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Private Notes
A new project kicks off Season 14: the restoration of an 1895 Victorian in Belmont, Mass. In the second half: sprucing up a school garden; and installing a whole house fan.
Plants are removed to make way for the porch; the demolition to open up the kitchen begins; a determination is made on how the weight of the house will be supported; and the window pulley systems are repaired. In the second half: chainsaw safety is discussed; a garage's electrical connection is improved; and squeaky floors are silenced in a baby's room.
Rotten lally columns in the basement are replaced; the marble sink and claw-foot tub are removed from the guest bath so that they can be restored; and a historic house with 19th-century air conditioning and plumbing is discovered. In the second half: repairing a driveway pothole; giving new life to an old railroad lantern; and building a Shaker-styled nightstand.
Flitch beams are installed in the kitchen; a rear-mounted toilet is discovered on the third floor; and a plan for the shade-covered backyard is developed. Also: how laminated veneer lumber is made. In the second half: investigating energy efficiency in Germany; and installing a residential wind turbine in Texas.
Work on the mudroom foundation begins; the insulation in the attic is removed; and a door is resized to fit a smaller opening. Also: dream-kitchen cabinets. In the second half: creating soil from organic garbage; and determining why a steam boiler is losing water.
The blocks for the mudroom foundation are placed; a bay window is built in the kitchen; and the front entryway is opened up. Also: visiting the shop where the original windows are being restored. In the second half: a trendy bathroom mistake is corrected; and light is cast on a dark driveway. Also: an unusual find in an old attic.
The HVAC plan is explained; the old steel main water line is replaced; and the bathroom tile is selected. In the second half: a butterfly garden is created; an under-lit closet is brightened; and must-have woodworking tools are discussed.
Framing begins on the front porch; ductwork is snaked through the house; and an outdoor antique show is visited. In the second half: Home brewing is discussed with Bridget Lancaster ("America's Test Kitchen"). Also: a $40 DIY project to conserve water; and tips for avoiding holiday disposal disasters.
The mudroom is framed; the homeowners consider colors for the exterior of their house; the process of refinishing the clawfoot bathtub is explained; and the 120 Victorian molding is replicated. In the second half: childproofing a new mom's home; and fixing a falling sink. Also: a tutorial on voltage testers.
The flooring for the front porch is installed; light fixtures are selected; the new fireplaces on the first floor are discussed; and the porch roof shingles are installed. In the second half: an electrical solution for ice dams; snow blower maintenance; and tips for furnace tune-ups. Also: a conversation about winter with Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore.
A storm door is converted into a window for the mudroom porch; interior paint colors are selected; the porch piers are shingled; and tile is installed in the master bath. In the second half: a coffee table is built from old oak; and a patch of grass is turned into a driveway lawn. Also: avoiding frozen pipes.
An arched shingle design is created for the front porch gable; the process of making a custom floor cloth for the kitchen is examined; porch railings are built; and work on a tree house commences. In the second half: a pedestal sink is replaced; a troublesome outdoor switch and wobbly post light are replaced; and popular plants are turned into a work of art.
Work continues on the tree house; the refurbished windows are installed; wainscoting is installed in the front entryway; and the parquet flooring is restored. In the second half: installing a new attic staircase; and updating an old kitchen. Also: the best blowtorches.
Plants removed prior to construction are returned; a craftsman carves two newel posts; the refurbished clawfoot tub and marble countertop are installed; and the treehouse is revealed to the kids. In the second half: a front door deadbolt is replaced with a smart lock controlled by Bluetooth; and a weather-resistant TV is installed on a patio.
The kitchen counters are installed; a divider between the eating area and mudroom is built; mechanical improvements in the basement are detailed; and a special magnetic paint is applied in the kitchen. In the second half: a closet is upgraded with a coat rack, shelving and new door; the cause of a leaky toilet is ascertained; and a wobbly sconce is replaced at a home that was once a church
Historical texture is added to the master suite; and the end of the project reveals a new Victorian front porch, restored windows, relaxing master suite, functional living space and open kitchen. In the second half: maple syrup is made; a backyard chicken coop is built; and the value of USB outlets is discussed.
A new project commences on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Also: a chimney overhaul; the installation of an exhaust fan in a kitchen and a tutorial on roof shingles.
A tour of the factory where the house will be built. In the second half: an overflow drain is installed.
A perimeter drain is installed; the new foundation is inspected; the first shipment of pre-cut framing lumber arrives; the landscape plan is explained; and framing begins. In the second half: creating a wildlife oasis; making a wood floor patch look seamless; and unclogging a sink.
The plan for the living-dining room is explained; the exterior trim arrives; and a look at how the roof is being raised. In the second half: an Idaho potato farm; home weather stations; and track lighting.
Red cedar shingles are installed on the roof; window installation begins; and the pre-built cupola is lifted to the top of the garage. Also: a trip to Vermont to see reproduction light fixtures. In the second half: installing a washer and dryer; adding a chandelier to a dining room; and using a power driver.
Work begins on the geothermal system; First Period homes are toured; the stairs and wall panels are built at the factory; and new technology to seal ductwork is spotlighted. In the second half: repairing an antique door; growing edible herbs indoors; and determining the cause of disappearing toilet water.
Work begins on the geothermal system; First Period homes are toured; the stairs and wall panels are built at the factory; and new technology to seal ductwork is spotlighted. In the second half: repairing an antique door; growing edible herbs indoors; and determining the cause of disappearing toilet water.
Landscaping begins with a backyard patio; the den receives some formal wainscoting; the interior paint colors are selected; and the factory-made staircase is installed. In the second half: Nick Offerman visits. Also: creating a steel pipe shelf; and building a pond-less waterfall.
The staircase is finished with a maple newel post; and a reproduction antique light fixture is connected to a granite lamppost. Also: how water is water drawn from the well; and how the backup generator is installed. In the second half: turning a bookshelf into a secret door; and installing an outdoor house hydrant. Also: the two tools used for most electrical work.
In the Season 14 finale, the exterior transformation is assessed; a custom closet is built; and the home's interior is toured. In the second half: a home gym is built for a wounded Navy SEAL; and a faulty doorbell is repaired. Also: the important roles that 22 and 45 play under the sink.
