This Old House Season 44 Episode 18 West Roxbury: Drain Pipe Puzzle

In season 44, episode 18 of This Old House, titled "West Roxbury: Drain Pipe Puzzle," the team tackles a complicated issue with the home's underground drain pipes.

This episode takes place in West Roxbury, a neighborhood in Boston filled with beautiful old homes. The homeowners are experiencing water damage in their basement due to a faulty drainage system, and the team is called in to diagnose and fix the problem.

The episode opens with the team inspecting the home's current drain pipes and realizing that some of them have completely deteriorated. This is causing water to collect in the basement and putting the foundation of the home at risk. The team decides that the only solution is to completely replace the drainage system.

Replacing the drainage system is a complicated process that involves excavating the yard around the home. The team must be careful not to damage any of the landscaping or hardscaping. They also must navigate around trees, utility lines, and other obstacles.

One of the biggest challenges the team faces is locating the exact path of the old drain pipes. The pipes were installed decades ago and the team must rely on old plans and maps to determine where they run. Once they locate the old pipes, they can start planning the new system.

The team decides to install a gravity-fed drainage system, which is designed to withstand the test of time. This system involves digging trenches around the home, laying down gravel, and then connecting perforated pipes. The perforated pipes allow water to flow freely into the system and out to the town's sewer main.

As the team works on the project, they encounter a few surprises along the way. They discover that some of the old pipes were made of asbestos, which requires special handling. They also find an old cistern buried in the yard, which was used to collect rainwater in the past. The cistern provides an interesting historical touch to the project.

Throughout the episode, the team works together to solve each challenge and complete the project on time. They work hard to get the job done right and leave the homeowners with a functional and efficient drainage system.

In addition to the main project, the episode also features some interesting side notes. For instance, the team visits a local foundry that specializes in creating custom hardware for old homes. They also tour a nearby quarry where the team sources the gravel for the drainage system.

Overall, "West Roxbury: Drain Pipe Puzzle" is a fascinating and informative episode of This Old House. It showcases the ingenuity and expertise of the team as they work to solve a complex issue with the home's drainage system. The episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in old homes, construction, or problem-solving.