Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey takes us on a house call to help a homeowner in hot water (actually, it’s the opposite). After diagnosing why the home runs out of hot water after just one shower, Richard installs a high-tech water heater that will run more efficiently, cost less, and ensure the homeowners have all the hot water they need.
Later, host Kevin O’Connor takes us to upstate New York to visit maker Jimmy DiResta. A lot has changed since the last time Jimmy was on the show, so Kevin takes a tour of his new property. Once settled, the two get to work on a hand-crafted leather tote bag that Jimmy ensures anyone can “handle.” Let’s see what happens when Kevin puts his leather working prowess to the test.
When To Upsize a Water Heater
Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey installs a hybrid hot water heater to fix a homeowner’s hot water problems.
Where to find it?
Be sure that the water heater has a T-valve and that it is correctly installed. (May require an expansion valve or expansion tank.)
The new hybrid hot water heater was manufactured by Ruud ®.
How to Make a Hand-Stitched Leather Tote with Jimmy DiResta
It’s been a few years since the Ask This Old House team and Jimmy DiResta worked together. Host Kevin O’Connor ended the drought by heading up to Jimmy’s Upstate NY workshop to catch up. Jimmy gave him a tour of the new space while he was there, but he also helped Kevin expand his skill set by teaching him how to make a leather tote bag.
Where to find it?
Jimmy traces out the shape of the leather fabric using an awl. Then, he cuts it out with a razor blade and a ruler to keep the cutting line straight. Then, he uses a rubber mallet to help shape the folds of the bag.
To stitch the bag, Jimmy uses a fork punch to poke holes in all the sections of the bag: two sides and the bottom. He then stitches the leather using a needle and leather sewing thread, going in a crisscross pattern through each hole. To ensure the stitching won’t come undone, Jimmy applies a bead of PVA glue to the bottom stitch on each side of the bag.
Jimmy applies a small amount of leather edge finish manufactured by Fiebing’s to finish the edge. To secure the handles, Jimmy secures them with saddle rivets.
Original Air Date: Jan 25, 2023, Season 22; Ep. 12 23:42