Ask This Old House Season 3 Episode 11 Ladder Safety; What Is It?; Replacing an Old Retaining Wall

In season 3 episode 11 of Ask This Old House, the team focuses on ladder safety, defining what it is, and how important it is to practice it. They also tackle the task of replacing an old retaining wall.

To start, the team dives into the topic of ladder safety. The show's host, Kevin O'Connor, starts by explaining how important ladder safety is, especially for homeowners who frequently use ladders for basic tasks such as cleaning gutters or painting. Safety expert, Karl Champley, joins Kevin and explains the different types of ladders and how to use them safely. He points out that it’s important to set up the ladder properly, on a flat, stable surface, and make sure the ladder is at the correct angle. Karl also stresses the importance of using a ladder that is the correct height for the job so that you do not have to compensate by reaching too far. He also shows how to safely climb a ladder, using the three-point rule to always keep three points of contact with the ladder at all times.

Moving on from ladder safety, the show's expert carpenter, Nathan Gilbert, takes on the task of replacing an old retaining wall. Nathan shows how easy it is to replace old materials with newer manufactured materials that are readily available at any home improvement store. He removes the old wall and digs out the area, trying to keep the ground level at the same height in the process. Nathan installs a new retaining wall using pressure-treated wood and landscape fabric, which helps keep the soil in place. He advises homeowners to pay close attention to drainage and make sure the wall they build is secure, even if it is only a few inches tall.

In addition to the ladder safety and retaining wall segments, the show also offers several Q&A segments. The first one is about identifying wood rot on a deck. Ethan Hagan, the show's plumbing and heating expert, helps a homeowner identify which boards on their deck need to be replaced due to rot. Ethan provides tips on how to spot rotting wood before it becomes a bigger issue, and how to prevent it.

Another Q&A segment involves how to deal with low water pressure in a showerhead. Plumbing expert, Richard Trethewey, explains some common causes of low water pressure, such as mineral buildup or clogged showerheads. Richard teaches viewers how to remove the showerhead and clean it thoroughly. In cases where the problem persists, he suggests replacing the showerhead altogether.

Overall, season 3 episode 11 of Ask This Old House provides a great combination of informative segments on ladder safety and retaining wall replacement, along with helpful Q&A discussions on common homeowner concerns. The episode will be sure to leave viewers feeling much more educated about these important household issues.