Ask This Old House

NOLA copper lantern fixtures; why toilets overflow; restoring rusty outdoor furniture.

Swapping a coastal home's gravel driveway for seashells; installing a radon mitigation system.

Removing ring stains from a wood table; breaking down the types of soil and fertilizer needed for common indoor plants; repairing a brick floor's crumbling mortar using spot pointing rather than a full repoint job.

Kevin meets with an audiologist to discuss the importance of hearing protection; Richard, Nathan, and Heath modify a linen closet to install a stacked washer dryer unit.

Lee plants a row of arborvitae trees for a privacy border; Mark breaks down the tools used for fireplace maintenance; Tom and Kevin build a simple, cost-effective storage rack for container totes.

Jenn visits a sod farm to learn about sustainable grass alternatives; Tom and Kevin discuss common types of nail designs; Heath brightens up a dark driveway and connects the lights to a smart system.

Nathan visits his former Navy Seabees base where he learned carpentry as part of his naval training; Tom and Kevin talk all about trailer hitches; Mauro repaints a galvanized stair railing.

Lee regrades a backyard and demonstrates how to plant a healthy new lawn; Jenn showcases houseplants for any lighting conditions; Nathan helps a homeowner replace his hollow core doors to solid core.

Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner organize her garage by installing an overhead storage rack for easier living; Heath Eastman demonstrates how to upgrade to a 3-way smart switch; Richard Trethewey demonstrates how to extend the life of a tank-style water heater by replacing the anode rod.

Jenn Nawada travels to Idaho to revamp a backyard of a homeowner who hosts weekly potluck dinner parties. His Monday Night Dinners now draw up to 100-200 guests, overwhelming a space not built for crowds. Jenn and the community redesign the yard for smoother flow and function. Then, Mark McCullough replaces two rusted window wells, demonstrating proper removal and installation.

Richard Trethewey shows a clever toilet flange repair kit that eliminates the need for a wax ring and has a rubber seal that adjusts to any flange height, making bathroom floor updates easier. Then, Lee Gilliam and Kevin O'Connor share essential upkeep to keep a gas mower running like new. Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner turn a bar closet into a mini speakeasy with a hidden bookcase door kit.

Mauro Henrique shows how to repaint a damaged ceiling and avoid tape mishaps. Heath Eastman, Ross Trethewey, and Kevin O'Connor discuss utility energy meters, comparing the old analog to the new digital and smart meters. Nathan Gilbert and Kevin compare vinyl, wood, and fiber-cement siding. Tom Silva demonstrates how to stop hardwood floor squeaks with a clever DIY fix.

Ross Trethewey upgrades a home to a solar-assisted split heat pump water heater, ideal for cold climates. Kevin O'Connor and Jenn Nawada discuss 3 common houseplant pests- mealy bugs, spider mites, and fungus gnats. Jenn shares some simple tricks to banish them. Nathan Gilbert solves a tough attic access issue by installing a new hatch and pull-down ladder.

Mauro Henrique shares how he cleans up paint when some spills on the floor. Heath Eastman breaks down how 3-way switches work and common wiring mistakes with a clear demonstration. Nathan Gilbert and Lee Gilliam install a classic wooden split rail fence to prevent cars from parking on a homeowner's front lawn.

Tom discusses common types of caulks and sealants. Richard installs a garbage disposal with an air switch controller. Kevin is joined by Wendy and Kaden, hosts of the popular channel "Toys and Colors," to build a children's dress-up closet.

Lee heads to Washington state to uncover why the Pacific Northwest is the heart of Kentucky bluegrass seed production. Mark breaks down popular paver types and walkway patterns. Nathan teams up to install a porch swing.

Richard Trethewey breaks down why sink clogs happen, how to prevent them, and why chemical drain cleaners can do more harm than good. Richard offers safer maintenance alternatives. Mauro Henrique demonstrates how to test for lead-based paint, comparing rapid tests to a professional analyzer. Then, Mark McCullough installs granite hillside steps, creating safer access to a backyard fire pit.

Nathan Gilbert upgrades shutters in a historic New Orleans neighborhood, matching the original style and material. Jenn Nawada and Lee Gilliam explain how to read fertilizer labels and choose between organic and synthetic options. Heath Eastman upgrades battery-operated smoke detectors to a hardwired combo alarm system. Heath asks a local fire chief for safety tips on installation beforehand.