Ep 7. Reclaimed Beach, Robotic Wall

In season 15 episode 7 of Ask This Old House titled "Reclaimed Beach, Robotic Wall," the team visits Surfside, Florida. There, they meet with a homeowner that has recently experienced a lot of erosion on his beach. The team decides to use reclaimed materials to create a barrier on the beach to prevent further erosion.

First, the team travels to a nearby waste management facility to pick up some used concrete blocks that will be used to construct the beach barrier. Back on the beach, they begin to lay out the foundation for the barrier and start to place the blocks. They explain the importance of creating a solid foundation to prevent the blocks from shifting during high tide and storm surges.

Next, the team travels to Arizona to visit a company working on a new technology to construct walls. A robotic arm is used to apply a concrete-like material onto a mesh structure. The team is impressed with the efficiency and precision of the robotic arm, and they discuss the potential uses for this technology in the construction industry.

Back in Surfside, the team continues to work on the beach barrier, adding layers of sand and soil to reinforce it. They also use a special machine to compact the sand and soil to make it more stable. The homeowner is grateful for the work and is excited to see how the barrier will help preserve his beach.

Finally, the team meets with a homeowner in South Carolina who is looking to update his bathroom. They replace the old fixtures with new ones, and also install a new towel warmer. They discuss the importance of choosing the right fixtures that not only look good but also have good functionality.

Overall, this episode highlights the importance of using reclaimed materials and innovative technology in construction projects. It also showcases the importance of proper foundation work in creating stable structures.