The WORST episodes of Ask This Old House
Every episode of Ask This Old House ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Ask This Old House!
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 - Smart Thermostat Wires, Bluestone Cleaning
Season 22 - Episode 24 - Aired 5/16/2024
Installing a smart thermostat after finding a wiring issue; staining a deck to protect and maintain it; cleaning a bluestone patio.
#2 - Celebrating 300 Episodes
Season 12 - Episode 22 - Aired 4/5/2014
Celebrating 300 episodes of "Ask This Old House" with a review of favorite moments.
#3 - Planting a Low-Cost Privacy Screen; Sealing Ductwork
Season 12 - Episode 20 - Aired 3/22/2014
Planting a low-cost privacy screen; and sealing ductwork without removing the walls.
#4 - Transplanting a Rose Bush; Replacing Old Outdoor Lighting
Season 11 - Episode 13 - Aired 12/27/2012
Landscape contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner temporarily transplant a mature rose bush while exterior work takes place. Then, Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Richard shows Kevin some rookie plumbing mistakes. And Tom and Kevin replace old outdoor lighting with new fixtures.
#5 - Kids Show; Soccer Goal; Stilts; Sandbox
Season 6 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/14/2008
In this special episode devoted to projects for kids, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows two kids how to build a soccer goal using PVC plumbing pipes. Next, up in the loft, general contractor Tom Silva demonstrates how to build a pair of stilts. Then, landscape contractor Roger Cook shows a family how to build a sandbox and make replicas of fossils.
#6 - Working from Home
Season 19 - Episode 26 - Aired 6/3/2021
Nathan builds a display case to store his grandfather's U.S. flag; Heath replaces a circuit breaker; the team shares the ways their trades were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
#7 - New Shade Pattern, HVAC Showroom
Season 22 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/25/2024
Jenn helps a couple rethink their front yard after two removed trees changed the shade pattern of the space; Richard talks about the mentors who helped him become a passionate teacher on This Old House; Richard gives Kevin a tour of the building he and his son, Evan Trethewey, have renovated to bring a new experience of mechanical equipment to contractors
#8 - Slate Walkway; What Is It? Shower Stall Leak
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/23/2003
Landscape contractor Roger Cook helps homeowner Molly Simmons turn her neglected slate walkway into an attractive and safe footpath. Back in the loft, Roger, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, general contractor Tom Silva, and host Kevin O'Connor try to guess "What is it?" Then Richard helps homeowner Mark Harney diagnose and repair a frustrating leak in a fiberglass shower stall.
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#9 - Landscapes Across America
Season 19 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/22/2020
In this special episode of Ask This Old House, Jenn explains how various climates across the United States impact the design, care, and maintenance of different landscapes, which includes discussing USDA Hardiness Zones and native plant species.
#10 - Grass Troubleshooting, Rocky Canyon Rustic
Season 22 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/4/2024
Lee Gilliam helps a homeowner figure out why grass doesn't grow in his backyard before installing a shade-tolerant species of sod; Ross Trethewey talks through converting houses' heating and cooling systems to heat pumps; Kevin O'Connor meets maker Sarah Nadarajah, the creator of Rocky Canyon Rustic, to learn about her content before building a replica high-end side table.
#11 - Dimmer Switch Troubleshooting, Clothes Rack
Season 21 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/9/2023
Jenn shares why she loves bringing her dog to work; Heath helps a homeowner troubleshoot a strobing dimmer switch; Ross explains the benefits of smart bath ventilation; Tom builds a DIY clothes rack.
#12 - Installing Water Features
Season 19 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/5/2020
Jenn and Roger install a variety of different water features to accentuate landscapes; Roger installs an alternative to a downspout; Jenn installs a waterfall feature in a backyard that reuses water.
#13 - Moss, Algae and Lichen; Leaky Water Valve; Planting Shade
Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/17/2005
General contractor Tom Silva shows a homeowner how to remove moss and lichen from his shade-covered roof and keep them from coming back. Then Tom, along with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscaping contractor Roger Cook, and host Kevin O'Connor ask, "What is it?" Up in the loft, Richard shows Kevin how to repair a leaky valve by replacing the washer and valve seat. Then, Roger helps a homeowner plant shade-loving groundcover under a 100-year-old beech tree.
#14 - Building a Small Deck
Season 5 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/9/2006
General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner with a large carpentry project: rebuilding a small exterior deck. They start by removing the existing deck, which has rotted and become unstable. Together, they build a new deck, including stairs and handrails, using pressure-treated lumber and composite deck boards.
#15 - Garbage Disposal, Concrete Wall
Season 19 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/18/2021
Tom travels to Nashville to turn an original, exterior door into a Dutch door; Richard explains how to install a garbage disposal; Mark and Jenn reface a concrete wall with thin stone veneer.
#16 - Unclogging Drains; Window Weights; Low-Maintenance Garden
Season 3 - Episode 18 - Aired 1/31/2005
In the barn loft, Richard "clears up" the mysteries of clogged bathtub drains. Then, Tom helps Marblehead, Massachusetts homeowner Terry Lavelle replace his double-hung window weights with spring loaded sash balancers. Afterwards, Tom shows Kevin how to insulate the empty window weight pockets to prevent cold winter drafts. Then Tom, Richard, Kevin and Roger ask, "What Is It?" Finally, Roger helps a very thoughtful tenant, Brett Campbell of Arlington, Massachusetts, plant a low-maintenance garden for his elderly landlady.
#17 - Girl Scout Community Garden
Season 22 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/28/2023
Nathan Gilbert shares his own experience as a Boy Scout and introduces his niece's Girl Scout troop and the project they need help with; Tom Silva and Kevin O'Connor create a two-layered hexagonal herb planter for the garden; Jenn Nawada and Nathan pick up materials to build a garden bed and then team up to help the Girl Scout troop rebuild and replant their community garden beds.
#18 - Oven Ventilation, Wireless EV Charger
Season 21 - Episode 18 - Aired 4/13/2023
Richard helps a homeowner replace a leaking gas oven; Jenn and Kevin discuss how to create a pollinator garden at home; in Future House, Ross learns how wireless electricity technology can be applied to electric vehicle chargers in future homes.
#19 - Attic Insulation, Asphalt Parking Spot
Season 21 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/20/2023
Ross helps a homeowner dealing with ice dams decide whether to insulate from his attic roof rafters or the attic floor; Richard shares tips on irrigation repairs; Mark expands a driveway by adding an asphalt parking spot.
#20 - Wetlands, Foundation Painting
Season 21 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/30/2023
Jenn works with a wetlands specialist; Ask This Old House profiles general contractor Zach Dettmore in a new segment; Ross discusses Indoor Air Quality testing; Mauro teaches a homeowner how to repaint an exterior, concrete foundation.
#21 - Rain Garden, Wrought Iron Railing
Season 22 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/9/2023
Jenn Nawada teams up with a water conservation expert in Portland, Oregon to help two homeowners install a rain garden; Ross Trethewey shares how moisture meters can detect unseen water damage; Mark McCullough helps a homeowner increase the safety of their concrete steps by installing a wrought iron railing and showcases how railings are made at an iron fabrication facility.
#22 - All About Fireplaces
Season 19 - Episode 7 - Aired 11/12/2020
In this special episode of Ask This Old House, Tom and Mark tell you everything you need to know about fireplaces; Tom builds a custom mantel for a homeowner; Richard discusses fireplace inserts; Mark replaces the hearth of a fireplace with granite.
#23 - Shower Valve Repair, Sloped Landscape
Season 22 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/12/2023
Ask This Old House welcomes landscape contractor, Lee Gilliam to the cast and shines a spotlight on his 30 years of experience; Richard Trethewey helps a homeowner repair a leaking 3-valve shower while retaining the bathrooms original 1930's tile; Lee and Jenn Nawada work together to refresh a homeowner's eroding sloped yard; removing excess mulch, and installing boulders and ground cover plants.
#24 - Fireplace Makeover; Drip Edges
Season 17 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/5/2019
Mark replaces a chipped brick in a fireplace surround and then Mauro updates it with a whitewashed look; Richard shares some advice on maintaining water heaters; Tom demonstrates the importance of a properly installed drip edge.
#25 - Granite Steps; Deadbolt Locks; Pipe Repair
Season 6 - Episode 22 - Aired 2/28/2008
Landscape contractor Roger Cook replaces a set of rotten wooden stairs with new steps made of granite. Back in the loft, host Kevin O'Connor shows general contractor Tom Silva the latest technology for deadbolt locks. Afterward, Richard travels to Raleigh, North Carolina to help a homeowner replace the leaky polybutylene pipes throughout his house.