Ep 15. The Harper Family

While design team leader Ty Pennington was preparing to film this episode in his hometown of Atlanta, he underwent emergency surgery for a perforated appendix. Although he was still recuperating, the energetic and dedicated Pennington did not want to let the family down. The episode incorporated his predicament into the show and captured how Ty was able to do his part from his hospital bed and later in the week, to participate in the reveal for the Harper Family from the Atlanta suburb of Lake City, Georgia. Patricia and Milton Harper worked hard and sacrificed for all the right reasons, but still could not achieve their dream of providing a real home for their children. After moving from the projects in Brooklyn, they wanted to give their sons Darius, 17, LaVaughn, 15, and seven-year-old Mister a safe haven to come home to every day. But the first-time homeowners didn't know they had just bought a big dump -- literally. Unaware of any problems when they purchased the home, the Harpers soon found themselves knee high in raw sewage! Every time it rained hard -- which was often -- their septic tank would back up and human waste actually flooded their suburban home. Their furniture, clothes and even their dreams have all been ruined. Recently, their minivan was in an accident, so even that shelter was taken from them. Now, unlike their home, this family is completely drained, both emotionally and financially. In just seven days, the design team, Atlanta-based national homebuilder Beazer Home and hundreds of workers and volunteers were able to turn the Harper's living nightmare of a house into a dream home come true. Comedian Jeff Foxworthy, who lives in Georgia, also came by to lend a helping hand.