Ask This Old House

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Season 3 Show Descriptions

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Episode #326
Installing window boxes on brick siding, making plumbing connections, installing a "drip strip" … more
Episode #325
Installing fluorescent light fixtures, landscaping software, replacing an aluminum baseboard heat cover
… more
Episode #324
Installing an electronic air cleaner, removing ice from a walkway, venting a bathroom fan.… more
Episode #323
Clearing a clogged vent stack, building a backyard ice rinks… more
Episode #322
Riding lawnmowers, garbage disposers, and replacing a rotting wooden threshold… more
Episode #321
Installing a 220 volt receptacle, gardening hand tools, and installing a macerating toilet… more
Episode #320
Leveling a floor, fixing a leaky water shut-off valve, air compressors… more
Episode #319
Composting, and removing a house trap… more
Episode #318
Unclogging bathtub drains, exploring alternatives to window weights and planting a low-maintenance garden … more
Episode #317
Replacing rotted deck balusters, and connecting an icemaker, and stripping wallpaper
… more
Episode #316


Original Air Date: Week of January 17, 2005

In the Ask This Old House loft, general contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O'Connor a few ways to recreate different moulding profiles. Then, landscaping contractor Roger Cook heads to Skokie, Illinois where he has some "uplifting" advice for a homeowner with a sinking brick patio. After that, Tom and Roger are joined by plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O'Connor to guess "What is it?" in the Ask This Old House loft. Then, painting contractor Jim Clark shows Kevin and homeowner Caroline Pooler of Andover, Massachusetts a new way to strip wallpaper.



Replicating Moldings
Tom demonstrates ways to replicate hard-to-find moldings using a router, table saw with molding head cutter, and molding machine.

Where to Find It
Router: Porter-Cable

Table saw: Model# TS2400LS. Cat# 14648, manufactured by RIDGID
Available at The Home Depot

Molding head cutter (for use in table saw): Triple-Cutter Molding Head Set, Model# 93214 manufactured by CRAFTSMAN and available at Sears

Molding machine: The W&H Molder available from Williams & Hussey Machine Co

Fixing an Unlevel Patio
Roger repairs a dip in a brick patio. He first removes some of the bricks in the depressed area using a flat bar. He then numbers each of the bricks to make sure they go back in the same places once he levels the base. He then removes some of the wet, clay soil and replaces it with ground limestone. He then compacts it and adds a layer of sand. He then taps the bricks back into place. Finally, he sweeps some sand into the joints between the bricks.

Where to Find It
Flat bars, kneepads, rubber mallets, levels, limestone and sand can be found at your local home center.

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

Where to Find It
Tommy showed a device for holding a board in place while it is being planed.

Stripping Wallpaper
Kevin and a homeowner are joined by painting contractor Jim Clark, who shows a new way to strip wallpaper using sheets and a stripping solution. Jim scores the wallpaper and applies the wet sheets over the old wallpaper. He then peels off the old wallpaper and uses additional solution and an abrasive pad to wash off any existing paste on the wall.

Where to Find It
Wallpaper Removal System:
Wallwik, Inc.
117 East Maple Street, Suite C
River Falls, WI 54022
866-295-8914 or 715-426-9794
Episode #315
Replacing an old storm window, winterizing shrubs, and using carbon monoxide detectors
… more
Episode #314
Repairing a glass door, and pruning a Pin Oak
… more
Episode #313
Planting a new lawn, and replacing a kitchen sink
… more
Episode #312
Repairing cracked stucco, cleaning a lawnmower, and installing a dehumidifier pump
… more
Episode #311
Learning about ladder safety and rebuilding a crumbling retaining wall
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Episode #310
Silencing a noisy toilet, cutting crown molding, and replacing broken tile
… more
Episode #309
Repairing leaky valves, replacing a cellar door, and repairing a leaky drip irrigation hose
… more
Episode #308
Installing adjustable shelves, identifying a plastic guard for a tree trunk, and testing your soil before planting
… more
Episode #307
Relacing a water heater's anode rod, installing a rain diverter, identifying a gutter cleaner and no-caulk flashing, and installing thermostatic valves on steam radiators
… more
Episode #306
Adding window boxes, identifying a cordless drill holder, and how to install sod
… more
Episode #305
Removing damaged bolts and screws; creating a walkway edge; What Is It?; jacking up a porch to fix a rotting post
… more
Episode #304
Cutting a kitchen pass-through; What Is It?; stopping a toilet from running… more
Episode #303
Repairing a fence, restoring hot water by fixing an anti-scald valve, and installing a keyless chuck on an older drill
… more
Episode #302
Replacing a clogged trap, brick walkway patterns, and covering a cracked ceiling with drywall
… more
Episode #301
Edging a garden bed, choosing drill bits, identifying a nail finder, and how to use a fire extinguisher. … more