Ask This Old House Season 4 Episode 13 Vinyl Floor; What is it?; Preventing Frozen Pipes

In this episode of Ask This Old House, the team tackles three different home improvement problems. The first segment focuses on vinyl flooring, specifically how to install it on a concrete subfloor. The episode starts with host Kevin O'Connor meeting with flooring expert Michael Byrne, who explains the best way to prep the subfloor before installing the vinyl tiles. They discuss the importance of having a flat, smooth surface for the tiles to adhere to, and Michael demonstrates how he uses a self-leveling underlayment to achieve this.

Next, Kevin meets up with general contractor Tom Silva to answer the question, "What is it?" Viewers sent in pictures of mysterious objects that they found in their homes, and Tom and Kevin try to identify what they are and what they're used for. Some of the items include a strange metal bracket attached to a wall, a wooden dowel with a hook on it, and a piece of glass with a wire handle. Tom and Kevin provide some creative guesses for each mystery object before revealing the correct answers.

The final segment of the episode focuses on preventing frozen pipes in the winter. Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows homeowners some simple steps they can take to avoid the costly and damaging problem of frozen pipes. He explains how insulation and heat tape can keep pipes from freezing, and demonstrates how to properly use a heat gun to unfreeze pipes that have already frozen solid.

Throughout the episode, the Ask This Old House team provides easy-to-understand explanations and step-by-step instructions for each project, making it a great resource for DIY enthusiasts and homeowners looking to tackle home improvement tasks themselves. With useful tips and tricks for flooring installation, home repairs, and winter maintenance, this episode is a must-watch for anyone who wants to keep their home in tip-top shape.