The BEST episodes of Ask This Old House season 7
Every episode of Ask This Old House season 7, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Ask This Old House season 7!
The crew at This Old House take on some pretty big projects, which means they can only work on one or two houses a year. But homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions on smaller projects, and the TOH crew is ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by viewers - and the crew even makes house calls!
#1 - Tree Pruning; Installing a Shower Mixing Valve
Season 7 - Episode 18 - Aired 1/29/2009
Landscape contractor Roger Cook shows a homeowner how to prune her neglected crabapple tree properly. Then Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?" Later, Richard helps a homeowner install a new "anti-scald" shower-mixing valve.
#2 - Basement Wallboards; Tying Knots; Storm-Damaged Trees
Season 7 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/7/2009
General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner prepare his concrete basement walls for finished wallboard. Then, up in the loft, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows host Kevin O'Connor how to tie a few basic knots. Next, Tom, Kevin and Richard, along with landscaping contractor Roger Cook ask, "What is it?" Then, Roger and certified arborist Matt Foti demonstrate how to care for storm-damaged trees.
#3 - Garage Door Installation; Preventing Frozen Pipes
Season 7 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/12/2009
General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner install a new garage door. Then plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows a homeowner how to "winterize" his plumbing to prevent frozen pipes when the house is unoccupied.
#4 - Waterproofing System; Installing a Privacy Screen
Season 7 - Episode 8 - Aired 11/20/2008
General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner prepare a shower enclosure for tile using a new type of waterproofing system. Then Tom, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscaping contractor Roger Cook ask, "What is it?" Then, Roger helps two homeowners install a privacy screen using bushes and a decorative flower garden.
#5 - Mature Tree; Noisy Heating System
Season 7 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/9/2008
Landscaping contractor Roger Cook shows a pair of homeowners how to transplant a large, mature tree to their front yard. Then Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Then, Richard helps two homeowners sleep better at night by quieting their noisy heating system.
#6 - Ventilation Fan Installation; Chemical Free Lawn Care
Season 7 - Episode 25 - Aired 3/21/2009
Kevin O'Connor and electrician Brian Bergeron help a homeowner install a new ventilation fan in her bathroom. Tom, Kevin O'Connor, and Richard Trethewey examine an unfamiliar object and try to guess how it is used. Roger Cooks show two homeowners how to care for their lawn without using pesticides or chemicals. He obtains a soil test before performing work on the lawn, then he spreads lawn fertilizer with chicken manure as the primary ingredient and uses grass seed enhanced with fungal endophytes.
#7 - Leaky PVC Drain Trap; Installing Bamboo Flooring
Season 7 - Episode 26 - Aired 3/28/2009
This episode demonstrates how to repair a leaking PVC drain trap under a kitchen sink, how to install a bamboo "floating" floor in a basement, and how to clean roof gutters without a ladder.
#8 - Staining a Deck; Preventing Sewage Backups
Season 7 - Episode 17 - Aired 1/22/2009
General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner clean, stain and seal his mahogany backyard deck. Then Tom, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and landscape contractor Roger Cook ask, "What is it?" Kevin makes a House call to Chicago to help a homeowner prevent sewage backup in her basement by replacing her flood control system. In the Ask This Old House loft, Tom and Richard share a viewer tip on how to remove a wood plug from a hole saw.
#9 - Repairing a Deck; Hydrangea Bush
Season 7 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/11/2008
General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner repair a very dangerous deck. Then Tom, along with landscaping contractor Roger Cook, plumbing & heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, Roger helps a homeowner with a hydrangea bush that won't flower.
#10 - Pendant Lighting; Care for Succulents
Season 7 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/16/2008
Host Kevin O'Connor travels to Nashville, Tennessee, where he helps a pair of homeowners brighten up their kitchen with some new pendant lighting. Then, up in the loft, houseplant expert Carrie Kelly shows Roger how to care for cactus plants and other succulents.
#11 - Reducing Heating Costs; Using a Whole House Fan
Season 7 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/13/2008
This episode has many tips for making your home more energy efficient. First, general contractor Tom Silva shows several different ways to seal the openings around doors, windows, and other penetrations in the shell of a house. Next, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner reduce his heating costs by installing a weather-responsive control on his boiler. Then, landscape contractor Roger Cook shares some tips on reducing energy costs. Finally, Tom helps a homeowner keep things cool with a whole house fan.
#12 - Kids Projects; Vegetable Garden; Mini-Golf; Rocket Launcher
Season 7 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/12/2009
Our annual "kids" episode features family-friendly projects that parents and kids can build together! First, landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a 12-year-old budding master gardener build a raised bed for growing vegetables. Then, up in the loft, general contractor Tom Silva and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, with the help of several kids, build a miniature indoor golf course. Next, Kevin and a middle school teacher show some eager students how to build a model rocket launcher using commonly available household and hardware store items.
#13 - Painting Kitchen Cabinets; Installing Cabinet Accessories
Season 7 - Episode 15 - Aired 1/8/2009
This special episode is dedicated to making the most out of your existing kitchen cabinets. First, host Kevin O'Connor and expert painter Rich O'Neil show a homeowner how to prepare and paint her oak kitchen cabinets. Next, general contractor Tom Silva visits a pair of Connecticut homeowners in need of some organization solutions for their cramped, cluttered cabinets.
#14 - Whole-House Water Filter; Repairing a Roof
Season 7 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/4/2008
Plumbing & heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Indianapolis to help a pair of homeowners install a whole-house water filter. Then Richard, along with general contractor Tom Silva, landscaping contractor Roger Cook, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then Tom helps a homeowner repair a hole in a rubber roof and Richard shares a viewer tip for cutting PVC pipe without a saw.
#15 - Laminate Countertops; Brick Walkway; Furnace Filters
Season 7 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/6/2008
Up in the loft, general contractor Tom Silva shows host Kevin O’Connor how to repair damaged laminate countertops. Then, landscape contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner rebuild a brick walkway. Then Tom, Kevin, Roger, and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?" Then Richard shows Kevin several different types of filters for forced-air heating and cooling systems.
#16 - Banging Pipes; Installing Fiberglass Door
Season 7 - Episode 19 - Aired 2/5/2009
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner quiet his banging pipes by installing a water hammer shock suppressor. Then Richard, along with host Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva and landscaping contractor Roger Cook ask, "What is it?" Then, Tom and Kevin show how to install a pre-hung fiberglass exterior door.
#17 - Heating & Cooling System Controller; Re-Grout Tile Floor
Season 7 - Episode 22 - Aired 2/26/2009
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a California homeowner install a new type of "zoning" control for her forced-air heating and cooling system. Then Richard, along with landscaping contractor Roger Cook, host Kevin O'Connor and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Next, Tom helps a homeowner re-grout the tile floor in her master bathroom.
#18 - Building a Retaining Wall; Loud Faucet
Season 7 - Episode 9 - Aired 11/27/2008
Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a pair of homeowners build a retaining wall using pressure-treated timbers. Afterward, Roger, along with general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, Richard has an easy fix for a kitchen faucet that is making a loud, shuddering sound.
#19 - Backyard Gate; Basement Window; Using Expanding Foam
Season 7 - Episode 14 - Aired 1/1/2009
Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner in Charleston, South Carolina fix a sagging wooden gate. Then Roger, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, host Kevin O'Connor, and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Then, Tom helps a homeowner replace his drafty old basement windows with new energy-efficient ones. Later, up in the loft, Tom and Richard discuss how to properly use different types of liquid foam insulation to prevent drafts.
#20 - Water Saving Toilet; In-Ground Sprinkler System
Season 7 - Episode 21 - Aired 2/19/2009
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner install a new "dual flush" water-saving toilet. Then Richard, along with host Kevin O'Connor, landscaping contractor Roger Cook and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Next, Roger and Kevin head outside to install an in-ground sprinkler system that any homeowner can install.
#21 - Removing a Boulder; Securing Loose Pipes
Season 7 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/18/2008
Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a pair of homeowners break apart and remove a large boulder in their backyard. Then Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing & heating expert Richard Trethewey and general contractor Tom Silva ask, "What is it?" Next, Richard helps two homeowners secure their loose pipes inside a shower wall and Tom shares a viewer tip about getting a secure grip on a hammer.
#22 - Bathtub Conversion; Wood Fill; Solar-Powered Fountain
Season 7 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/15/2009
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner convert a claw foot bathtub into a shower. Then Richard, along with host Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva and landscape contractor Roger Cook ask, "What is it?" Later, Tom shows Kevin how to use different types of "fillers" for both wood and PVC trim. Then Roger helps a homeowner install a solar-powered fountain in her yard.
#23 - Collapsing Garage Roof; Installing a Dry Well
Season 7 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/2/2008
Ask This Old House kicks off its 7th season on PBS. General contractor Tom Silva prevents a garage roof from collapsing by replacing a rotting support post. Then Tom, along with host Kevin O'Connor, landscaping contractor Roger Cook and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, "What is it?" Then, Roger helps two homeowners dry out their basement by installing a dry well to handle discharge from their sump pump.
#24 - Damaged Lawn; Curved Stair Molding
Season 7 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/23/2008
Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps two homeowners repair the damage done to their lawn when a new well was installed. Then Roger, along with general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, Tom shows a homeowner how to make a piece of curved stair molding with some red oak and a few simple power tools.
#25 - Increasing Water Pressure; Transplanting a Bush
Season 7 - Episode 5 - Aired 10/30/2008
Landscaping contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner transplant a giant Rhododendron bush. Then Roger, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, general contractor Tom Silva, and host Kevin O’Connor ask, "What is it?" Then, Richard helps a homeowner increase his water pressure with an electric water pressure booster.