Ep 2. Citrus Greening, Tile
In Ask This Old House season 13 episode 2, the team takes on two projects: addressing citrus greening disease and laying tile in a bathroom.
The episode begins with Roger Cook visiting a citrus farm in Florida to learn about citrus greening disease, a devastating disease that has affected the citrus industry in Florida and other parts of the world. Roger talks to a citrus expert who explains how the disease is spread, its symptoms, and the measures farmers take to try to control it. Roger also talks to a farmer who has been affected by the disease and has had to remove hundreds of trees from his farm. Back in the Ask This Old House workshop, Roger shares what he has learned with the rest of the team and discusses the importance of maintaining healthy trees in home gardens.
Next, Tom Silva and Kevin O'Connor travel to New Jersey to help a homeowner install new tile in a bathroom. The homeowner has already removed the old tile and is ready to lay the new tile, but he has never laid tile before and needs some guidance. Tom and Kevin show the homeowner how to prepare the surface, measure and cut the tiles, apply the mortar, and lay the tiles in a straight line. They also demonstrate how to space the tiles evenly and create a clean grout line. The homeowner is thrilled with the results and is confident he can tackle similar projects on his own in the future.
In the second half of the show, Richard Trethewey visits a homeowner who is heating his home with a wood-fired boiler. Richard explains how the boiler works and shows the homeowner how to maintain it properly to ensure it operates efficiently and safely. He also talks about the importance of using the right type of wood and keeping the chimney clean to avoid dangerous creosote buildup.
Finally, in the Ask This Old House loft, Kevin answers a viewer question about the best way to convert a crawl space into a basement. He explains the pros and cons of different methods, including digging a new foundation, lifting the house and adding a basement, and sealing off the crawl space with a concrete slab. He recommends consulting with a structural engineer and contractor to determine the best approach for the specific situation.
Overall, Ask This Old House season 13 episode 2 provides useful tips and advice for homeowners looking to tackle home improvement projects. The team addresses a range of topics from plant diseases to tile installation and demonstrates the importance of proper maintenance and preparation to ensure successful results.
