Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Arts & Culture

THIS OLD HOUSE: The Detroit House

In Detroit, Mich., where terms like “bankrupt” and “deserted” are out and “revitalization” is in, a family plans to renovate an abandoned home (pictured) themselves.
Courtesy of Kevin O'Connor
In Detroit, Mich., where terms like “bankrupt” and “deserted” are out and “revitalization” is in, a family plans to renovate an abandoned home (pictured) themselves.

Airs Saturdays, April 8 - May 27, 2017 at Noon on KPBS TV

Discover America’s leading home improvement series, the Emmy® Award-winning THIS OLD HOUSE®. Follow home renovations from start to finish with America’s favorite team of experts – Norm Abram, Tom Silva, Richard Trethewey, Roger Cook and Kevin O’Connor.

Detroit. One House at a Time | Introduction

"For the first time in its 38-year history

Advertisement

EPISODE GUIDE:

Episode 1: “Rebuilding Motor City” airs Saturday, April 8 at Noon - A new series begins in Detroit, Michigan, where terms like “bankrupt” and “deserted” are out and “revitalization” is in. Kevin learns about the history of the city and then meets the Polk Family, who plan to renovate a formerly abandoned home themselves.

In Detroit, Mich., where terms like “bankrupt” and “deserted” are out and “revitalization” is in, this family (pictured) plans to renovate an abandoned home themselves.
Courtesy of Kevin O'Connor
In Detroit, Mich., where terms like “bankrupt” and “deserted” are out and “revitalization” is in, this family (pictured) plans to renovate an abandoned home themselves.

Episode 2: “Ready For Rehab” airs Saturday, April 15 at Noon - Kevin meets Detroit’s mayor, Mike Duggan, to learn about the city’s efforts to eliminate blight. Back in Russell Woods, Scott Caron installs a security system, while Tommy helps Frank blow in insulation from the outside.

Episode 3: “Down The Rehab Rabbit Hole” airs Saturday, April 22 at Noon - Richard snakes a camera down the main plumbing stack to rule out any major blockages to the street. Frank asks Tommy for help with the leaky parapet at the front of the house. The kitchen is opened up.

Episode 4: “Windows Of Detroit” airs Saturday, April 29 at Noon - Tommy works with the family to remove peeling paint. While Richard begins rough plumbing using PEX, Tommy shows Kevin the issues with the leaded stained glass windows in the living room as glass artist, Ann Baxter, begins the repairs.

Windows in the Detroit home that the family plans to renovate themselves.
Courtesy of THIS OLD HOUSE
Windows in the Detroit home that the family plans to renovate themselves.

Episode 5: “Plumbing Road Trip” airs Saturday, May 6 at Noon - Tommy uses a modern solution for some traditional decorative molding. Homeowners Frank and Tamiko travel to Wisconsin to select their plumbing fixtures. Tommy works with Frank to install new kitchen ceiling strapping.

Advertisement

Episode 6: “Fixing The Fascia” airs Saturday, May 13 at Noon - Rough wiring is installed in the kitchen. A new HVAC system goes in. Richard heads to Flint, MI, to learn about their ongoing water crisis. Back at the house, Tommy installs new fascia.

Interior of the Detroit home that the family plans to renovate themselves.
Courtesy of Kevin O'Connor
Interior of the Detroit home that the family plans to renovate themselves.

Episode 7: “Detroit A Mason Steps Up” airs Saturday, May 20 at Noon - Tommy uses a clever fix for some damaged oak flooring. Mark McCullough repairs the front steps. Kevin heads to a famous Detroit ceramic studio to see how they’ve been making tile for a century.

Episode 8: “Detroit Stain Glass Revival” airs Saturday, May 27 at Noon - The restored leaded glass bay windows are installed and modern wood-grain tile goes down in the kitchen. Kevin and Roger explore urban farming in Detroit. Roger installs a drywell and Tommy leads the kitchen cabinet installation.

Interior of the Detroit home that the family plans to renovate themselves.
Courtesy of THIS OLD HOUSE
Interior of the Detroit home that the family plans to renovate themselves.

Episode 9: “Going Old School for Tile And Molding” AIR DATE TBA - Frank, Tamiko, their kids and Kevin start interior painting. Tommy repairs decorative molding using a putty knife. Tommy and Frank install interior doors and the tile installer gives the fireplace a much needed facelift.

WATCH ON DEMAND:

Full episodes are available to view on demand for a limited time after broadcast. Extend your viewing window with KPBS Passport, video streaming for members ($60 yearly) using your computer, smartphone or tablet. We offer Passport videos on ROKU! Activate your benefit now.

CONNECT:

This Old House is on Facebook, Pinterest, and you can follow @ThisOldHouse on Twitter.

CREDITS:

THIS OLD HOUSE and ASK THIS OLD HOUSE are produced by This Old House Ventures, LLC and are presented on PBS by WGBH Boston. The Executive Producer is Chris Wolfe. Senior producer for THIS OLD HOUSE is John Tomlin. Senior producer for ASK THIS OLD HOUSE is Heath Racela.