Ask This Old House Season 10 Episode 6 Shrubs, Baseboards

In the sixth episode of the tenth season of Ask This Old House, the team is back to tackle two major projects- dealing with overgrown shrubs and installing baseboards.

The first project involves an overgrown shrub on the property of a homeowner. In the past, he had tried to prune it himself, but the shrub had grown out of control, and he was having a hard time managing it. Richard Trethewey, the plumbing and heating expert of Ask This Old House, travels to the site to help the homeowner. Richard first analyzes the shrub, trying to identify its species and age, and the team then starts to prune it in a specific way to bring it back into shape. They tackle the trunk, branches, and leaves of the shrub, and Richard also shares some tips and tricks on planting and maintaining shrubs to help the homeowner keep his garden looking beautiful for years to come.

The second project is installing baseboards, and Tom Silva, the general contractor, is taking the lead on this one. Tom starts by measuring the walls and then cutting the baseboards to the appropriate size. He then uses a level and a nail gun to secure the baseboards onto the wall. The key to this project is keeping the baseboard flush to the floor while also making sure it's level. Tom also shares different tips on choosing the right baseboards, and the team talks about the importance of sealing the gaps between the baseboard and the wall to keep air from entering or exiting the house.

Later in the episode, Kevin and Richard answer some viewer questions. One viewer asks about the best way to clean a gas furnace. Richard explains that gas furnaces require less maintenance than oil furnaces, but they still need cleaning periodically. He suggests turning off the furnace and then cleaning it with a vacuum and a brush attachment. Another viewer asks about using an old chimney for a new heating system. Kevin and Richard explain that it is possible, but an inspection would be necessary to make sure the chimney is structurally sound, and a liner would need to be installed to protect the new heating system.

The next segment of the show is all about windows, and Tom is back on location to help repair a broken window. In this scenario, the homeowner's dog had broken the glass in the front window, leaving her with a problem on her hands. Tom shows the homeowner how to remove the broken glass, clean up around the window, and then install a new windowpane. Tom also shares tips on identifying the type of glass and securely installing the new window. The team also talks about the importance of choosing energy-efficient windows.

Finally, Richard wraps up the show by installing a new water softener in a homeowner's basement. Many homeowners struggle with hard water, which causes soap and other cleaning products to be less effective. A water softener removes calcium and magnesium from the water, making it softer and easier to use for cleaning. Richard shows how to install the softener, and he also shares tips on choosing the right size and type of softener for a specific home's needs.

Overall, this episode of Ask This Old House covers a wide range of topics, from planting and pruning shrubs to installing baseboards and repairing broken windows. It's a great resource for homeowners who want to tackle simple repairs and improvements around their homes, and the show's experts offer plenty of tips and advice to help get the job done right.