First, we head to the shop to watch general contractor Tom Silva give contractor Zack Dettmore a turning lesson on his lathe. Tom shows Zack some different gifts he can create for his clients before walking him through the process of turning a flower vase from a block of wood.
Next, host Kevin O’Connor meets with landscape contractor Jenn Nawada to talk about starting seeds indoors. Jenn shows Kevin the materials and tools needed to start seeds, as well as the conditions to aim for, so the seedlings can thrive.
After that, Kevin meets with mason Mark McCullough to check some messages. Multiple viewers have sent DM’s showing their fireplaces cracking in various areas, so Mark shows Kevin why they’re cracking and explains what they need to do to fix them.
Finally, building engineer Ross Trethewey helps a homeowner fix his standard, finicky garage door opener into a smart system. The upgrade will allow the homeowner to control his garage doors from anywhere using his smartphone, and he will receive notifications when the doors open and close. Ross shows the homeowner how to check for compatibility, install the hub, and link the garage to an app for phone-based control.
Build It | Flower Vase
With general contractor Zack Dettmore at the helm of his new television show, This First House, he helps homeowners purchase and renovate homes and sets them up for success. To give his clients a memorable, personal gift at the end of a renovation, Zack turns to Tom Silva to learn how to create custom flower vases using a wood lathe.
Where to find it?
Watch Zack Dettmore on This First House. Now streaming on the Roku Channel.
- Wood lathe – Jet 1640EVS
- Wood – scrap logs or firewood. He had Zack practice on a piece of spruce wood since it’s a soft, easy wood to practice on.
Lathe Tools
- Roughing gouge – for spindle work
- Spindle gouge ½” – for detailed work on a spindle
- Skew chisel – for roughing and detailed work on spindles, not bowls
- Parting tool – used to cut and separate the piece from the scrap wood
- Diamond stone – to sharpen tools, if needed
Drill Hole Inside of Vase
If part of the piece splits while turning, stop and add wood glue to the crack. A hose clamp can help the glue set. Let dry before continuing work.
Sanding
- 120 to 220-grit sandpaper
- Ack’s Abrasive Sanding Paste – Tom applied with paper towels
Finish
- Odie’s Oil – Mr. Cornwall’s Super Duper Everlasting Dark Oil
Safety
How to Start Seeds Indoors
Starting seeds indoors is a great way to get a jumpstart on the growing season, especially in colder climates when outdoor planting comes later in the spring. With a simple setup and the right conditions, you can grow healthy seedlings ready for the garden. Jenn Nawada shares a few key tips to help you get started.
Where to find it?
How to Repair Brick Fireplace Surround Cracks
Fireplace cracking along mortar joints is a common issue, even with relatively new fireplaces. They’re often caused by normal movement, improper installation, or different materials expanding and contracting at different rates. Fortunately, these cracks are usually cosmetic and can be repaired with a few masonry tools and fresh mortar.
Where to find it?
SUBMISSION #1 – Slanted, Separated Hearth Joint Crack
Remove Old Mortar Joint
Apply New Mortar to Joint
- Flat chip brush – after removing old mortar and before applying new, brush on water so the surrounding brick doesn’t suck the moisture from the fresh mortar.
- Type N mortar mix
- Mortar mixing tub
- Brick trowel
- Tuck pointing trowel – use for pushing and packing new mortar into the joint. Use a trowel that is thinner than the joint itself.
- Brick concave jointer – Use a masonry jointer that matches the rest of your fireplace surround’s mortar joint profiles. Most have concave joints. A concave jointer [aka half-round jointer] creates a smooth, inward curve in the mortar.
SUBMISSION #2 – Cracked Joint Between Wall & Fireplace Surround
Remove Old Mortar Joint
Same tools and materials as above.
Apply New Mortar to the Joint
Same tools and materials as above. But when adding mortar onto drywall, a direct bond should be avoided. Before re-applying mortar, Mark recommends adding:
- York 304 self-adhering stainless steel flexible flashing as a bond breaker – stick to the drywall. This will prevent the drywall from sucking moisture out of the mortar.
- Backer rod – this will act as a base for filling the joint, so the mortar doesn’t keep falling deeper into the crevice. Therefore, less mortar will be needed.
How to Make a Garage Door Smart
When a homeowner’s garage door opener remote range started to fail, he thought upgrading the openers might be his only solution. Building engineer Ross Trethewey had another idea: a simple smart home add-on system to improve its control and convenience.
Where to find it?
- Smart garage door hub kit — myQ Smart Garage Control with WiFi Hub
- Garage door sensors — Door Sensor for mQ Smart Garage Control
- Garage door wires
- CR2032 batteries
- Impact drill driver
- Hammer
- Manual staple gun and staples
- Microfiber cloth
Original Air Date: Apr 30, 2026, Season 24; Ep. 22 23:42
Products and services
- Sanding paste manufacturer: Ack’s Abrasive Sanding Paste
- Flexible flashing manufacturer: Masonry Direct
All other tools and materials can be found at Home Depot or Amazon.
