Ask This Old House Season 19, Episode 8: String Lights, Christmas Trees, & Happy Holidays!

All Hands on Deck

In this special episode of Ask This Old House, Tom walks two homeowners through the entire process for building a two-level deck, starting with pulling permits and getting a land survey all the way through to installing the deck boards and railings.

30 min

Preventing Plumbing Disasters

Richard explains how, where, and why plumbing systems fail; Richard gives a deep dive on when and how plumbing pipes and connections can be repaired or replaced; Ross explains and demonstrates how to prevent plumbing failures with new technology.

30 min

All About Walkways

In this special episode of Ask This Old House, Roger, Jenn and Mark explain best practices for installing or repairing a walkway; Mark helps a homeowner install a brand new walkway using natural stone.

30 min

Landscapes Across America

In this special episode of Ask This Old House, Jenn explains how various climates across the United States impact the design, care, and maintenance of different landscapes, which includes discussing USDA Hardiness Zones and native plant species.

30 min

All About Windows

Tom and Kevin explain everything you need to know about using, installing, maintaining and repairing a window.

30 min

Installing Water Features

Jenn and Roger install a variety of different water features to accentuate landscapes; Roger installs an alternative to a downspout; Jenn installs a waterfall feature in a backyard that reuses water.

30 min

All About Fireplaces

In this special episode of Ask This Old House, Tom and Mark tell you everything you need to know about fireplaces; Tom builds a custom mantel for a homeowner; Richard discusses fireplace inserts; Mark replaces the hearth of a fireplace with granite.

30 min

Reclaim Beam Mantel, Geothermal

Nathan helps a homeowner turn a reclaimed beam into a fireplace mantel; Richard demonstrates how to change a bathroom faucet; Ross explores innovations to geothermal installations.

30 min

Landscape Lights, Brick Walkway

Heath installs landscape lights in a garden; Richard explains how siphons work and how they are used to make a toilet work; Tom organizes tools with pegboard; Mark helps a homeowner redo his walkway.

30 min

Garden Upgrade, Adirondack Chair

Jenn demonstrates how to clean up a garden; Ross explains how air filters can catch unwanted air impurities and demonstrates how to build a DIY one; Tom and Kevin build an Adirondack chair.

30 min

Radiator Paint, Load Bearing Wall

Richard replaces a weird shower valve with a conventional pressure balanced one; Mauro repaints a radiator cover with lead paint on it; Tom explains how to identify and remove load bearing walls.

30 min

Mini Split, Butcher Block

Richard explains how a mini split unit is installed; Jenn explains how to identify Japanese maple trees and how to incorporate them in a landscape design; Nathan installs a butcher block countertop.

30 min

Precast Concrete, New Lamppost

Mark learns how precast concrete steps are made and then replaces a homeowner's steps; Mauro explains how to refinish an old table; Heath helps a homeowner replace his front lamppost with a new one.

30 min

Automated Landscape, Modern Bench

Ross explores ways that landscaping could be done automatically; Mark goes over different walkway and driveway deicers and how they might impact masonry products; Tom and Kevin build a modern bench.

30 min

Garbage Disposal, Concrete Wall

Tom travels to Nashville to turn an original, exterior door into a Dutch door; Richard explains how to install a garbage disposal; Mark and Jenn reface a concrete wall with thin stone veneer.

30 min

Power Washing, Deck Lights

Tom explains how different sanders work and how to sand well; Mauro shows how to use a power washer to clean siding; the team share more home inspection nightmares; Heath installs deck railing lights.

30 min

Move Baseboard, Cooler Bench

Richard moves baseboard heat from one side of a room to another; Jenn explains the basics of selecting different species of arborvitae; Tom and Kevin build an outdoor bench that doubles as a cooler.

30 min

Flickering Lights, Brick Stairs

Jenn travels to Orlando to upgrade a homeowner's irrigation system with a smart one; Heath explains a few different ways to troubleshoot flickering lights; Mark repoints a set of brick front steps.

30 min

Spring Projects: Paint, Prune, Spigots

Richard explains a variety of failure points in a hose spigot; Mauro demonstrates the how to paint vinyl siding; Jenn explains how and why to maintain pruners; Nathan builds a custom fence gate.

30 min

Echinaceas, Kitchen Punch List

Jenn explains how to care for echinaceas; Mark explains how to cut stone with a saw and chisel; Richard replaces a kitchen sink and faucet; Tom helps a homeowner wrap up a few kitchen projects.

30 min

Inspection, Door Restoration

Heath performs an electrical inspection; the team share more Home Inspection Nightmares; Tom helps two homeowners meticulously restore their antique front door using a variety of techniques.

30 min

Dishwasher Retrofit, Rolling Pin

Richard and Nathan retrofit a new dishwasher into an old kitchen; Mauro paints wood paneling; Tom and Kevin turn a French rolling pin.

30 min

Flood Prevention, Deck Hangers

Richard installs a shutoff valve for washing machine supply hoses; Ross and Heath discuss the progression of EV chargers; Jenn discusses ornamental grasses; Nathan helps a homeowner repair her deck.

30 min

Colors, Fireplace Upgrade

Kevin and Tom travel to Montana to set up an accessible home gym for a Navy SEAL veteran; Mauro shares how to select the right paint color; Mark updates a fireplace with a stacked stone veneer.

30 min

Working from Home

Nathan builds a display case to store his grandfather's U.S. flag; Heath replaces a circuit breaker; the team shares the ways their trades were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

30 min

Summer Special

It's summertime and the team are here to help with some fun outdoor projects! Tom travels to Colorado to help a couple build a swing set for their young son; Jenn travels to Raleigh, North Carolina to help a couple build a self-watering vegetable garden that will survive even if they go away on vacation; Mark helps a homeowner build a cost effective firepit for his backyard that comes in a kit.

30 min

Rethinking a Garden

Not all landscape projects require starting from scratch. Many times, working with plants already there can make a huge impact. In this special episode, Jenn Nawada uses an historic landscape design from a protege of Frederick Law Olmsted to transform a yard. She updates a landscape by moving around, dividing, and pruning current plants in the yard. Finally, she designs a secret garden.

30 min

Ultimate Garage Workshop

30 min

Kitchen Upgrades

30 min