Host Kevin O’Connor takes us to the shop for an important conversation about hearing protection. Meeting with audiologist Steve Taddei Au. D., the two get loud and clear about the importance of preserving your hearing around loud environments, including those that the crew of Ask This Old House regularly experience. Dr. Taddei shows Kevin some popular hearing protection options before testing how loud tools can be with a phone-based meter.
Next, we take a trip with plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey to help a couple concerned with aging in place. After tackling some renovations on their own, they wanted help with moving their laundry location to the first floor, and Richard knows just the guys for the job.
After master electrician Heath Eastman assesses the electrical panel and master carpenter Nathan Gilbert checks the bathroom layout, the real work begins. Heath gets to work relocating the thermostat and running electric to the new laundry location, while Nathan Gilbert gets to work on the framing and door installation in the hallway. Finally, with Richard’s plumbing and ventilation finished, the team can slide the stacked washer and dryer into place for a perfect age-in-place laundry solution.
The Importance of Hearing Protection
Host Kevin O’Connor meets with an audiologist to talk about the importance of preserving your hearing before learning about the different hearing protection options.
Where to find it?
Guest expert: Steve Taddei Au.D.
Additional assistance provided by: HearAdvisor
Steve used the NIOSH SLM phone app to measure sound levels with his phone. He also recommends Decibel X. While phone apps aren’t perfectly accurate, they can give you a good enough measurement of sound levels.
LAeq is the best setting to use for estimating exposure as it follows our perception of sound. Using dB A-weighting, or dbA, is also good.
Hearing Protection:
- Classic disposable ear plugs
- Ear plug keychain case
- Noise cancelling wireless earbuds
- Electronic hearing protection earmuffs
How to Relocate a Washer Dryer
When it comes to aging in place, it’s better to do the work when you can, not when you need to. A couple wanted to move their laundry to the main floor. With the help of plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, master electrician Heath Eastman, and master carpenter Nathan Gilbert, the couple got the stackable washer and dryer they wanted, installed right on their main floor.
Where to find it?
Electric
- 4-in-1 precision electronics screwdriver to take off the thermostat cover
- 12/2 NM cable used to find a path to find the wires for the washing machine that would go upstairs
- 10 3 NM cable used to find a path for the wires as well
Plumbing
- Tape measure to measure the space
- Washing machine outlet box used for water connection
- Mesh sand roll to sand down the pipes
- Mini copper tubing cutter used to cut the pipes
- Hand torch used to heat up the pipes
- Flathead screwdriver
Carpentry
