Ask This Old House Season 2, Episode 20: Programmable Thermostat; What Is It? Plaster and Lath Wall

1

Deadbolt Installation; Hedge Trimming; Hot Water Heater

Installing a deadbolt; trimming hedges; fixing a heating system.

30 min

2

Newel Renewal; What Is It? Replacing a Water Heater

Securing a shaky newel post at the top of a stairway; replacing a 50-year-old water heater.

30 min

3

Slate Walkway; What Is It? Shower Stall Leak

Restoring a slate walkway; repairing a leak in a fiberglass shower stall.

30 min

4

Fixing a Hole; What Is It? 14-Inch Rough-in Toilet

Repairing holes in drywall; replacing a large 1920s wall-mounted toilet.

30 min

5

Drywell Installation; What Is It? Getting a Grip

Installing a backyard drywell; installing a bathtub safety grab bar.

30 min

6

Window Trimming; Utility Boxes; What Is It? Kitchen Faucet

Installing interior window trim; hiding utility boxes in front of a house; fixing a broken spray hose on a kitchen faucet.

30 min

7

Groundcover Planting; Opening Stuck Windows

Replacing ailing grass with ivy and pachysandra; opening double-hung windows that are painted shut.

30 min

8

Prefinished Engineered Floor; Replacing a Sink Stopper

Replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with pre-finished hardwood flooring; pros and cons of floors; replacing a rusty bathroom sink stopper.

30 min

9

Poison Ivy Removal; What Is It? Installing a Shingles Corner

Removing poison ivy from the yard without using herbicides; weaving cedar shingles on an outside corner of a house.

30 min

10

Chimney Liner; What Is It? Toilet Tank Condensation

Chimney flue repairs; installing an anti-sweat valve to prevent condensation on a toilet tank.

30 min

11

Stairway Handrail; What Is It? Transplanting a Rhododendron

Installing a staircase handrail; transplanting a rhododendron.

30 min

12

Drip Irrigation Repair; What Is It? Leaky Tile Tub

Repairing an irrigation system; fixing a bathtub leak.

30 min

13

Squeaky Hardwood Floors; What Is It? Building Timber Stairs

Silencing squeaky hardwood floors; building a set of timber stairs.

30 min

14

Walkway Installation; What Is It? Cutting Accurate Miters

Brick-walk installation; cutting a miter in wood trim.

30 min

15

Sliding Closet Doors; What Is It? Electric Heat; Paint Colors

Fixing sliding closet doors; electric radiant floor heat; selecting exterior paint colors.

30 min

16

Water Quality Testing; What Is It? Damaged Floorboard

Examining water quality; installing a water softener and filter; replacing a rotten board in hardwood flooring.

30 min

17

Snaking Speaker Wire; What Is It? Planting a Tree

Snaking wire through exterior walls; planting a magnolia tree.

30 min

18

Deterring Deer; PVC Pipe; What Is It? Sagging Shower Door

Protecting shrubs from deer; pipe connections; fixing a shower door that will not close properly.

30 min

19

Cutting Glass; Climbing Vines; What Is It? Portable Aircon

Cutting a pane of glass; planting climbing vines; installing a portable air conditioner.

30 min

20

Programmable Thermostat; What Is It? Plaster and Lath Wall

Programmable thermostat installation; repairing a cracked plaster and lath wall.

30 min

21

Steam Radiator; What Is It? Preparing Raised Garden Beds

Air vent replacement; repairing a steam radiator's shut-off valve; preparing garden beds for winter.

30 min

22

Curved Molding; Buying Wire Foot; What Is It? Maple Syrup

Installing a curved basecap molding in a stairwell; purchasing electrical wire by the foot; collecting sap and making maple syrup.

30 min

23

Radiant Heat; What Is It? Prep Aluminum Siding for Paint

Installing a curved basecap molding in a stairwell; purchasing electrical wire by the foot; collecting sap and making maple syrup.

30 min

24

Track Light; Drywall Repair Clips; Noisy Baseboard Heaters

Installing track lighting in the kitchen; how to quiet noisy baseboard heaters.

30 min

25

Copper Pipe Corrosion; What Is It? Stripping a Drafty Door

Corroded copper pipes; how to replace worn-out weather stripping around a kitchen door.

30 min

26

Door Jamb and Storm Door; What Is It? Garden Tools

Repairing a damaged door jamb and installing a new storm door; choosing the right garden tools for spring cleanup.

30 min