Ask This Old House Season 11, Episode 12: Ceiling Fan; Installing a Water Softener

1

Transforming Stock Shelving; New Washing Machine Valve

Transforming stock shelving into a custom built-in; installing a new washing machine valve.

30 min

2

Bluestone Patio; Hanging Bikes in a Garage

Installing a bluestone patio; hanging bikes in a small garage.

30 min

3

Custom Fireplace Mantle; Repairing a Leaking Kitchen Faucet

Building a custom fireplace mantle; garden edging; repairing a leaking kitchen faucet.

30 min

4

Laying Sod in the Backyard; Installing a Wireless Thermostat

Laying sod in the backyard; finding measurements without doing math; wireless thermostat controls the heating system.

30 min

5

Planting Palm Trees; Replacing an Old Heating System

Planting several varieties of palm trees in a front yard; light bulbs; Replacing an old heating system and hot water heater with a more efficient single appliance.

30 min

6

Special New York Episode

The crew visits New York City, where plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey tours a scale model of the city. Host Kevin O'Connor and a local electrician add task lighting to a Brooklyn kitchen. The guys play "What Is It" in Times Square with Jimmy Fallon. Landscape contractor Roger visits the Highline. General contractor Tom installs cable deck railing in Greenwich Village.

30 min

7

New Kitchen Sink and Faucet; Insulated Sidelights on a Front Door

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Colorado Spings to install a brand new kitchen sink and faucet. General contractor Tom Silva installs insulated sidelights on a front door.

30 min

8

Privacy Fence; Replacing a Clogged Shower Valve

Landscape contractor Roger Cook works with a fencing contractor to install a vinyl privacy fence. Then, Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Richard replaces a clogged shower valve.

30 min

9

Interior Window Trim; Heating a Swimming Pool

General contractor Tom Silva installs interior window trim. Richard heats a swimming pool using an air conditioner.

30 min

10

Properly Mulching Garden Beds; Installing a Natural Gas Line

Landscape contractor Roger Cook shows a homeowner how to properly mulch his garden beds. Then Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Richard installs a natural gas line for a barbeque grill.

30 min

11

Using Hand Planes; Repairing a Cracked Stone Walkway

In the workshop, general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates the proper way to use hand planes. Then, Tom, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Roger helps a homeowner repair a cracked stone walkway.

30 min

12

Ceiling Fan; Installing a Water Softener

Host Kevin O'Connor and electrician Scott Caron head to Denver to install a ceiling fan on a cathedral ceiling. Then, Kevin, along with general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Richard visits New Jersey to install a water softener.

30 min

13

Transplanting a Rose Bush; Replacing Old Outdoor Lighting

Landscape contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner temporarily transplant a mature rose bush while exterior work takes place. Then, Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Richard shows Kevin some rookie plumbing mistakes. And Tom and Kevin replace old outdoor lighting with new fixtures.

30 min

14

Restoring Terrazzo Floors; Repairing a Cracked Floor Joist

Host Kevin O'Connor heads to Del Ray Beach, Florida to restore Terrazzo floors. Then, Kevin, along with landscape contractor Roger Cook, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Tom helps a homeowner repair a cracked floor joist.

30 min

15

Toilet Installation; Patching a Lawn with Grass Seed

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Cheyenne, Wyoming, to help a homeowner install a toilet. Then, Richard, along with landscape contractor Roger Cook, host Kevin O'Connor, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Roger and Kevin patch a lawn with grass seed.

30 min

16

Hanging a Flat Panel TV; Controlling Insects Without Pesticides

Master electrician Scott Caron helps a homeowner hang a flat-panel television on the wall and conceal all the wiring. Back in the workshop, Scott shows Kevin examples of many different types of electrical outlets. Roger heads to Miami to help a homeowner control the insect pests in her yard without the use of pesticides.

30 min

17

Maintaining Kitchen Appliances; Installing a Rain Gutter

Host Kevin O'Connor meets appliance repairman Richie Isaacson to learn how to maintain kitchen appliances. Then, Kevin, along with landscape contractor Roger Cook, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Tom helps a homeowner install a rain gutter, downspout, and rain barrel.

30 min

18

Storage Bench; Soldering Pipes; Overgrown Perennial Garden

In the workshop, general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O'Connor build a storage bench for an entryway. Then, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates how to solder copper pipes properly. Afterward, landscape contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner maintain an overgrown perennial garden.

30 min

19

Orchids as Houseplants; Purchasing a Kitchen Wall Cabinet

Landscape contractor Roger Cook visits a tropical botanic garden to learn how to care for orchids as houseplants. Then, Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Tom helps a homeowner purchase and install a kitchen wall cabinet.

30 min

20

Insulating Ductwork; Maintaining Clothes Washers and Dryers

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey visits Cortland, Illinois, to learn how corn is harvested and then to help a homeowner insulate ductwork. Landscape contractor Roger Cook demonstrates proper pruning technique. Roger, Richard, host Kevin O'Connor, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Kevin learns how to maintain washers and dryers.

30 min

21

Ductless Heat Pump; LED Lighting

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O'Connor install a ductless heat pump to heat and cool a room. Richard, Kevin, landscape contractor Roger Cook, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Master electrician Scott Caron demonstrates new technologies and applications for LED lighting. Roger learns how to select houseplants for different situations.

30 min

22

Solving a Melted Mystery; Whole-House Energy Audit

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner solve the mystery of her melted vinyl siding.

30 min

23

Using Ladders Safely; Replacing a Shower Valve

General contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O'Connor demonstrate how to use all types of ladders safely. Then plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey replaces a three-handle shower valve with a single-handle antiscald valve.

30 min

24

Surge Protectors, Cutting Stone

Master electrician Scott Caron installs several types of surge protection. Then, general contractor Tom Silva, host Kevin O'Connor, landscape contractor Roger Cook, and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Roger demonstrates how to cut and shape stones for hardscaping projects.

30 min

25

Custom Concrete Countertops; Cordless Landscape Tools

How to make and install custom concrete countertops. Can you install watertight connections without soldering? Cordless landscape tools.

30 min

26

Painting Kitchen Cabinets; Installing a Smart Thermostat

The final episode of the 2012/13 season investigates how subway trains are serviced. The crew shows how to paint kitchen cabinets; estimate landscape material by the cubic yard; and how to install a smart thermostat.

30 min