This Old House Season 1 Episode 6 The Dorchester House - 6

The Dorchester House - 6 is the sixth episode of the first season of the long-running home improvement show, This Old House. The episode focuses on the renovation of a 1905 Victorian home located in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts.

The episode begins with host Bob Vila giving viewers a tour of the exterior of the home, highlighting its charming architectural features and detailing its need for some major upgrades. Inside, Bob introduces viewers to the team of contractors and specialists who will be working on the project, including general contractor Tom Silva, electrician Sparky, and plumber Richard Trethewey.

The first major task at hand is to update the home's electrical system, which is dangerously outdated. Sparky and his team work to rewire the entire house, installing new outlets, light switches, and a modern circuit breaker panel. Meanwhile, Richard and his team replace the home's old galvanized pipes with new copper plumbing, ensuring that the home will have reliable water supply for years to come.

Next, the team turns their attention to the home's heating system. Tom and his crew remove the old cast-iron radiators and install a new forced hot air system, which is more efficient and effective at heating the home. This involves cutting large holes in the walls and ceiling to run ductwork, a process that proves to be challenging and messy.

As the renovation progresses, the team begins to uncover some surprises. Behind one of the walls, they discover an old brick fireplace that has been sealed off for decades. Bob and Tom work together to restore the fireplace, covering it with beautiful new tiles to match the home's existing decor.

Another unexpected challenge arises when the team begins to remove the old wallpaper from the home's bedrooms. Underneath, they discover that the walls are badly damaged and need to be replaced. This adds time and expense to the project, but Tom and his crew rise to the challenge and make the necessary repairs.

Throughout the episode, Bob checks in with the homeowners, who are thrilled with the progress being made on their beloved home. They share stories about the home's history and express their excitement about the updates being made.

In the final segment of the episode, the team begins to tackle the home's exterior. They paint the trim and shutters, fix the crumbling front porch, and replace the old storm windows with new, energy-efficient models. The result is a stunning transformation that leaves the homeowners overjoyed.

Overall, The Dorchester House - 6 is a satisfying installment of This Old House that showcases the challenges and rewards of renovating an old Victorian home. With expert guidance from Bob Vila and his team of contractors, the homeowners are able to bring new life to a historic property and create a beautiful living space for years to come.