We meet host Kevin O’Connor and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey back at the barn to discuss a solution to why a toilet may be leaking at the base or is wobbly after installation. The pair explain what a toilet flange is, why wax rings are used, and talk about a product that can make installing a toilet easier. Richard demonstrates an adjustable toilet seal that replaces a traditional wax ring and can accommodate a range of flange heights. Great for people who added a new bathroom floor and skipped adjusting the toilet flange for the new floor height.
Next, Kevin takes us outside the barn to meet with landscape contractor Lee Gilliam and go over gas mower maintenance. Lee teaches Kevin about the different parts of a gas-powered engine that need maintenance, as well as how to ensure your gas and oil are fresh and ready for the season.
Finally, carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner start his dream project of turning his bar closet into a mini speakeasy. Together, they install a bookshelf hidden door kit to become the new entrance of the closet. Turning a blank wall into a hidden passage.
How to Fix a Low Toilet Flange
A common issue after installing a new bathroom floor is failing to account for the change in floor height when reinstalling the toilet. The seal between the toilet flange and the base is critical to preventing leaks. If the flange is too high or too low under the finished floor, additional steps are required to ensure the toilet seals properly and remains leak-free.
Where to find it?
Perfect Seal Toilet Wax Ring with Bolts
Compact Hack Saw—to cut down toilet bolts
Gas Mower Maintenance 101
Gas-powered mowers and small engines of all kinds are truly simple machines. However, they do require maintenance to keep them running properly and to prevent damage. When host Kevin O’Connor had some questions about lawn mower maintenance, he turned to landscape contractor Lee Gilliam for a rundown.
Where to find it?
Lawn mower shown: DeWalt 21” Gas Self-Propelled Walk Behind Lawn Mower
Fuel Maintenance
Fuel stabilizer: STA-BIL Storage Fuel Stabilizer—keeps gasoline fresh while engine is in storage.
Fuel treatment: STA-BIL Fast Fix Small Engine Treatment—fast acting treatment to use if the engine is having rough or no starts because of issues from ethanol blended gasoline.
Ethanol-free fuel: VP Racing Fuels 4-Cycle Small Engine Fuel—ethanol-blended gas causes varnish buildup, gumming, and corrosion in small engines. Ethanol-free fuel can extend the engine’s life, reduce maintenance, and make for smoother starting.
Carburetor Maintenance
Carburetor cleaning Kit for lawn mower and small engines—to clean out jets and passages.
Carburetor cleaner: Gumout Carb/Choke Carburetor Cleaner Spray
Spark Plug Maintenance
Spark plug replacement: based on the make and model of your lawn mower.
Oil Maintenance
Check owner’s manual for oil recommendations. Oil recommendations vary based on temperature ranges of your climate. The most common oils for lawn mowers are:
SAE 30: best for warmer temperatures. Most common type of oil for lawn mowers.
SAE 10W-30: larger temperature range. Better for colder weather starts below 40°F. May increase oil consumption.
How to Install a Hidden Door
Fans of mystery novels and Scooby-Doo will be delighted to learn that it’s easier than ever to buy and install a hidden door in your home. Whether you have a skeleton to hide or have a hobby you’d like to keep under wraps, hidden doors could be the way to go. Hidden doors allow you to decorate your home while also providing convenient access to closets, pantries, or other spaces.
Where to find it?
Door Installed
Hide-A-Way-Doors French Bookcase Door
(70” W, 80” H, 8-¼” Depth, Jamb 4-½”, 6 adjustable shelves, paint grade wood, ¼” ply bookcase backing, out swing direction, flat case molding)
Layout
- Tape measure
- Long level
- Pencil
Cut Rough Opening
- Power drill/driver
- Twist drill bit–to use as a feeler bit to poke through drywall and make marks on all four corners to transfer RO layout to the other side
- Hammer
- Chisel–to remove baseboards
- Nail puller cat paw pry bar–to remove extra nails
- Oscillating tool
- Oscillating blade for drywall
- Wood and metal cutting oscillating blade
- HEPA shop vacuum
Frame Rough Opening
- 2x4s
- Circular saw
- Hammer
- Level
- Power drill
- Impact driver
- Multi-purpose screws #10 x 3-1/8”
- Wrecking bar–to remove old bottom plate of wall frame
- Drywall screws–to secure drywall to jack studs on each side. This helps keep drywall in place when installing the door
Door Installation
Original Air Date: Jan 15, 2026, Season 24; Ep. 11, 23:42
Products and services
All tools and materials are available at Home Depot and Amazon.
