David: This Old House - Episode #3112
General contractor Tom Silva and master carpenter Norm Abram install the massive decorative timbers in the new family room. Meanwhile, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey shows host Kevin O'Connor the location for the new A/C condenser and how to set it on a prefabricated concrete mounting pad. Then, Norm visits the Parson Capen House in Topsfield, MA—a house similar to the Bedford house from 1683 that's been largely unaltered over the years. Back in Bedford, Tom shows Kevin the progress on the new front entry deck and how he's fastening the mahogany deck boards with a new hidden fastening system. It consists of a tool that serves as both a spacer for the boards and a jig for the proprietary screws. In the backyard, homeowner Joe Titlow works with family and friends to install a new garden shed that he ordered online from the home center. At the end of the day, the insulation crew arrives to add closed cell spray foam insulation to the new addition.



Trane Air Conditioner
XB13
Contractor:
Doran Consulting and Contracting, Inc.

Supplier:
Air Purchases, Inc.
tel. 617-361-2910

Architectural History Consultant
Side Trip:
Historic New England

Icynene Insulation
Contractor:
Anderson Insulation
tel. 800-472-1717

Manufacturer:
Icynene
tel. 905-363-4040

Reclaimed Timbers
Supplier:
Timberguy

Parson Capen House Tour
Side Trip:
Topsfield Historical Society

Ask This Old House - Episode #1012
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey travels to Philadelphia to install a battery back-up sump pump. Then Richard, along with host Kevin O'Connor, landscaping contractor Roger Cook, and general contractor Tom Silva ask "What Is It?" Afterward, Tom fixes a rusty metal railing on a set of front steps. And Kevin shares a tip about how to store a wheelbarrow.

Battery Back-Up Sump Pump
Richard installs a battery back-up sump pump.

Where to find it?
The sump pump kit that Richard installed is Model 441 manufactured by Liberty Pumps

In the workshop, Richard showed several other types of sump pumps, including the Guardian, a water-powered sump pump manufactured by A.Y. McDonald

What is it?
The guys try to guess the intended purpose of an unusual-looking product.

Where to find it?
The Disposal Genie is manufactured by Danco and is available at home centers.



Rusty Railing Repair
Tom fixes a rusty metal railing on a set of front steps.

Where to find it?
Tom replaced the rusted section of railing using a new piece of square steel with a round steel dowel welded inside. Local metal fabricators may be able to provide similar items. Tom had his parts fabricated by:

Boston Welding
781-932-0035

Tom used hydraulic cement to set the railing into the staircase. It is manufactured by Quikrete and available at home centers.