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Episode #326

Original Air Date: Week of March 28, 2005

General contractor Tom Silva makes a house call to Atlanta, Georgia to show homeowner Terry Andrews how to use masonry fasteners to install window boxes on his brick townhouse. Then Tom, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscaping contractor Roger Cook, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, back in the loft, Richard shows Kevin several different ways to make copper pipe connections, including a new solderless system. Then, Roger helps homeowner Alan Lear of Carlisle, Massachusetts install a perimeter drain to catch rainwater running off of his roof.



Installing Window Boxes on Brick Siding
Tom installs copper window boxes onto brick siding using masonry fasteners. He first selects a fastener that will expand inside the siding when the bolt is tightened. He then measures for the location of the brackets so the boxes will be centered under the window. He then pre-drills holes for the fasteners using a hammer drill and masonry bit. He then tightens the bracket bolts and hangs the boxes.

Where to Find It: Window boxes
Smith and Hawken
800-940-1170

Masonry fasteners like the ones Tom showed can be purchased at your local home center. Hammer drills and masonry bits can be purchased or rented at most home centers or tool rental companies.

What is it?
Tom shows a magnetic broom for picking up metal fasteners off the floor and Richard showed a device for bending copper tubing.

Where to Find It
Magnetic Broom
SMV Industries
(Contact information not available)

Similar magnetic brooms are available some home centers and hardware stores.

Tubing bender
Great Neck Saw Manufacturers, Inc.
516-746-5352

Making Plumbing Connections
Richard shows how to make a number of copper plumbing connections, including a "sweat" connection, "flared" connection, "compression" connection, and "crimp" connection.

Where to Find It
The professional crimping tool that Richard demonstrated is:
RIDGID-Viega Pro-Press System
888-743-4333

Other tools and materials (including solder, flux, plumbing torches, flaring tools, and compression fittings) are available at your local home center or plumbing supply company.

Installing a Drip Strip
Roger installs a perimeter drain to catch rainwater falling from a roof. He first digs a shallow, V-shaped trench and lines it with plastic. He then inserts a perforated plastic pipe and covers it with crushed stone and filter fabric.

Where to Find It
Lightweight perforated pipe, gravel, plastic sheeting and filter fabric can be purchased at your local garden center or home center.

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
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Episode #316

Replicating moldings, fixing an unlevel patio, and stripping wallpaper
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Episode #315

Replacing an old storm window, winterizing shrubs, and using carbon monoxide detectors
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Episode #314

Repairing a glass door, and pruning a Pin Oak
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Episode #313

Planting a new lawn, and replacing a kitchen sink
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Episode #312

Repairing cracked stucco, cleaning a lawnmower, and installing a dehumidifier pump
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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
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Episode #309

Repairing leaky valves, replacing a cellar door, and repairing a leaky drip irrigation hose
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Episode #308

Installing adjustable shelves, identifying a plastic guard for a tree trunk, and testing your soil before planting
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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