Bob,

I have a confession. My initials are the same as yours, and during my childhood one winter I scraped the siding on my house with "BV was here." When questioned about who might have done it, I blamed you.

Sorry.

That's okay. I scratched the number 4 on the lid of the record player cabinet when I was about 6... I don't remember what happened, but I remember doing it!

Hi Bob! Just have one question:

Did you have a favorite contest against Tim "The Toolman" Taylor in Home Improvement? Those episodes were by far the most memorable tv episodes I saw as a child. You took it to him every time!

Thanks for the memories.

Favorite Home Improvement moment: getting helped off stage by Pamela Anderson after being hit over the head with a 4x6.

Because of you, years ago, I won a contest at a company picnic! I was able to identify and explain the uses of a biscuit joiner. Thank you Mr. Vila!

What was the prize??

Hi Bob! Thanks for doing this AMA.

I grew up watching This Old House with my grandpa in the 80’s. You sparked my passion for houses, which lead to my degree in Architecture and my career as a homebuilder. I actually cited this on my Architecture application.

By and large, houses have become commodities and ceased to be homes built by craftsmen. Tract builders view them as a way to sell land. Financial institutions view them as the collateral basis for mortgage backed securities. Everything is distilled down to the cheapest, most efficient method, which rarely requires skilled labor.

In my own practice, I only use skilled labor, proper materials (e.g. stucco instead of EIFS), and I build the homes to last more than a lifetime. I design the plans specifically for the client and the lot. I treat each house as the client’s home, dreams, and primary financial investment. I do this with all houses, starter homes up to mansions. But I’m in the minority. A tiny, tiny minority.

That being said, how can we bring back the craftsman?

Happy to hear I could help! Definitely we should promote vocational training in schools

Is there such a thing as a board-stretcher? My boss sent me to get one 20 years ago, and I still haven't found it.

Isn't that a wall street term?

Maybe you'll find one on the same aisle as the sky hooks.

How handy is Tim Allen in real life?

Tim Allen is real handy as long as it has four wheels and an engine.

[deleted]

Southern yellow pine. Reminds me of my childhood.

Hi Bob! One of my greatest memories growing up was watching your show with my dad. My mom was always trying to get me to play with dolls and cooking sets (since I’m a girl) but all I wanted to do was play with tools and help my dad build things - all because of you! Thank you for the memories.

Now for my question: What is your favorite sandwich? :)

I just had a falafel sandwich - liked it a lot!

What was the first tool you ever used? What was the first thing you ever built?

My earliest recollection of using a tool was a 4 lb masons hammer. And I used it to un-build some concrete blocks...

Which tool best describes you and why?

The power saw -- because I like to be on the cutting edge.

I always used to say this to the TV when I was little.... so here goes....

Hi Bob!

Hi Johnny!

Hi Mr. Vila! With all of your travels and experience, I have to know: Do you believe in haunted houses?

NO.

Hey Bob. Thanks for doing this. I vividly remember watching Home Again with my dad when I was growing up. It was sort of a bonding thing for us. We both learned a lot from it. So thank you for that.

As for my question, I have a birch tree in my yard that will be coming down soon. It happens to have a couple of branches that would be the perfect width to make coasters. How would you suggest going about doing that?

P.S. check out /r/DIY Your input you be greatly valued over there.

If the diameter of the branch is about 2 or 3 inches, you can slice it on a table saw or with a chop saw. I've done this with cedar branches and used them for place cards at picnic tables.

What if I want to get fancy and put a design with a wood burning tool? Do I need to coat it in anything in particular to keep it from getting damaged over time? Thank you so much for answering my questions.

Nope - let it age naturally.

Mr. Vila:

About 7 or 8 years ago I was in the British Virgin Islands (on Anegada, I think) and asked a bartender "Who's the most famous person who has been here recently?" The bartender thinks for a moment and then says, "Well, Bob Vila was here last night."

Q: Do you go sailing a lot? If so, where are your favorite places to sail?

Yes, I love to sail. We have a 12 and half foot Havens, which we sail in Manemshapond.

if you had to pick 3 tools everyone should have, what would they be?

A hammer, a pliers, and a yankee screwdriver.

How'd you learn to do all of this stuff? A mentor?

My father build the house I grew up in when I was a little guy in the late 40s, I was always following him around.

How do you cultivate such a perfect salt-and-pepper beard?

Boar bristle brush.

What was the biggest surprise you found while renovating an old house?

My 200 year old cape in Massachusetts had a living room floor that was held together by the wall-to-wall carpet. We had to replace all the floor joists.

Bob, thanks for doing an AMA!

TOH (back in the 80s and early 90s) was probably my favorite show as a child. I want to rewatch all of those episodes with an adult perspective but they haven't been released on DVD/netflix/itunes/amazon etc. Any idea why?

All of my Home Again shows are digitized and available at BobVila.com. The This Old House classics which I hosted were sold by PBS to TimeWarner and they have aired, but I don't know if they're available on any website.

[deleted]

I was in the New York Times crossword puzzle once, about 20 years ago! Nothing beats that.

What's the most drastic renovation project you've ever done?

The very first This Old House in Dorchester, MA. It was just a derelict house, hadn't been cared for in years and everything was rotting, everything was busted.

Hey Bob. Two questions:

Many American high schools have had to downsize or eliminate technology and 'shop' courses due to budget cuts. Do you feel that these tradesman courses should be better emphasized? How can we get kids interested in working with their hands again?

Also, what was shooting on Home Improvement like? Going from your DIY series to a scripted sitcom must have been a challenge!

I think it's an extremely important thing to promote vocational education in public schools, so that kids can fall in love with woodworking, mechanics, pottery, and many other crafts and build a career there.

Was it always the plan for you to be Tim Taylor's arch enemy. Or was it suppose to be a one time appearance that ended up working, so it became a running gag? And do you still keep in contact with Tim Allen?

Home Improvement was developed totally based on This Old House, but the writer's didn't think about consulting with me -- but at the last minute, they invited me on the show, and that's where the gag started.

How did you start your career before tv?

While studying architecture in Boston, I needed to make some dough... so I bought a van, some tools, made some cards and started a remodeling business.

Hey Bob! I basically grew up watching your show. My dad had every episode taped of yours, I am sure he is one of your biggest fans. He now lives in a house he designed, and built both barns/sheds on his property. I don't really have a question, just wanted to share that with you and thank you for the AMA! At the very least, could you give a shout out here to my dad Gary? You would make his year. Thanks!

Hi Gary! Best wishes to you!

Bob Vila's favorite movie?

Well this week, it's All is Lost, the new Redford movie. Unbelievable.

What would be a great father son project to work on?

One of my favorites is to build window boxes - or bird houses!

Was there ever a house you really wish you hadn't put on the show after all the work, because it wasn't really worth it or didn't come out how you would have liked?

What was the best outtake on either of your shows, that would've been most reminiscent of Home Improvement?

There was a manufactured house, and the owner ran out of money.. and we couldn't finish the project on the show. The house was finished on the outside... but not on the inside, and I had to turn to the camera and say " The owner ran out of money!" and we basically had to turn to a few different projects. So we instead went to Elmhurst Cottage, which was a Vanderbilt house inherited by a descendant.

Bob, I have a flatscreen TV to mount to a plaster wall. I am having trouble finding the studs, even with an electronic stud finder. Advice?

Thanks in advance!

If it's a new television -- they don't weigh much at all. You can attached it to the drywall with toggle bolts or molly bolts. If it's heavier... keep looking for those studs! I just had this situation. I had 6 year old flat screen that weighed too much, we were afraid to mount it. After getting a new one, it was the easiest thing to hang on the wall.

Did / Do you and Norm get along in real life?

Bob, I'll follow this up with, how much involvement did you have behind the scenes? Was the role hosting the show primarily presentation, or did you help Norm with any of the construction as well?

*Whoops, included Steve Thomas as another part of the construction crew, didn't realize he was the host that took over after Bob left the show.

In the last decade of Home Again programs, I was very involved with producing, directing, sometimes hosting, and quite involved with the design and construction of the project.

Hey. Thanks for doing this AMA! I am a new home owner (small brick ranch built 1961 with a small deck on 1 acre). Two questions:

1- Winter is coming. I have some parging at the base of the house that is cracking and starting to come off. Is that a NOW project or a next spring/summer thing?

2- I have carpenter ants that seem to live in a window frame. How much damage are they doing?

Get thee to an exterminator!

Any tips on ensuring my deck lasts this winter?

Always a good idea to put a sealer coat on!

I just wanted to say hi. One of my earliest memories as a child was getting up to watch you on This Old House on PBS with my dad.

Actually, I do have a couple of questions.

What do you think about the "DYI" movement in general?

Also, is it true that you're Cuban? I think I read that somewhere. Hola!

American-born Cuban! ABC.

Do you always wear these, safety glasses?

Yes - definitely. No exceptions.

Bob, my husband worships you. I VHS taped This Old House, the only show I ever taped. Thanks for everything you have done to help people live in their houses. I have a serious DIY related question.

My whole house, renovated in the '80s, has polished brass everything. Chandeliers, door handles, drawer pulls, fixtures, even the outlet covers. Is there any way for me to cover it with some sort of spray-on finish? I have seen lots of DIYers try it, but have never seen whether or not it works in the long-term. Should I just save up thousands in order to replace everything?

No! You should preserve the brass. You can get clear spray lacquer and apply that, but eventually it'll darken. The best thing to do with antique brass is preserve it.

Mr. Vila,

I am building a house and need to choose a type of flooring. We are putting wood in the kitchen and would like something that is somewhat water resistant. Would you recommend engineered hardwood or actual hardwood?

I would recommend actual hardwood. Engineered wood products, whether wood or cork, can absorb moisture.

Bob, my husband and I bought a dilapidated HUD home and have spent the last 5 years fixing it up and fixing many of our first round mistakes. We started with no experience at all but have found a lot of invaluable information from your shows. What is your advice to complete newbies trying to improve their homes?

I responded to someone else on here about the same thing -- try building shelves in your closet. If you mess up completely -- close the door and no one will know! And with the measuring, lay out - you can saw, sand, and paint the wood, and then hang it yourself -- it covers a range of skills. A good first project.

What's the most underrated tool I need for DIY projects?

The square is definitely underrated. It's too often ignored.

I need to replace a fence at my house. My sister keeps saying wood posts are fine as long as the concrete is done correctly and poured higher than ground level.

Is this true or should I just pay for metal posts? Note if it matters I plan on using cedar pickets.

Most people would not pour concrete around a wooden post. This tends to accelerate rotting. Wooden posts should simply be put into the ground and it's sometimes a good idea to put in some crushed stone at the base where the post will sit, and then fill the whole back compacting the earth with a sledgehammer. If you want steel posts, then you would use concrete.

Big fan here Bob. What would you say are some of the easier home renovation projects for someone without too much experience? Follow-up, what is a project which lay people are usually intimidated by but they shouldn't be?

Thanks in advance!

People are usually intimidated by wallpaper hanging. I hate it... but once you get going, anyone can do it. It's just tedious.

[deleted]

Nope! But I did shoot a segment there, at the round barn looking at the beautiful old cars.

What has been your favorite project?

My shingle style house in Cambridge. That was featured on Home Again, so you can check out the videos still on BobVila.com

[deleted]

1. You should have a home inspector or engineer look at this problem. Your roof load might be causing it -- it could be dangerous!

Greetings Mr.Vila, Of all the shows and reno's you've done, have you ever looked at a certain tool and thought hmm..what the heck is that?

The joke on Home Improvement was - "What's an adze?" It's a draw-knife.

What are the major things one should look at before buying an "Old House"? LOVE YOUR SHOW!

Structural integrity, age of mechanical systems, cost of operation, taxes... and of course, the neighborhood!

I need to add a man door to my garage. If there is an existing window, can I safely cut out the block underneath it to install the door (since the block above seems to be supported already), or do I need to add more support for the block above?

No, it should be an easy conversion, assuming there's a proper header in the frame above the window.

What's the most dangerous thing you have seen or corrected?

A burned out townhouse can be one of the most dangerous work sites.

How do you feel about the fact that handyman type of work is looked down upon as a trade? People look down at it as not having a real job.

I think anyone with skills to repair and build things will always be admired.

Septic system question ... it's tank and lines are located right behind the house where I want a sun room. Can I build over it and leave access to pump or install a new system. What should I do?

Definitely install a new system. I don't think any town would allow you to build over an existing septic system.

Hi Mr Vila! Firstly I just want to say I watched everything you were on on TV and read as many of your books as I could. Still to this day when I try to fix something or build something I say "I'm going Bob Vila this!" or "I feel like Bob Vila right now!" So thank you for that haha.

A few questions if you dont mind:

• What would you say are the most important things to know/abide by for someone who is not experienced but would like to build or fix something?
• Are we ever going to see you on TV again?
• What was your favorite project, personal or professionaly, that you worked on?
• Propane or charcoal/wood for BBQ?
• How was working with Tim Allen on Home Improvement?

Thank you for doing this AMA, yours is the first one I was genuinely excited about!

• Keen powers of observation and ability to find advice and direction.

• You can find me in re-runs!

• And definitely charcoal, in the egg. But gas for quick results (hamburgers!)

Hi Bob, thanks for doing this. I have a question for you: what project was the hardest for you to work on?

None of them particularly hard. The hardest thing is putting together a really good team, and a good construction crew.

[deleted]

Definitely have a professional look at that, if it's foundation cracks.

Hello Bob! Glad you're doing this ama. I live in Montana and it's gonna get cold here soon. I live in a half basement apartment that, while not having large or many windows, is still rather drafty. What's a good way to keep the heat in and the cool out?

Heavy curtains...

In your opinion, what home improvements should everyone be able to do themselves?

I always recommend adding shelves to a closet, so if you really screw up no one will really know. It's a good project to try - you can do the measuring, the lay out, by the wood, use a hand saw, hammer and nails. And you'll want to sand it and paint it too, so there are a lot of skills involved.

Hey Bob, huge fan! I spent a lot of my childhood with my dad watching your show and it lead me to have a deep respect for woodworking. I have a few questions.

1. Which project was your most and least favorite?
2. How much involvement did you have with the projects on the show?
3. Any plans on a new tv show?
4. What is your favorite wood to work with?

For #4 -- my favorite wood is definitely mahogany. It's so easy to work with and so beautiful to finish. American cheery is a close second.