Back-to-Back episodes of Ask This Old House on WXXI-TV

Pictured (l-r): Landscape contractor Roger Cook, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, host Kevin O'Connor and general contractor Tom Silva.

Credit: ©Anthony Tieuli

Demystify home repairs and improvements with the boys from Boston.

This week the Ask This Old House team tackles water softeners, fireplaces and landscape eating deer. Ask This Old House airs Thursdays at 8 p.m and 8:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV (DT21.1/cable 11/cable 1011).

Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey heads to Tampa, Florida, to help two homeowners repair their broken water softener. Then Richard, host Kevin O’Connor, landscape contractor Roger Cook and general contractor Tom Silva ask, “What is it?” Next, Roger helps a homeowner repair one of his evergreen trees and prevent deer damage to it. Then, up in the loft, Tom shares a viewer tip on how to reduce airborne dust while sanding.

General contractor Tom Silva helps a homeowner dress up an old fireplace by installing a new mantel and marble hearth. Then Tom, host Kevin O’Connor, landscape contractor Roger Cook and plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey ask, “What is it?” Afterward, Richard shows Kevin a few ways to improve the appearance of old baseboard radiators.

The ASK THIS OLD HOUSE team travels to homeowners' doorsteps and personally tackles viewer home improvement problems. In addition to making house calls, host Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Roger Cook and various guest experts walk viewers through home improvement techniques and review the latest products.