Ask This Old House

NOLA Lantern; Rusty Patio Set

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

Seashell Driveway; Radon System

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

Houseplant Soil; Spot Point Brick

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.

Washer Dryer Relocation

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.

Planting Arborvitaes, Storage Rack

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.

Grass Alternatives, Smart Driveway Lights

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.

Seabees; Paint Galvanized Railing

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.

Regrade Lawn; Solid Core Doors

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.

Garage Storage, Anode Rod

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.

Idaho Backyard Makeover

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.

Speakeasy Hidden Door

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.

Paint Ceiling, Squeaky Floor

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.

Split Water Heater, Attic Ladder

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.

3-Way Switch, Split Rail Fence

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.

Toys and Color, Air Switch

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.

Grass Seed Facility, Porch Swing

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.

Lead Testing, Hillside Steps

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.

New Orleans Shutters, Hardwired Smoke Alarms

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.

Arch Accent, Pea Stone Patio

Mauro Henrique helps a mom-to-be refresh a nursery, repainting pink walls a soft green and creating a playful accent wall with hand-drawn arches using simple tools. Jenn Nawada explains the truth behind common plant misconceptions. Then, Mark McCullough helps a couple install a pea gravel patio using a binding agent to keep stones in place.

Hang Shades, Steep Landscaping

Nathan Gilbert installs top-down, bottom-up shades to block the outside view for a tiny guard dog while still allowing sunlight into the house. Richard Trethewey explains toilet tank anatomy, common failures, and how to fix a running toilet. Jenn Nawada tackles a steep front yard, reshaping the slope and adding erosion-control plants to create a safer, more attractive landscape.

Running Power to a Shed

Heath Eastman shows a homeowner how to run underground power from his house to a new shed, including trenching, conduit, wiring, and installing a panel. Mauro Henrique explains the basic tools and supplies needed to paint a room. Then, Kevin O'Connor hosts a friendly kitchen quiz, testing Richard Trethewey and Jenn Nawada on which food scraps belong in the garbage disposal and which in compost.

Flower Vase, Smart Garage Opener

Tom Silva teaches Zack Dettmore how to turn a flower vase on the lathe. Jenn Nawada explains how to start seeds indoors before spring planting. Mark McCullough breaks down common mortar cracks in fireplace hearths and surrounds. Ross Trethewey upgrades a finicky garage door opener by adding a Wi-Fi hub so that the doors can be controlled and monitored remotely with a smartphone.

Walkway; Homeowners' Insurance; Mowing a Lawn

Lee Gilliam and Kevin O'Connor cover lawn-mowing basics, from choosing the right mower to preparing and mowing a lawn. The team shares expert tips for vetting and hiring a trustworthy contractor to avoid costly mistakes. Mark McCullough heads to Washington state to replace a bumpy flagstone path with a smooth, durable concrete paver walkway.

Tile Soap Holders, Swirl Ceiling