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Ask This Old House
Season 7
Episode 13

Energy-Efficient Water Heater; Leveling a Concrete Walkway

December 27, 2008

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Ask This Old House - S7 - E13

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.

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Ask This Old House: Season 7 - 26 Episode s

7x1 - Collapsing Garage Roof; Installing a Dry Well
October 2, 2008
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.
7x2 - Mature Tree; Noisy Heating System
October 9, 2008
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.
7x3 - Pendant Lighting; Care for Succulents
October 16, 2008
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.
7x4 - Damaged Lawn; Curved Stair Molding
October 23, 2008
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.
7x5 - Increasing Water Pressure; Transplanting a Bush
October 30, 2008
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.
7x6 - Laminate Countertops; Brick Walkway; Furnace Filters
November 6, 2008
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.
7x7 - Reducing Heating Costs; Using a Whole House Fan
November 13, 2008
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.
7x8 - Waterproofing System/Installing A Privacy Screen
November 20, 2008
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.
7x9 - Building a Retaining Wall; Loud Faucet
November 27, 2008
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.
7x10 - Whole-House Water Filter; Repairing a Roof
December 4, 2008
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.
7x11 - Repairing a Deck; Hydrangea Bush
December 11, 2008
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.
7x12 - Removing A Boulder; Securing Loose Pipes
December 18, 2008
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.
7x13 - Energy-Efficient Water Heater; Leveling a Concrete Walkway
December 27, 2008
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.
7x14 - Backyard Gate; Basement Window; Using Expanding Foam
January 1, 2009
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.
7x15 - Painting Kitchen Cabinets; Installing Cabinet Accessories
January 8, 2009
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.
7x16 - Bathtub Conversion; Wood Fill; Solar-Powered Fountain
January 15, 2009
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.
7x17 - Staining A Deck; Preventing Sewage Backups
January 22, 2009
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.
7x18 - Tree Pruning; Installing a Shower Mixing Valve
January 29, 2009
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.
7x19 - Banging Pipes; Installing Fiberglass Door
February 5, 2009
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.
7x20 - Kids Projects; Vegetable Garden; Mini-Golf; Rocket Launcher
February 12, 2009
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.
7x21 - Water Saving Toilet; In-Ground Sprinkler System
February 19, 2009
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.
7x22 - Heating & Cooling System Controller; Re-Grout Tile Floor
February 26, 2009
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.
7x23 - Basement Wallboards; Tying Knots; Storm-Damaged Trees
March 7, 2009
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.
7x24 - Garage Door Installation; Preventing Frozen Pipes
March 12, 2009
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.
7x25 - Ventilation Fan Installation; Chemical Free Lawn Care
March 21, 2009
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.
7x26 - Leaky PVC Drain Trap; Installing Bamboo Flooring
March 28, 2009
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.

7x1 - Collapsing Garage Roof; Installing a Dry Well

7x2 - Mature Tree; Noisy Heating System

7x3 - Pendant Lighting; Care for Succulents

7x4 - Damaged Lawn; Curved Stair Molding

7x5 - Increasing Water Pressure; Transplanting a Bush

7x6 - Laminate Countertops; Brick Walkway; Furnace Filters

7x7 - Reducing Heating Costs; Using a Whole House Fan

7x8 - Waterproofing System/Installing A Privacy Screen

7x9 - Building a Retaining Wall; Loud Faucet

7x10 - Whole-House Water Filter; Repairing a Roof

7x11 - Repairing a Deck; Hydrangea Bush

7x12 - Removing A Boulder; Securing Loose Pipes

7x13 - Energy-Efficient Water Heater; Leveling a Concrete Walkway

7x14 - Backyard Gate; Basement Window; Using Expanding Foam

7x15 - Painting Kitchen Cabinets; Installing Cabinet Accessories

7x16 - Bathtub Conversion; Wood Fill; Solar-Powered Fountain

7x17 - Staining A Deck; Preventing Sewage Backups

7x18 - Tree Pruning; Installing a Shower Mixing Valve

7x19 - Banging Pipes; Installing Fiberglass Door

7x20 - Kids Projects; Vegetable Garden; Mini-Golf; Rocket Launcher

7x21 - Water Saving Toilet; In-Ground Sprinkler System

7x22 - Heating & Cooling System Controller; Re-Grout Tile Floor

7x23 - Basement Wallboards; Tying Knots; Storm-Damaged Trees

7x24 - Garage Door Installation; Preventing Frozen Pipes

7x25 - Ventilation Fan Installation; Chemical Free Lawn Care

7x26 - Leaky PVC Drain Trap; Installing Bamboo Flooring

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