Ask This Old House Season 7, Episode 21: Water Saving Toilet; In-Ground Sprinkler System

1

Collapsing Garage Roof; Installing a Dry Well

Ask This Old House kicks off its 7th season on PBS. General contractor Tom Silva prevents a garage roof from collapsing by replacing a rotting support post. Then Tom, along with host Kevin O'Connor, landscaping contractor Roger Cook and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?" Then, Roger helps two homeowners dry out their basement by installing a dry well to handle discharge from their sump pump.

30 min

2

Mature Tree; Noisy Heating System

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook shows a pair of homeowners how to transplant a large, mature tree to their front yard. Then Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Then, Richard helps two homeowners sleep better at night by quieting their noisy heating system.

30 min

3

Pendant Lighting; Care for Succulents

Host Kevin O'Connor travels to Nashville, Tennessee, where he helps a pair of homeowners brighten up their kitchen with some new pendant lighting. Then, up in the loft, houseplant expert Carrie Kelly shows Roger how to care for cactus plants and other succulents.

30 min

4

Damaged Lawn; Curved Stair Molding

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps two homeowners repair the damage done to their lawn when a new well was installed. 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 shows a homeowner how to make a piece of curved stair molding with some red oak and a few simple power tools.

30 min

5

Increasing Water Pressure; Transplanting a Bush

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner transplant a giant Rhododendron bush. Then Roger, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, general contractor Tom Silva, and host Kevin O’Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, Richard helps a homeowner increase his water pressure with an electric water pressure booster.

30 min

6

Laminate Countertops; Brick Walkway; Furnace Filters

Up in the loft, general contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor how to repair damaged laminate countertops. Then, landscape contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner rebuild a brick walkway. Then Tom, Kevin, Roger, and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?" Then Richard shows Kevin several different types of filters for forced-air heating and cooling systems.

30 min

7

Reducing Heating Costs; Using a Whole House Fan

This episode has many tips for making your home more energy efficient. First, general contractor Tom Silva shows several different ways to seal the openings around doors, windows, and other penetrations in the shell of a house. Next, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner reduce his heating costs by installing a weather-responsive control on his boiler. Then, landscape contractor Roger Cook shares some tips on reducing energy costs. Finally, Tom helps a homeowner keep things cool with a whole house fan.

30 min

8

Waterproofing System/Installing A Privacy Screen

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner prepare a shower enclosure for tile using a new type of waterproofing system. Then Tom, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscaping contractor Roger Cook ask, "What is it?" Then, Roger helps two homeowners install a privacy screen using bushes and a decorative flower garden.

30 min

9

Building a Retaining Wall; Loud Faucet

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a pair of homeowners build a retaining wall using pressure-treated timbers. Afterward, Roger, along with general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, Richard has an easy fix for a kitchen faucet that is making a loud, shuddering sound.

30 min

10

Whole-House Water Filter; Repairing a Roof

Plumbing & heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Indianapolis to help a pair of homeowners install a whole-house water filter. Then Richard, along with general contractor Tom Silva, landscaping contractor Roger Cook, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then Tom helps a homeowner repair a hole in a rubber roof and Richard shares a viewer tip for cutting PVC pipe without a saw.

30 min

11

Repairing a Deck; Hydrangea Bush

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner repair a very dangerous deck. Then Tom, along with landscaping contractor Roger Cook, plumbing & heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, Roger helps a homeowner with a hydrangea bush that won't flower.

30 min

12

Removing A Boulder; Securing Loose Pipes

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a pair of homeowners break apart and remove a large boulder in their backyard. Then Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing & heating expert Richard Trethewey and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Next, Richard helps two homeowners secure their loose pipes inside a shower wall and Tom shares a viewer tip about getting a secure grip on a hammer.

30 min

13

Energy-Efficient Water Heater; Leveling a Concrete Walkway

Plumbing & heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O'Connor replace an old tank-type water heater with a new, energy-efficient "tankless" unit fueled by propane. Then Richard and Kevin, along with landscaping contractor Roger Cook and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Then, Roger helps a homeowner level his sagging concrete walkway using a method called "mudjacking," and Tom shares a viewer tip for removing hammer dents from a piece of wood.

30 min

14

Backyard Gate; Basement Window; Using Expanding Foam

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner in Charleston, South Carolina fix a sagging wooden gate. Then Roger, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, host Kevin O'Connor, and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Then, Tom helps a homeowner replace his drafty old basement windows with new energy-efficient ones. Later, up in the loft, Tom and Richard discuss how to properly use different types of liquid foam insulation to prevent drafts.

30 min

15

Painting Kitchen Cabinets; Installing Cabinet Accessories

This special episode is dedicated to making the most out of your existing kitchen cabinets. First, host Kevin O'Connor and expert painter Rich O'Neil show a homeowner how to prepare and paint her oak kitchen cabinets. Next, general contractor Tom Silva visits a pair of Connecticut homeowners in need of some organization solutions for their cramped, cluttered cabinets.

30 min

16

Bathtub Conversion; Wood Fill; Solar-Powered Fountain

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner convert a claw foot bathtub into a shower. Then Richard, along with host Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva and landscape contractor Roger Cook ask, "What is it?" Later, Tom shows Kevin how to use different types of "fillers" for both wood and PVC trim. Then Roger helps a homeowner install a solar-powered fountain in her yard.

30 min

17

Staining A Deck; Preventing Sewage Backups

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner clean, stain and seal his mahogany backyard deck. Then Tom, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and landscape contractor Roger Cook ask, "What is it?" Kevin makes a House call to Chicago to help a homeowner prevent sewage backup in her basement by replacing her flood control system. In the Ask This Old House loft, Tom and Richard share a viewer tip on how to remove a wood plug from a hole saw.

30 min

18

Tree Pruning; Installing a Shower Mixing Valve

Landscape contractor Roger Cook shows a homeowner how to prune her neglected crabapple tree properly. Then Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?" Later, Richard helps a homeowner install a new "anti-scald" shower-mixing valve.

30 min

19

Banging Pipes; Installing Fiberglass Door

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner quiet his banging pipes by installing a water hammer shock suppressor. Then Richard, along with host Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva and landscaping contractor Roger Cook ask, "What is it?" Then, Tom and Kevin show how to install a pre-hung fiberglass exterior door.

30 min

20

Kids Projects; Vegetable Garden; Mini-Golf; Rocket Launcher

Our annual "kids" episode features family-friendly projects that parents and kids can build together! First, landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a 12-year-old budding master gardener build a raised bed for growing vegetables. Then, up in the loft, general contractor Tom Silva and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, with the help of several kids, build a miniature indoor golf course. Next, Kevin and a middle school teacher show some eager students how to build a model rocket launcher using commonly available household and hardware store items.

30 min

21

Water Saving Toilet; In-Ground Sprinkler System

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner install a new "dual flush" water-saving toilet. Then Richard, along with host Kevin O'Connor, landscaping contractor Roger Cook and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Next, Roger and Kevin head outside to install an in-ground sprinkler system that any homeowner can install.

30 min

22

Heating & Cooling System Controller; Re-Grout Tile Floor

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a California homeowner install a new type of "zoning" control for her forced-air heating and cooling system. Then Richard, along with landscaping contractor Roger Cook, host Kevin O'Connor and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Next, Tom helps a homeowner re-grout the tile floor in her master bathroom.

30 min

23

Basement Wallboards; Tying Knots; Storm-Damaged Trees

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner prepare his concrete basement walls for finished wallboard. Then, up in the loft, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows host Kevin O'Connor how to tie a few basic knots. Next, Tom, Kevin and Richard, along with landscaping contractor Roger Cook ask, "What is it?" Then, Roger and certified arborist Matt Foti demonstrate how to care for storm-damaged trees.

30 min

24

Garage Door Installation; Preventing Frozen Pipes

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner install a new garage door. Then plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows a homeowner how to "winterize" his plumbing to prevent frozen pipes when the house is unoccupied.

30 min

25

Ventilation Fan Installation; Chemical Free Lawn Care

Kevin O'Connor and electrician Brian Bergeron help a homeowner install a new ventilation fan in her bathroom. Tom, Kevin O'Connor, and Richard Trethewey examine an unfamiliar object and try to guess how it is used. Roger Cooks show two homeowners how to care for their lawn without using pesticides or chemicals. He obtains a soil test before performing work on the lawn, then he spreads lawn fertilizer with chicken manure as the primary ingredient and uses grass seed enhanced with fungal endophytes.

30 min

26

Leaky PVC Drain Trap; Installing Bamboo Flooring

This episode demonstrates how to repair a leaking PVC drain trap under a kitchen sink, how to install a bamboo "floating" floor in a basement, and how to clean roof gutters without a ladder.

30 min