How Los Angeles Replaced Its Historic Water Infrastructure and Custom Roof Tiles

This episode follows the renovation of a Los Angeles home, highlighting the craftsmanship behind custom clay roof tiles and the massive engineering effort to modernize the city's water supply infrastructure.

The episode documents the installation of custom roof tiles in a Silver Lake home. Contractor John Dybas demonstrates the process, which involves using polypropylene underlayment, specific flashing details, and securing tiles with mortar, nails, and hand tools. The tiles themselves are manufactured in Corona, California, by mixing clay and sand with water and fire.

Simultaneously, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey investigates the city's water systems. He visits a reservoir with Marty Adams, the director of operations for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), to discuss why the landmark facility is being taken offline. The pair also descends 35 feet underground in Griffith Park to examine the new water supply infrastructure.

Source: This Old House | Roof Tiles & Richard’s Water Story (S32 E19) | FULL EPISODE