Ask This Old House Season 4, Episode 15: In-Ground Sprinkler System; Pouring a Concrete Footing

1

Mortared Stone Walkway Repair; Patching an Oak Floor

Our 4th season begins with a house call from landscaping contractor Roger Cook who helps a homeowner repair a loose flagstone in his mortared front walkway. Then Roger, along with general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, Tom helps a handy homeowner patch a hardwood floor where an interior wall once stood.

30 min

2

Creaky Stairs; Static Cling Solution; Electric Shut-Off Valve

General contractor Tom Silva quiets a homeowner's squeaky stairs and replaces a broken baluster. Then Tom, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscaping contractor Roger Cook, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, Richard helps a homeowner prevent a damaging flood by installing an automatic shut-off valve for her washing machine.

30 min

3

Under-Sink Water Filter; Planting a Drought Resistant Tree

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner improve the quality of her drinking water by installing an under-sink filter. After that, Richard and host Kevin O'Connor are joined in the loft by water-filtration expert Bill McTighe who explains several other types of residential water filters. Then, landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner select a drought-resistant tree and plant it properly in her sloped front yard.

30 min

4

Flat Tire; Aluminum Rain Gutter; Thermal Expansion Tank

Up in the loft, landscaping contractor Roger Cook shows host Kevin O'Connor how to repair a flat wheelbarrow tire. He also shows a new type of flat-free tire. Then, general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner repair an aluminum rain gutter. Then, back in the loft, Kevin and Tom demonstrate a tip sent in from a viewer on how to drill a hole in ceramic tile. Then, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner with a leaking T&P valve on his water heater by installing a thermal expansion tank.

30 min

5

Rose Bushes; Wobbly Toilet; Water Leak; Hydraulic Cement

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook heads to Grandview, Missouri to help a homeowner care for an ailing rose bush. Then Roger, along with general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Up in the loft, Richard shows Kevin a number of ways to steady a wobbly toilet. Then, Tom helps a homeowner prevent water from leaking through a hole in his foundation into his basement.

30 min

6

Raised Garden Bed with Timbers; Clearing a Bathtub Drain

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a young couple build a raised garden bed using composite landscape timbers made from recycled plastic and sawdust. Back in the loft, Roger shows host Kevin O'Connor several other types of landscape timbers, including one that has been pressure-treated with liquid glass. Then, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner clear a slow-draining bathtub using a plumbing snake.

30 min

7

Moss, Algae and Lichen; Leaky Water Valve; Planting Shade

General contractor Tom Silva shows a homeowner how to remove moss and lichen from his shade-covered roof and keep them from coming back. Then Tom, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscaping contractor Roger Cook, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Up in the loft, Richard shows Kevin how to repair a leaky valve by replacing the washer and valve seat. Then, Roger helps a homeowner plant shade-loving groundcover under a 100-year-old beech tree.

30 min

8

Circular Saw 101; Outdoor PEX Faucet; Cabling an Oak Tree

Up in the loft, general contractor Tom Silva gives host Kevin O'Connor a few lessons on the proper use of a circular saw. Then, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey installs a new outdoor faucet for a homeowner using flexible plastic tubing called PEX. Then Richard, along with Tom, Kevin and landscaping contractor Roger Cook ask, "What is it?" And arborist Matt Foti prevents a tree from splitting in half by installing steel cables and through-bolts to hold it together.

30 min

9

Garage Roof Re-Shingling with Asphalt; Fiberglass Shingles

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey starts the show with a suggestion sent in by a viewer. Richard shows how to use a common wire nut to save a partially-used tube of caulk and demonstrates a new replacement caulk tip. Then, general contractor Tom Silva helps a pair of homeowners replace the worn-out roof on an old garage. Together, they tear off the old roof, lay down felt paper, and re-shingle the roof using new asphalt-fiberglass shingles.

30 min

10

Pruning an Overgrown Privet Hedge; New Laundry Sink

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a pair of homeowners tame an overgrown privet hedge with some "rejuvenation pruning." Then, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner install a laundry sink in the basement of her new townhouse. Together, they run the copper pipes for the water supply, make the new PVC drain connection, and connect the plumbing vent.

30 min

11

Snowthrowers; What Is It? Installing A New Exterior Door

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook and host Kevin O'Connor bundle up and head outside for a few lessons on the different types of snowthrowers and how to use them properly. Back in the barn loft, Roger and Kevin, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Then, Tom makes a housecall to help a homeowner replace an old, drafty exterior door with a new pre-hung, energy-efficient unit.

30 min

12

Washing Windows; What Is It? Flushing an Electric Water Heater

Host Kevin O'Connor heads to southern California and meets with a local expert to learn about the proper tools techniques for window washing. Then back in the loft, Kevin, along with landscaping contractor Roger Cook, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Then, Richard helps a pair of homeowners flush the sediment out of their aging electric water heater. Later, up in the loft, Richard demonstrates several water heater maintenance tips.

30 min

13

New Vinyl Floor; What Is It? Preventing Frozen Pipes

General contractor Tom Silva heads to New York's "lower east side" to help a pair of apartment-dwellers install a new vinyl floor. Then Tom, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscaping contractor Roger Cook and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, up in the loft, Richard shows Kevin a few ways to prevent plumbing pipes from freezing in the winter and the proper way to thaw pipes if they do freeze.

30 min

14

Radon Mitigation System; Pruning an Apple Tree

Host Kevin O'Connor heads to Minneapolis, Minnesota to help a pair of homeowners who have discovered dangerous levels of radon gas in their finished basement. Then, up in the loft, Kevin shows a number of radon test kits available at home centers and local health departments. Then, landscaping contractor Roger Cook shows a homeowner how to prune his apple tree to produce healthy fruit.

30 min

15

In-Ground Sprinkler System; Pouring a Concrete Footing

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook heads to Dallas, Texas to help a homeowner install a low cost in-ground sprinkler system. Then Roger, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, general contractor Tom Silva, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, Tom helps a homeowner pour new concrete footings for a backyard deck.

30 min

16

Choosing Hammers; Pressure-Assisted Toilet; Plastered Wall

Up in the loft, general contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O'Connor several different types of hammers and how to use them properly. Then, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner repair a pressure-assisted toilet. Tom then gives Kevin some lessons on how to patch a large hole in a wall using veneer plaster and blueboard.

30 min

17

Residential Well Repair; Repairing a Hole in Vinyl Siding

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and a specialist repair a residential well system for a homeowner by replacing the pump and pressurized well tank. Then general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner repair a small hole in his vinyl siding.

30 min

18

Transplanting a White Spruce; Extending a Staircase Handrail

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook shows a homeowner how to transplant a spruce tree that was originally planted too close to her house. Then Roger, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, general contractor Tom Silva, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, Tom heads off to Seattle to help a homeowner extend a staircase handrail using a new type of fastening system.

30 min

19

Custom Radiator Cover; Installing a Steam Humidifier

General contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O'Connor how to build a custom cover for a radiator. Then plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows Kevin several different types of humidifiers and then makes a housecall to help a homeowner install a steam humidifier on her forced-air heating system.

30 min

20

Granite Driveway Marker; Hot Water Radiator System

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook and a specialist help a homeowner install a granite driveway marker so that visitors can more easily find his house. Then Roger, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, general contractor Tom Silva, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Richard heads to Pennsylvania to fix a hot water radiator that is not providing any heat.

30 min

21

Water Heater; Planting Trees to Save Energy; Cellulose Insulation

This special episode is all about making your home more energy-efficient. Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Atlanta where he helps a homeowner install an instantaneous water heater to save on rising fuel costs. Then, up in the loft, landscaping contractor Roger Cook shows how proper planting of deciduous and evergreen trees can help reduce the costs of heating and cooling your house. Then, general contractor Tom Silva helps a pair of homeowners insulate the walls of their antique Victorian using blown-in cellulose insulation. Back in the loft, Tom demonstrates how to add additional fiberglass insulation to an attic.

30 min

22

Cast-Iron Radiator and Bathtub; Grading; Wobbly Newel Post

Up in the loft, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows host Kevin O'Connor how to repair damaged threads on a radiator using a drill and "tap." Then, landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner solve a grading problem that is causing wood rot on the side of her house. Then Richard and Kevin, along with general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Tom shows Kevin how to stabilize a wobbly newel post. Then, Kevin and a tub refinisher help a homeowner refinish her old cast-iron bathtub and make it look like new.

30 min

23

Replacing an Interior Door; Leaky Kitchen Faucet

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner replace an interior "hollow-core" door with a heavier, more attractive, "solid-core" door. Then, up in the loft, Tom and host Kevin O'Connor cut several doors in half to reveal how different types of doors are constructed. Then, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Philadelphia to repair a leaky kitchen faucet. Afterward, back in the loft, Richard shows Kevin several types of kitchen faucets and a few tips on repairing them

30 min

24

Replacing a Dishwasher; Sharpening a Chisel; Lawn Spreaders

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner select and install a new dishwasher. Then, Richard, along with general contractor Tom Silva, landscaping contractor Roger Cook and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, up in the loft, Tom shows Kevin how to sharpen wood chisels using different types of sharpening stones. Then, Roger and Kevin head outside for some lessons on proper use of lawn spreaders.

30 min

25

Cutting Ceramic and Stone Tile; Installing a Sump Pump

Up in the loft, tile expert Joe Ferrante shows host Kevin O'Connor the proper way to cut several different types of tile. Then, general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner with a wet basement install a sump pump. Back in the loft, Tom and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey discuss emergency backup systems for sump pumps.

30 min

26

Mini-Split Air Conditioning System; De-Thatching a Lawn

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey visits a homeowner in Kansas to help install a mini-split air conditioning system. Then, Richard, along with general contractor Tom Silva, landscaping contractor Roger Cook, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, Roger helps a homeowner "wake up the lawn" in preparation for spring by using a de-thatching machine.

30 min