Ask This Old House Season 24, Episode 17: Lead Testing, Hillside Steps

1

NOLA Lantern; Rusty Patio Set

NOLA copper lantern fixtures; why toilets overflow; restoring rusty outdoor furniture.

25 min

2

Seashell Driveway; Radon System

Swapping a coastal home's gravel driveway for seashells; installing a radon mitigation system.

25 min

3

Houseplant Soil, Spot Point Brick

Tom shares a few methods to remove ring stains from a wood table; Jenn breaks down the types of soil and fertilizer needed for common indoor plants; Mark repairs a brick floor's crumbling mortar using spot pointing rather than a full repoint job.

25 min

4

Washer Dryer Relocation

Kevin meets with an audiologist to discuss the importance of hearing protection; Richard, Nathan and Heath team up to help a couple age in place by relocating their washer and dryer to the main floor.

25 min

5

Planting Arborvitaes, Storage Rack

Lee helps a homeowner plant a row of arborvitae trees for a privacy Lee helps a homeowner plant a row of arborvitae trees for a privacy border; Mark breaks down the various tools that can be found in the border; Mark breaks down the various tools that can be found in the average fireplace set; Tom and Kevin demonstrate how to build a average fireplace set; Tom and Kevin demonstrate how to build a storage rack for container totes using 2x4s. storage rack for container totes using 2x4s.

25 min

6

Sustainable Grass, Driveway Lights

Jenn visits a Rhode Island sod farm to see what sustainable grass alternatives they've been experimenting with; Tom and Kevin discuss the most common types of nailhead and shank designs; Heath brightens up a dark driveway.

25 min

7

Seabees; Paint Galvanized Railing

Nathan Gilbert travels to a Mississippi Navy Seabees base, where he learned carpentry as part of his naval training, to see how they are continuing to train the next generation of tradespeople; Tom Silva walks Kevin O'Connor through different types of trailer hitches, their uses, and what to consider for safe towing; Mauro Henrique helps a homeowner repaint her peeling galvanized stair railing.

25 min

8

Regrade Lawn; Solid Core Doors

Lee helps a couple regrade their backyard to improve the lawn's health; Jenn shares houseplants that thrive at any light level, proving there's a perfect plant for every space; Nathan upgrades a homeowner's hollow-core doors to solid-core doors.

25 min

9

Garage Storage; Anode Rod

Nathan helps a homeowner install an overhead garage storage rack for easier living; Heath demonstrates how to upgrade to a 3-way smart switch; Richard shows how to extend the life of a tank-style water heater by replacing the anode rod.

25 min

10

Idaho Backyard Makeover

Jenn Nawada travels to Idaho to revamp a backyard of a homeowner who hosts weekly potluck dinner parties. His Monday Night Dinners now draw up to 100- 200 guests, overwhelming a space not built for crowds. Jenn and the community redesign the yard for smoother flow and function. Then, Mark McCullough replaces two rusted window wells, demonstrating proper removal and installation.

25 min

11

Speakeasy Hidden Door

Richard shows a clever toilet flange repair kit. Then, Lee and Kevin share essential upkeep to keep a gas mower running like new. Nathan helps a homeowner turn a bar closet into a mini speakeasy with a hidden bookcase door kit.

25 min

12

Paint Ceiling; Squeaky Floor

Mauro shows how to repaint a damaged ceiling. Heath, Ross, and Kevin discuss utility energy meters. Nathan and Kevin compare vinyl, wood, and fiber-cement siding. Tom demonstrates how to stop hardwood floor squeaks with a clever DIY fix.

25 min

13

Split Water Heater; Attic Ladder

Ross upgrades a home to a solar-assisted split heat pump water heater, ideal for cold climates. Kevin and Jenn discuss three common houseplant pests and Jenn shares some simple tricks to banish them. Nathan solves a tough attic access issue.

25 min

14

3-Way Switch, Split Rail Fence

Mauro and Kevin show how to test for lead paint. Heath breaks down how-way switches work and common wiring mistakes. Nathan and Lee install a classic wooden split rail fence to prevent cars from parking on a homeowner's front lawn.

25 min

15

Toys and Color, Air Switch

Tom discusses common types of caulks and sealants. Richard installs a garbage disposal with an air switch controller. Kevin is joined by Wendy and Kaden, hosts of the popular channel "Toys and Colors," to build a children's dress-up closet.

25 min

16

Grass Seed Facility, Porch Swing

Lee heads to Washington state to uncover why the Pacific Northwest is the heart of Kentucky bluegrass seed production. Mark breaks down popular paver types and walkway patterns. Nathan teams up to install a porch swing.

25 min

17

Lead Testing, Hillside Steps

Richard explains why sink clogs happen, how to prevent them, and offers safer maintenance alternatives. Mauro demonstrates how to test for lead-based paint. Then, Mark installs granite hillside steps, creating safer access to a backyard fire pit.

25 min

18

Nola Shutters, Hardwired Alarms

Nathan Gilbert upgrades shutters in a historic New Orleans neighborhood, matching the original style and material. Jenn Nawada and Lee Gilliam explain how to read fertilizer labels and choose between organic and synthetic options. Heath Eastman upgrades battery-operated smoke detectors to a hardwired combo alarm system. Heath asks a local fire chief for installation safety tips beforehand.

25 min

19

Arch Accent, Pea Stone Patio

Mauro helps a mom-to-be refresh a nursery with hand-drawn arches using simple tools. Jenn explains the truth behind common plant misconceptions. Then, Mark helps a couple install a pea gravel patio using a binding agent to keep stones in place.

25 min

20

Hang Shades, Steep Landscaping

Nathan installs shades to block the outside view for a tiny guard dog. Richard and Kevin discuss the anatomy of toilet tanks, common failures, and how to fix a running toilet. Jenn tackles a steep front yard for a safer, better-looking landscape.

25 min

21

Running Power to a Shed

Mauro explains the basic tools and supplies needed to paint a room. Kevin hosts a kitchen quiz on what food scraps belong in the garbage disposal versus the compost. Heath shows a homeowner how to run underground power from his house to a new shed.

25 min

22

Flower Vase, Smart Garage Opener

Tom teaches Zack how to turn a flower vase on the lathe. Jenn explains how to start seeds indoors for spring. Mark breaks down common mortar cracks in fireplace hearths and surrounds. Ross upgrades a garage door opener by adding a Wi-Fi hub.

25 min

23

Paver Walkway, Mowing A Lawn 101

Lee and Kevin cover lawn mowing basics. The team shares expert tips on how to vet and hire a trustworthy contractor to avoid costly mistakes. Mark heads to Washington state to replace a bumpy flagstone path.

25 min

24

Tile Soap Holders; Swirl Ceiling

Nathan upgrades a bathroom by replacing vintage wall-mounted ceramic toothbrush and soap holders. The team plays "What Is It?" to guess the purpose of a metal bar. Mauro repairs a water-damaged ceiling crack matching the original swirl texture.

25 min

25

Picnic Table; Insurance Policies

Ross shares the perfect tech setup for an outdoor movie night. Kevin talks with an insurance expert to break down the basics of a homeowner's insurance policy. Then, Tom and Kevin team up to rebuild a picnic table they first built 17 years ago.

25 min

26

Outdoor TV; Granite Firepit

Heath installs a weatherproof outdoor TV enclosure. Kevin, Tom and Zack discuss essential preparation steps a homeowner should take before a renovation. Then, Mark replaces a crumbling fire pit with a sleek, modern square design.

25 min