This Old House

A neglected circa 1784 Federal rejoined the ranks of other historic homes in Salem, Massachusetts.

The final day. The final party begins, with thanks to the hard work of contractor Jim Nolan, foreman Jeff Castille, and their crew, who conquer once-in-a-century rains to bring the job in on time.

the rains continue, and so does progress. Norm follows the installation of the solid-surface countertop, while Richard Trethewey points out the important features of the new hot-water system.

Steve tours the exterior with Jim Nolan, seeing fir decking, trim details, redwood siding. Norm visits a nearby factory where wine barrels are made from American oak.

Contractor Jim Nolan shows Norm what has had to be done to save the old front porch: the chimney has been torn down. The roofing crew strips and sheathes the old roof, which has been straightened and reinforced with purlins and braces.

Steve starts the show with a visit to Napa Valley’s oldest wooden gravity-feed winery, home of Trefethen Vineyards. At the site, Norm meets plumber George Biter, who shows his rough work, including ABS and cast iron piping.

Steve and Norm open the show in sandbagged downtown Napa, then head to the job. Foreman Jeff Castille and crew have spent the week leveling the kitchen area with steel beams and hydraulic jacks.

Work begins. Jim Nolan’s crew tears off the back porch with a backhoe. Norm visits architect Jon Lail’s office to see the proposed kitchen addition and is treated to a "virtual reality" walk-through of the space.

Steve and Norm head to a 1906 farmhouse inCalifornia’s Napa Valley. The house is in need of a new, larger and brighter kitchen, as well as a new roof and a reinforced foundation.

The final days; Richard Trethewey takes Steve on a plumber’s final tour through the basement and bathrooms, and interior designer Judy George shows him the decorated rooms.

Tom Silva is in the dining room and describes what they did to fix the low dining room ceiling.

Steve finds Norm Abram and Tom Silva installing the new front entry that was built in the workshop. Tom finds the house to be off by 6" and they describe how they compensated.

Steve in kitchen where they are installing the wide paneled floor. Owners decide to leave imperfections on wood facing up. Dana is applying shilack for construction adhesive for wood and panels are nailed in with guns.

Steve sees Terry busily caulking the battered clapboards of the west gable in preparation for the top coat of paint. Norm meets up with architect Chris Dallmus for a research trip around Acton.

Tom Silva tests out the old-fashioned v-shaped gutter he made for the front porch, then takes Steve on a tour of the house. Paul Kennedy explains to Steve the challenges he faced in working with the house’s steel studs.

Steve discusses a few details of farmer’s porch that he thinks should be reconsidered. Norm and Richard Trethewey review the heating and cooling systems.

Tom Silva shows Norm his reroofing progress-stripping of old shingles, plywood sheathing, new shingles, ridge vent. Steve Thomas visits historic Deefield, MA.

Norm explains to Steve that it might make sense to replace the heavily weathered clapboards. Tommy Silva and Norm show what’s involved in installing a replacement window.

The addition is weathertight. Tommy shows Steve the lightweight steel partition walls he’s building. Norm tours a plant in Tennessee that makes power tools.