About this season
The crew at This Old House take on some pretty big projects, which means they can only work on one or two houses a year. But homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions on smaller projects, and the This Old House crew is ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by viewers - and the crew even makes house calls!
Episodes (26)
1. Transforming Stock Shelving; New Washing Machine Valve
Aired 4 October 2012 • 30 min
Transforming stock shelving into a custom built-in; installing a new washing machine valve.
2. Bluestone Patio; Hanging Bikes in a Garage
Aired 11 October 2012 • 30 min
Installing a bluestone patio; hanging bikes in a small garage.
3. Custom Fireplace Mantle; Repairing a Leaking Kitchen Faucet
Aired 18 October 2012 • 30 min
Building a custom fireplace mantle; garden edging; repairing a leaking kitchen faucet.
4. Laying Sod in the Backyard; Installing a Wireless Thermostat
Aired 25 October 2012 • 30 min
Laying sod in the backyard; finding measurements without doing math; wireless thermostat controls the heating system.
5. Planting Palm Trees; Replacing an Old Heating System
Aired 1 November 2012 • 30 min
Planting several varieties of palm trees in a front yard; light bulbs; Replacing an old heating system and hot water heater with a more efficient single appliance.
6. Special New York Episode
Aired 8 November 2012 • 30 min
The crew visits New York City, where plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey tours a scale model of the city. Host Kevin O'Connor and a local electrician add task lighting to a Brooklyn kitchen. The guys play "What Is It" in Times Square with Jimmy Fallon. Landscape contractor Roger visits the Highline. General contractor Tom installs cable deck railing in Greenwich Village.
7. New Kitchen Sink and Faucet; Insulated Sidelights on a Front Door
Aired 15 November 2012 • 30 min
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Colorado Spings to install a brand new kitchen sink and faucet. General contractor Tom Silva installs insulated sidelights on a front door.
8. Privacy Fence; Replacing a Clogged Shower Valve
Aired 22 November 2012 • 30 min
Landscape contractor Roger Cook works with a fencing contractor to install a vinyl privacy fence. Then, Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Richard replaces a clogged shower valve.
9. Interior Window Trim; Heating a Swimming Pool
Aired 29 November 2012 • 30 min
General contractor Tom Silva installs interior window trim. Richard heats a swimming pool using an air conditioner.
10. Properly Mulching Garden Beds; Installing a Natural Gas Line
Aired 6 December 2012 • 30 min
Landscape contractor Roger Cook shows a homeowner how to properly mulch his garden beds. Then Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Richard installs a natural gas line for a barbeque grill.
11. Using Hand Planes; Repairing a Cracked Stone Walkway
Aired 13 December 2012 • 30 min
In the workshop, general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates the proper way to use hand planes. Then, Tom, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Roger helps a homeowner repair a cracked stone walkway.
12. Ceiling Fan; Installing a Water Softener
Aired 20 December 2012 • 30 min
Host Kevin O'Connor and electrician Scott Caron head to Denver to install a ceiling fan on a cathedral ceiling. Then, Kevin, along with general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Richard visits New Jersey to install a water softener.
13. Transplanting a Rose Bush; Replacing Old Outdoor Lighting
Aired 27 December 2012 • 30 min
Landscape contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner temporarily transplant a mature rose bush while exterior work takes place. Then, Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Richard shows Kevin some rookie plumbing mistakes. And Tom and Kevin replace old outdoor lighting with new fixtures.
14. Restoring Terrazzo Floors; Repairing a Cracked Floor Joist
Aired 3 January 2013 • 30 min
Host Kevin O'Connor heads to Del Ray Beach, Florida to restore Terrazzo floors. Then, Kevin, along with landscape contractor Roger Cook, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Tom helps a homeowner repair a cracked floor joist.
15. Toilet Installation; Patching a Lawn with Grass Seed
Aired 10 January 2013 • 30 min
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Cheyenne, Wyoming, to help a homeowner install a toilet. Then, Richard, along with landscape contractor Roger Cook, host Kevin O'Connor, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Roger and Kevin patch a lawn with grass seed.
16. Hanging a Flat Panel TV; Controlling Insects Without Pesticides
Aired 17 January 2013 • 30 min
Master electrician Scott Caron helps a homeowner hang a flat-panel television on the wall and conceal all the wiring. Back in the workshop, Scott shows Kevin examples of many different types of electrical outlets. Roger heads to Miami to help a homeowner control the insect pests in her yard without the use of pesticides.
17. Maintaining Kitchen Appliances; Installing a Rain Gutter
Aired 24 January 2013 • 30 min
Host Kevin O'Connor meets appliance repairman Richie Isaacson to learn how to maintain kitchen appliances. Then, Kevin, along with landscape contractor Roger Cook, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Tom helps a homeowner install a rain gutter, downspout, and rain barrel.
18. Storage Bench; Soldering Pipes; Overgrown Perennial Garden
Aired 31 January 2013 • 30 min
In the workshop, general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O'Connor build a storage bench for an entryway. Then, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates how to solder copper pipes properly. Afterward, landscape contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner maintain an overgrown perennial garden.
19. Orchids as Houseplants; Purchasing a Kitchen Wall Cabinet
Aired 7 February 2013 • 30 min
Landscape contractor Roger Cook visits a tropical botanic garden to learn how to care for orchids as houseplants. Then, Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Tom helps a homeowner purchase and install a kitchen wall cabinet.
20. Insulating Ductwork; Maintaining Clothes Washers and Dryers
Aired 14 February 2013 • 30 min
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey visits Cortland, Illinois, to learn how corn is harvested and then to help a homeowner insulate ductwork. Landscape contractor Roger Cook demonstrates proper pruning technique. Roger, Richard, host Kevin O'Connor, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Kevin learns how to maintain washers and dryers.
21. Ductless Heat Pump; LED Lighting
Aired 21 February 2013 • 30 min
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O'Connor install a ductless heat pump to heat and cool a room. Richard, Kevin, landscape contractor Roger Cook, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Master electrician Scott Caron demonstrates new technologies and applications for LED lighting. Roger learns how to select houseplants for different situations.
22. Solving a Melted Mystery; Whole-House Energy Audit
Aired 28 February 2013 • 30 min
General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner solve the mystery of her melted vinyl siding.
23. Using Ladders Safely; Replacing a Shower Valve
Aired 7 March 2013 • 30 min
General contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O'Connor demonstrate how to use all types of ladders safely. Then plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey replaces a three-handle shower valve with a single-handle antiscald valve.
24. Surge Protectors, Cutting Stone
Aired 14 March 2013 • 30 min
Master electrician Scott Caron installs several types of surge protection. Then, general contractor Tom Silva, host Kevin O'Connor, landscape contractor Roger Cook, and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Roger demonstrates how to cut and shape stones for hardscaping projects.
25. Custom Concrete Countertops; Cordless Landscape Tools
Aired 21 March 2013 • 30 min
How to make and install custom concrete countertops. Can you install watertight connections without soldering? Cordless landscape tools.
26. Painting Kitchen Cabinets; Installing a Smart Thermostat
Aired 28 March 2013 • 30 min
The final episode of the 2012/13 season investigates how subway trains are serviced. The crew shows how to paint kitchen cabinets; estimate landscape material by the cubic yard; and how to install a smart thermostat.