Ask This Old House Season 13, Episode 17: Broken Sash Cords; Plant Bulbs

1

Pass Through, New Gate

The Season 13 premiere discusses rust staining; the installation of a pass-through in a load-bearing wall; and the replacement of a poorly built fence gate. Also: NASA astronaut Rick Mastracchio joins the fun when the guys play "What is it?"

30 min

2

Citrus Greening, Tile

Citrus greening, a disease that's killing citrus trees in Florida, is discussed. Also: replacing an old vinyl peel-and-stick floor with ceramic tile.

30 min

3

Beneficial Insects; Resizing a Front Door; Outdoor Garden Faucet

Beneficial insects are discussed. Also: resizing a front door that gets stuck on the carpet whenever it's opened; and repairing an outdoor garden faucet.

30 min

4

Practical Drought Solutions; Replacing an Old-Fashioned Toilet

Practical solutions for drought. Included: replacing a water-guzzling lawn with a desert-appropriate alternative; and replacing an old-fashioned toilet with a "water sense" solution. Also: meteorologist Jim Cantore shares cautionary tales from the front lines of the drought.

30 min

5

Structural Problems; Running Wiring for a New Ceiling Fixture

Repairing structural problems in a home and running wiring for a new ceiling fixture and switch in a living room.

30 min

6

Natural Gas Line Installation; Hanging a Heavy Mirror

Installing a natural gas line for a new grill and hanging a heavy, decorative mirror on a masonry chimney. Also: what grows best in the shade.

30 min

7

Setting Up a Beehive; Adding Lighting to a Dark Kitchen

Setting up a beehive and adding lighting to a dark kitchen without running new wiring.

30 min

8

Harvesting Honey; Adding Outlets

Harvesting honey and adding outlets to a home.

30 min

9

Hydroponic Garden; Hot- and Cold-Water Outdoor Faucet

A hydroponic garden is built and a hot- and cold-water outdoor faucet is installed.

30 min

10

Basement Lighting; Crabapple Tree

Connecting a basement lighting system to one switch; air conditioning maintenance; rejuvenating a crabapple tree.

30 min

11

Broken Window; Toilet Rotation

A broken window is replaced with a safer option; and a toilet is rotated.

30 min

12

Fire-Pit Table Top Build; Bathroom Sink Upgrade

A cover for a fire pit is built; and a bathroom sink is upgraded.

30 min

13

Interior Window Trim; Above Ground Pool Wiring

Interior window trim is installed; an above-ground pool is wired. Also: first-time plumbing tips.

30 min

14

Edible Landscape; Snaking Drains; Damaged Siding

Removing overgrown shrubs and replacing them with edible landscape; snaking drains; replacing damaged pieces of vinyl siding.

30 min

15

Ductless Heating; Repairing Plaster Ceiling; Hearing Protection

Installing a whole house ductless heating and cooling system; hearing protection; repairing a plaster ceiling.

30 min

16

Backsplash; New Kitchen Faucet

Transforming an old backsplash; installing a new kitchen faucet.

30 min

17

Broken Sash Cords; Plant Bulbs

How to repair broken sash cords; and plant bulbs. Also: historian Doris Kearns Goodwin guests in the "What Is It?" segment.

30 min

18

Entry Shelf Build; Rough Electric Install

Building a basic entry shelf from poplar and plywood; wiring a basement room for outlets and lighting.

30 min

19

Ceiling Fan Replacement; Bonsai Tree

Replacing an undersized ceiling fan; bonsai nursery.

30 min

20

Lightning Protection; Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Install

Lightning protection system; installing a reverse osmosis filter for drinking water.

30 min

21

Installing Landscape Lighting; Replacing Water Main Shutoff Valve

Installing landscape lighting; replacing a water main shutoff.

30 min

22

Mailbox Replacement; Ask Kevin: Window Anatomy

Replacing a mailbox damaged by a snowplow; window anatomy; reusing an old door in a new opening.

30 min

23

Noisy Baseboard Heating Fix; Recessed Kitchen Lighting

Kitchen island dimensions; quieting a noisy baseboard heating system; adding light to a kitchen.

30 min

24

Maine Tropical Houseplants; USA Flag Build

Planting an indoor tropical garden with plants from Jamaica; changing the temperature on water heaters; building an American flag out of wood.

30 min

25

Electrical Vehicle Charger Install; Kitchen Sink Install

Installing an electric vehicle charger; installing a new kitchen sink.

30 min

26

Smart Thermostat Install; Barn Solar Install

Installing a thermostat that interfaces with a smartphone to save energy; installing a photovoltaic solar array on a barn.

30 min