Ask This Old House

1. Deadbolt Installation; Hedge Trimming; Hot Water Heater

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

2. Newel Renewal; What Is It? Replacing a Water Heater

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

4. Fixing a Hole; What Is It? 14-Inch Rough-in Toilet

Repairing holes in drywall; replacing a large 1920s wall-mounted toilet.

5. Drywell Installation; What Is It? Getting a Grip

Installing a backyard drywell; installing a bathtub safety grab bar.

6. Window Trimming; Utility Boxes; What Is It? Kitchen Faucet

Installing interior window trim; hiding utility boxes in front of a house; fi...

7. Groundcover Planting; Opening Stuck Windows

Replacing ailing grass with ivy and pachysandra; opening double-hung windows ...

8. Prefinished Engineered Floor; Replacing a Sink Stopper

Replacing wall-to-wall carpeting with pre-finished hardwood flooring; pros an...

9. Poison Ivy Removal; What Is It? Installing a Shingles Corner

Removing poison ivy from the yard without using herbicides; weaving cedar shi...

10. Chimney Liner; What Is It? Toilet Tank Condensation

Chimney flue repairs; installing an anti-sweat valve to prevent condensation ...

11. Stairway Handrail; What Is It? Transplanting a Rhododendron

Installing a staircase handrail; transplanting a rhododendron.

12. Drip Irrigation Repair; What Is It? Leaky Tile Tub

Repairing an irrigation system; fixing a bathtub leak.

13. Squeaky Hardwood Floors; What Is It? Building Timber Stairs

Silencing squeaky hardwood floors; building a set of timber stairs.

14. Walkway Installation; What Is It? Cutting Accurate Miters

Brick-walk installation; cutting a miter in wood trim.

15. Sliding Closet Doors; What Is It? Electric Heat; Paint Colors

Fixing sliding closet doors; electric radiant floor heat; selecting exterior ...

16. Water Quality Testing; What Is It? Damaged Floorboard

Examining water quality; installing a water softener and filter; replacing a ...

17. Snaking Speaker Wire; What Is It? Planting a Tree

Snaking wire through exterior walls; planting a magnolia tree.

18. Deterring Deer; PVC Pipe; What Is It? Sagging Shower Door

Protecting shrubs from deer; pipe connections; fixing a shower door that will...

19. Cutting Glass; Climbing Vines; What Is It? Portable Aircon

Cutting a pane of glass; planting climbing vines; installing a portable air c...

20. Programmable Thermostat; What Is It? Plaster and Lath Wall

Programmable thermostat installation; repairing a cracked plaster and lath wall.

21. Steam Radiator; What Is It? Preparing Raised Garden Beds

Air vent replacement; repairing a steam radiator's shut-off valve; preparing ...

22. Curved Molding; Buying Wire Foot; What Is It? Maple Syrup

Installing a curved basecap molding in a stairwell; purchasing electrical wir...

23. Radiant Heat; What Is It? Prep Aluminum Siding for Paint

Installing a curved basecap molding in a stairwell; purchasing electrical wir...

24. Track Light; Drywall Repair Clips; Noisy Baseboard Heaters

Installing track lighting in the kitchen; how to quiet noisy baseboard heaters.

25. Copper Pipe Corrosion; What Is It? Stripping a Drafty Door

Corroded copper pipes; how to replace worn-out weather stripping around a kit...

26. Door Jamb and Storm Door; What Is It? Garden Tools

Repairing a damaged door jamb and installing a new storm door; choosing the r...