1 00:00:00,600 --> 00:00:05,233 ♪ 2 00:00:05,300 --> 00:00:06,733 Kevin: On "Ask This Old House," 3 00:00:06,800 --> 00:00:09,000 our experts travel across the country 4 00:00:09,066 --> 00:00:11,866 to answer questions about your house. 5 00:00:11,933 --> 00:00:17,733 ♪ 6 00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:20,000 Today, Nathan helps a homeowner 7 00:00:20,066 --> 00:00:23,366 measure for new shades and assists in the install. 8 00:00:23,433 --> 00:00:25,300 Lianne: That's really nice! 9 00:00:25,366 --> 00:00:27,933 Kevin: Then Richard gives a quick anatomy lesson 10 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:29,733 on toilet tanks. 11 00:00:29,800 --> 00:00:33,766 And how do you add curb appeal to a steep front yard? 12 00:00:33,833 --> 00:00:35,933 Jenn jumps in with a design plan. 13 00:00:36,000 --> 00:00:37,966 Jenn: This is called panicum virgatum. 14 00:00:38,033 --> 00:00:40,566 They're going to help stabilize the slope. 15 00:00:40,633 --> 00:00:42,000 Shannon: I love it. 16 00:00:42,066 --> 00:00:44,166 Kevin: All that on "Ask This Old House." 17 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:49,733 ♪ 18 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:52,500 [ Dog barking ] 19 00:00:55,266 --> 00:00:56,566 Lianne: Hi! Nathan: Hi, Lianne. 20 00:00:56,633 --> 00:00:58,166 Nice to meet you. Lianne: Nice to meet you, too. 21 00:00:58,233 --> 00:00:59,666 Nathan: How are you doing? Lianne: I'm doing well. 22 00:00:59,733 --> 00:01:01,766 Nathan: Who is this? Lianne: Oh, this is Cece. 23 00:01:01,833 --> 00:01:03,866 Nathan: She's already already introducing herself. 24 00:01:03,933 --> 00:01:05,700 Lianne: Oh, she is. She introduces herself 25 00:01:05,766 --> 00:01:07,733 to you and everybody else outside. 26 00:01:07,800 --> 00:01:09,500 Nathan: She's a cutie. Lianne: Oh, she is. 27 00:01:09,566 --> 00:01:10,800 Nathan: So you wrote me about shades, right? 28 00:01:10,866 --> 00:01:12,500 Lianne: I did. We have these shades. 29 00:01:12,566 --> 00:01:14,066 Nathan: Mm-hmm. Lianne: They're temporary. 30 00:01:14,133 --> 00:01:17,066 They don't suit our needs because we have this little one 31 00:01:17,133 --> 00:01:21,033 who really likes to bark all the time at people walking by. 32 00:01:21,100 --> 00:01:23,000 Nathan: I bet. You want to block Cece's view out, so... 33 00:01:23,066 --> 00:01:25,533 Lianne: We do, and we also want to let some light in. 34 00:01:25,600 --> 00:01:28,133 Nathan: So she's barking, but these only come from the top down. 35 00:01:28,200 --> 00:01:31,300 So a nice alternative, we can go with some cellular shades 36 00:01:31,366 --> 00:01:33,466 that are top down, bottom up. 37 00:01:33,533 --> 00:01:35,833 That way, we can bring them down to about the midpoint 38 00:01:35,900 --> 00:01:37,766 and then drop them the rest of the way. 39 00:01:37,833 --> 00:01:39,533 Kind of blocks her view from the street 40 00:01:39,600 --> 00:01:41,900 but also lets that natural daylight come in. 41 00:01:41,966 --> 00:01:43,133 Lianne: That would be great. Thanks. 42 00:01:43,200 --> 00:01:44,533 Nathan: I'm gonna go grab a tape measure 43 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:46,200 so we can make a list of the shades that we need. 44 00:01:46,266 --> 00:01:47,266 Lianne: Sounds great. 45 00:01:47,333 --> 00:01:48,733 [ Dog barking ] 46 00:01:48,800 --> 00:01:50,400 Nathan: Alright. Do you want to take some notes for me? 47 00:01:50,466 --> 00:01:51,833 Lianne: Absolutely. Nathan: Alright. 48 00:01:51,900 --> 00:01:53,433 Here's a pencil. So we're gonna get started 49 00:01:53,500 --> 00:01:55,500 by taking this old one down. 50 00:01:56,333 --> 00:01:57,866 Lianne: That's gonna be nice to have removed. 51 00:01:57,933 --> 00:01:59,566 Nathan: [ Chuckles ] Yeah. 52 00:02:06,966 --> 00:02:09,100 When it comes to shades, there's a lot of options, 53 00:02:09,166 --> 00:02:11,133 but we're kind of narrowing it down to cellular shades. 54 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:13,733 So when you go to that, there's really two options -- 55 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:15,866 inside mount and outside mount. 56 00:02:15,933 --> 00:02:18,366 So, inside would be between the casing here and here. 57 00:02:18,433 --> 00:02:20,766 And outside would cover across. 58 00:02:20,833 --> 00:02:22,500 Um, to do the inside mount, 59 00:02:22,566 --> 00:02:26,600 we need to have a minimum of 3/4 of an inch of depth. 60 00:02:26,666 --> 00:02:29,600 So you got an inch and 1/8 and inch and 1/8. 61 00:02:29,666 --> 00:02:31,566 So we're good. We can do the inside mount. 62 00:02:31,633 --> 00:02:32,800 Lianne: Okay. Nathan: Um, next 63 00:02:32,866 --> 00:02:34,133 we want to measure the width, 64 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:37,100 so to do that, I'm gonna measure in three spots. 65 00:02:37,166 --> 00:02:39,433 Gonna measure at the bottom, in the middle, and at the top, 66 00:02:39,500 --> 00:02:41,333 and then I'm gonna go with the smallest measurement. 67 00:02:41,400 --> 00:02:43,700 Lianne: Okay. Nathan: So I got 33 and 1/8". 68 00:02:44,966 --> 00:02:48,666 33 and 1/4" and...33 and 1/4". 69 00:02:48,733 --> 00:02:51,300 So we'll go 33 and 1/8" at the bottom. 70 00:02:51,366 --> 00:02:52,800 Lianne: Okay. Alright. Nathan: That'll be our 71 00:02:52,866 --> 00:02:54,833 measurement we're gonna drive off of. 72 00:02:54,900 --> 00:02:57,700 And then for the height, again measure in three spots. 73 00:02:57,766 --> 00:02:59,266 51 and 1/2." 74 00:03:00,700 --> 00:03:04,566 51 and 1/2." And...51 and 1/2." 75 00:03:04,633 --> 00:03:05,900 So it's all the same. 76 00:03:05,966 --> 00:03:07,600 So we'll send that measurement out. 77 00:03:07,666 --> 00:03:09,466 And we're gonna send these to the factory, 78 00:03:09,533 --> 00:03:11,233 and they'll do their reducing that they need to 79 00:03:11,300 --> 00:03:12,733 on the width to ensure it fits. 80 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:14,266 They'll probably reduce it about 1/8 inch 81 00:03:14,333 --> 00:03:17,566 so you have a little room on either side to snap it in. 82 00:03:17,633 --> 00:03:19,366 You have a lot of windows, so we're gonna go around, 83 00:03:19,433 --> 00:03:21,466 we're gonna measure them all, we're gonna place the order, 84 00:03:21,533 --> 00:03:23,300 we're gonna go pick them up, and then we'll put them in. 85 00:03:23,366 --> 00:03:25,000 So that's window one. Let's go to window two. 86 00:03:25,066 --> 00:03:26,766 Lianne: Sounds good. Nathan: Alright. 87 00:03:26,833 --> 00:03:33,033 ♪ 88 00:03:33,100 --> 00:03:34,600 Alright. So we have everything we need. 89 00:03:34,666 --> 00:03:36,833 We got our shade, our mounting brackets, 90 00:03:36,900 --> 00:03:39,600 screws to put them up, and our handle. 91 00:03:39,666 --> 00:03:42,066 So we're gonna get started with the layout up top. 92 00:03:42,133 --> 00:03:44,000 And they say that you should come in 93 00:03:44,066 --> 00:03:45,700 anywhere from 2 to 4 inches, 94 00:03:45,766 --> 00:03:48,766 so I'm gonna come in 3 inches. 95 00:03:48,833 --> 00:03:52,900 And from the left side come in 3 inches. 96 00:03:54,333 --> 00:03:56,000 And then we're simply gonna put 97 00:03:56,066 --> 00:03:58,766 our mounting bracket up into place. 98 00:03:58,833 --> 00:04:00,566 And you can see we have a good spot right here 99 00:04:00,633 --> 00:04:01,933 for one screw in the center. 100 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:04,000 If this was deeper and we had more room, 101 00:04:04,066 --> 00:04:07,300 we could put two screws in, but all it requires is just one. 102 00:04:07,366 --> 00:04:09,766 And then I'm gonna go over here 103 00:04:09,833 --> 00:04:12,033 and bring that over to my 3-inch mark 104 00:04:12,100 --> 00:04:14,300 and go right in the center. 105 00:04:14,366 --> 00:04:16,666 And now we know where we need to pre-drill. 106 00:04:16,733 --> 00:04:18,033 So 1/8-inch drill bit. 107 00:04:18,100 --> 00:04:20,433 It's about the size of the shank of the screw. 108 00:04:20,500 --> 00:04:23,700 So, that way, just the threads are grabbing on the screw. 109 00:04:26,133 --> 00:04:27,233 You want to do that hole? 110 00:04:27,300 --> 00:04:29,700 Lianne: Sure. Nathan: Alright. 111 00:04:29,766 --> 00:04:31,966 Alright, so you can pre-drill that mark right there, 112 00:04:32,033 --> 00:04:33,066 right in the center. 113 00:04:33,133 --> 00:04:34,966 Lianne: Yeah. 114 00:04:44,766 --> 00:04:46,966 Nathan: Perfect. And you can spin it. 115 00:04:47,033 --> 00:04:49,433 Spin it out. Nice. 116 00:04:49,500 --> 00:04:52,066 So now all we need to do is take our drill bit out. 117 00:04:52,133 --> 00:04:54,866 Lianne: Yep. Nathan: And what's nice is 1/4". 118 00:04:54,933 --> 00:04:56,533 The head of the screw is 1/4". 119 00:04:56,600 --> 00:04:58,233 So we can just put that right there. 120 00:04:58,300 --> 00:05:00,900 Alright. We'll put our mounting bracket back into place here. 121 00:05:01,000 --> 00:05:02,066 Lianne: Yeah. 122 00:05:02,133 --> 00:05:03,966 Nathan: We'll bring the screw up in. 123 00:05:06,933 --> 00:05:08,500 Alright. Lianne: Okay. 124 00:05:08,566 --> 00:05:09,766 Nathan: And you want to do the left side? 125 00:05:09,833 --> 00:05:10,833 Lianne: Yeah. Nathan: Alright. 126 00:05:10,900 --> 00:05:11,966 So I'll give you a hand. 127 00:05:12,033 --> 00:05:13,500 This is a little bit sloppy, 128 00:05:13,566 --> 00:05:15,533 so just put one hand on the screw so it doesn't fall out. 129 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:17,566 Lianne: Okay. Nathan: And then this is how 130 00:05:17,633 --> 00:05:19,866 the bracket gets mounted right there. 131 00:05:21,033 --> 00:05:23,033 And then there's gonna be a little resistance, 132 00:05:23,100 --> 00:05:24,733 so you do want to push hard. 133 00:05:24,800 --> 00:05:26,766 Yeah. Okay. Lianne: Yeah. 134 00:05:26,833 --> 00:05:29,266 Nathan: Alright. Go right. 135 00:05:29,333 --> 00:05:30,900 Put a lot of weight behind it. 136 00:05:30,966 --> 00:05:33,066 And then hard right. Spin the gun. 137 00:05:33,133 --> 00:05:34,866 There you go. Perfect. Lianne: Okay. 138 00:05:34,933 --> 00:05:36,566 Nathan: Alright. That's all we need to do for those. 139 00:05:36,633 --> 00:05:38,666 Alright. So now we're ready for our shade. 140 00:05:38,733 --> 00:05:40,366 So there is a front and a back to this. 141 00:05:40,433 --> 00:05:41,900 So you see that groove right there? 142 00:05:41,966 --> 00:05:43,066 Lianne: Yeah. Nathan: So that's our front. 143 00:05:43,133 --> 00:05:44,433 And that is gonna hook 144 00:05:44,500 --> 00:05:46,366 right onto these mounting brackets right there. 145 00:05:46,433 --> 00:05:48,766 So I'm gonna bring it up into place. 146 00:05:48,833 --> 00:05:51,066 I'm gonna hook it on, hook it on, 147 00:05:51,133 --> 00:05:52,833 and then I'm gonna use my fingers 148 00:05:52,900 --> 00:05:54,700 and I'm gonna go equal, equal. 149 00:05:54,766 --> 00:05:57,600 And then all I'm gonna do is roll down. Alright. 150 00:05:57,666 --> 00:05:59,400 So one more thing. We need to add that handle. 151 00:05:59,466 --> 00:06:02,400 Lianne: Yeah. Nathan: Snap that on. 152 00:06:02,466 --> 00:06:04,100 Alright. Let's give it a try. 153 00:06:04,166 --> 00:06:05,900 Lianne: Okay. Nathan: Nice. We pull that down. 154 00:06:05,966 --> 00:06:07,800 Lianne: Oh, that's nice. Nathan: Block Cece's view. 155 00:06:07,866 --> 00:06:09,266 Lianne: That's really nice. Nathan: But then if you want 156 00:06:09,333 --> 00:06:11,266 to let that light in, bring this down. 157 00:06:11,333 --> 00:06:13,133 I always like to do it with two hands 158 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:15,600 and then line it up with the top of that window sash. 159 00:06:15,666 --> 00:06:17,133 Lianne: That's what we've been missing. 160 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:19,266 Nathan: Yeah. Alright. Let's go do the rest of the windows. 161 00:06:19,333 --> 00:06:20,833 Lianne: Sounds good. Let's go. 162 00:06:20,900 --> 00:06:29,333 ♪ 163 00:06:29,400 --> 00:06:38,300 ♪ 164 00:06:38,366 --> 00:06:45,733 ♪ 165 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:48,166 Nathan: Alright. You're all set. 166 00:06:48,233 --> 00:06:49,666 Lianne: I am so happy. Nathan: You like 'em? 167 00:06:49,733 --> 00:06:50,900 Lianne: What a difference. Yes. 168 00:06:50,966 --> 00:06:52,033 Nathan: Good. Good. Yeah, a big change. 169 00:06:52,100 --> 00:06:54,000 But tell Cece I said sorry about that. 170 00:06:54,066 --> 00:06:55,666 Lianne: I don't know how she's gonna feel about that. 171 00:06:55,733 --> 00:06:58,000 Nathan: Oh, no. Maybe an hour a day? 172 00:06:58,066 --> 00:06:59,266 Lianne: That sounds good. Nathan: Leave 'em open? 173 00:06:59,333 --> 00:07:00,666 Lianne: Yeah. Nathan: Well, take care. 174 00:07:00,733 --> 00:07:02,066 Lianne: Okay. Thank you so much, Nathan. 175 00:07:02,133 --> 00:07:03,666 Nathan: You're welcome. Lianne: Take care. 176 00:07:03,733 --> 00:07:10,866 ♪ 177 00:07:10,933 --> 00:07:12,066 Kevin: Oh, I'm sorry, sir. 178 00:07:12,133 --> 00:07:13,133 I didn't realize you were in the bathroom. 179 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:14,266 Richard: Welcome to my lavatory. 180 00:07:14,333 --> 00:07:15,466 Kevin: Oh, it's a lavatory. 181 00:07:15,533 --> 00:07:17,366 Richard: Kevin, this is a high-tank toilet 182 00:07:17,433 --> 00:07:19,566 from about 1880, maybe 1890. 183 00:07:19,633 --> 00:07:21,333 Kevin: Like a real one? Richard: Absolutely. A real one. 184 00:07:21,400 --> 00:07:23,766 Okay? It was a high tank. It sat up on the wall. 185 00:07:23,833 --> 00:07:26,633 It had a tank that was wood with copper inside. 186 00:07:26,700 --> 00:07:28,333 And it had a bowl down here. 187 00:07:28,400 --> 00:07:30,066 And it relied on the weight of water. 188 00:07:30,133 --> 00:07:32,500 The water came smokin' down inside here. 189 00:07:32,566 --> 00:07:34,433 It had four things inside the tank. 190 00:07:34,500 --> 00:07:36,366 One was a tank lever to flush it. 191 00:07:36,433 --> 00:07:38,433 One was a flush valve to allow that water 192 00:07:38,500 --> 00:07:40,400 to leave the tank and come down. 193 00:07:40,466 --> 00:07:42,566 The other was a fill valve to put water back in. 194 00:07:42,633 --> 00:07:44,466 And look at this. This is the original tank ball. 195 00:07:44,533 --> 00:07:45,733 This is made out of copper. 196 00:07:45,800 --> 00:07:47,166 Kevin: This is a float, right? 197 00:07:47,233 --> 00:07:48,566 Richard: That's right. Kevin: So as it goes up, it... 198 00:07:48,633 --> 00:07:50,400 Richard: That's right. It'll shut the water off. 199 00:07:50,466 --> 00:07:52,800 And then it had an overflow, but it wasn't overflow you really wanted. 200 00:07:52,866 --> 00:07:55,033 The overflow was-- If it didn't stop the flow, 201 00:07:55,100 --> 00:07:56,666 the water came out through the floor, 202 00:07:56,733 --> 00:07:58,100 so these were often in the basement. 203 00:07:58,166 --> 00:08:00,100 Kevin: Very apparent. Richard: So these four pieces 204 00:08:00,166 --> 00:08:01,800 are in any modern toilet nowadays. 205 00:08:01,866 --> 00:08:04,133 So here's what a modern toilet tank looks like. 206 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:07,666 You got a tank lever that actuates in this case a flapper. 207 00:08:07,733 --> 00:08:09,100 It also has a fill valve, 208 00:08:09,166 --> 00:08:10,766 a little different than the old ones. 209 00:08:10,833 --> 00:08:13,133 This comes up and shuts the water off. 210 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:15,766 It has an overflow right here integral to the tank. 211 00:08:15,833 --> 00:08:17,333 Kevin: Right. Richard: But we didn't get there easily. 212 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:18,933 Let me take you through some. 213 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:21,633 In my past, in this industry, 214 00:08:21,700 --> 00:08:23,600 this is what we always saw inside of a toilet. 215 00:08:23,666 --> 00:08:26,400 Early flush valve would have been all bronze and brass. 216 00:08:26,466 --> 00:08:28,933 It would have had these stem wires and lift wires. 217 00:08:29,000 --> 00:08:30,833 It would have had an overflow tube. 218 00:08:30,900 --> 00:08:34,433 And the tank lever. They were all sort of proprietary. 219 00:08:34,500 --> 00:08:39,766 So now that tank lever would then try to lift the tank ball. 220 00:08:39,833 --> 00:08:41,866 It wasn't a flapper back then. 221 00:08:41,933 --> 00:08:44,833 And now you try to adjust these wires and the-- 222 00:08:44,900 --> 00:08:46,433 and make it just be right. 223 00:08:46,500 --> 00:08:48,966 So then you hope that the ball would drop correctly, 224 00:08:49,033 --> 00:08:50,533 but it never really did, 225 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:53,200 and so it was really a never-ending challenge 226 00:08:53,266 --> 00:08:55,366 to try and make this thing drop perfectly. 227 00:08:55,433 --> 00:08:56,800 Kevin: So, just so I'm clear, 228 00:08:56,866 --> 00:08:58,600 when you have this up, right, the flushing process, 229 00:08:58,666 --> 00:09:00,833 that's all the water rushing out of the tank 230 00:09:00,900 --> 00:09:02,066 through this into the bowl? 231 00:09:02,133 --> 00:09:03,266 Richard: Now, with nothing to hold it, 232 00:09:03,333 --> 00:09:05,100 that ball would drop, 233 00:09:05,166 --> 00:09:07,566 and you hope it would make a nice, tight seal. 234 00:09:07,633 --> 00:09:11,166 And then the evolution was this. This is the modern flush valve. 235 00:09:11,233 --> 00:09:13,000 So you can see that there were two shanks 236 00:09:13,066 --> 00:09:14,566 on the side of the overflow. 237 00:09:14,633 --> 00:09:16,533 And this is called a flapper. 238 00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:19,700 And the flapper with the chain would attach to the tank lever, 239 00:09:19,766 --> 00:09:21,633 and the tank lever would lift the flapper. 240 00:09:21,700 --> 00:09:23,566 And you really wanted that flapper to stay open 241 00:09:23,633 --> 00:09:25,800 long enough to completely evacuate the tank. 242 00:09:25,866 --> 00:09:27,233 You don't want it to do it too quickly. 243 00:09:27,300 --> 00:09:28,833 So these were adjustable. 244 00:09:28,900 --> 00:09:30,800 And then these two shanks made it 245 00:09:30,866 --> 00:09:33,200 so that the flapper really dropped precisely 246 00:09:33,266 --> 00:09:34,566 onto that flush valve. 247 00:09:34,633 --> 00:09:35,833 And that worked way better. 248 00:09:35,900 --> 00:09:37,566 Kevin: So you had a really good seal. 249 00:09:37,633 --> 00:09:39,200 Richard: That's right. Kevin: So the flushing part got better. 250 00:09:39,266 --> 00:09:40,833 Richard: It got better. Absolutely. 251 00:09:40,900 --> 00:09:42,466 But also the filling got better. 252 00:09:42,533 --> 00:09:44,700 So this is what a version of this would have been, 253 00:09:44,766 --> 00:09:47,933 what that had, and it would have had now a plastic ball. 254 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:51,533 And it had this rod that would be-- 255 00:09:51,600 --> 00:09:53,166 that you'd have to adjust. 256 00:09:53,233 --> 00:09:55,500 You'd have to adjust this to the right level 257 00:09:55,566 --> 00:09:56,966 in relation to the overflow. 258 00:09:57,033 --> 00:09:58,733 Kevin: And bending it was the adjustment, right? 259 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:00,666 Which, in my house, only Dad was allowed to touch this. 260 00:10:00,733 --> 00:10:02,466 Richard: He was the only one qualified. 261 00:10:02,533 --> 00:10:04,033 Well, then the big breakthrough was this. 262 00:10:04,100 --> 00:10:05,733 This is the modern fill valve. 263 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:07,733 And so instead of having the ball... 264 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:10,600 The ball was an integral part of the shank. 265 00:10:10,666 --> 00:10:13,266 And so now as the water came in, 266 00:10:13,333 --> 00:10:16,100 it would come up and then it would shut that off. 267 00:10:16,166 --> 00:10:18,766 And it had an adjustability feature right here, as well. 268 00:10:18,833 --> 00:10:20,933 And this is the refill tube right there. 269 00:10:21,000 --> 00:10:22,866 Kevin: So this is what we look like all put together? 270 00:10:22,933 --> 00:10:24,600 Richard: Absolutely. So here it is all here. 271 00:10:24,666 --> 00:10:27,233 The tank lever. You never know if it's gonna be on this side, 272 00:10:27,300 --> 00:10:29,100 on the front, or on the opposing side. 273 00:10:29,166 --> 00:10:32,400 Nowadays they've got universal tank levers that do it. 274 00:10:32,466 --> 00:10:35,400 You've got your flush valve, and that goes up. 275 00:10:35,466 --> 00:10:37,733 You can always adjust those as necessary. 276 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:40,300 You got your fill valve right here. 277 00:10:40,366 --> 00:10:42,433 And you've got a refill tube right here. 278 00:10:42,500 --> 00:10:45,300 That comes into the top of the overflow. 279 00:10:45,366 --> 00:10:47,033 Now, I want to take you over here 280 00:10:47,100 --> 00:10:49,800 to where this flush valve comes into here. 281 00:10:49,866 --> 00:10:51,966 So right here is where the flush valve enters. 282 00:10:52,033 --> 00:10:54,666 And when you flush that, that water comes down 283 00:10:54,733 --> 00:10:57,133 into this flush rim all the way here. 284 00:10:57,200 --> 00:10:59,133 And there's little tiny holes underneath here 285 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,266 that'll scour the sides of the bowl. 286 00:11:01,333 --> 00:11:03,666 But that same water comes out through a siphon jet 287 00:11:03,733 --> 00:11:07,500 at the bottom to create that siphon action to flush the bowl. 288 00:11:07,566 --> 00:11:09,633 But then that refill tube, that other tube, 289 00:11:09,700 --> 00:11:12,400 will actually send a little bit of water after the fact, 290 00:11:12,466 --> 00:11:15,233 so it replaces that water to the right level in the bowl, 291 00:11:15,300 --> 00:11:16,666 hence the name "refill tube." 292 00:11:16,733 --> 00:11:18,666 Kevin: So when we're filling, we're not just filling 293 00:11:18,733 --> 00:11:20,466 the tank on the back, but we're putting 294 00:11:20,533 --> 00:11:22,133 a little bit of water to fill the bowl. 295 00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:23,700 Richard: Absolutely. Kevin: Roger that. 296 00:11:23,766 --> 00:11:27,033 Richard: So 150 years ago, we had 4 or 5 gallons here. 297 00:11:27,100 --> 00:11:28,933 Then we had a mandate to get to 3.5 gallons. 298 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:30,933 Now we're down to 1.6 gallons. 299 00:11:31,000 --> 00:11:34,100 So we need it to really work every single time. 300 00:11:34,166 --> 00:11:36,266 So now you see all the components right here. 301 00:11:36,333 --> 00:11:37,733 [ Toilet flushes ] 302 00:11:37,800 --> 00:11:39,500 Flush valve. 303 00:11:39,566 --> 00:11:41,000 Water leaves. 304 00:11:41,066 --> 00:11:43,100 Swirls right around to keep that bowl nice and clean. 305 00:11:43,166 --> 00:11:45,733 Fill valve. It replenishes. 306 00:11:45,800 --> 00:11:47,033 Here's that overflow. 307 00:11:47,100 --> 00:11:48,400 Here's the refill. 308 00:11:48,466 --> 00:11:49,833 And there's really only two adjustments 309 00:11:49,900 --> 00:11:51,333 we count on people to do. 310 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:54,100 One is to adjust the tank lever and the linkage 311 00:11:54,166 --> 00:11:57,366 so that this-- the right amount of travel on the flapper. 312 00:11:57,433 --> 00:11:59,300 And the other is to adjust this float, 313 00:11:59,366 --> 00:12:00,833 and that's pretty straightforward. 314 00:12:00,900 --> 00:12:03,300 You can see there's a Phillips screwdriver slot right here, 315 00:12:03,366 --> 00:12:05,333 and we can go counterclockwise 316 00:12:05,400 --> 00:12:07,400 to make the water level be lower. 317 00:12:07,466 --> 00:12:08,800 And you want that water level to be just about 318 00:12:08,866 --> 00:12:11,566 3/4 of an inch down from the top of the overflow, 319 00:12:11,633 --> 00:12:13,366 just about like right there. Kevin: Hm. 320 00:12:13,433 --> 00:12:14,733 Richard: Okay? And that's the way it should be. 321 00:12:14,800 --> 00:12:16,366 And you should be able to flush this every time, 322 00:12:16,433 --> 00:12:19,400 one flush, and save water and be nice and clean. 323 00:12:19,466 --> 00:12:20,533 I think I could work in your museum. 324 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:21,633 Richard: You could. Kevin: Yeah. 325 00:12:21,700 --> 00:12:22,966 Richard: You could be a provost. 326 00:12:23,033 --> 00:12:25,066 Kevin: A toilet docent. Richard: [ Laughs ] 327 00:12:25,133 --> 00:12:30,333 ♪ 328 00:12:30,400 --> 00:12:31,566 Jenn: Hey, Shannon. Shannon: Hi, Jenn. 329 00:12:31,633 --> 00:12:32,866 It's great to meet you. 330 00:12:32,933 --> 00:12:34,200 Jenn: Great to meet you in person. 331 00:12:34,266 --> 00:12:36,900 So this is the area, right, that we discussed. 332 00:12:36,966 --> 00:12:40,233 Shannon: Yes, so my husband and I recently moved in 333 00:12:40,300 --> 00:12:42,600 and we're having trouble with the sloped front yard. 334 00:12:42,666 --> 00:12:44,400 We're not sure what to do with it. 335 00:12:44,466 --> 00:12:46,600 It's hard to maintain. 336 00:12:46,666 --> 00:12:48,266 We can't really take a lawn mower to it. 337 00:12:48,333 --> 00:12:50,166 So we've just been using a weed whacker 338 00:12:50,233 --> 00:12:52,700 to get at the little bit of grass that's there. 339 00:12:52,766 --> 00:12:54,500 So, yeah, we're not sure what to do. 340 00:12:54,566 --> 00:12:56,533 Jenn: Well, do you know what was here before? 341 00:12:56,600 --> 00:12:58,400 Shannon: So, we saw an old photo 342 00:12:58,466 --> 00:13:00,433 where it looked like the previous owners 343 00:13:00,500 --> 00:13:02,100 had built a garden bed 344 00:13:02,166 --> 00:13:04,166 with some mulch and a few bushes, 345 00:13:04,233 --> 00:13:05,966 but it wasn't here when we moved in. 346 00:13:06,033 --> 00:13:08,000 I'm not sure why they got rid of it. 347 00:13:08,066 --> 00:13:09,333 Jenn: Right. 348 00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:12,100 Well, it is very difficult to maintain a slope 349 00:13:12,166 --> 00:13:13,600 that's this steep. 350 00:13:13,666 --> 00:13:15,466 There's a lot of erosion happening. 351 00:13:15,533 --> 00:13:18,166 I mean, you can see where they tried to throw grass seed down, 352 00:13:18,233 --> 00:13:20,433 but with it at such a steep angle, 353 00:13:20,500 --> 00:13:22,533 it just looks like it washed out. 354 00:13:22,600 --> 00:13:25,200 And it looks like it's a nightmare to try to maintain. 355 00:13:25,266 --> 00:13:26,833 Shannon: Yes. Jenn: So what I would like to do 356 00:13:26,900 --> 00:13:28,500 is soften the slope. 357 00:13:28,566 --> 00:13:31,400 So this whole area, I'd like to regrade 358 00:13:31,466 --> 00:13:34,633 and just cut some of the harshness of how steep it is. 359 00:13:34,700 --> 00:13:37,333 And then we come through after that's all set 360 00:13:37,400 --> 00:13:39,166 and then plant with plants 361 00:13:39,233 --> 00:13:41,066 that are going to help stabilize the slope 362 00:13:41,133 --> 00:13:42,966 and then add a little curb appeal, too. 363 00:13:43,033 --> 00:13:44,933 I mean, there's a lot of traffic going by. 364 00:13:45,000 --> 00:13:46,533 It'd be nice to have some kind of barrier 365 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:48,066 between you and the road. 366 00:13:48,133 --> 00:13:49,466 Shannon: Definitely. That sounds perfect. 367 00:13:49,533 --> 00:13:51,066 Jenn: Awesome. So I'm gonna grab my tape measure. 368 00:13:51,133 --> 00:13:52,333 I'll be back, and then we can figure out 369 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:53,566 how many plants we need. Jenn: Alright. Great. 370 00:13:53,633 --> 00:13:54,733 Jenn: Alright. 371 00:13:54,800 --> 00:13:57,033 ♪ 372 00:13:57,100 --> 00:13:59,600 Okay, so I've already called out 811, 373 00:13:59,666 --> 00:14:02,400 and that's gonna notify about all utilities in the area. 374 00:14:02,466 --> 00:14:05,200 And it's a good thing because there is a gas line right here. 375 00:14:05,266 --> 00:14:08,766 And my guy Frank is gonna come in with a mini excavator, 376 00:14:08,833 --> 00:14:11,366 but we're gonna hand-dig around the gas area. 377 00:14:11,433 --> 00:14:12,766 Shannon: Perfect. Jenn: Okay? 378 00:14:12,833 --> 00:14:15,266 So let's measure up the slope. Between 10 and 12 feet. 379 00:14:15,333 --> 00:14:18,633 You make a mark there. And then let's go this way. 380 00:14:23,266 --> 00:14:24,833 Alright. Maybe one more. 381 00:14:24,900 --> 00:14:26,833 This will just be a reference line. 382 00:14:30,366 --> 00:14:31,866 Alright. 383 00:14:31,933 --> 00:14:34,200 So when he comes in, 384 00:14:34,266 --> 00:14:37,266 I'm gonna have him start working from the top down 385 00:14:37,333 --> 00:14:39,100 and then softening this. 386 00:14:39,166 --> 00:14:40,700 Shannon: Sounds good. Jenn: Alright. 387 00:14:40,766 --> 00:14:42,800 ♪ 388 00:14:42,866 --> 00:14:44,933 Shannon, I want to introduce you to Frank. 389 00:14:45,000 --> 00:14:46,100 Shannon: Hi, Frank. Frank: Hi. 390 00:14:46,166 --> 00:14:47,666 Jenn: He is my excavator 391 00:14:47,733 --> 00:14:50,633 and will be working the front slope for us today. 392 00:14:50,700 --> 00:14:53,100 So let's talk about what you and I discussed. 393 00:14:53,166 --> 00:14:54,500 Frank: Sure. 394 00:14:54,566 --> 00:14:55,766 So we brought our mini excavator in today 395 00:14:55,833 --> 00:14:58,800 with a clean-out bucket, a smooth-edge bucket, 396 00:14:58,866 --> 00:15:01,033 which will enable us to reshape a bit 397 00:15:01,100 --> 00:15:03,266 and soften it so we can do additional planting. 398 00:15:03,333 --> 00:15:04,866 Shannon: Okay. Jenn: And then we're gonna 399 00:15:04,933 --> 00:15:06,666 work from the driveway over to this way 400 00:15:06,733 --> 00:15:08,200 and work our way out. 401 00:15:08,266 --> 00:15:10,133 So why don't you get started up here, 402 00:15:10,200 --> 00:15:12,200 and then we'll take these flat-head shovels 403 00:15:12,266 --> 00:15:15,866 along the sidewalk and clear it and refine the sidewalk edge? 404 00:15:15,933 --> 00:15:17,566 Shannon: Perfect. Jenn: Okay. 405 00:15:17,633 --> 00:15:24,566 ♪ 406 00:15:24,633 --> 00:15:26,000 Jenn: Nice. 407 00:15:27,733 --> 00:15:28,800 Nice. 408 00:15:28,866 --> 00:15:36,666 ♪ 409 00:15:36,733 --> 00:15:42,100 ♪ 410 00:15:42,166 --> 00:15:45,533 Okay, Frank, I really like how this is looking. Perfect. 411 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:48,133 Maybe just shave a little bit more off of this area. 412 00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:49,500 Frank: Yeah. Jenn: And then 413 00:15:49,566 --> 00:15:50,766 we'll follow this line. 414 00:15:50,833 --> 00:15:52,466 Frank: Okay. 415 00:15:52,533 --> 00:15:54,533 Jenn: And then I'm thinking, start right there, 416 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:56,266 and then we'll just... 417 00:15:56,333 --> 00:15:59,366 ♪ 418 00:15:59,433 --> 00:16:01,200 ...end the work here. 419 00:16:01,266 --> 00:16:02,700 Frank: Okay. 420 00:16:02,766 --> 00:16:04,433 Jenn: And then this could all just fade into how it is. 421 00:16:04,500 --> 00:16:05,633 Frank: Sure. 422 00:16:05,700 --> 00:16:12,066 ♪ 423 00:16:12,133 --> 00:16:16,733 ♪ 424 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:20,733 Jenn: Frank, I really like how you carved into the slope. 425 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:22,433 He really took off that hump, 426 00:16:22,500 --> 00:16:25,400 the lump at the end and created this shelf, essentially. 427 00:16:25,466 --> 00:16:26,900 Frank: We did. Glad we could help out. 428 00:16:26,966 --> 00:16:29,533 With a little bit of diversion there with the swale, 429 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:31,133 it should spread some of the water 430 00:16:31,200 --> 00:16:33,033 from just heading for the sidewalk, 431 00:16:33,100 --> 00:16:34,533 and it'll benefit the plants. 432 00:16:34,600 --> 00:16:35,966 Jenn: And that's what we were looking for. 433 00:16:36,033 --> 00:16:37,400 Slowing down the water flow. 434 00:16:37,466 --> 00:16:39,966 So, next up, we're going to look at plants 435 00:16:40,033 --> 00:16:41,566 that are going to help with that, as well. 436 00:16:41,633 --> 00:16:43,233 And your duties are done here, sir. 437 00:16:43,300 --> 00:16:44,800 Frank: Thank you. Shannon: Thank you. 438 00:16:44,866 --> 00:16:47,166 Jenn: Thanks for coming to help. Frank: Good luck. Enjoy it. 439 00:16:47,233 --> 00:16:49,400 ♪ 440 00:16:49,466 --> 00:16:51,333 Shannon: So, Jenn, tell me about my new plants. 441 00:16:51,400 --> 00:16:52,433 Jenn: Okay. 442 00:16:52,500 --> 00:16:53,566 This whole middle section, 443 00:16:53,633 --> 00:16:55,333 this is called panicum virgatum. 444 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:56,866 It's a switchgrass. 445 00:16:56,933 --> 00:16:59,566 They're going to help stabilize this slope. 446 00:16:59,633 --> 00:17:01,633 So, what the root system is going to do underneath, 447 00:17:01,700 --> 00:17:03,033 it's very extensive. 448 00:17:03,100 --> 00:17:04,200 They're all gonna knit together. 449 00:17:04,266 --> 00:17:05,800 And on top, they're all gonna 450 00:17:05,866 --> 00:17:08,233 come together eventually as one mass, 451 00:17:08,300 --> 00:17:10,200 so erosion control at its finest. 452 00:17:10,266 --> 00:17:11,466 Shannon: Perfect. 453 00:17:11,533 --> 00:17:12,900 Jenn: They're gonna get about 4 feet tall, 454 00:17:12,966 --> 00:17:14,533 and then they're gonna sway in the wind 455 00:17:14,600 --> 00:17:16,333 and they're gonna have texture and height. 456 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:17,600 Shannon: Nice. Jenn: It's gonna be beautiful. 457 00:17:17,666 --> 00:17:20,300 Here we have this little limelight hydrangea. 458 00:17:20,366 --> 00:17:22,733 I have three on this side and three at the other end. 459 00:17:22,800 --> 00:17:26,633 And they are gonna get about 4 feet wide by 4 feet tall. 460 00:17:26,700 --> 00:17:28,533 So they're gonna be comparable to the grasses 461 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:30,833 to kind of do their thing together. 462 00:17:30,900 --> 00:17:33,466 They bloom about July time 463 00:17:33,533 --> 00:17:35,000 all the way to the end of the season. 464 00:17:35,066 --> 00:17:36,966 So constant, constant blooms. 465 00:17:37,033 --> 00:17:39,166 And so this is the start of the shelf area 466 00:17:39,233 --> 00:17:41,166 that Frank sculpted out for us. 467 00:17:41,233 --> 00:17:44,400 And the purpose, again, to slow the water down. 468 00:17:44,466 --> 00:17:47,366 And we have three endless summer hydrangeas. 469 00:17:47,433 --> 00:17:50,200 They're the blue ones. You can see the remnants of that. 470 00:17:50,266 --> 00:17:51,633 I think your husband likes that one. 471 00:17:51,700 --> 00:17:53,266 Shannon: He does. Jenn: So we have those three. 472 00:17:53,333 --> 00:17:57,333 And they're gonna also get like 4-by-4 or 5-by-5. 473 00:17:57,400 --> 00:18:00,233 Up at the top, we have a Japanese threadleaf maple. 474 00:18:00,300 --> 00:18:02,900 That's gonna get about 8 to 12 feet around. 475 00:18:02,966 --> 00:18:06,433 And at the end, we have three limelight hydrangeas. 476 00:18:06,500 --> 00:18:08,733 Not the little limelights... but the limelights. 477 00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:10,566 And they're gonna get 8 to 10 feet tall. 478 00:18:10,633 --> 00:18:12,566 It's gonna block that busy road for you 479 00:18:12,633 --> 00:18:14,433 and just to give you a little bit of privacy and screen. 480 00:18:14,500 --> 00:18:16,166 Shannon: Perfect. Jenn: What do you think about the layout? 481 00:18:16,233 --> 00:18:17,900 Shannon: I love it. It's perfect. 482 00:18:17,966 --> 00:18:19,400 Jenn: What do you think about digging holes? 483 00:18:19,466 --> 00:18:21,466 Shannon: Let's do it. Jenn: Alright. Come on. 484 00:18:21,533 --> 00:18:24,533 Alright. I'm gonna show you how I want them planted. 485 00:18:24,600 --> 00:18:28,600 So basically go to the plant, take it out. 486 00:18:28,666 --> 00:18:30,533 And the reason I've dug these small holes first 487 00:18:30,600 --> 00:18:32,066 is because they're rolling down the hill. 488 00:18:32,133 --> 00:18:36,033 So just make sure it's nice and wide. 489 00:18:36,100 --> 00:18:37,800 Right? 490 00:18:37,866 --> 00:18:40,300 Then I'm gonna go over here to the compost, 491 00:18:40,366 --> 00:18:42,433 grab a nice shovel full. 492 00:18:44,733 --> 00:18:46,466 Chuck it in the hole. 493 00:18:46,533 --> 00:18:48,866 Grab a handful of starter fertilizer. 494 00:18:48,933 --> 00:18:50,266 Throw it in. 495 00:18:50,333 --> 00:18:53,666 And then incorporate it with the existing soil. 496 00:18:57,200 --> 00:19:01,566 And then you could just bang the sides like this, 497 00:19:01,633 --> 00:19:05,233 pull the plant out, and then loosen up the roots 498 00:19:05,300 --> 00:19:07,733 so they're not growing in a circular fashion. 499 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:09,833 You see how they get all clumped up right there? 500 00:19:09,900 --> 00:19:11,166 Shannon: Mm-hmm. Jenn: And then... 501 00:19:11,233 --> 00:19:13,600 just tease it a little bit 502 00:19:13,666 --> 00:19:16,266 and then go back to the hole. 503 00:19:18,733 --> 00:19:20,066 They could be a little bit high 504 00:19:20,133 --> 00:19:21,833 because we're gonna mulch it a little bit. 505 00:19:21,900 --> 00:19:23,700 And then just backfill. 506 00:19:29,166 --> 00:19:30,333 What do you think? 507 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:31,433 Shannon: Perfect. Sounds great. Jenn: Yeah. 508 00:19:31,500 --> 00:19:33,066 And you can just tuck in around the edges 509 00:19:33,133 --> 00:19:35,300 so it's a little stable and in place. 510 00:19:35,366 --> 00:19:36,766 Shannon: Sounds good. Jenn: Okay. 511 00:19:36,833 --> 00:19:41,133 ♪ 512 00:19:41,200 --> 00:19:44,500 I'm gonna give you a couple because it's really dry-looking. 513 00:19:44,566 --> 00:19:52,133 ♪ 514 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:53,666 Look how long these roots are. 515 00:19:53,733 --> 00:19:54,766 So they're gonna help you 516 00:19:54,833 --> 00:19:56,333 from washing out into the street. 517 00:19:56,400 --> 00:19:57,700 Shannon: Definitely. 518 00:19:57,766 --> 00:20:01,566 ♪ 519 00:20:01,633 --> 00:20:04,066 Jenn: So the bigger plants, the same thing, Shannon. 520 00:20:04,133 --> 00:20:06,633 You just see how they're just so root-bound? 521 00:20:06,700 --> 00:20:08,700 Shannon: Yeah. Jenn: Just break them up, 522 00:20:08,766 --> 00:20:11,766 and it'll encourage the growth to go out. 523 00:20:11,833 --> 00:20:13,466 Otherwise, they'll keep growing in a circle. 524 00:20:13,533 --> 00:20:14,700 Shannon: Mm-hmm. 525 00:20:14,766 --> 00:20:17,766 ♪ 526 00:20:17,833 --> 00:20:20,000 Jenn: That one actually looks a little low. 527 00:20:20,066 --> 00:20:22,066 Pull it up like that and then tuck. 528 00:20:22,133 --> 00:20:23,566 Shannon: Fill it in? Jenn: Yeah. 529 00:20:23,633 --> 00:20:25,166 Shannon: Okay. 530 00:20:25,233 --> 00:20:27,200 Jenn: Plants would rather be higher than lower. 531 00:20:27,266 --> 00:20:28,966 Shannon: Okay. 532 00:20:29,033 --> 00:20:31,466 Jenn: I also wanted to have the plants a little bit further back 533 00:20:31,533 --> 00:20:34,900 from the driveway for your sight line of pulling in and out. 534 00:20:35,000 --> 00:20:37,366 ♪ 535 00:20:37,433 --> 00:20:39,833 So we're gonna plant the Japanese maple next. 536 00:20:39,900 --> 00:20:41,500 First, I want you to pick a face. 537 00:20:41,566 --> 00:20:43,500 So I'm gonna spin it. 538 00:20:43,566 --> 00:20:45,400 Shannon: That looks good right there. 539 00:20:45,466 --> 00:20:47,100 Jenn: One, two, three. 540 00:20:47,700 --> 00:20:49,300 It kind of does go with the angle of the slope. 541 00:20:49,366 --> 00:20:50,833 Shannon: Perfect. Jenn: Alright. 542 00:20:50,900 --> 00:20:52,966 Nice job picking the face. Shannon: Nice! 543 00:20:53,033 --> 00:20:54,566 Jenn: I already threw compost in the hole, 544 00:20:54,633 --> 00:20:57,000 so we can start backfilling it. 545 00:20:57,066 --> 00:20:58,566 It's mulch time. 546 00:20:58,633 --> 00:20:59,966 Um, this is leaf mulch. Shannon: Okay. 547 00:21:00,033 --> 00:21:01,800 Jenn: And it breaks down. 548 00:21:01,866 --> 00:21:03,666 It's gonna add a lot of nutrients to your soil. 549 00:21:03,733 --> 00:21:05,233 Gonna apply about 2 to 3 inches. 550 00:21:05,300 --> 00:21:06,800 Shannon: Okay. 551 00:21:06,866 --> 00:21:08,733 Jenn: And if it gets too much around the base of the plants, 552 00:21:08,800 --> 00:21:10,800 we'll just move it away with our hands at the end. 553 00:21:10,866 --> 00:21:12,666 Shannon: Perfect. 554 00:21:12,733 --> 00:21:14,433 Jenn: Alright. So I think we have accomplished 555 00:21:14,500 --> 00:21:16,100 what you called in for, right? 556 00:21:16,166 --> 00:21:17,333 Shannon: Yeah, definitely. 557 00:21:17,400 --> 00:21:18,866 Jenn: You have a beautiful hillside now, 558 00:21:18,933 --> 00:21:20,400 but it's also functional. 559 00:21:20,466 --> 00:21:23,900 It has erosion control that Frank made the nice step in it. 560 00:21:23,966 --> 00:21:25,833 It's gonna slow the water and the runoff down. 561 00:21:25,900 --> 00:21:28,600 And then these plants are really gonna lock it in. 562 00:21:28,666 --> 00:21:31,300 We've added a curb appeal, and it looks beautiful. 563 00:21:31,366 --> 00:21:32,700 Shannon: How do I take care of them? 564 00:21:32,766 --> 00:21:34,000 Jenn: That's a very good point 565 00:21:34,066 --> 00:21:35,600 'cause you have to keep it looking beautiful. 566 00:21:35,666 --> 00:21:37,700 The maintenance, it's gonna be easy 567 00:21:37,766 --> 00:21:40,366 because the grasses and the limelight hydrangeas, 568 00:21:40,433 --> 00:21:43,200 they both require pruning at the same time -- 569 00:21:43,266 --> 00:21:44,866 in February, March. 570 00:21:44,933 --> 00:21:46,200 Whenever it's like -- 571 00:21:46,266 --> 00:21:48,966 Before the new growth starts to emerge. 572 00:21:49,033 --> 00:21:52,566 The limelight hydrangeas, they bloom off of new wood. 573 00:21:52,633 --> 00:21:54,866 So that's the best time to cut them back and shape them. 574 00:21:54,933 --> 00:21:56,566 And then the grasses, you want to cut 575 00:21:56,633 --> 00:21:59,100 to 2 to 3 inches high before the new growth emerges 576 00:21:59,166 --> 00:22:00,600 so you don't chop off the tops. 577 00:22:00,666 --> 00:22:02,100 Shannon: Perfect. Jenn: Okay? One more thing. 578 00:22:02,166 --> 00:22:03,633 The endless summer hydrangeas. 579 00:22:03,700 --> 00:22:05,433 They bloom on new and old wood, 580 00:22:05,500 --> 00:22:07,700 so prune them at the end of the season. 581 00:22:07,766 --> 00:22:09,966 Just deadhead them when they're done flowering. 582 00:22:10,033 --> 00:22:11,633 And then let the Japanese maple go. 583 00:22:11,700 --> 00:22:12,933 Shannon: Perfect. Jenn: Watering. 584 00:22:13,000 --> 00:22:15,533 Just water throughout the end of the season. 585 00:22:15,600 --> 00:22:17,366 You're gonna want to add some drip irrigation 586 00:22:17,433 --> 00:22:18,900 on the shrubs and the tree. 587 00:22:18,966 --> 00:22:20,766 Grasses, you could probably hit with sprays. 588 00:22:20,833 --> 00:22:22,366 Address that next year. Shannon: Okay. 589 00:22:22,433 --> 00:22:24,566 Jenn: And then maybe top dress with an inch of the leaf mulch, 590 00:22:24,633 --> 00:22:25,633 and you'll be all set. 591 00:22:25,700 --> 00:22:27,133 Shannon: Awesome. Thank you again. 592 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:28,433 Jenn: Yeah. Nice to meet you. Shannon: Nice to meet you. 593 00:22:28,500 --> 00:22:29,866 Jenn: Alright. Take care. 594 00:22:29,933 --> 00:22:39,133 ♪ 595 00:22:41,933 --> 00:22:44,200 Kevin: Next time on "Ask This Old House"... 596 00:22:44,266 --> 00:22:47,633 Heath helps a homeowner run power to their new shed... 597 00:22:49,233 --> 00:22:50,566 Man: That's incredible. 598 00:22:50,633 --> 00:22:52,066 Kevin: ...then Mauro shares 599 00:22:52,133 --> 00:22:54,533 some of his favorite painting accessories... 600 00:22:54,600 --> 00:22:55,866 Mario: Do your cutting. 601 00:22:55,933 --> 00:22:57,300 Kevin: A little magnetic. Beautiful. 602 00:22:57,366 --> 00:22:59,033 ...and Jenn and Richard 603 00:22:59,100 --> 00:23:03,200 play a fun game of... Disposal or Compost? 604 00:23:03,266 --> 00:23:04,800 And it is... 605 00:23:05,766 --> 00:23:06,933 Richard: Chicken. 606 00:23:07,000 --> 00:23:09,600 Kevin: All that on "Ask this Old House."