Ask This Old House Season 8, Episode 25: Repairing Newel Posts; Cutting Rigid Pipes

1

Campfire Pit; Installing Range Hood & Microwave Oven

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook kicks off our 8th season by helping a homeowner build a cozy campfire pit in her backyard. Then Roger, along with general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Tom helps a homeowner install a combination range hood and microwave oven over her kitchen stovetop.

30 min

2

Home Intercom System; Energy-Efficient Fireplace

Host Kevin O'Connor teams up with an electrician to install a home intercom system. Then Kevin, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscaping contractor Roger Cook and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Next, Richard helps a homeowner make a wood-burning fireplace cleaner and more energy efficient by installing a gas-burning insert.

30 min

3

Outdoor Living Space; Installing Fiber Cement Siding

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook travels to Baltimore, where he helps transform a small urban backyard into a pleasant outdoor living space. Then Roger, along with general contractor Tom Silva, host Kevin O'Connor, and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?" Afterward, up in the loft, Tom shows Kevin some new ways to install fiber cement siding without creating a lot of dust.

30 min

4

Aluminum Gutters; Energy-Efficient Washer & Dryer

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner install new aluminum gutters and downspouts. Then Tom, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and landscaping contractor Roger Cook ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Richard helps a homeowner install a new energy-efficient clothes washer and dryer.

30 min

5

Sliding Glass Door Installation

General contractor Tom Silva helps a pair of homeowners install a new siding glass door. Afterward, Tom, along with host Kevin O'Connor, landscaping contractor Roger Cook and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?"

30 min

6

Container Gardening; Installing Rooftop Antennas

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook joins plant expert Carrie Kelly at a nursery to learn about container gardening. Then, up in the loft, general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O'Connor discuss different types of flooring, including solid wood, engineered wood, ceramic tile, vinyl, and linoleum. Next, Kevin and a television antenna expert help a homeowner install a new rooftop antenna for his digital TV.

30 min

7

Weather Stripping; Energy-Efficiency Tips & Analysis

It begins with general contractor Tom Silva helping a homeowner seal out drafts by installing weather-stripping on her front door. Then, up in the loft, host Kevin O'Connor is joined by residential energy expert Paul Scheckel to discuss several ways to monitor and save electricity. Next, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner determine the proper size for a new heating system by performing a comprehensive heat-loss analysis.

30 min

8

Basic Picnic Table; Installing a Utility Sink

General contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O'Connor head outside the barn to build a basic picnic table using common framing lumber. Then, Tom and Kevin, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and landscaping contractor Roger Cook ask, "What is it?" Then Richard helps a homeowner install a new utility sink in a basement laundry area.

30 min

9

Organic Lawn Care; Re-Routing a Bathroom Fan

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook visits Harvard University to learn about their new organic lawn-care program and shows host Kevin O'Connor how to make his own "compost tea." Then, Roger and Kevin, along with general contractor Tom Silva and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Tom helps a homeowner prevent mildew in his attic by re-routing a bathroom fan that was improperly vented near a soffit.

30 min

10

Stone Veneer Installation; Retrofitting HVAC Ducts

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner install stone veneer over an ugly concrete retaining wall. Then Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Then, up in the loft, Richard shows Kevin how to retrofit dampers in forced-air HVAC ducts. Next, Tom shares a viewer tip about how to get the most from your can of insulating foam.

30 min

11

Laminate Kitchen Countertops; Installing Steel Edging

General contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O'Connor show how to build and install new laminate kitchen countertops. Then Tom and Kevin, along with landscaping contractor Roger Cook and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?" Next, Roger helps a homeowner create a clean border between a garden bed and a lawn using steel edging.

30 min

12

Concealing Retaining Walls; Quieting PVC Plumbing Vents

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a pair of homeowners improve the appearance of an unsightly concrete retaining wall with wooden lattice and climbing vines. Then Roger, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, general contractor Tom Silva, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Next, up in the loft, Tom shows Kevin how to flash a newly-installed window properly. Then, Richard helps a homeowner quiet a noisy PVC plumbing vent in her attic.

30 min

13

Broken Water Softener; Preventing Deer Damage in Gardens

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Tampa, Florida to help two homeowners repair their broken water softener. Then Richard, along with host Kevin O'Connor, landscaping contractor Roger Cook, and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Next, Roger helps a homeowner repair and prevent deer damage to one of his evergreen trees. Then, up in the loft, Tom shares a viewer tip on how to reduce airborne dust while sanding.

30 min

14

Mantel and Hearth; Rejuvenating Baseboard Radiator

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner dress up an old fireplace by installing a new mantle and marble hearth. Then Tom, along with host Kevin O'C'onnor, landscaping contractor Roger Cook and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Richard shows Kevin a few ways to improve the appearance of old baseboard heaters.

30 min

15

Bathroom Installations; Comparing Wall Insulation

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner update the look of her bathroom by installing a new vanity cabinet, countertop, and sink. Then Richard, along with general contractor Tom Silva, landscaping contractor Roger Cook, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Tom and Kevin discuss several different types of wall insulation and how each is installed.

30 min

16

Conserving Rainwater; Removing an Interior Wall

Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner conserve water by installing an innovative rainwater collection system. Then Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Then Tom helps a pair of homeowners connect two rooms in their home by removing an interior load-bearing wall.

30 min

17

Ductless Air Conditioning; Eliminating Ceiling Leaks

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Tampa, Florida to help a homeowner cool off his garage workshop with a ductless air conditioning system. Then Richard, along with landscaping contractor Roger Cook, host Kevin O'Connor, and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Tom helps a homeowner eliminate a mysterious leak in her living room ceiling.

30 min

18

Crown Molding; Replacing Rotting Fence Posts

General contractor Tom Silva helps a pair of homeowners in Houston, Texas install crown molding in their bedroom using an innovative fastening system. Then Tom, along with host Kevin O'Connor, landscaping contractor Roger Cook, and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Roger and Kevin head outside to replace a rotting cedar fence post.

30 min

19

Protective Furniture Finish; Winterizing Outdoor Gardens

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner replace the broken sash locks on his vinyl windows. Then, up in the loft, host Kevin O'Connor gets some tips on staining furniture and applying protective finishes from finishing expert Bruce Johnson. Afterward, landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner protect her plants from the ravages of winter.

30 min

20

Remodeling Kitchen Area; Improving Drainage in Planters

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and general contractor Tom Silva head to Detroit to help a homeowner remodel her kitchen with new appliances, countertops, a backsplash, and even the kitchen sink! Then, landscaping contractor Roger Cook shares a viewer tip with host Kevin O'Connor on how to improve drainage in the bottom of a flower pot.

30 min

21

Energy-Efficient Water Heaters; Propane-Fueled Mosquito Traps

Host Kevin O'Connor and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey head to Virginia to help a homeowner replace his old, electric water heater with a heat pump water heater that uses much less electricity. Then, up in the loft, Richard and Kevin, along with general contractor Tom Silva and landscaping contractor Roger Cook ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Roger and Kevin discuss propane-fueled mosquito traps and how to keep them working properly. Then Tom helps a homeowner install exterior trim against a very uneven stone chimney.

30 min

22

Reviving a Damaged Lawn; Unclogging Kitchen Sink Drains

Roger Cook helps a homeowner repair portions of his lawn that have been damaged by snow mold, which is a fungal disease that can occur in winter from excess moisture and fertilizer. Tom Silva shows Kevin O'Connor how to build a simple utility cart out of plywood. Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner fix a clogged kitchen sink drain by replacing the PVC fitting with a metal one, which did not have a diverter.

30 min

23

Using String Trimmers; Stripping Dangerous Lead Paint

Roger Cook shows a homeowner how to use and maintain string trimmers for a variety of landscaping chores. Tom Silva and Kevin O'Connor discuss different types of woodworking clamps and their uses. Tom also shows how rubber surgical tubing and rubber bands can be used as clamps when only light pressure is needed. In the Ask This Old House loft, Tom, Richard, Roger and Kevin examine an unfamiliar object and try to guess how it is used. Kevin and a remediation team help a homeowner remove lead paint from her old house by using hand scrapers and chemical strippers.

30 min

24

Attracting Different Bird Species; Dual-flush Toilet Valves

Roger Cook visits a nature center to learn how to attract many different species of birds using different types of bird feeders and birdseed. Tom Silva and Kevin O'Connor visit a home center to identify various types of interior moldings and their uses. In the Ask This Old House loft, Tom, Richard, Roger and Kevin examine an unfamiliar object and try to guess how it is used. Richard helps a homeowner conserve water by installing a new type of dual-flush valve in his existing toilet.

30 min

25

Repairing Newel Posts; Cutting Rigid Pipes

Tom Silva helps a homeowner repair a wobbly newel post at the bottom of a staircase. In the Ask This Old House loft, Richard Trethewey shows Kevin O'Connor various methods for cutting rigid pipes and flexible tubing. Roger Cook visits an arboretum to learn how to reproduce plant specimens from cuttings and by grafting.

30 min

26

Replacing an Outdoor Faucet; Sharpening Lawn Mower Blades

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner replace his leaky outdoor faucet. Then, up in the loft, landscaping contractor Roger Cook shows host Kevin O'Connor how to sharpen a lawn mower blade properly. Afterward, Richard, Roger, and Kevin, along with general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Then Tom and Kevin build custom shelving for a walk-in closet.

30 min