Ask This Old House Season 1, Episode 26: Clearing a Toilet; What Is It? Attic Access; Tomatoes

1

Repairing a Window Screen; Saving the Rain; Looking for Headroom

In the debut episode, Steve joined Richard, Roger and Tom in the Ask This Old House loft to give viewers a chance to ask questions and get expert advice about their homes. Tom shows Steve how to build a replacement window screen using inexpensive parts purchased from a home center. Roger demonstrates how an old barrel can be used to water a garden. Responding to a letter from a homeowner, Richard and Steve demonstrate how to fix and a leak in a 20-year-old dishwasher. Roger demonstrates the proper technique for sharpening lawn mower blades. Tom hits the road for the first House Call of the season, to a tall homeowner whose low ceiling threatens to knock him out on his way to the basement. More Info & Resources

30 min

2

Plumbing Toolkit; Park the Car Quietly; Safe Swinging

At the Ask This Old House barn loft, Roger demonstrates different ways to mend a damaged garden hose. Richard shows the basic plumbing tools he recommends for homeowners. Tom explains how to use a square as a guide for cross-cutting with a circular saw. Tom then makes a House Call to homeowners struggling with a muddy lawn under the swings. More Info & Resources

30 min

3

Concrete Stoop Covering; Battling the Skeeters

Tom visits homeowners in search of a modest way to hide an ugly back stoop. Back in the barn loft he shows the different adhesives and fasteners used, as well as more traditional types of decking. Steve and Roger demonstrate a new product that promises to rid backyards of mosquitoes. Richard shows the proper technique for installing a thermostat on an old radiator. More Info & Resources

30 min

4

Air Eliminator; Saving the Trim; Filling the Gaps

Richard visits a homeowner and installs an air eliminator valve on her hydronic heating system, reducing the need for annual maintenance. At the Ask This Old House barn loft, Tom shows how to remove nails without damaging the trim on a door frame. Steve and Roger perform annual maintenance on a snow blower. Steve consults with Jim on ways to clean and maintain old paintbrushes. Tom makes a House Call to a young couple and shows them how to use sisal and jute rope to fill the gaps in their 160-year-old pine floor. More Info & Resources

30 min

5

Sanding Options; Digging Post Holes; Better Boiling

Tom and Steve demonstrate two types of floor sanders: a traditional drum sander. Roger and Steve use manual and power tools to dig post holes for a new fence. Richard travels to a historic district in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to replace a corroded pipe on a viewer's boiler. Back in the loft, Tom gives Steve a lesson in proper caulking technique. More Info & Resources

30 min

6

Ceiling Repair; Grinding the Stump; Shop Specs

Tom visits a young couple and teaches them how to repair a cracked plaster ceiling in their condominium. In the workshop loft, Richard and Steve rebuild a toilet to prevent it from continuously filling. Roger uses a stump grinder to remove an old tree stump from a homeowner's front yard. Back in the loft, Tom replaces a broken pane of glass and reglazes a window sash. More Info & Resources

30 min

7

Jacking It Up; Chainsaw Smarts

Tom works with a homeowner to repair a sagging floor in a three-family house. Together, they jack up the failing beam, pour new concrete footings, and install several new lally columns. Back at the barn, Roger works with chainsaw expert Tim Ard to sharpen and maintain his saws. More Info & Resources

30 min

8

Wooden Bung Holes; What Is It?; Lattice Project

In the workshop loft, Tom shows Steve how to cut wooden bung holes and install them in decking. Jim visits a viewer and shows her why the new paint in her bathroom is cracking and peeling. In the loft, Tom, Steve and Roger examine two unfamiliar objects and try to guess what they're used for. Tom makes a House Call and shows a young couple how to build an attractive outdoor lattice. More Info & Resources

30 min

9

Basement Window; Painting Panels; Weed Trimmers

Tom hits the road on a House Call to replace a rotting basement window and install a new dryer vent for a homeowner. Back in the Ask This Old House loft, Jim shows the proper technique for painting a pre-hung six-panel door. Electrician Allen Gallant visits homeowners and installs a new power outlet in their dining room, and Roger shows Steve how to replace the string on a weed trimmer. More Info & Resources

30 min

10

Washer Repair; Pressure-Washed Brick; Drip-Free Faucet

In the Ask This Old House loft, Richard and Steve take apart an old washing machine to determine why it's making a loud rumbling sound. Roger pays a visit to a homeowner and uses a pressure washer to clean off his slippery brick walkway. Back in the loft, Steve, Tom, Roger and Richard examine two unfamiliar objects and try to guess how they've used. Tom demonstrates different types of spirit levels, and Richard sets out to help a homeowner with a leaky kitchen faucet. More Info & Resources

30 min

11

Garden Pruners; Shutters; What Is It? A Tankless Job

In the Ask This Old House loft, Roger and garden tool expert Paul Schneider discuss different types of hand pruners. Tom helps two homeowners repair and reinstall their broken shutters. Back in the loft, Steve, Tom, Roger and Richard examine two unfamiliar objects and try to guess how they're used. Richard shows Steve several models of instantaneous water heaters, then visit a local homeowner to examine his tankless hot water system. More Info & Resources

30 min

12

Sawhorses; Frost-Free Faucet; What Is It? Composting Leaves

In the loft, Tom shows different types of store-bought sawhorses and teaches Steve how to build a pair from scratch. Richard hits the road and installs a new frost-proof outdoor faucet for a homeowner. Back in the loft, Tom, Richard, Roger and Steve examine two unfamiliar objects and try to guess how they're used. Roger then shows Steve how to collect and compost leaves. More Info & Resources

30 min

13

Spray-Painting; Chimney Dampers; What Is It?; Splitting Logs

In the loft, Jim shows the several different types of paint sprayers and demonstrates the proper technique for using a spray painter to paint a shutter. Steve enlists the help of chimney expert Mark Schaub to replace a broken fireplace damper for a homeowner. Back in the loft, Steve, Tom, Roger and Richard examine two unfamiliar objects and try to guess how they're used. Steve and Roger head outside to demonstrate different ways to split logs for firewood. More Info & Resources

30 min

14

No More Scalding; Robotic Mowers; Critter-Proofing

Richard visits a homeowner and installs a new shower faucet that will eliminate the chance of scalding. Roger and Steve head outside to test the latest robotic lawn mowers. Tom and an animal control expert visit a homeowner and help her ""critter-proof"" her house. More Info & Resources

30 min

15

Stubborn Ivy; What Is It?; Replacing a Bathroom Window

Roger helps homeowner Mark Wegener remove the ivy covering his home in Madison, Wisconsin. Back in the loft, Roger, Steve, Tom and Richard examine two unfamiliar objects and try to guess how they're used. Tom then helps homeowner Christian Hansen replace the window in his third-floor condominium bathroom. Afterward, Tom explains the proper way to measure for a replacement window. More Info & Resources

30 min

16

Aerating the Lawn; What Is It?; Hanging Pictures

In the barn loft, Jim shows Steve the proper way to paint the exterior of a double-hung window. Roger helps homeowners Paul and Claire Blumenfeld aerate and fertilize their lawn. Then Roger, Steve, Tom and Richard examine two unfamiliar objects and try to guess how they're used. Tom then shows Steve different ways to hang a picture on a hollow wall. More Info & Resources

30 min

17

Washer-Dryer Shutoff; What Is It? Drywall; Plumbing Torches

Richard visits a homeowner and installs an automatic water shutoff valve on her combination washer/dryer. Then Richard, Tom, Roger and Steve examine two unfamiliar objects and try to guess how they're used. Tom then shows Steve the proper technique for preparing drywall joints and Richard discusses different types of plumbing torches. More Info & Resources

30 min

18

Gutter Protection; What Is It? Steadying the Toilet

Tom visits homeowners Roy and Sandra Lynn and shows them several products that are designed to keep leaves and other debris out of rain gutters. Then Tom, Richard, Roger and Steve examine two unfamiliar objects and try to guess how they're used. Richard then visits homeowners Steve and Maureen Parker and helps them repair their wobbly toilet. More Info & Resources

30 min

19

Insulating Windows; What Is It? Sewage Injection Pump

Tom helps homeowner John Hill prevent drafts near his windows by installing insulation around the weight pockets. Then Tom, Richard, Roger and Steve examine two unfamiliar objects and try to guess how they're used. Richard makes a House Call to help homeowner John Johnstone install a sewage ejection pump for a new basement toilet. More Info & Resources

30 min

20

New Sill; What Is It? Rolling Paint; Sharpening Knives

Tom helps homeowners Annette Ritchie and Charlie Bubar remove the aluminum siding around their window and repair the damaged sill. Back in the loft, Tom, Richard, Roger and Steve examine two unfamiliar objects and try to guess how they're used. Then Jim shows Steve how to use different types of paint rollers while Roger and knife sharpening expert Stan Watson sharpen kitchen knives. More Info & Resources

30 min

21

Snow Removal; What Is It?; Fixing a Sash

Steve and Roger head outside to demonstrate different types of snow shovels and snow throwers. Back in the loft, Steve, Roger, Richard and Tom examine two unfamiliar objects and try to guess how they're used. Tom then visits homeowner Bernice Robinson and helps her repair the broken sash cords on an old window. More Info & Resources

30 min

22

Leaky Faucet; What Is It? Removing Wallpaper; Glue Guns

Richard examines homeowner Kerry Goodwin's leaky shower tub faucet. Together, they purchase the replacement parts from a local plumbing supply company and repair the fixture. Then Richard, Tom, Roger and Steve examine an unfamiliar object and try to guess how it's used. Jim helps homeowners Kathleen and Kevin O'Connor remove painted wallpaper. And back in the loft, Tom and Steve demonstrate several hot glue guns, including a new cordless model. More Info & Resources

30 min

23

Crown Molding; What Is It?; Keeping Out the Cold

Tom installs crown molding with homeowners Sheila and Karen Fitzpatrick. Back in the loft, Tom, Richard, Roger and Steve examine two unfamiliar objects and try to guess how they're used. Then Richard helps a Chicago-area homeowner install insulation to prevent his bathroom pipes from freezing. More Info & Resources

30 min

24

Kitchen Disposer; What Is It?; Hearing Protection

Richard is off to Chicago to help homeowner Dave Skena install a new garbage disposer. Back in the loft, Ricard, Tom, Roger and Steve examine two unfamiliar objects and try to guess how they're used. Outside the barn, Roger and hearing protection expert Dr. Mark Stephenson test the decibel level of several power tools. Inside, they show Tom several new types of hearing protection. More Info & Resources

30 min

25

The Dutchman; What Is It?; Flood Prevention

Tom helps Chicago-area homeowners Daryl and Catherine Katauskas repair their exterior door jamb by installing a dutchman. Back in the loft, Tom, Richard, Roger and Steve examine two unfamiliar objects and try to guess how they're used. Then Richard prevents a basement from flooding by installing a leak sensor and automatic water shutoff valve on a water heater. More Info & Resources

30 min

26

Clearing a Toilet; What Is It? Attic Access; Tomatoes

In the loft, Richard shows Steve several different ways to clear a toilet stoppage. Then Richard, Steve, Tom and Roger examine an unfamiliar object and try to guess how it's used. Tom and homeowner Tom Flannery install a new set of folding attic stairs and Roger shows Steve how to start tomato plants from seeds. More Info & Resources

30 min