Ask This Old House

In the debut episode, Steve joined Richard, Roger and Tom in the Ask This Old House loft to give viewers a chance to ask questions and get expert advice about their homes. Tom shows Steve how to build a replacement window screen using inexpensive parts purchased from a home center. Roger demonstrates how an old barrel can be used to water a garden. Responding to a letter from a homeowner, Richard and Steve demonstrate how to fix and a leak in a 20-year-old dishwasher. Roger demonstrates the proper technique for sharpening lawn mower blades. Tom hits the road for the first House Call of the season, to a tall homeowner whose low ceiling threatens to knock him out on his way to the basement. More Info & Resources

At the Ask This Old House barn loft, Roger demonstrates different ways to mend a damaged garden hose. Richard shows the basic plumbing tools he recommends for homeowners. Tom explains how to use a square as a guide for cross-cutting with a circular saw. Tom then makes a House Call to homeowners struggling with a muddy lawn under the swings. More Info & Resources

Tom visits homeowners in search of a modest way to hide an ugly back stoop. Back in the barn loft he shows the different adhesives and fasteners used, as well as more traditional types of decking. Steve and Roger demonstrate a new product that promises to rid backyards of mosquitoes. Richard shows the proper technique for installing a thermostat on an old radiator. More Info & Resources

Installing a deadbolt; trimming hedges; fixing a heating system.

Securing a shaky newel post at the top of a stairway; replacing a 50-year-old water heater.

Restoring a slate walkway; repairing a leak in a fiberglass shower stall.

Our first House call of the season takes us to Beverly, Massachusetts, where Roger shows new homeowners Todd and Chrissy Fratzel the proper way to edge a lawn and flower bed. Back in the loft, Tom gives some lessons on choosing drill bits. Then the guys ask ""What Is It?"" Finally, Kevin visits Captain Hugh Duffy at the Boston Fire Department Training Center for some lessons on choosing the right type of fire extinguisher. More Info & Resources

Richard makes a House call in Wellesley, Massachusetts, to help homeowner Ziad Tarawneh replace a trap under his bathroom sink. Back in the loft, Roger shows Kevin a few design options for laying out a brick walkway. Then Tom shows homeowners Rudd Coffey and Melissa Liazos of Watertown, Massachusetts, how to make their cracked plaster ceiling look like new by covering it with drywall. More Info & Resources

Roger repairs a broken fence with teenage neighbor Amanda Rao. Back inside, the guys ask, ""What Is It?"" Then, Richard restores hot-water flow to a shower for a house-sitter by repairing an anti-scald shower valve. Back in the loft, Tom shows how to upgrade an old drill by installing a ""keyless"" chuck. More Info & Resources

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.

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.

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.

Our 5th season kicks off with general contractor Tom Silva helping a homeowner repair an interior door that won't latch shut. Then Tom, along with landscaping contractor Roger Cook, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, Roger heads for "fabulous" Las Vegas, Nevada, where he helps a pair of homeowners select and plant a privacy screen using bamboo plants.

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner replace a clogged aerator on his bathroom faucet. Then, up in the loft, landscaping contractor Roger Cook is joined by plant expert Carrie Kelly to learn about caring for houseplants. Then, general contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner quiet a squeaky subfloor hidden underneath wall-to-wall carpeting using special "breakaway" screws.

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner begin to remodel his bathroom by installing a new acrylic shower base. Back in the loft, Tom demonstrates the proper way to install backerboard and tile around a new shower base. Then, landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner save water by installing a rain barrel to catch rainwater from the roof.

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Cleveland, Ohio to help a homeowner replace a bathtub drain trap. Then Richard, along with general contractor Tom Silva, landscape contractor Roger Cook and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Tom helps a homeowner repair a cracked drywall ceiling.

Up in the loft, general contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O'Connor a few different types of "squares" used for general carpentry. Then Tom and Kevin, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Roger helps a homeowner build a new patio using concrete paving bricks.

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner replace a broken cast-iron "closet flange" for a toilet. Then Richard, along with landscape contractor Roger Cook, general contractor Tom Silva and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Tom helps a homeowner repair a cracked plaster wall using a new type of adhesive system. Back in the loft, Roger shares a tip from a viewer about digging holes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey kicks off the 9th season of Ask This Old House by helping a homeowner in Canada install a new kitchen sink. Then, up in the loft, general contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O'Connor some tools that no home workshop should be without. Then, landscaping contractor Roger Cook and arborist Matt Foti rescue a tree from "volcano mulching.

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner install balusters on his new staircase. 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 a homeowner install a new stone footpath.

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner find additional storage space by creating a new doorway into an unused attic. Then Tom, along with landscaping contractor Roger Cook, host Kevin O'Connor, and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?" Afterward, Richard shares a viewer tip on how to create a faucet wrench from a standard PVC pipe. Then, Kevin and an electrician help a homeowner repair a broken doorbell.

A homeowner plants two trees. The crew helps hook up plumbing to a washing machine.

The crew helps repair a faulty shower valve and rebuild a wobbly stair banister.

The crew helps replace a corroded fitting on a water heater and installs a vented range kitchen hood.

Transforming stock shelving into a custom built-in; installing a new washing machine valve.

Installing a bluestone patio; hanging bikes in a small garage.

Building a custom fireplace mantle; garden edging; repairing a leaking kitchen faucet.

The twelfth season of Ask This Old House begins with Kevin teaching the guys how to use Twitter. Tom replaces an old, rusted bulkhead door. Richard discusses several ways to get hot water without waiting. And the guys ask "What Is It?"

Roger builds a garden bed for chile pepper plants in New Mexico. Richard repairs a leaky toilet with a worn out flange. And the guys ask "What Is It?"

Richard replaces a leaking kitchen faucet with a new hands-free model. Kevin explains rechargeable batteries. Roger installs a channel drain in a driveway to divert rainwater. And the guys ask "What Is It?"

The Season 13 premiere discusses rust staining; the installation of a pass-through in a load-bearing wall; and the replacement of a poorly built fence gate. Also: NASA astronaut Rick Mastracchio joins the fun when the guys play "What is it?"

Citrus greening, a disease that's killing citrus trees in Florida, is discussed. Also: replacing an old vinyl peel-and-stick floor with ceramic tile.

Beneficial insects are discussed. Also: resizing a front door that gets stuck on the carpet whenever it's opened; and repairing an outdoor garden faucet.

The Season 14 premiere features a whole house fan installation; and an explanation of new water heater regulations. Also: working with students to liven up a school's garden.

Chainsaw safety is discussed; a garage's electrical connection is improved; and squeaky floors are silenced in a baby's room.

A driveway pothole is repaired; and an old railroad lantern is given new life. Also: building a Shaker-styled nightstand.

Watch Tom pull off a balancing act to repair an old window. Roger shows Kevin the future of lawn care with a robotic mower. Richard addresses concerns of lead...

Preventing fires in homes; replacing a rusty sink strainer.

Tom and Kevin use store-bought stair treads to create a bookshelf in Build It. And landscape designer Jenn Nawada transforms the look of a home’s foundation by using existing plants.

Installing a new type of water softener; a home organization app; building a shadow box using wood from an old door.

A young fan learns how to build a tool box; installing smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; diagnosing a leaking safety valve and installing an expansion tank to fix it.

How to install a backsplash. Also: a wireless leak detector that prevents floods; and a water feature that collects and reuses rainwater.

Jenn installs a plunge pool for a homeowner with a small backyard; Tom gives some basic tips about insulating an attic; Richard travels to Celebration, Florida to help a homeowner select and install the right electric water heater.

Mark explains how to make concrete; Tom replaces a broken pane in a basement window; in Future House, Ross travels to NASA Johnson Space Center to learn about the technology they use on the International Space Station to keep the astronauts alive.

Mark installs a front walkway for a homeowner using natural stone; Mauro explains the uses and techniques for different types of painter’s tape; Tom and Kevin build a headboard using rustic barnboard.

Nathan travels to Birmingham, Alabama to install a sliding barn door in an open-concept loft apartment. Tom compares the qualities of different types of roofing materials. Ross explains the culprit behind damaged solar panels and how to prevent future damage. Mark installs a dry well for a homeowner with drainage issues in his backyard.

Mauro paints a baby’s nursery using zero VOC paint. Richard tests out a new dryer that uses a heat pump to dry the clothes. Tom and Kevin build a record player stand out of oak plywood.

Mark replaces a homeowner's sloppy fireplace surround with a clean, thin brick veneer.

In this special episode of Ask This Old House, Tom walks two homeowners through the entire process for building a two-level deck, starting with pulling permits and getting a land survey all the way through to installing the deck boards and railings.

Richard explains how, where, and why plumbing systems fail; Richard gives a deep dive on when and how plumbing pipes and connections can be repaired or replaced; Ross explains and demonstrates how to prevent plumbing failures with new technology.

In this special episode of Ask This Old House, Roger, Jenn and Mark explain best practices for installing or repairing a walkway; Mark helps a homeowner install a brand new walkway using natural stone.

Richard discusses pipe soldering; Heath explains what two-prong receptacles are, why they're no longer to code, and how to replace them; Nathan and Mauro build, install, and paint deck stair railings.

Jenn creates a landscape that can withstand heavy pedestrian traffic; Richard explains the options available for water heaters; Tom and Kevin build a cutting board out of walnut, cherry, and maple.

Jenn discusses creative options for ground cover plants; Tom demonstrates different techniques for patching wall holes; Mark demonstrates how to patch brick holes; Nathan installs a new threshold.