This Old House Hour Season 11 Episode 21 Essex Project, Rustic Plaster, Advanced Septic, Ask This Old House Solving a Melted Mystery, Performing a Whole-Ho

This Old House Hour season 11 episode 21 takes us on a journey to the beautifully designed, efficient and energy-saving home of the Essex Project in Boxford, Massachusetts. This episode showcases the outstanding work that went into creating what can only be described as a dream home. The house features impeccable carpentry and breathtaking interior design that seemed to have been deceptively easy to create. The team of builders behind the Essex Project discuss the overall design of the house and the important design decisions that went into achieving its stunning outcome.

In this episode of This Old House Hour, we are also introduced to the process of creating rustic plaster, a finish increasingly popular among homeowners because of its durability and timeless charm. The team meets a plaster expert who takes them through the steps of mixing, applying, and texturing the plaster on the walls of a room.

At the Essex Project, nothing has been left to chance, including the installation of an advanced septic system designed to handle the daily output of the household wastewater. The team observes the installation process and how the septic tank was placed securely underground, taking up as little space as possible and creating minimal disruption to the landscape.

The crew also meets a homeowner whose circuits in his home have melted, and he can’t figure out why. The team helps solve the mystery by testing the circuits and tracing the source of the melting.

In a segment of Ask This Old House, the team helps a homeowner make a whole-house fan healthier and more breathable by cleaning and properly sealing the ducts. They also help fix a slow-draining sink by using a snake to clear out any clogs, and replacing the drain pipes.

Overall, This Old House Hour season 11 episode 21 is a satisfying blend of design inspiration and practical tips for maintaining a home. The episode also highlights the importance of planning ahead when creating your dream home, be it in terms of the septic system, wiring, or overall design choices.