Ask This Old House TV

Showing results for "Season 2"
Scan the episodes below and select "more" to get information on products or services you saw on that episode.

Episode #226

Replacing a storm door, identifying a paint mixer and gutter nail driver, and choosing garden tools … more

Episode #225

Corroded copper pipes, old-fashioned sheet metal cutter, and worn-out weather stripping
… more

Episode #224

Track lighting, drywall repair clips, and noisy baseboard heaters… more

Ask This Old House #223

Original Air Date: Week of March 11

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner remove a baseboard heater to prepare for a complete remodeling of his bathroom. After the bathroom is transformed, Richard returns to help the homeowner install radiant heat. Back in the loft, Richard, general contractor Tom Silva, landscape contractor Roger Cook, and host Kevin O'Connor try to identify unfamiliar objects in the "What is it?" segment. Then painting expert Jim Clark helps a homeowner prepare his aluminum siding for a brand-new paint job.



Installing Radiant Heat
First, Richard helped the homeowner remove the old copper fin baseboard. After the remodeling was completed, he returned to install radiant heat under the subfloor. Richard installed a circulator pump and mixing station near the boiler, and the homeowner installed the aluminum transfer plates and hydronic tubing in the joist bays under the bathroom.

Where to Find It
Under the subfloor, Richard installed Thermofin aluminum heat transfer plates manufactured by:
Radiant Engineering Inc.
406-587-3442

The hydronic tubing that Richard used between the floor joists was ⅜-inch Rehau Raupex PEX.

The mixing station (including the radiant heat manifold, mixing valve, and Grundfos circulator pump) comes fully assembled. It costs about $700 and is available from:
Republic Plumbing Supply
800-696-3900

What Is It?
Tom, Roger, Richard, and Kevin examined an unusual item and tried to guess how it's used.

Where to Find It
Roger demonstrated a cable saw used for cutting PVC pipe. It is available in the plumbing department of many hardware stores and home centers and is manufactured by:
William H. Harvey Co.
800-228-9681

Preparing Aluminum Siding for Paint
The binding agents on the homeowner's aluminum siding had failed, leaving behind a chalky residue of paint pigment. There was also black mildew in some spots.

Where to Find It
Before cleaning the aluminum siding, Jim used a household lead testing kit (item #5250) manufactured by:
Homax Products, Inc.
800-729-9029

Jim prepared a homemade cleaning solution using one gallon of water, one cup of household bleach, and one cup of liquid TSP substitute, manufactured by:
The Savogran Company
800-225-9872

The next method Jim demonstrated was a 3600-psi pressure washer, model #ZR3600, manufactured by:
Ex-Cell Pressure Washers
800-888-2468

Finally, Jim used a random-orbit palm sander (model #421) with 100 grit sand paper, manufactured by:
Dewalt Industrial Tool Co.
800-433-9258

The sander was attached to a Turbo II dust extractor, model #9-55-13. It was upgraded with a .3 HEPA filter cartridge and manufactured by:
Fein Power Tools Inc.
800-441-9878

Episode #222

Installing curved baseboards, buying wire by the foot, a "Nite Ize Flashlight Friend," and making maple syrup… more

Episode #221

Fixing a steam radiator, a "Molemover" and an invisible nailing kit, and preparing a raised garden bed for winter… more

Episode #220

Installing a programmable thermostat , a snowball maker and garage stopper, and fixing a plaster and lath wall… more

Episode #219

Cutting glass, planting vines, a stud finder and tile spacers, and venting a portable air conditioner… more

Episode #218

Deterring deer, making PVC connections, pipe plugs, and fixing a sagging shower door… more

Episode #217

Wiring for outdoor speakers, a Japanese chalk line, and planting a tree… more

Episode #216

Testing water quality, a duster and downspout diverter, and replacing a damaged floorboard… more

Episode #215

Repairing sliding doors, an electrical cord connector and ellipse marking tool, electric radiant heat, and selecting paint colors… more

Episode #214

Installing a brick walkway, a maple sugaring spile and "Sand Anchor" umbrella holder, and cutting accurate miters… more

Episode #213

Quieting hardwood floors, a garden sieve and heavy-duty twist-tie, and building timber steps… more

Episode #212

Drip irrigation repair, a "Sander Sitter" and "Forearm Forklifts," and fixing a leaky tile in a tub… more

Episode #211

Adding a stairway handrail, a grout saw and tile cutter, and transplanting a rhododendron… more

Episode #210

Installing a chimney liner, a proportioning tool, and a toilet anti-sweat valve… more

Episode #209

Removing poison ivy, a steel center square and pencil leash, and shingling an outside corner… more

Episode #208

Installing an engineered wood floor, and replacing a sink's pop-up drain… more

Episode #207

Planting ground cover, and opening stuck windows… more

Episode #206

Installing window trim, landscape camouflage, a "tape dolly," and fixing a kitchen spray hose… more

Episode #205

Installing a drywell, a spray paint shaker and magnetic pickup tool, and adding a shower grip bar… more

Episode #204

Patching drywall, sanding blocks and an antique clapboard gauge, and replacing an aged toilet… more

Episode #203

A slate walk, EZ Lift handles and eye-bolt driver, and repairing a shower stall leak … more

Episode #202

Securing a newel post, a nut splitter and paint scraper, and replacing a water heater… more

Episode #201

Installing a deadbolt, trimming a hedge, and installing an indirect hot water heater… more