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♪♪

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Kevin:
On "Ask This Old House,"

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our experts travel
across the country

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to answer questions
about your house.

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♪♪

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Today, Richard talks about
sink-drain maintenance

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with tips and tricks
to keep everything flowing.

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Then, Mauro demonstrates both
some low-tech and high-tech ways

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to test for lead paint.

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And a steep hill has
a homeowner stumbling.

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Mark steps in to help
install some hillside stairs.

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Mark: I don't think that
could've gone any better.

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Kevin: All that on
"Ask This Old House."

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♪♪

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Kevin: Hey, Richard.
Richard: How are you?

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Kevin: All right.
What's going on here?

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Richard:
It's not a cooking show.

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You know,
everybody's got plumbing clogs,

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and they don't happen overnight.

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So I want to review some of the
things that cause sink clogs...

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Kevin: Okay.

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Richard: ...and then what you
can do to prevent them.

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Kevin: Sounds good.
Richard: Okay.

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First thing,
we start at the kitchen sink.

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Every single sink has
a trap underneath it.

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And so that trap
has got a water seal...

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Kevin: Yeah.
Richard: ...that keeps sewer gas

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from coming up.
Kevin: Right.

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Richard: By its very nature,
it's designed

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where it can catch things.
Kevin: Oof.

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Richard: So,
this is a dramatic example.

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You can see a bracelet
and you can see flossers

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and even coffee stirrers
can get stuck down there.

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Kevin: So, good to hold water...
Richard: Right.

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Kevin: ...but also a natural
place for everything else.

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Richard: It's a tight bend,

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and so it can actually trap
stuff in there.

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Most traps
can now come apart easily.

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You can clean them
and put it in.

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So that's your first place
where stuff can clog.

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Kevin: What's going on
in your household?

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Look like you have Mardi Gras
here in one trap.

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Okay. I get it.
Richard: But the other culprit

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really is not the solids
like that.

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It's grease. Okay?
Kevin: Yeah.

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Richard: So when you're working
around the kitchen sink

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and you wash the dishes

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and you've got a fair amount
of bacon grease or whatever,

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it's gonna want to work
its way down,

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and it's going to try
to re-coagulate

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in the long horizontal pipes

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that are often down
in the basement.

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Okay. So I would recommend,
if you have a lot of grease,

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You should try to save it
and not put it down the drain

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and then throw it away properly,

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because it can change its state
from a liquid to a solid.

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So I thought we'd do a
little demonstration right here.

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This is grease.

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Kevin: In its liquid form.
So it's a little warm, right?

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Richard: Correct.
And this pipe is cold.

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So now let's simulate...

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Here goes the grease going down.

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Kevin:
Starts hot, and it's moving.

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But over, say, 10, 20,
50 feet of cold pipe...

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Richard: Absolutely.

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Kevin: Oh, look at that.

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Yep.

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Richard: So, now...
you see what happened?

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So, now, just as you'd expect,

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it's gonna stick to
the bottom side of it.

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Now, that's a layer.

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Now you do a little bit more,

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and it's another layer,
another layer.

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And sooner or later
it will close its aperture down,

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and you'll end up
with a stoppage

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where nothing comes out.

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Kevin: This is your point
about building up over time,

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which -- holy smokes.

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Richard:
That's an extreme example.

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Kevin: Right.
Richard: You know, if you've got

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a modern system with PVC,

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it's not going to be
that dramatic

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because there's
not much surface tension,

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so it's going to run
down there more readily.

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But a lot of houses still have
old galvanized or cast-iron,

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and that's a steel pipe
with a galvanized coating,

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and that can just be a place

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where it's got a fair amount
of friction inside of it,

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and now it'll just
keep on layering and layering.

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Kevin: And that's your point --
build up over time.

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So a little bacon grease,
you know,

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on a Sunday morning,
no big deal.

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But for five years
you end up with...

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Richard: That's right.
Slowly builds it up.

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Kevin: Okay.

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Richard: The other thing is,
not just grease, it's hair.

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Kevin: Come on.
Not with you.

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Richard: Not with me?
[ Laughs ]

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So, hair has got
some natural places to clog.

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One is in the regular --

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Underneath the sink
is this pop-up assembly.

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We all know them.
They go up and down like this.

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Kevin: Sure.
Richard: And a perfect place

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for hair to catch is right here.

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Kevin: 'Cause there's
an obstruction

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right in the middle
of the drain.

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Richard: It sticks right
into the water stream.

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Okay?
So it's a perfect place.

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So, one brilliant invention
is this.

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So, this goes down and --
Throw that away.

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Throw that away.
You don't need that anymore.

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You put that down.
And here's your new stopper.

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Okay?
So that's how the water stops.

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But look what's below it.

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Kevin: Ooh!
So you've got a strainer.

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Richard: That's right.
Kevin: And is this designed

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to come out
so that you can easily...?

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Richard: Absolutely. And when
you live with a shedder,

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that's a really good invention.

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Kevin: We won't tell her.
Richard: Okay?

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Kevin: And what about the...?

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Richard: The other thing
is the shower.

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This is a great
little invention.

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You know, it's not beautiful,

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but it does a great job
to catch all the hair,

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and you can clean that
and keep that shower drain

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from taking all that hair.

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Kevin: Throw this over
the fixed strainer

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and know that you can take
this out and clean it.

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Richard: Yeah.
And that hair is unbelievable.

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It just stays attached
to anything.

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It's like -- it's like it gets
caught on any snag,

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so it's difficult to clear it.
Kevin: Mm-hmm.

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Richard: So, everybody
wants to go after these things

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with a chemical
because it's simple.

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"Let's throw it in there..."

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And so I just want
to talk about them a little bit.

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This is a drain cleaner.
This is sodium hydroxide.

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It could be a base
or it could be an acid.

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Okay? There's different ways
to do it.

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But in all cases it's
gonna try to go aggressively

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at the organic matter.

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So what I've got here is some
hair and this into some water.

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Kevin: And you have
a thermometer in there why?

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Richard:
Because I'm going to show you

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the chemical reaction
when we put lye...

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Kevin: So we're at
80 some odd degrees now.

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So, this is 100% sodium
hydroxide, also known as lye.

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Kevin: And that's doing what?

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Richard: Well, it's gonna
break down the organic matter.

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You see it. It's gonna raise
the temperature dramatically.

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Kevin: Holy smokes.
Richard: What is it?

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Kevin: It's already over 150.
Richard: Right.

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So, now, that might
clear the hair,

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but if you got ancient old pipes
or thin wall, old pipes,

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and now you're putting in
all that temperature

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and aggressive behavior in it,
you can rot the pipes away,

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and now you've caused
another problem.

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And then if somebody
has to come along later

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and run a snake down there,

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now you've got the issue
of this caustic chemical

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that will hurt people.

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Kevin: So, clearly, it's
doing something in there.

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Does it also work on grease?

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Richard: Yeah. This is
a similar example right here.

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This was hair and grease
in here,

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and it broke it down.

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And it re-formed the grease
to make it now

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be able to convey down
to the main drain.

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Kevin: Got it off of the pipe
and gets it flowed out.

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Okay.
Richard: Okay.

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So this works,

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but it can be damaging
to the pipes

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and to the people
that come after it.

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Kevin: So if you prefer
not to grab things like this

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and pour them down the drain,
is there anything

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you're comfortable
pouring down the drain?

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Richard: There's some
organic solutions.

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This is baking soda and vinegar.

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You can use this
as an organic way

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to keep those drains
clear of grease.

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And this is fantastic.

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This is actually --
it's an enzyme.

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There's no caustic chemicals.

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And those enzymes
will just eat anything organic.

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Just keep on eating that grease
and it'll actually --

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you could put enough down there,

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and that pipe would just be
as clean as a whistle over time.

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Kevin: So, over time, literally
just starts to eat away

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at something like.

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Richard: Like a big buffet
for that enzyme.

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Kevin: All right.
Well, thank you, Richard.

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Richard: All right.
Kevin: I mean, disgusting,

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but still, thank you.

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Richard: Thanks for
sharing it with me.

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Kevin: [ Laughs ]

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♪♪

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Hey, Mauro.
Mauro: Kevin, how you doing?

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Kevin: I'm doing all right.

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Looks like we're talking
lead paint, huh?

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Mauro: Yes.
Kevin: All right.

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So this is something
you must come across a lot,

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given what you do.

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Mauro: Almost every day.

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Every time when I approach
to do a project in a house

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that was built before 1978,

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as a professional painter,
I have to test for lead paint.

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Kevin: So, back in the day,
most paint had lead.

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They slowly phased it out.

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And '78 is that sort of year
when kind of before,

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let's assume it is.
Mauro: Yes.

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Kevin:
After, we know it was illegal.

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We know that lead,
when ingested,

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inhaled, or whatever,
is really bad for us,

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terrible for young children

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because it affects
the brain development.

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Mauro: Exactly.
For young kids,

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you should be
really careful with that,

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because brain damage
and all the other stuff

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that might come with that.

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Kevin: So, what's your
preferred way to test?

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Mauro: Well, okay.
We have this fast-result test.

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There's a liquid
and a powder tube inside.

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Kevin:
I'm just gonna pull this out

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so I can take a look at that.
Mauro: Yeah, pull that out.

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Yeah.
Kevin: So, liquid.

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Mauro: Liquid. Powder.
Kevin: Powder.

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And they're actually
not touching

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because there's almost
like glass and glass in there.

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Mauro: Exactly.

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You're gonna have to crush
part A and part B,

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but, first, put the gloves on.

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Kevin: You, me, rubber gloves.

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It's gonna be a party.

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[ Both laugh ]

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Mauro: All right.
Let's clean the blades first.

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Kevin: So...

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Mauro: Little alcohol wipe
that cleans out the blades.

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Might be contaminated
by something.

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Kevin: Right there.
Mauro: Okay.

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I'm gonna cut with the angle.

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Kevin: You want me
to get through the surface?

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Mauro: You have to go through
all the way down

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to the first coat of paint.

245
00:08:27,600 --> 00:08:28,800
Kevin: Oh.
Let me see if I can

246
00:08:28,866 --> 00:08:31,200
come back and get you
to bare wood.

247
00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:39,833
You okay with that?

248
00:08:39,900 --> 00:08:40,800
Mauro: That's good.
Kevin: Okay.

249
00:08:40,866 --> 00:08:41,933
Mauro: Looks good.

250
00:08:42,000 --> 00:08:43,300
Kevin:
So, tell me about this test.

251
00:08:43,366 --> 00:08:44,733
I've bought them before.

252
00:08:44,800 --> 00:08:45,900
I can do this?

253
00:08:45,966 --> 00:08:47,500
Mauro: You can do that.

254
00:08:47,566 --> 00:08:50,766
Every homeowner that will
perform some work on a house.

255
00:08:50,833 --> 00:08:52,933
If the house was built
before 1978,

256
00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:54,966
this is a good test to do it.
Kevin: Got it.

257
00:08:55,033 --> 00:08:59,100
Mauro: Now you're going
to press part A, part B.

258
00:08:59,166 --> 00:09:00,433
All right?
Crush it.

259
00:09:00,500 --> 00:09:02,466
[ Glass cracks ]
Kevin: There it goes.

260
00:09:02,533 --> 00:09:03,800
Mauro: Part B.
Kevin: Oh, yeah.

261
00:09:03,866 --> 00:09:06,500
Mauro: Make sure.
Now you're gonna shake it.

262
00:09:06,566 --> 00:09:08,366
Kevin: And I want to put this
on my cut?

263
00:09:08,433 --> 00:09:10,500
Mauro: You want to put this
in your cut right in there.

264
00:09:10,566 --> 00:09:12,400
Just rub it against it.

265
00:09:12,466 --> 00:09:14,200
Comes out orange.

266
00:09:14,266 --> 00:09:16,166
Kevin:
Mine kind of stayed orange.

267
00:09:16,233 --> 00:09:17,533
Mauro: That means no lead.

268
00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:18,833
Kevin: How'd you do?

269
00:09:20,100 --> 00:09:22,166
Mauro: I can see red,
and I can see pink.

270
00:09:22,233 --> 00:09:23,266
Kevin: You're positive.

271
00:09:23,333 --> 00:09:25,400
Mauro: I'm positive,
you're negative.

272
00:09:25,466 --> 00:09:27,033
Kevin: Okay.

273
00:09:27,100 --> 00:09:31,766
So, this means you're now
going down a different route,

274
00:09:31,833 --> 00:09:33,333
in terms of the protocol
that you have to think about...

275
00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:35,300
Mauro: Absolutely.
Kevin: For mitigation,

276
00:09:35,366 --> 00:09:37,033
encapsulation,
and all that type of stuff.

277
00:09:37,100 --> 00:09:39,200
I've seen these.
We've bought them before.

278
00:09:39,266 --> 00:09:40,466
So, good for a homeowner?

279
00:09:40,533 --> 00:09:41,633
Mauro: Good for a homeowner.

280
00:09:41,700 --> 00:09:42,900
Kevin:
But also good enough for you?

281
00:09:42,966 --> 00:09:45,733
Mauro: It's good enough for me,
but, nowadays,

282
00:09:45,800 --> 00:09:47,500
we have something
even better than that.

283
00:09:47,566 --> 00:09:49,833
Kevin: Oh, lay it on me.
What do you got?

284
00:09:49,900 --> 00:09:51,966
Mauro: We got these machines

285
00:09:52,033 --> 00:09:54,866
that are called XRF,

286
00:09:54,933 --> 00:09:57,000
which is accurate
to detect lead paint.

287
00:09:57,066 --> 00:09:58,400
Kevin: And when I see XR,

288
00:09:58,466 --> 00:10:00,166
is it safe to assume
it's got an X-ray feature?

289
00:10:00,233 --> 00:10:01,800
Mauro: Exactly.
Kevin: Huh. All right.

290
00:10:01,866 --> 00:10:04,333
And so how does this thing...?
Mauro: Works?

291
00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:06,100
You just go against
the surface.

292
00:10:06,166 --> 00:10:08,333
It goes right through
the paint layers.

293
00:10:08,400 --> 00:10:10,366
We don't have to do the cut.
[ XRF beeps ]

294
00:10:10,433 --> 00:10:12,466
Kevin: Ooh, that was fast.
Mauro: Red.

295
00:10:12,533 --> 00:10:13,766
Kevin: Positive.
Mauro: Positive.

296
00:10:13,833 --> 00:10:14,766
Kevin: Holy mackerel!

297
00:10:14,833 --> 00:10:16,200
And mine?
Can you do mine?

298
00:10:16,266 --> 00:10:17,333
Nathan: Do yours now.

299
00:10:19,700 --> 00:10:20,966
[ XRF beeps ]
Kevin: Negative.

300
00:10:21,033 --> 00:10:22,200
Mauro: Green. Negative.
Kevin: That fast.

301
00:10:22,266 --> 00:10:24,166
Mauro: You don't have
lead paint, I do.

302
00:10:24,233 --> 00:10:25,633
Kevin: So, like you said,

303
00:10:25,700 --> 00:10:28,200
I don't have to cut
my windowsill to expose it

304
00:10:28,266 --> 00:10:29,800
for this whole test.

305
00:10:29,866 --> 00:10:31,433
That thing is
not gonna damage anything.

306
00:10:31,500 --> 00:10:33,166
Mauro: That thing doesn't
damage anything

307
00:10:33,233 --> 00:10:34,866
because you don't
have to cut the wood,

308
00:10:34,933 --> 00:10:36,766
and it can read the --

309
00:10:36,833 --> 00:10:38,500
if you have lead paint,
through the layers of paint

310
00:10:38,566 --> 00:10:40,333
down to the wood.
Kevin: May I?

311
00:10:40,400 --> 00:10:41,333
Mauro: You could. Yes.

312
00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:44,133
Kevin: So if I go to yours...

313
00:10:44,200 --> 00:10:45,933
[ XRF beeps ]
...the numbers below,

314
00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:47,900
all this stuff here,
does this matter to you at all,

315
00:10:47,966 --> 00:10:49,566
or do you just care about
the positive?

316
00:10:49,633 --> 00:10:50,566
Mauro:
That means the amount of lead

317
00:10:50,633 --> 00:10:51,900
that you have in your house.

318
00:10:51,966 --> 00:10:53,766
Kevin: Oh, so it's measuring
the concentration.

319
00:10:53,833 --> 00:10:55,566
Mauro: Measuring the
concentration that you have.

320
00:10:55,633 --> 00:10:56,733
Kevin: Do you care about that?

321
00:10:56,800 --> 00:10:58,500
Mauro: You should.
Kevin: Because...?

322
00:10:58,566 --> 00:11:00,466
Mauro: Because all the rules
and regulations.

323
00:11:00,533 --> 00:11:03,266
But that applies
to different states and towns.

324
00:11:03,333 --> 00:11:04,700
Kevin: So, are you suggesting

325
00:11:04,766 --> 00:11:08,766
that you could get
a positive, a number,

326
00:11:08,833 --> 00:11:10,666
I guess, higher than zero
might be the base?

327
00:11:10,733 --> 00:11:12,100
It could be higher than zero,
yeah.

328
00:11:12,166 --> 00:11:13,666
Kevin: But it could be
low enough...

329
00:11:13,733 --> 00:11:15,566
Mauro: It could low enough...
Kevin: So you don't have to...

330
00:11:15,633 --> 00:11:17,433
Mauro: To follow up
with all the protocols.

331
00:11:17,500 --> 00:11:19,466
Kevin: So, this could save you
a lot of headaches.

332
00:11:19,533 --> 00:11:21,100
Mauro: Save a lot of --
yeah, a lot of money, too.

333
00:11:21,166 --> 00:11:23,366
Kevin: This is kind of binary,
positive or negative.

334
00:11:23,433 --> 00:11:24,633
But this is super specific.

335
00:11:24,700 --> 00:11:26,000
Mauro: This is precise.

336
00:11:26,066 --> 00:11:27,600
Kevin:
I have not seen this before.

337
00:11:27,666 --> 00:11:29,933
I haven't seen you use it.
Is this a pro's tool?

338
00:11:30,000 --> 00:11:31,833
Mauro: It's more for
like a home inspection.

339
00:11:31,900 --> 00:11:34,533
And sometimes a general
contractor has one of those.

340
00:11:34,600 --> 00:11:36,533
Kevin: Someone who's in the
business of inspecting.

341
00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:38,466
Mauro: In the business
and inspect for lead

342
00:11:38,533 --> 00:11:40,100
or any other detection

343
00:11:40,166 --> 00:11:43,200
that they want to find out
in the house, this is handy.

344
00:11:43,266 --> 00:11:44,700
Kevin: Awesome. All right.
Well, thank you, Mauro.

345
00:11:44,766 --> 00:11:46,166
Mauro: All right. Thank you.

346
00:11:46,233 --> 00:11:49,400
♪♪

347
00:11:49,466 --> 00:11:51,866
Mark: Today, I'm headed
to the state of New Hampshire.

348
00:11:51,933 --> 00:11:54,100
Fun fact about New Hampshire
is its nickname.

349
00:11:54,166 --> 00:11:55,633
It's called the Granite State,

350
00:11:55,700 --> 00:11:57,500
and that's due
to the large boulders,

351
00:11:57,566 --> 00:12:00,466
the rock formations,
and the quarries throughout.

352
00:12:00,533 --> 00:12:03,400
I love working with granite
for a number of reasons.

353
00:12:03,466 --> 00:12:06,933
It's durable,
it stands up to harsh weather,

354
00:12:07,000 --> 00:12:10,100
and it's been used in building
and landscaping for years.

355
00:12:10,166 --> 00:12:13,533
♪♪

356
00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:15,366
Pete.
Pete: Mark.

357
00:12:15,433 --> 00:12:16,733
Mark: How you doing?
Pete: Good. How are you?

358
00:12:16,800 --> 00:12:18,100
Mark: Great.
Great to see you.

359
00:12:18,166 --> 00:12:19,333
Pete: Great to see you, too.
Thanks for coming over.

360
00:12:19,400 --> 00:12:20,866
Mark: Yeah.
Well, thanks for writing us.

361
00:12:20,933 --> 00:12:22,333
I already see
the patient right here, right?

362
00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:24,033
Pete: This hill here, yes.
Mark: Yes.

363
00:12:24,100 --> 00:12:27,166
So, my wife and I, we built
this house about a year ago.

364
00:12:27,233 --> 00:12:29,800
And we have this beautiful
side yard, as you can see.

365
00:12:29,866 --> 00:12:33,200
And we built a beautiful fire
pit that we've started to enjoy.

366
00:12:33,266 --> 00:12:35,866
But, unfortunately, it's
very difficult to get down to.

367
00:12:35,933 --> 00:12:37,300
Mark: Right.
Pete: And that's something

368
00:12:37,366 --> 00:12:38,733
that we've had
a lot of issues with,

369
00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:40,766
as I'll show you right here.

370
00:12:40,833 --> 00:12:44,533
There's a couple videos of me
actually falling down this hill.

371
00:12:44,600 --> 00:12:45,866
Mark: Yeah, wow.
Pete: Yeah. Very painful.

372
00:12:45,933 --> 00:12:47,066
Mark: Are you all right?

373
00:12:47,133 --> 00:12:48,566
Pete: Yeah, I'm --
I'm surviving right now.

374
00:12:48,633 --> 00:12:52,133
So, that is something I'd like
to avoid, going forward.

375
00:12:52,200 --> 00:12:55,033
So what we're hoping to do here
is find a safer way to get down.

376
00:12:55,100 --> 00:12:57,266
Mark: All right.
Well, it's something we can fix,

377
00:12:57,333 --> 00:12:59,300
and I do have a couple ideas,
so let me show you.

378
00:12:59,366 --> 00:13:00,666
Pete: Let's do it.
Mark: All right.

379
00:13:00,733 --> 00:13:07,000
♪♪

380
00:13:07,066 --> 00:13:09,300
So, here's our step.
Pete: Okay.

381
00:13:09,366 --> 00:13:11,633
Mark: Now, there are two
different ways we can do this.

382
00:13:11,700 --> 00:13:12,966
To my left, you can --

383
00:13:13,033 --> 00:13:14,266
we already know
how steep that is, right?

384
00:13:14,333 --> 00:13:15,533
Pete: Yes, we do.

385
00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:17,766
Mark: So if we cut into
that hill right there,

386
00:13:17,833 --> 00:13:19,100
from the bottom to the top,

387
00:13:19,166 --> 00:13:21,366
we're probably gonna end up
with 8 or 9 steps,

388
00:13:21,433 --> 00:13:22,633
which is quite a climb,

389
00:13:22,700 --> 00:13:23,966
especially if you have
something in your hands

390
00:13:24,033 --> 00:13:25,833
like burgers and hot dogs.
Pete: Yes.

391
00:13:25,900 --> 00:13:28,100
Mark: We would have to pour a
footing, then build the step.

392
00:13:28,166 --> 00:13:29,933
So, a lot of work.
And once we got done

393
00:13:30,000 --> 00:13:31,633
with the steps,
we'd have to add a rail.

394
00:13:31,700 --> 00:13:33,466
So another expense.
Pete: Okay.

395
00:13:33,533 --> 00:13:35,933
Mark: Second way that
we could do it is right here.

396
00:13:36,000 --> 00:13:38,033
So, you can see this slope.

397
00:13:38,100 --> 00:13:41,466
This slope actually coincides
with your doorway up top,

398
00:13:41,533 --> 00:13:43,900
so it might be just
an easier flow.

399
00:13:43,966 --> 00:13:46,366
And this is gonna be
a much easier build.

400
00:13:46,433 --> 00:13:49,333
We can take this beautiful piece
of granite right here.

401
00:13:49,400 --> 00:13:50,700
You see that?
Pete: Yeah.

402
00:13:50,766 --> 00:13:52,700
Mark: I mean,
this is New Hampshire's finest.

403
00:13:52,766 --> 00:13:55,400
We have a bunch of those,
so we can kill this slope,

404
00:13:55,466 --> 00:13:58,266
just inserting these pieces
of granite into that hill

405
00:13:58,333 --> 00:14:00,700
and get out that way.
What do you think of that?

406
00:14:00,766 --> 00:14:02,500
Pete: I think that sounds great.
It's gonna look beautiful.

407
00:14:02,566 --> 00:14:05,000
Mark: All right. Okay.
So, first, we have to dig,

408
00:14:05,066 --> 00:14:06,566
then we have to do
some gravel work,

409
00:14:06,633 --> 00:14:08,233
and then we put the tread
on that.

410
00:14:08,300 --> 00:14:09,833
But let's get started
with the shovels.

411
00:14:09,900 --> 00:14:11,266
Pete: Let's do it.
Mark: All right, Pete.

412
00:14:12,633 --> 00:14:14,166
So, the first thing
we're gonna do

413
00:14:14,233 --> 00:14:16,066
with the first step
is locate it.

414
00:14:16,133 --> 00:14:19,700
So, this stone wants to face
that fire pit

415
00:14:19,766 --> 00:14:22,000
because we're going to twist
around this little walk,

416
00:14:22,066 --> 00:14:24,733
and that's what we want to face
'cause that's where we're going.

417
00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:26,400
So, if you hold the tape...

418
00:14:28,733 --> 00:14:30,566
That stone is 40 inches.

419
00:14:30,633 --> 00:14:32,100
Pete: All right.

420
00:14:32,166 --> 00:14:34,566
Mark: So, I'm just gonna do
a rough little spray.

421
00:14:34,633 --> 00:14:35,966
Pete: Okay.

422
00:14:40,100 --> 00:14:41,533
Mark:
This represents our dig area.

423
00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:42,666
Pete: Okay.

424
00:14:42,733 --> 00:14:44,266
Mark: Uh, again,
facing that fireplace,

425
00:14:44,333 --> 00:14:46,066
so I like that.

426
00:14:46,133 --> 00:14:47,866
Time for shovels right now,
Pete.

427
00:14:47,933 --> 00:14:50,000
Pete: All right.

428
00:14:50,066 --> 00:14:51,466
Mark: You can have
a long handle.

429
00:14:51,533 --> 00:14:54,300
Pete: All right.
Mark: I'll take the short.

430
00:15:09,133 --> 00:15:10,300
Take that.

431
00:15:10,366 --> 00:15:11,766
See that right there, Pete?
Pete: I do.

432
00:15:11,833 --> 00:15:13,333
Mark: That's clay.
Pete: Okay.

433
00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:15,433
Mark: Okay.
So, we're down to clay,

434
00:15:15,500 --> 00:15:17,233
which is solid stuff.

435
00:15:19,966 --> 00:15:21,133
Take this out.

436
00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:24,133
We still want to go
a little bit deeper.

437
00:15:24,200 --> 00:15:26,266
Pete: How deep
are we gonna dig here?

438
00:15:26,333 --> 00:15:28,866
Mark: Som I normally like
to go at least 12 inches.

439
00:15:28,933 --> 00:15:30,366
Pete: Okay.

440
00:15:30,433 --> 00:15:32,733
Mark: Just 'cause I want to
get the gravel in for drainage.

441
00:15:43,766 --> 00:15:45,733
So, Pete, that looks
to be about 12 inches.

442
00:15:45,800 --> 00:15:46,900
Do you mind getting
that hand tamper?

443
00:15:46,966 --> 00:15:48,133
Pete: Absolutely.

444
00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:49,733
Mark: But you can see this clay

445
00:15:49,800 --> 00:15:52,533
is really flattening
out very nicely.

446
00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:54,700
We want to make sure
we're working off a base

447
00:15:54,766 --> 00:15:57,766
that's as solid as possible.

448
00:15:57,833 --> 00:16:00,833
And, again, lucky enough
to have clay below,

449
00:16:00,900 --> 00:16:02,766
which packs very nicely.

450
00:16:02,833 --> 00:16:06,033
So, let's dump this
crushed stone.

451
00:16:06,100 --> 00:16:08,733
Just gonna go right there
and flip it up.

452
00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:13,266
Spread that out
with your flat shovel.

453
00:16:13,333 --> 00:16:14,833
Pete: Got it.

454
00:16:18,366 --> 00:16:19,833
Mark: Excellent.

455
00:16:21,900 --> 00:16:24,566
What I'm gonna want to do
next is compact.

456
00:16:25,700 --> 00:16:26,800
Pete: And what are we putting

457
00:16:26,866 --> 00:16:28,533
this crushed stone down for,
Mark?

458
00:16:28,600 --> 00:16:31,600
Mark: So, the crushed stone
is gonna be twofold for us.

459
00:16:31,666 --> 00:16:33,033
Number one,
and most importantly,

460
00:16:33,100 --> 00:16:34,966
it's gonna be drainage.

461
00:16:35,033 --> 00:16:37,166
But number two, it's gonna act
as our foundation.

462
00:16:37,233 --> 00:16:39,433
That's why we want to compact
it as much as possible.

463
00:16:39,500 --> 00:16:40,666
Pete: Got it.

464
00:16:48,700 --> 00:16:49,966
Mark:
See how I threw that a little?

465
00:16:50,033 --> 00:16:51,600
Pete: Yeah.

466
00:16:51,666 --> 00:16:53,066
And just same thing?
Level it out?

467
00:16:53,133 --> 00:16:54,533
Mark: Level it out.

468
00:16:58,166 --> 00:17:01,300
And you should put us right
where we want to be.

469
00:17:01,366 --> 00:17:03,033
That simple, Pete.
Now we're ready for the stone.

470
00:17:03,100 --> 00:17:04,500
Pete: All right.

471
00:17:04,566 --> 00:17:05,766
Mark:
Stone's gonna go in the hole,

472
00:17:05,833 --> 00:17:07,900
but we left this dirt here
for a purpose.

473
00:17:07,966 --> 00:17:09,500
We're gonna take this granite,

474
00:17:09,566 --> 00:17:11,266
we're gonna go
on top of the dirt.

475
00:17:11,333 --> 00:17:13,133
We're gonna re-evaluate.

476
00:17:13,200 --> 00:17:16,200
But we also want to give
our chance to catch our breath,

477
00:17:16,266 --> 00:17:19,166
get some leverage, bend our
knees, which is super important.

478
00:17:19,233 --> 00:17:21,766
Never hurt my back
because I always bend my knees.

479
00:17:21,833 --> 00:17:27,633
So, take the stone,
flip it forward, get under it.

480
00:17:27,700 --> 00:17:30,100
Go right to the dirt.

481
00:17:30,166 --> 00:17:32,666
We're gonna roll this down.

482
00:17:32,733 --> 00:17:34,100
Pete: Okay.
Mark: This is the bottom.

483
00:17:34,166 --> 00:17:35,900
And then we're gonna flip it in.
Pete: You got it.

484
00:17:35,966 --> 00:17:38,733
Mark: All right.
So, there we go.

485
00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:41,166
Again, take another breather.
I'm gonna get down.

486
00:17:41,233 --> 00:17:42,333
Pete: Okay.

487
00:17:42,400 --> 00:17:44,600
Mark:
Keeping my fingers under it.

488
00:17:44,666 --> 00:17:48,066
And I'm gonna go right in
and drop her down.

489
00:17:48,133 --> 00:17:50,366
I don't think that could
have gone any better, Pete.

490
00:17:50,433 --> 00:17:53,833
So, Pete,
I'll take the 2-footer.

491
00:17:53,900 --> 00:17:54,966
Excellent.

492
00:17:55,033 --> 00:17:57,100
All right, Pete.
So look at that bubble,

493
00:17:57,166 --> 00:17:59,833
and you can see that I'm
pitching the stone frontwards.

494
00:17:59,900 --> 00:18:01,833
That means the water's
gonna drain that way.

495
00:18:01,900 --> 00:18:04,033
Pete: Okay.
Mark: And when I go this way,

496
00:18:04,100 --> 00:18:05,633
I'm trying to do the same thing.

497
00:18:05,700 --> 00:18:07,033
You can see the bubble
leaning this way,

498
00:18:07,100 --> 00:18:08,966
which means I'm pitching
that way.

499
00:18:09,033 --> 00:18:11,600
Pete: And why are we pitching
toward the hill this side?

500
00:18:11,666 --> 00:18:14,000
Mark: So, it's a call that
we're making right on the spot

501
00:18:14,066 --> 00:18:16,033
because I'm noticing
our surroundings.

502
00:18:16,100 --> 00:18:18,466
You can see the hill over here.
That's gonna want to take

503
00:18:18,533 --> 00:18:20,300
the water and bank it out.

504
00:18:20,366 --> 00:18:22,866
If I go this way,
it might get caught right here,

505
00:18:22,933 --> 00:18:24,500
build up, become ice.

506
00:18:24,566 --> 00:18:26,633
So that's the reason
we chose that.

507
00:18:26,700 --> 00:18:28,700
Pete: Awesome.
And what's left for this stone?

508
00:18:28,766 --> 00:18:29,900
Are we doing anything else here?

509
00:18:29,966 --> 00:18:31,500
Mark:
So, we're gonna do nothing here.

510
00:18:31,566 --> 00:18:33,200
We're gonna do the rest
of the stones that way.

511
00:18:33,266 --> 00:18:35,000
We're gonna leave this as is.

512
00:18:35,066 --> 00:18:37,066
And if we have to move it
around to adjust,

513
00:18:37,133 --> 00:18:38,533
it'll be free and easy.

514
00:18:38,600 --> 00:18:40,233
At the end, we'll come and
backfill all the stones at once.

515
00:18:40,300 --> 00:18:41,333
Pete: Sounds good.
Mark: All right.

516
00:18:41,400 --> 00:18:42,666
Let's get going, Pete.

517
00:18:42,733 --> 00:18:47,233
♪♪

518
00:18:47,300 --> 00:18:48,866
All right, Pete,
why don't you get in?

519
00:18:48,933 --> 00:18:50,000
Pete: You got it.

520
00:18:50,066 --> 00:19:00,100
♪♪

521
00:19:00,166 --> 00:19:10,033
♪♪

522
00:19:10,100 --> 00:19:13,100
♪♪

523
00:19:13,166 --> 00:19:15,033
Mark: Couple taps
just to lock her down.

524
00:19:15,100 --> 00:19:18,233
Pete: Okay.
Mark: All right. Next step.

525
00:19:18,300 --> 00:19:28,266
♪♪

526
00:19:28,333 --> 00:19:36,900
♪♪

527
00:19:36,966 --> 00:19:39,800
We're looking good.
Now we can backfill.

528
00:19:39,866 --> 00:19:42,766
♪♪

529
00:19:42,833 --> 00:19:44,566
Great.

530
00:19:44,633 --> 00:19:46,866
And that's gonna help
lock this stone in.

531
00:19:46,933 --> 00:19:56,866
♪♪

532
00:19:56,933 --> 00:20:05,833
♪♪

533
00:20:05,900 --> 00:20:07,400
Second to last step,

534
00:20:07,466 --> 00:20:08,700
we're gonna put down
this fabric paper.

535
00:20:08,766 --> 00:20:11,600
So, if you grab one end...
Pete: You got it.

536
00:20:11,666 --> 00:20:14,533
Mark: And kind of line me up.

537
00:20:14,600 --> 00:20:17,733
Just throw a little rock
on top of it for now.

538
00:20:20,666 --> 00:20:22,833
Piece of steel.

539
00:20:22,900 --> 00:20:24,300
Next one is behind you, Pete.

540
00:20:24,366 --> 00:20:25,600
Pete: You got it.

541
00:20:25,666 --> 00:20:27,533
So, Mark, what
are we putting these down for?

542
00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:30,866
Mark: Very typical.
When you're doing landscape,

543
00:20:30,933 --> 00:20:33,666
you put this down
before you put the mulch down

544
00:20:33,733 --> 00:20:35,866
or, in our case, the gravel.

545
00:20:35,933 --> 00:20:38,400
But this is gonna keep
the weeds from coming up.

546
00:20:38,466 --> 00:20:39,666
Pete: Okay.

547
00:20:41,466 --> 00:20:43,666
Mark: So, Pete, we're just
gonna nail in this stake.

548
00:20:43,733 --> 00:20:45,033
Pretty heavy-duty stake.

549
00:20:45,100 --> 00:20:48,366
That's just gonna keep
our fabric paper in place.

550
00:20:55,500 --> 00:20:56,700
All right, let's get some stone.

551
00:20:56,766 --> 00:20:58,666
Pete: Let's get it.

552
00:20:58,733 --> 00:21:00,833
Mark: So, right up
to the edge of the driveway.

553
00:21:00,900 --> 00:21:02,033
Pete: All right.

554
00:21:10,600 --> 00:21:12,966
Mark: All right.
Pete: Just rake this out, Mark?

555
00:21:13,033 --> 00:21:14,833
Mark: Yes, please.
Pete: All right.

556
00:21:17,300 --> 00:21:18,933
Mark: So, I'm thinking this is

557
00:21:19,000 --> 00:21:20,466
gonna be gravel
all the way down,

558
00:21:20,533 --> 00:21:22,866
and it's going to match
the side door,

559
00:21:22,933 --> 00:21:24,833
and it's gonna match
the front entry, so...

560
00:21:24,900 --> 00:21:25,833
Pete: That's perfect.

561
00:21:35,533 --> 00:21:37,166
Mark: All right, Pete,
what do you think?

562
00:21:37,233 --> 00:21:38,933
Pete: I think this came out
beautifully, Mark.

563
00:21:39,000 --> 00:21:40,966
Mark: All right. Great.
I'm real happy myself,

564
00:21:41,033 --> 00:21:43,566
but I am gonna leave you
with a little bit of homework.

565
00:21:43,633 --> 00:21:44,900
You can see that dirt patch?

566
00:21:44,966 --> 00:21:46,333
Pete: Yes.

567
00:21:46,400 --> 00:21:47,633
Mark: Throw a little seed,
no problem over there.

568
00:21:47,700 --> 00:21:49,500
But up here, you know,

569
00:21:49,566 --> 00:21:50,533
especially when
you have company,

570
00:21:50,600 --> 00:21:51,966
higher hill to navigate.

571
00:21:52,033 --> 00:21:53,733
So if you plant a row of bushes

572
00:21:53,800 --> 00:21:55,466
all the way across
the driveway here

573
00:21:55,533 --> 00:21:57,400
and then maybe loop this corner,

574
00:21:57,466 --> 00:22:00,266
that's gonna direct
the company into this walkway

575
00:22:00,333 --> 00:22:02,366
flows nicely down
into the backyard,

576
00:22:02,433 --> 00:22:03,500
and right to the fire pit.

577
00:22:03,566 --> 00:22:04,633
Pete: I like that idea.

578
00:22:04,700 --> 00:22:06,000
Mark: All right. Great.
Pete: Awesome.

579
00:22:06,066 --> 00:22:07,066
Well, thank you so much
for coming to New Hampshire

580
00:22:07,133 --> 00:22:07,933
and helping out
with these stairs.

581
00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:09,200
It looks awesome.

582
00:22:09,266 --> 00:22:10,466
Mark: Well,
thank you for having me, Pete.

583
00:22:10,533 --> 00:22:12,333
I had a ball.
And I love New Hampshire, so...

584
00:22:12,400 --> 00:22:13,666
Pete: Absolutely. You want
to go sit by the fire?

585
00:22:13,733 --> 00:22:14,833
Mark: Yeah,
let's go over and check it out.

586
00:22:14,900 --> 00:22:16,100
Pete: Let's do it.
Mark: All right.

587
00:22:16,166 --> 00:22:17,566
If you have questions
about your house,

588
00:22:17,633 --> 00:22:20,566
we'd love to hear from you,
so keep them coming.

589
00:22:20,633 --> 00:22:23,166
Until next time,
I'm Mark McCullough

590
00:22:23,233 --> 00:22:25,533
for "Ask This Old House."

591
00:22:25,600 --> 00:22:27,800
Ooh. Nice.
Pete: This is warm.

592
00:22:27,866 --> 00:22:30,466
Mark: Yeah.
I wish I had a marshmallow.

593
00:22:30,533 --> 00:22:40,566
♪♪

594
00:22:41,866 --> 00:22:44,066
Kevin: Next time
on "Ask This Old House,"

595
00:22:44,133 --> 00:22:47,533
Nathan heads to a historic
neighborhood in New Orleans

596
00:22:47,600 --> 00:22:51,033
to help some homeowners
install shutters.

597
00:22:51,100 --> 00:22:54,466
Then, Jenn and Lee
talk fertilizers,

598
00:22:54,533 --> 00:22:56,400
organic versus synthetic,

599
00:22:56,466 --> 00:22:58,500
when to use and how much.

600
00:22:58,566 --> 00:23:01,433
And do you know how many
smoke detectors you should have

601
00:23:01,500 --> 00:23:02,700
and where to put them?

602
00:23:02,766 --> 00:23:04,933
Heath answers these questions
for a homeowner.

603
00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:06,766
Woman: Thank you so much.
I feel so much safer.

604
00:23:06,833 --> 00:23:08,000
This is great.

605
00:23:08,066 --> 00:23:10,533
Kevin: All that on
"Ask This Old House."