Ask This Old House

Ask This Old House

6.5/10
PBS Running DIY

24 Seasons · 641 Episodes · Premiered October 10, 2002

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 TOH 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!

Where to Watch: PBS

Official Site

Next Air Time: Fri, Apr 24 2026 12:30 AM GMT+0000

Seasons & Episodes

Season 1

26 episodes
E01
Window Screen; Saving the Rain; Looking for Headroom
Thu, Oct 10 2002 1:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
In the debut episode, host Steve Thomas joins 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.
E02
Plumbing Toolkit; Park the Car Quietly; Safe Swinging
Thu, Oct 17 2002 1:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Roger demonstrates different ways to mend a damaged garden hose. Richard shows plumbing tools he recommends for homeowners. Tom explains how to use a square as a guide for cross-cutting. Tom fixes a noisy garage door opener. Roger helps with a muddy lawn under swings.
E03
Concrete Stoop Covering; Battling the Skeeters
Thu, Oct 24 2002 1:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Tom helps to hide an ugly back stoop. He shows the different adhesives and fasteners used, as well as more traditional types of decking. Steve and Roger demonstrate a new product that could rid backyards of mosquitoes. Richard Trethewey shows the proper technique for installing a thermostat on an old radiator.
E04
Air Eliminator; Saving the Trim; Filling the Gaps
Thu, Oct 31 2002 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Richard installs an air eliminator valve on a hydronic heating system. Tom shows how to remove nails without damaging trim. Steve and Roger maintain a snow blower. Painting contractor Jim Clark shows ways to clean and maintain old paintbrushes. Tom shows how to use sisal and jute rope to fill the gaps in a 160-year-old pine floor.
E05
Sanding Options; Digging Post Holes; Better Boiling
Thu, Nov 7 2002 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Tom and Steve demonstrate two types of floor sanders: a traditional drum sander and a random orbital sander. Roger and Steve dig post holes for a new fence. Richard replaces a corroded pipe on a a boiler. Tom gives Steve a lesson in proper caulking technique.
E06
Ceiling Repair; Grinding the Stump; Shop Specs
Thu, Nov 14 2002 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Tom repairs a cracked plaster ceiling in a condominium. Richard and Steve rebuild a toilet to prevent it from continuously filling. Roger uses a stump grinder to remove an old tree stump. Tom replaces a broken pane of glass and reglazes a window sash.
E07
Jacking It Up; Chainsaw Smarts
Thu, Nov 21 2002 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Tom repairs a sagging floor in a three-family house. The failing beam is jacked up, new concrete footings poured, and several new lally columns installed. Roger works with chainsaw expert Tim Ard to sharpen and maintain his saws.
E08
Wooden Bung Holes; What Is It? Lattice Project
Thu, Nov 28 2002 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Tom shows Steve how to cut wooden bung holes and install them in decking. Painter Jim Clark visits a viewer and shows her why the new paint in her bathroom is cracking and peeling. The guys ask "What Is It?" Tom shows how to build an attractive outdoor lattice.
E09
Basement Window; Painting Panels; Weed Trimmers
Thu, Dec 5 2002 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Tom replaces a rotting basement window and installs a new dryer vent. Painting expert Jim Clark shows the proper technique for painting a pre-hung six-panel door. Electrician Allen Gallant installs a new power outlet in a dining room, and Roger shows Steve how to replace the string on a weed trimmer.
E10
Washer Repair; Pressure-Washed Brick; Drip-Free Faucet
Thu, Dec 12 2002 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Richard and Steve take apart an old washing machine to determine why it's making a loud rumbling. Roger Cook uses a pressure washer to clean off a slippery walkway. The guys ask "What Is It?" Tom demonstrates different types of spirit levels, and Richard helps fix a leaky kitchen faucet.
E11
Garden Pruners; Shutters; What Is It? A Tankless Job
Thu, Dec 19 2002 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Roger and garden tool expert Paul Schneider discuss different types of hand pruners. Tom Silva helps repair and reinstall their broken shutters. The guys ask "What Is It?" Richard shows Steve several models of instantaneous water heaters, then examine a tankless hot water system.
E12
Sawhorses; Frost-Free Faucet; What Is It? Composting Leaves
Thu, Dec 26 2002 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Tom shows different types of store-bought sawhorses and teaches Steve how to build a pair from scratch. Richard installs a new frost-proof outdoor faucet. The guys ask "What Is It?" Roger then shows Steve how to collect and compost leaves.
E13
Spray-Painting; Chimney Dampers; What Is It? Splitting Logs
Thu, Jan 2 2003 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Painter Jim Clark shows the several different types of paint sprayers and demonstrates proper technique. Steve enlists the help of chimney expert Mark Schaub to replace a broken fireplace damper. The guys ask "What Is It?" Steve and Roger head outside to demonstrate different ways to split logs for firewood.
E14
No More Scalding; Robotic Mowers; Critter-Proofing
Thu, Jan 9 2003 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Richard installs a new shower faucet that will eliminate the chance of scalding. Roger and Steve head outside to test the latest robotic lawn mowers. Tom and an animal control expert help "critter-proof" a house.
E15
Stubborn Ivy; What Is It? Replacing a Bathroom Window
Thu, Jan 16 2003 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Roger removes ivy. The guys ask "What Is It?" Tom replaces the window in a third-floor condominium bathroom. Tom explains the proper way to measure for a replacement window.
E16
Aerating the Lawn; What Is It? Hanging Pictures
Thu, Jan 23 2003 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Painter Jim Clark shows Steve the proper way to paint the exterior of a double-hung window. Roger helps aerate and fertilize a lawn. The guys ask "What Is It?" Tom then shows Steve different ways to hang a picture on a hollow wall.
E17
Washer-Dryer Shutoff; What Is It? Drywall; Plumbing Torches
Thu, Jan 30 2003 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Richard installs an automatic water shutoff valve on a combination washer/dryer. The guys ask "What Is It?" Tom shows Steve the proper technique for preparing drywall joints. Richard discusses different types of plumbing torches.
E18
Gutter Protection; What Is It? Steadying the Toilet
Thu, Feb 6 2003 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Tom Silva shows several products that are designed to keep leaves and other debris out of rain gutters. The guys ask "What Is It?" Richard repairs a wobbly toilet.
E19
Insulating Windows; What Is It? Sewage Injection Pump
Thu, Feb 13 2003 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Tom Silva installs insulation around sash weight pockets. The guys ask "What Is It?" Richard installs a sewage ejection pump for a new basement toilet.
E20
New Sill; What Is It? Rolling Paint; Sharpening Knives
Thu, Feb 20 2003 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Tom Silva helps remove the aluminum siding around a window and repair the damaged sill. The guys ask "What Is It?" Painting expert Jim Clark shows Steve how to use different types of paint rollers. Roger and knife sharpening expert Stan Watson sharpen kitchen knives.
E21
Snow Removal; What Is It? Fixing a Sash
Thu, Feb 27 2003 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Steve and Roger head outside to demonstrate different types of snow shovels and snow throwers. The guys ask "What Is It?" Tom helps repair the broken sash cords on an old window.
E22
Leaky Faucet; What Is It? Removing Wallpaper; Glue Guns
Thu, Mar 6 2003 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Richard examines a leaky shower tub faucet and repairs the fixture. The guys ask "What Is It?" Painting expert Jim Clark helps homeowners Kathleen and Kevin O'Connor remove painted wallpaper. Tom and Steve demonstrate several hot glue guns, including a new cordless model.
E23
Crown Molding; What Is It? Keeping Out the Cold
Thu, Mar 13 2003 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Tom installs crown molding. The guys ask "What Is It?" Richard helps a Chicago-area homeowner install insulation to prevent his bathroom pipes from freezing.
E24
Kitchen Disposer; What Is It? Hearing Protection
Thu, Mar 20 2003 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Richard installs a new garbage disposer. The guys ask "What Is It?" Roger and hearing protection expert Dr. Mark Stephenson test the decibel level of several power tools. They show Tom several new types of hearing protection.
E25
The Dutchman; What Is It? Flood Prevention
Thu, Mar 27 2003 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Tom repairs an exterior door jamb by installing a dutchman. The guys ask "What Is It?" Richard prevents a basement from flooding by installing a leak sensor and automatic water shutoff valve on a water heater.
E26
Clearing a Toilet; What Is It? Attic Access; Tomatoes
Thu, Apr 3 2003 2:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Richard shows Steve several different ways to clear a toilet stoppage. The guys ask "What Is It?" Tom installs a new set of folding attic stairs and Roger shows Steve how to start tomato plants from seeds.

Season 2

26 episodes

Season 3

26 episodes

Season 4

26 episodes

Season 5

26 episodes

Season 6

26 episodes

Season 7

26 episodes

Season 8

26 episodes

Season 9

26 episodes

Season 10

26 episodes

Season 11

26 episodes

Season 12

26 episodes

Season 13

26 episodes

Season 14

26 episodes

Season 15

26 episodes

Season 16

26 episodes

Season 17

26 episodes

Season 18

26 episodes

Season 19

30 episodes

Season 20

39 episodes

Season 21

26 episodes

Season 22

26 episodes

Season 23

26 episodes

Season 24

26 episodes

Cast

Kevin O'Connor
Kevin O'Connor as Host
Tom Silva
Tom Silva as General Contractor
Richard Trethewey
Richard Trethewey as Plumbing and Heating Expert
Roger Cook
Roger Cook as Landscape Contractor
Jenn Nawada
Jenn Nawada as Landscape Contractor
Mark McCullough as Mason
Nathan Gilbert as Carpenter
Ross Trethewey as Home Technology Expert
Mauro Henrique as Painter
Heath Eastman as Master Electrician
Lee Gilliam
Lee Gilliam as Landscape Contractor
Charlie Silva as Builder

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