From This Old House. A tour of the progress and upcoming changes are shared, including the new wall of glass with a zero-threshold sliding glass door to the back patio. Framing begins for the new slider. The geothermal heating and cooling system is explained, and back at the house, the wells are dug. At the…

From This Old House. They’re not that popular anymore but look beautifully timeless. Fred Pendleton from K&R landscaping and Jenn Nawada show how to build a dry-laid stone wall. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Where to find it? Landscape contractor: K & R Landscape [https://www.kandrlandscape.com/] Looking for more step by step guidance on how…

From This Old House. Jenn Nawada learns from Civil Engineer John Morin the plan for dealing with stormwater runoff and rainwater harvesting. The town of Ipswich has a water ban due to the drought, so they will need to harvest the water for the landscape. They will see the rainwater harvesting system going in. SUBSCRIBE…

From This Old House. Everett Skinner, the owner of a company that manufactures customizable garages, pavilions and sheds will show Kevin O’Connor how the Ipswich homeowner’s boathouse/barn is built and assembled in just a few days. As the boathouse/barn walls are being craned in place Everett will explain the benefits of building in a factory,…

From This Old House. Local Preservation Carpenter Matt Diana comes in to fix a damaged gunstock post at the Ipswich house. He shows Kevin O’Connor the 2-day process, which includes using a hand planer to create a beaded edge. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Where to find it? Carpentry assistance: Matt Diana, Housewright [www.mattdianahousewright.com]…

From This Old House. Nathan Gilbert heads to Tulsa, Oklahoma to build a replacement utility cover. Ross Trethewey discusses low-level carbon monoxide exposure, symptoms, and differences in CO detectors and low-level monitors. Mark McCullough helps a homeowner clean out creosote build-up in their kitchen fireplace and explains the dangers of creosote build-up, options for removal,…

From This Old House. Kevin O’Connor and the Ipswich homeowner Helen will get a tour of the light fixture factory and see how the dining room light is handmade using natural materials like brass. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Where to find it? Lighting manufacturer: Northeast Lantern [https://www.northeastlantern.com/] Looking for more step by step…

From This Old House. Great progress is being made on the project house. The primary addition is being framed and the rooms are starting to take shape. A sound deadening wall is built. A lally column is removed and a larger ridge beam is installed to create an open kitchen and dining area. The homeowners…

From This Old House. Athe Ipswich property, the digging work isn’t complete, winter is setting in and the plants can’t go in the ground just yet, so Jenn Nawada and landscaper Fred Pendleton heel in the plants to protect them. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Where to find it? Landscape contractor: K & R…

From This Old House. After lots of debate and few good options, Richard Trethewey and Charlie Silva install a boiler vent pipe on the front roof of the Ipswich house. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Where to find it? Duct system: The Unico System [https://www.unicosystem.com/] Looking for more step by step guidance on how…

From This Old House. Out back at the foundation of the Ipswich gambrel, Kevin O’Connor assists Mark McCullough with dressing up a cinderblock patch of a former bulkhead door by using stones found on site to match the original rubble stone foundation. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Looking for more step by step guidance…

From This Old House. Two hundred years after the Ipswich house project was built, the first air conditioning system was installed in a Los Angeles theatre. Now our homeowners want to introduce air conditioning to their house. That’s a challenge for Richard Trethewey and James Bouchard’s crew. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Where to…

From This Old House. Ask This Old House welcomes landscape contractor, Lee Gilliam to the cast and shines a spotlight on his 30 years of experience; Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner repair a leaking 3-valve shower while retaining the bathrooms original 1930’s tile; Lee and Jenn Nawada work together to refresh a homeowner’s eroding sloped…

From This Old House. The new Ipswich roof over the ell meets the new living space and creates a valley. Tom and Charlie Silva are worried about water penetration during freeze and thaw cycles. But they are just the guys to fix it. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Where to find it? Framing contractor:…

From This Old House. Accessibility is at the forefront of this renovation, which requires major changes.  A new mechanical space is being created out front and will be connected to the old mechanical space by a new concrete block wall. Out back, a new foundation has been poured for a larger walkout basement. The new…

From This Old House. With rooms framed in the new section of the Lexington house our plumbing team gets its first 3D look at the challenges of supplying, venting and draining water and sewer systems. Richard Trethewey meets Brian Bilo to plan a route for piping through the house. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse.…

From This Old House. The Lexington homeowners will celebrate the first period timber framing in the kitchen, great room space by reusing the original pieces of wood from the ell. It might look beautiful, but it causes headaches for Heath, our electrician. Hiding wires and fixtures will require planning and skill. Kevin O’Connor meets with…

From This Old House. The Lexington homeowners love the look of the timber frame structure above the ceiling on the second floor. They want to keep the beams, rafters and perlins exposed. The challenge becomes, how to insulate the building. Kevin O’Connor finds Tom and Charlie Silva, who are solving the problem. SUBSCRIBE to This…

From This Old House. The ell of the original Lexington house is being transformed again, becoming wider and longer. In order to have the desired open floor plan, a steel ridge beam is needed to carry the load. The steel manufacturer brings in a crane to do the job. Tom Silva, Charlie Silva, and Kevin…

From This Old House. Heath Eastman helps a homeowner install outdoor-grade remote-controlled patio string lights over their backyard patio; Mauro Henrique color matches a homeowners retro aqua kitchen cabinet and repaints it to match the rest of the vintage kitchen; Mauro takes a sample of the aqua-colored kitchen cabinet and heads to Home Depot to…

From This Old House. Great effort is taken to maintain the historic feel of the Lexington first-period home, down to the design choices. Kevin O’Connor meets with kitchen designer Karen Swanson and homeowner Helen at a local stone warehouse to select a period-fitting stone countertop that’s suitable for their current lifestyle. SUBSCRIBE to This Old…

From This Old House. Construction begins on the 1960 mid-century modern home in Lexington, MA project. The interior is fully demolished, and work begins on the foundation to address the depth. The architect gives an overview of the new design plan which prioritizes accessibility. An accessibility solutions showroom is toured. A new energy code affects…

From This Old House. In this video, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada teaches host Kevin O’Connor the basics about mulch, including estimating how much you’ll need and the different types to choose from. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This…

From This Old House. In this video, paint expert Mauro Henrique shows host Kevin O’Connor how to paint mudroom cubbies. With some primer, a durable paint, and an easy-to-use paint sprayer, they apply a perfect finish for the project. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Mudroom cabinets see a lot of abuse. Heavy boots, high…

From This Old House. In this video, host Kevin O’Connor and general contractor Tom Silva build a set of mudroom cubbies using simple joinery techniques, widely available materials, and a modular design for easy transport. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. General contractor Tom Silva is as good at building furniture and cabinets as he…

From This Old House. In the den of the Ipswich gambrel portion is a large Ben Franklin-style fireplace that homeowner Bill would like replaced with something smaller. Mark McCullough suggests it be replaced with a Rumford-style fireplace which is narrower in depth, has a wider splay, and produces more heat. He does a bit of…

From This Old House. Nathan Gilbert shares his own experience as a Boy Scout and introduces his niece’s Girl Scout troop and the project they need help with; Tom Silva and Kevin O’Connor create a two-layered hexagonal herb planter for the garden; Jenn Nawada and Nathan pick up materials to build a garden bed and…

From This Old House. Change orders can be tricky. The Ipswich homeowners threw a wrench in the plumbing plans when they decided they wanted a bathroom in the basement. The bad news is that it’s below grade and the sewer line in the street. The good news is that Richard Trethewey and plumber Brian Bilo…

From This Old House. The crew starts a new project in Lexington, MA, to make a 1960 mid-century modern home accessible for a family with a son who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The crew meets the homeowners to learn about the disease and the challenges the current setup of the house poses. The project is…

From This Old House. In this video, Roger Cook’s legacy is one filled with praise and admiration. For years to come, the people he’s touched will remember him for being a gentle giant, a landscaping guru, and a loving mentor. This is part 3 of a 3 part tribute to Roger Cook. SUBSCRIBE to This…

From This Old House. In this video, Roger Cook was a hands-on boss with a passion for nature and doing the job right. This is part 2 of a 3 part tribute to Roger Cook. See the next part tomorrow at 6pm. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Most business owners reach a point where…

From This Old House. In this video, landscaping expert Roger Cook always worked hard, but would never shy away from teaching his skills to his employees, homeowners, or the next generation of landscaping pros. This is part 1 of a 3 part tribute to Roger Cook. See the next part tomorrow at 6pm. SUBSCRIBE to…

From This Old House. For centuries, the food that sustained Ipswich residents was harvested from the great marsh that surrounds the area. Today, they are known around the country as the Ipswich Clam. It’s big business that sends trucks to far-off restaurants. But it starts the way it always has, with one person on the…

From This Old House. The architectural style of a Gambrel roof means the Ipswich house roof has two slopes on each side—a shallow slope at the peak and a steeper slope beneath—and the style is traditionally used in older houses and barns. The roof shingles are well seen at the front and the back. Helen…

From This Old House. The Ipswich homeowners want to raise the ceiling height in the ell but in order to do that Charlie Silva needs to raise a centuries old house frame. To find out if that is possible, he has called in an expert, Arron Sturgis, to assess the timber frame with Tom Silva.…

From This Old House. One of the big discoveries in the Ipswich basement was an intact cistern that was probably the source of water shortly after the home was built. Richard Trethewey meets with Suzanne Cherau, an expert in historic urban archeology who is inspecting the cistern. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Expert assistance:…

From This Old House. In this video, building engineer Ross Trethewey shows Kevin O’Connor the causes of common HVAC noises and how simple changes can minimize them. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. We always appreciate our cozy heat when the temperatures plummet and our air conditioning when it’s scorching hot out. But one thing…

From This Old House. In this video, when a browning lawn started to stress out a homeowner, she called the team at Ask This Old House for help. Landscape contractor Lee Gilliam’s answer was aeration and overseeding. Here’s how it went. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Dry, brown spots don’t just stress lawns—they also…

From This Old House. In this video, cracked stucco is a common problem, and in most cases, easy to solve. Mason Mark McCullough helps a homeowner tackle stucco problems, creating a seamless finish. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Stucco looks great and provides a protective barrier for masonry surfaces. However, improperly applied, it will…

From This Old House. Charlie Silva and Kevin O’Connor present Ipswich homeowner Bill with a book from 1826 recounting the American Revolution that was found during demolition. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream…

From This Old House. Drainage issues due to the street being higher than the Ipswich property has caused rot damage to the side of the house. Mark McCullough and Charlie Silva discuss plans for repair and a water management solution that combines new technology and granite—with Kevin O’Connor. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Looking…

From This Old House. Kevin O’Connor meets Ipswich local historian Gordon Harris to learn about First Period homes and the origin of timber framing, why it was the construction method used in all First Period homes. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Side trips: Historic Ipswich [https://historicipswich.org/], Ipswich Museum [https://ipswichmuseum.org/], The Trustees of Reservations [https://thetrustees.org/]…

From This Old House. Mauro Henrique walks Kevin O’Connor through the progress on the exterior and interior of the Newburyport house. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over 1,000 episodes commercial-free: https://bit.ly/2GPiYbH Plus,…

From This Old House. In this video, we highlight metalworker Shelby Barnhart and her journey in metalworking. She tells us about her apprentice time, when she learned blacksmithing techniques, and how she runs her business today. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Shelby Barnhart’s company: Arc and Hammer [https://arcandhammer.com/] Looking for more step by step…

From This Old House. In this video, building engineer Ross Trethewey takes us on a road trip to help a homeowner find the cause of their home’s temperature imbalance. Ross narrows down the issue so the homeowner can solve it. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can be…

From This Old House. In this video, paint expert Mauro Henrique helps a pair of homeowners bring their woodwork back to life by removing old shellac in the simplest ways possible. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Shellac was a popular finish many years ago, but it has its challenges. It needs to be applied…

From This Old House. At the Newburyport house, Kevin O’Connor and Charlie Silva reuse salvaged first floor wide pine to weave into the gaps on the second floor. To install the wide pine, they glue and use small nails, so no nails are showing like in the original floor. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse.…

From This Old House. Jenn Nawada has worked with the Newburyport homeowners to redesign the landscaping of the entire modest-sized property. They tour the raised beds, which have been planted in the backyard, then they plant the front yard. Jenn offers the homeowner an alternative to a traditional lawn, micro clover. SUBSCRIBE to This Old…

From This Old House. Once mere storage space, the Newburyport attic has since been finished to serve as an office for the homeowners and a playroom for their daughter. Kevin O’Connor assists Charlie Silva and Tom Silva with building a custom waterfall edge desk using off-the-shelf butcher’s block. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Looking…

From This Old House. The Newburyport homeowners are planning on buying an EV, so while the house is being renovated, it makes sense to install an EV charge station. Master electrician Heath Eastman shows Kevin O’Connor how to install a home exterior charge station and how to future-proof it. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse.…

From This Old House. In this video, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada spent some time learning about pollinator gardens before helping homeowners plant an herb garden in their raised bed planter. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Detroit, Michigan, has proudly owned the moniker “The Motor City” for over 100 years. Thanks to local initiatives, it’s…

From This Old House. In this video, When a homeowner’s brick cobblestone apron started deteriorating, he called mason Mark McCullough, who knew the perfect solution: removing the old brick and replacing it with a new cobblestone apron. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. A driveway apron is a great way to make a first impression.…

From This Old House. In this video, General contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor the differences between impact drivers and drills before explaining when to use one or the other. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old…

From This Old House. Tom Silva comes up with a plan to raise the Newburyport newel post and balusters on the original staircase—adding custom extension pieces. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects around the house? Join This Old House Insider to stream over…

From This Old House. Inside the Newburyport house, finish carpenter Kevin Rafferty is challenged with making the mantelpiece on the custom fireplace built-in stand out. He mocks up different design options for the homeowners to choose from. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Carpentry assistance: TJ Berky Builders [https://berkybuilders.com/Home_Page.php] Looking for more step by step…

From This Old House. Newburyport homeowners Palen and Melissa meet with design showroom owner Kerry Vaughn at her shop to review a design plan for their home and make furniture selections. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Design showroom: Redbird Trading Company [http://redbirdnewburyport.com/] Looking for more step by step guidance on how to complete projects…

From This Old House. The Newbury house homeowner found a bamboo fishing rod that was hidden in the wall when the house was built. That spurred the curiosity to learn more about the history of the house. We take the homeowners to The Museum of Old Newbury where historian Bethany Groff Dorau explains, who the…

From This Old House. In this video, carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner restore the integrity of her front door’s hinge. After finding the stripped screw holes, Nathan installs wooden dowels and longer screws for a perfect fit. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Heavy wooden doors create stress on their top hinges. In older…

From This Old House. Lee Gilliam heads to Austin, to add planters to a homeowner’s deck. But, with Texas heat, irrigation is a must. With a local irrigation specialist, they run an irrigation zone to the planters. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. Keeping a garden looking its best requires irrigation—especially in areas like Austin,…

From This Old House. In this video, host Kevin O’Connor meets plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey for a lesson in PEX vs copper piping. The two discuss both types’ pros and cons. SUBSCRIBE to This Old House: http://bit.ly/SubscribeThisOldHouse. People often ask us about PEX vs copper and which they should use in their home.…