and general contractor Tom Silva head to Detroit to help a homeowner remodel her kitchen with new appliances… more

Episode #819, Season 8 of ATOH

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner replace the broken sash locks on his vinyl windows… more

Episode #818, Season 8 of ATOH

General contractor Tom Silva helps a pair of homeowners in Houston, Texas install crown molding in their bedroom using an innovative fastening system… more

Episode #817, Season 8 of ATOH

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Tampa, Florida to help a homeowner cool off his garage workshop with a ductless air conditioning system… more

Episode #816, Season 8 of ATOH

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner conserve water by installing an innovative rainwater collection system… more

Episode #815, Season 8 of ATOH

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner update the look of her bathroom by installing a new vanity cabinet, countertop, and sink… more

Episode #814, Season 8 of ATOH

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner dress up an old fireplace by installing a new mantle and marble hearth… more

Episode #813, Season 8 of ATOH

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Tampa, Florida to help two homeowners repair their broken water softener… more

Episode #812, Season 8 of ATOH

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a pair of homeowners improve the appearance of an unsightly concrete retaining wall… more

Episode #811, Season 8 of ATOH

General contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O'Connor show how to build and install new laminate kitchen countertops… more

Episode #810, Season 8 of ATOH

… more

Episode #809, Season 8 of ATOH

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook visits Harvard University to learn about their new organic lawn-care program… more

Episode #808, Season 8 of ATOH

General contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O'Connor build a basic picnic table using common framing lumber… more

Episode #807, Season 8 of ATOH

This episode is all about saving energy at home… more

Episode #806, Season 8 of ATOH

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook joins plant expert Carrie Kelly at a nursery to learn about container gardening.… more

Episode #805, Season 8 of ATOH

General contractor Tom Silva helps a pair of homeowners install a new siding glass door… more

Episode #803, Season 8 of ATOH

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook travels to Baltimore, where he helps transform a small urban backyard into a pleasant outdoor living space… more

Episode #802, Season 8 of ATOH

Host Kevin O'Connor teams up with an electrician to install a home intercom system. Then Kevin, along with… more

Episode #801, Season 8 of ATOH

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook kicks off our 8th season by helping a homeowner build a cozy campfire pit...… more

Episode #804, Season 8 of ATOH

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner install new aluminum gutters and downspouts. … more