This Old House

A new series begins in Detroit, Michigan, where terms like “bankrupt” and “deserted” are out and “revitalization” is in. Kevin meets homeowners who plan to renovate a formerly abandoned home themselves.

Kevin meets the Mayor of Detroit before touring an abandoned home in the Grandmont-Rosedale neighborhood that the city plans to renovate and sell. Back at the Russell Woods project, work continues with a security system install and insulation.

Richard snakes a camera down a drain to look for damaged pipes. Tommy repairs a leaky parapet. Kevin tours a famous automaker’s estate.

Tommy helps the family remove peeling paint. Work begins to restore the original leaded stained glass windows in the living room. Richard learns all about Motown, a major Detroit institution.

Tommy uses a modern solution for traditional decorative molding. Frank and Tamiko travel to Wisconsin to select their plumbing fixtures. Tommy works with Frank to install kitchen ceiling strapping.

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.

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.

The restored leaded glass bay windows are installed. A heated floor and tile go down in the kitchen. Kevin and Roger explore urban farming in Detroit.

Frank and Tamiko bring the family in to start painting. Tommy repairs decorative molding with a putty knife. The fireplace gets a facelift with a new tile surround.

Kevin, Tommy and Richard tour the completed Russell Woods project, highlighting the major areas of improvement and preservation, and celebrate a job well done with the homeowners and contributors.