Ask This Old House Season 5 Episode 13 Mulching Garden Beds; Repairing a Sash-balancer

In the episode titled "Mulching Garden Beds; Repairing a Sash-balancer," the experts of Ask This Old House, Tom Silva, Roger Cook, and Richard Trethewey, embark on two home improvement projects.

First, they visit a homeowner who wants to maintain his garden beds properly. The garden beds have been taken over by pesky weeds that refuse to go away, and the grass on the lawn is starting to encroach on the garden beds. Tom and Roger show the homeowner how to mulch the garden beds, which helps to retain moisture in the soil, prevent the growth of weeds, and makes the beds look tidy. The experts explain how to apply mulch properly, how much mulch to use, and the different types of mulches available in the market. They also demonstrate how to edge the garden beds, so the grass doesn't creep in, and how to use a spading fork to aerate the soil and break up the compacted soil.

In the second part of the episode, the Ask This Old House team helps a homeowner with a faulty window sash-balancer. The sash-balancer is an essential component in a double-hung window that helps to hold the window sash in place and keep it there until the user decides to move it. A malfunctioning sash-balancer can cause the window to become difficult to open or close or cause the sash to fall, posing a danger to the user. Richard explains how to identify what type of sash-balancer is installed in the window and how to remove it. He then shows how to lubricate the sash-balancer and adjust it so that it works correctly. The team also explains how to replace the sash-balancer if the sash-balancer is beyond repair.

Throughout the episode, the Ask This Old House team uses their expertise to educate the homeowner on the importance of garden maintenance and proper window care. They offer practical tips and tricks on how to maintain the garden beds and restore faulty sash-balancers. The show inspires homeowners to take up DIY projects and educates them on how to tackle common home maintenance problems themselves.

In conclusion, "Mulching Garden Beds; Repairing a Sash-balancer" is a must-watch episode for homeowners looking to learn how to maintain their garden and windows. The Ask This Old House team offers valuable insights and DIY tips that viewers can implement in their home improvement projects. Whether it's mulching garden beds or fixing window sash-balancers, this episode offers practical advice that homeowners can use to improve the functionality and aesthetics of their homes.