This Old House Season 17 Episode 15 The Salem House - 15

The Salem House - 15 is an episode from the seventeenth season of the renowned American television program This Old House. This episode features a renovation project with a 1915 three-story Dutch Colonial home located in Salem, Massachusetts. The show follows the renovation team as they work towards completing the project for the owners, Tony and Brooke.

The episode starts with the show's host, Kevin O'Connor, giving viewers an overview of the project. He informs the audience that the house has not been updated in many years, and the team has a lot of work to do to bring it up to modern standards. They plan to work on fixing damaged structural beams, insulating the exterior wall, updating the electrical and plumbing systems, and completely revamping the home's kitchen and bathroom areas.

The team of experts begins the process by focusing on the home's foundation. They discover that the house's foundation is made of stone and mortar, which is very different from modern constructions. The team quickly realizes that the mortar has become weak and ask one of their experts, John Zito, to work on the stone foundation. John explains that the team needs to remove all the old stones and rebuild the entire foundation using modern materials to support the weight of the home's structure. In addition, they discover that the house has a small, unsecured brick chimney that needs to be taken down to prevent it from falling and causing potential damage to the house.

As the episode continues, the team works on completely gutting the first-floor kitchen area. They remove all the old cabinets, appliances, and flooring to make way for the new ones. The renovation team chooses a new open layout for the kitchen area, which includes an island with plenty of storage space. They also install new cabinets, countertops, and hardwood floors. Additionally, the show's plumbing expert, Richard Trethewey, works on installing new pipes and fixtures in the kitchen and bathroom.

After the team completes the kitchen area remodel, they move on to working on the bathroom area. The team starts by gutting the old bathroom, which includes removing the old tiles, bathtub, and sink. The new bathroom design features modern fixtures, a new bathtub, and a large vanity with plenty of storage space. The team also installs new tiles, painted walls, and new lighting fixtures to create a modern and updated look in the bathroom.

In addition to the kitchen and bathroom remodels, the episode also features the team working on the exterior of the house. They install new energy-efficient windows, which increase the home's insulation levels. This is essential in keeping the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer months. In addition, the team also works on repairing and replacing the siding on the exterior of the house. They force a spray foam insulation through the exterior walls to create an airtight seal, providing additional insulation to the home.

The show concludes with the team completing all the renovations for Tony and Brooke's home. The updated house is now modern and stylish. The homeowners are pleased with the results, and they note that it has been a joy to work with the experts on the show. This episode is a testament to the expertise, dedication, and workmanship that This Old House brings to every renovation project they undertake.

Overall, The Salem House - 15 episode of This Old House is a must-watch for anyone interested in remodeling shows. It features great insights into the renovation process, from foundation work to kitchen and bathroom upgrades. The television program provides valuable information to homeowners who are considering a renovation project and helps bring a new life to older and forgotten homes.