ASK This Old House | Mantel, Too Many Light Switches (S18 E23) FULL EPISODE

[@Roboticexile]

It's a shame they didn't send Tom Silva to install that mantel. I'm sure he'd scribe the finished mantel to fit the contours of the stonework for a better fit and finish.

[@GD-pv9vc]

A do it yourselfer will have a difficult time driving those top screws with out using a pilot hole drilled 1st

[@StoneE4]

Agreed... Those gaps between the stone and the mantel really raised my left eyebrow.

[@GD-pv9vc]

@@StoneE4 Without pilot drilling the top of that mantel could split

[@StoneE4]

@@GD-pv9vc : Uh, OK.. Great. Thanks for the reply, I guess?

[@curtzeek8818]

Agreed! Why send a brick and mortar guy to do a carpenter's job?

[@RyanAllendorf]

I love Mark. He's the man. And he seems like the kind of guy that if there was a problem in the neighborhood, he would take care of it.

[@flat-earther]

Ryan I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.

[@rashofbeatings]

"This is your lucky day, i just happen to have a mantle in my trailer"

[@ElJoeRN]

1:50 did he say that faucet costs about $500?!? Hell no

[@kenc2257]

Yep...and it wasn't even gold-plated.

[@Patmanduu]

Faucets and other plumbing fixtures have been ludicrously over priced for years. I can’t believe anyone is still being suckered at Home Depot. Order online.

[@kalijasin]

That’s quite expensive for a faucet.

[@eaglevision993]

He also added: "Not too bad!"

[@johnbaker5199]

when you buy name brand faucets from a plumbing supply store as a plumber the type of faucet you get is not the same as a big box or online. that faucet will be solid brass, brass handles brass stems no plastic or very little. that’s why they’re so expensive. manufacturers make faucets specifically for plumbing suppliers what you get at a big box or even online are not of the same quality even if they’re “all brass construction” chances are it’s Chinese or Taiwan material and good luck getting parts for no name.

[@cdkhan8410]

I am from Pakistan. I am big fan of you all. I watch you regularly and if I have to DIY something, I consult your videos.

[@SimonTekConley]

I would love to see what is a typical home there.

[@Snowboundless]

Love the Chicago b-roll footage.

[@PiranhaJaw22]

21:14 i like the drawings on the white board

[@jacobpayne1]

That poor lady drilling into the stone looked like she was left handed, the struggle is real y’all!

[@illestofdemall13]

She's also a little short for the drilling height. Lol

[@JGarrison51285]

Yup it's a daily fight to use things and make it look routine for us lefties 🤣

[@iamamish]

As a fellow left-hander, I've learned how to live in a right-handed world, I'm ambidrilltrous

[@jptrainor]

Tom Silva would have scribed it.

[@deefdragon]

Wisconsinite here. We also call them bubblers.

[@Egleu1]

I got a little excited hearing them say it.

[@edttt4491]

Great Job Mark!! Looks beautiful

[@dizzy_derps]

I think we've all had a bump right in our zone from time to time. Happens to the best of us.

[@flat-earther]

Dizzy I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.

[@dizzy_derps]

@@flat-earther lol no

[@flat-earther]

@@dizzy_derps Okay. That's fine. I suggest watching it because I believe you may learn stuff that you haven't heard before.

[@dizzy_derps]

@@flat-earther why did you pick me to bother with this nonsense? 😂

[@flat-earther]

@@dizzy_derps I don't know. I suggested to many people and out of all the people on youtube you are one of the chosen ones. It's not nonsense, in my opinion.

[@curtzeek8818]

"I'm looking for a mortar joint. Preferably between two stones." Where else would there be a mortar joint on a fireplace?

[@LurkinPT]

These guys are hacks and actors.

[@StewPedassle]

I presumed he meant “only two stones” instead of any spots where you have three stones coming together. It would ensure only one lateral movement dimension is weaker instead of two.

[@bofadeeznuts469]

@@StewPedassle correct. At least someone in these comments has a clue lol

[@saulgoodman2018]

The last segment was garbage. Black is hot. There will not be just 2 hot wires coming into the box. 18:20, you can see another set of wires in there. That segment was all about promoting the switch.

[@dylan-nguyen]

it’s done like that so the smart switch is always powered. that way u can control it with the remote or app. it’s supposed to b like that.

[@saulgoodman2018]

@@dylan-nguyen Look at 18:03. He took the switch out and they were just 2 black wires connected only. He probably connected it like that before they started to film.

[@generallyhelpfulsoftware646]

The dimmer version of that switch only needs whatever power it can leach running through the light even when “off”. The non-dimmer versions requires a white neutral line for its power. Some LEDs actually have a ghost glow when used with the dimmer because of the small amount of constant current.

[@dwmwat]

In our area (Ontario, Canada) there's a minimum separation requirement between combustible material (e.g., wood mantel) and a heat source (fireplace). It may only apply to wood burning fireplaces - the one in Chicago looked like gas to me, I'm not sure, but in our home (with a wood fireplace that includes a Heatilator), we're renovating and replacing the wood mantel with a stone one.

[@1Legofilms]

The stone may be enough of a thermal barrier to prevent it from combusting. Also appears to be at least a foot above the top of the top of the fire boxes

[@pshawhudson]

Up next, Tommy will show us how to install bulletproof windows.

[@stevejensen3471]

Should have done a solid mantel scribed against and supported by boring into the stone. Despite it being soft, it was 8-inches thick as Mark said and would have easily supported solid weight with epoxy.

[@paulmcgurkjr8934]

Love the show. I'm a painter and although its s real pain to paint a house where they smoked, your out of your mind on the third hand smoke! It cleans up with tsp.

[@MrJabez89]

That is exactly what was said. They scrub the whole house with TSP and repaint.

[@benjaminvivar7855]

Mark, how would I identify brittle stone from hard stone ?

[@lptf5441]

We say bubbler in Australia too!

[@2loco]

I used to push sticks into the bubblers at school as a kid😅🤦‍♂️, id stand back and watch the next kid get sprayed in the face. What made me do this i still don't know.

[@johnbaptist7476]

All of U are amazing , with the great knowledge & the "uuuuuge" ability to confront any challenge without difficulty . There is no "no" in any of your shows, nothing you will not tackle.. May the ALMIGHTY watch over all of U lovey people .We learn a lot . Thanks to U all lovely people . ∞ ❤ 🙏 ✟󾓦✟ AMEN My GOD bless AMERICA .😇 + 🕯❤❤❤

[@freedomandrantforall]

Great information.

[@PatrickPoet]

What about power for the remotes? You make it look like it's wired in the wall, but it's not. Does it have a battery?

[@michaelknopp6949]

They are battery powered. It lasts 10 years.

[@PatrickPoet]

@@michaelknopp6949 That's what I expected. Ten years later will people even realize they can pull it out and open it and replace a battery? For me, and I imagine you, it's the easiest thing in the world, but some people will call an electrician.

[@michaelknopp6949]

@@PatrickPoet I installed a lot of these in an industrial facility and I guarantee people will think they're broken and throw them away.

[@uncleval1250]

I have this installed to control driveway lights from living room 25' away & have changed battery twice in 6 years... Not a bad deal for 5 minutes of changing a battery vs cost of rewiring the whole shebang 🤠👍

[@uncleval1250]

I have this switch setup to control driveway lights from living room 25' away & have changed battery twice in 6 years... Not a bad deal for 5 minutes of changing a battery vs cost of rewiring the whole shebang 🤠👍

[@johnbaptist7476]

Q please ? Where we can buy those smart switches please ?

[@flat-earther]

Why would you want anything wireless it may be unhealthy... BTW John I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.

[@howardjensen1010]

Could you please have Ross give me the information on the scientific study for 3rd hand smoke that he used for that clip. Thanks.

[@dwmwat]

Do folks have surge or lightning issues with "smart" devices? Unlike the utilities of the pre-2000s we have pretty dirty power in cities and rural areas and more digital stuff just makes me nervous without surge protection. My understanding is that whole-house surge protection is quite expensive.

[@generallyhelpfulsoftware646]

Whole house surge protection is cheap. I had one installed when the electrician came to expand my panel. A couple hundred dollars. It isn’t going to protect against a direct lightning strike though.

[@flat-earther]

Doug I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.

[@flat-earther]

Is it true that analog mechanical electrical meters have surge protection but smart meters do not?

[@benefactionhindrance]

LOL, when a suburban dweller calls it Chicago.

[@richardalaniz5464]

Lutron Caseta switches are what they are using. They fit well and have never had any issues. Internet and hub is not needed unless you use the app or wnt to tie it in with alexa.

[@generallyhelpfulsoftware646]

Which is a great feature. You can schedule things like automatically turning on the driveway lights at sunset (and off a couple hours later), or turning off all the lights at 1 in the morning.

[@user-dy2bu7jd9b]

can she tap that bolt in any softer?

[@AliMadoobe]

Don’t forget Briyani and curry smell on the wall

[@daveyjones7391]

😂 What do you smoke, clown? 🤡

[@michaelbaumgardner2530]

The smart switch all hinges on your internet connection,I personally would have cut some drywall...just saying... anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

[@richardalaniz5464]

The switch works without needing internet. The hub and internet just allow for using an app or Alexa pairing. I have these switches although my older model home and they work perfectly.

[@michaelbaumgardner2530]

@@richardalaniz5464 I must investigate the technology a little further...thanks for the heads up

[@illestofdemall13]

@@michaelbaumgardner2530 Lutron Caseta. It sends out an RF signal and doesn't need WIFI to talk to each other. You can connect them to WIFI via Smart Bridge if you want to use your phone to control them, though.

[@alexandregr5440]

I've done a reno with those lutron wireless switch, sure they are nice and all, but mind you they are 70$ each, that's not cheap.

[@oambrosia]

But a heck of a lot cheaper than paying an electrician to run wiring, patch walls, etc.

[@4realjacob637]

@@oambrosia if you'd had some experience you can usually Diy.

[@4realjacob637]

I don't know what kind or where you got your switches from but "smart home" technology has gotten super cheap. Granted a bigger contractor probably pays less than 99¢ for a conventional switch, having integrated technology sells for a lot more than it costs

[@alexandregr5440]

@@4realjacob637 super cheap lol, the lutron smart switch and remote set is 80$ CAD on amazon ,maybe a few bucks more in big box store over hear. Get outta here with your cheap. Compare apples to apples, i mentioned lutron and the video displays them also, dont care about your Wish 5$ ''smart'' switches.

[@4realjacob637]

@@alexandregr5440 I can go get smart switches from Menards, online, or even freaking Walmart for less than $20 a piece. (No standard remote) but remotes don't freaking matter because it's smart so your phone is the remote. If you buy the $100 hub which can connect like 50 devices you can connect it to all to voice control. Which I have done and no longer need to use switches!

[@habibzia4406]

Nice train

[@brownpride5125]

6:43 come on man how you put that lady do it tha i bet she was very scare to do it that. you lucky that thing doesn't twist her wrist 😒😒😒

[@flat-earther]

Haha yeah it was surprising. BTW brown I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.

[@PlayingwithPawz]

Ok i didn't see any center line there on that stone idk what he was looking at

[@bugtusslealien3931]

Why did that lady drill a hole for the mantle? She was struggling.

[@SidecarBob]

Wireless means battery powered. Does that mean the homeowner has toremove the plate to get at it when the battery needs to be replaced?

[@tempesttube]

Yeah, the kit that's intended for use with the remote uses a snap on plate. Since he installed a conventional two gang plate, she'll have to unscrew it. Good thing it has a 10-year battery.

[@SidecarBob]

@@tempesttube If they keep the manual that long to know what's wrong when it dies...

[@dylan-nguyen]

@@tempesttube they make ones that r wired in as well. they have connecting prongs into the light switch. but once u set this up 80% of the time ur gonna use Siri or smart events to turn on ur lights :) eg: when ur driving home n it’s dark and 500ft from ur house turn on the lights Or hey Siri turn on my kitchen lights etc

[@saulgoodman2018]

I don't believe this third hand study that he's talking about.

[@lostspecter2]

BS it’s a way to scare tree hungers and people without commonsense nothing wrong. with it commonsense don’t eat the drywall or any wood ie door jams windowsill

[@saulgoodman2018]

@@lostspecter2 what are you even talking about?

[@lostspecter2]

@@saulgoodman2018 I concur with your comment on third hand smoke. I don’t believe it. He said contaminates are in the drywall and in the wood. tongue in cheek I replayed don’t eat the drywall or wood is windowsill lol

[@eaglevision993]

Me neither. This is just a way to make money. Same as the mold scare. Seems they need a new way to sell unnecessary measures to make you feel well. The only problem with smoke residue is staining. Just use the right paint and primer and you are good.

[@flat-earther]

Saul I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.

[@steved.9839]

Why not use a drill/driver instead of using the drill that keeps skipping out of these screws???

[@dylan-nguyen]

he has the chuck set to 2 which is the lowest torque to not strip the screws. it’s slipping out of the screws bc he was doing it single handed. in the second clip he is pushing from the back and it’s not skipping

[@srharris88]

25k to clean, prime, and paint? Guess it depends on the house and its size, but I have done that type job for MUCH less.

[@jeffkuipers1030]

i smoked for 32 years before i quit cold turkey and my pick up still smell after 9 years of quitting

[@doncorleone2713]

Run an ozone generator in it.

[@Aepek]

Still not a fan of the hub type and adding another IoT to home network…..only “so much bandwidth”. So, I prefer the types that have onboard low energy Bluetooth tech that doesn’t require a hub, the downside, gotta watch out for older gens that when a microwave is running and the main device near it, can interfere; but over the years the tech has gotten so much better and this as rare, hardly happens nowadays

[@TylerDickey1]

People in these comments seem to have forgotten how NASTY it was when indoor smoking was common/legal. Going into a house where someone has locked themselves in for 30 years smoking 1-2 packs a day is a downright biohazard, every porous surface is basically soaked in a putrid ashtray smell. The “just run an ozone generator” comments are hilarious, yes the ozone generator is going to suck out a half a million cigarettes worth of smoke from all of the drywall and woodwork! Ha! I bought a solid wood chest of drawers at an antique mall in Missouri and drove it in the back of a pickup truck all the way to Colorado. It wasn’t until I brought it inside I realized it reeked of cigarette smoke, the off-gassing filled the whole upstairs - that was just one small dresser, imagine a whole house! Yuck! Look at how seriously firefighters treat and clean their dirty bunker gear, a lot of those same compounds are in cigarette smoke.

[@kents.2866]

I'll smoke my pipe once in a while in my house. Yeah no where near as gross as those houses who smoked 2 packs a day, everything brown and sticky.

[@flat-earther]

Tyler I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.

[@MrJabez89]

$500 but a water fountain on your sink? No thanks

[@Chaucer89]

Lutron Caseta is the way to go

[@noeluna5852]

$500 for a faucet? Absolutely over priced

[@4realjacob637]

Umm. It has a bubbler on it dude. Cutting edge technology isn't free.

[@Avital4414]

$500 for a bubbler? Ridiculous.

[@flat-earther]

I agree. BTW Leroy I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.

[@virus56777]

No it’s not. 🙈🙈🙈🙈.

[@flat-earther]

567 I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.

[@ryanhopkins9310]

These look familiar

[@oogrooq]

Smokers ruin everything.

[@flat-earther]

oogrooq I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.

[@jasonsgroovemachine]

All this "smart home" stuff like the light switches is a terrible idea for a lot of different reasons. Anything that can go to your phone is now on whatever network your phone is on and security in those things is laughable at best. Plus anything that has a hub that requires you to have an account will only work for as long as the service exists. You might shell out a decent amount of money for smart lights and all of that only to have the company you bought them from shutter and then you've got some pretty dumb lights that you can't even turn on. I sincerely hope when they talk about this stuff they're telling the homeowners about the potential downsides to it as well.

[@flat-earther]

I concur. Also I don't want anything wireless because it may be unhealthy. I for example don't use wifi, in use ethernet cable to my laptop. I also use incandescent light bulbs because LEDs create harmful dirty electricity and blue light.

[@mikew1978]

An ozone generator would remove smoke smell from that house in 2-3 treatments.

[@michaelschubel6330]

If you’re lucky… Be prepared for 2-3 tries…

[@danmar007]

Maybe it's not enough lights. :)

[@bbgarnettTotallyNotABot]

LOL @16:50

[@flat-earther]

bbgarnett I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.

[@christiancruz5672]

Ozone that house.

[@rupe53]

sooo, the answer to having too many switches is to actually add more? Perhaps the title of the video should be changed? (more convenient light switches?)

[@johnroberts9560]

The guy that smoked is going to be shocked when he hears that it's gonna cost about $25,000 too paint & the cleaning costs associated with smoking , I can't stand the smell of cigarettes , it makes me nauseous whenever I have too smell that crap , thank GOD I don't smoke !!! 😝

[@ianbutler1983]

He was not the smoker, he was considering the purchase of the smoker's house, I think. But yes, that is a shocker.

[@flat-earther]

John Roberts I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.

[@saulgoodman2018]

Tommy would have been a better fit for the mantle. He would have scribed it to the stone. Mark just left a big gap.

[@Fattony6666]

you would of complained about something else

[@theedrstrangelove]

C'mon, all you need is to use is 1-2-3 primer and paint. This is complete bs for paint contractors to further gouge people.

[@habibzia4406]

Lol 😂

[@stanstatic]

Wisconsinites call it a Bubbler

[@steve_main]

WTF was that lighting switch solution? lets give her 5 switches insted of 4 and add a smart hub?? If you are adding a hub then replace the switch at the door with a smart switch, replace both lights by the table with 1 smart switch and replace the one by the sink with a smart switch. Then program the smart switches in a group and they will all act as a single switch.. You could then program the light switch at the sink to double tap up for only the sink light or the same thing at the other end of the room by the table. You would still have all the configuration you needed with 3 switches. I swear the guys get paid to show off a companies solution that are just horrible and they hate it too or either that they have no smart home education. What an over complicated horrible solution!!

[@4realjacob637]

They're probably separate rooms that were renovated into one. He should have just gotten rid of switches by lights.

[@steve_main]

@@4realjacob637 Im talking about the solution provided by ToH not why they were there to begin with.

[@opinionatedman]

There were so many better solutions than those smart switches. They do go bad, or have batteries die, and now it's more equipment to maintain. There are often many ways to fish wires without cutting holes, or by cutting minimal holes. Was hoping to see some actual skill employed.

[@saulgoodman2018]

This was nothing but a sponsor spot.

[@scottwolverine3062]

chip foose"' brother?

[@bg147]

All right, Kathy, I will need you to remove your sweater.

[@ck3561]

Everyone I love this old house but I’ve been a contractor for 22 years and I’m sorry I don’t agree with the smoke clean up. I have seen some messed up houses and apartments. Kilz paint primer is the answer. Seals and hides odor. This sounds like some rich Hollywood, Bay Area liberal. It might work but I’m sorry usually the homes that have severe smoke damage by smokers are not in the best condition nor warrant a $25,000 investment. Like I said I love this old house but this episode just doesn’t seem practical. The homes that I come across with heavy smoke damage are usually low income housing. One exception I did convert a cigar lounge into a movie theater and used killz primer and then painted walls with latex paint completely solved the issue. Just trying to help everyone save money with a practical remedy.

[@flat-earther]

I appreciate your insight. BTW C K I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.

[@scundoorsup5342]

Should be inserted into the stone , not mortar

[@realestateservicessaleshea99]

🍺🥃🍺🥃🍺😎👍🏻

[@davegravitt210]

Very lazy way of installing a mantel Mark! Groove and then install! Looks like crap coming from a 25year+ carpenter!

[@alant5757]

Yeah… you should start a KZbin channel and show them how it’s done.

[@davegravitt210]

The guy needs to learn how to scribe badly!

[@flat-earther]

Dave I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. I got it in my about tab.

[@marka.martin5842]

Ok I am first to admit that smoking is not the best thing to do. However, I do not buy into most of what is blamed on smoking. I especially find long ago dissipated smoke still being called "third hand smoke." It is a bridge way too far. Ask TOH has always been about keeping it real. Please leave the opinions out of it. Thanks.

[@timurzi6434]

Big fan 🤜💥🤛 but I think someone needs a waahmbulance 🚑 on the smoke.

[@MOONRAK3R23]

Weeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!

[@marka.martin5842]

Again, a bridge much much too far and an assine cost. There are many other ways to do same thing. I also do not buy into the "leaves behind" part. ABSOLUTELY does not require a gut job. Interesting that a study "just came out." You just lost a viewer.

[@2loco]

Ok.

[@habibzia4406]

Lol 😂