In this episode:
Landscape contractor Jenn Nawada tells you everything you need to know about ornamental grasses. They are some of Jenn’s favorite plants to add to a landscape design because they can add a cool visual element to virtually any area. Jenn shows a few examples of the many varieties you can choose from and explains how you could use them in a design. Master electrician Heath Eastman and home technology expert Ross Trethewey discuss electric vehicle (EV) chargers with This Old House host Kevin O’Connor. With EVs increasingly becoming more popular, Heath has been getting many calls for charger installations from both homeowners and car dealerships. They explain the levels of EV chargers and share what they think people should have installed in their homes. The two also make some predictions about where electric vehicle installations are headed and how our garages and driveways might look different sometime in the future. Plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey demonstrates what you can do to a washing machine to prevent a flooding catastrophe. In the United States, the average insurance claim for water damage due to plumbing failures is ten thousand dollars. One of the worst culprits is washing machines. So, Richard shares a device that he highly recommends, an automatic washing machine water shutoff valve. He demonstrates how to properly install one so you can protect yourself, and your downstairs neighbors, from catastrophic floods and costly repairs. Carpenter Nathan Gilbert visits a deck that had a joist fall down. Before attempting to fix it themselves, the family decided they should have an expert take a look at it to see if there was a more serious structural problem that needed to be addressed. Right away Nathan sees that the hanger completely rusted away, and the other joists are not far along from falling as well. Nathan then puts the joist back into place and demonstrates how to remove corroded joist hangers and replace them with new ones. He also shares how to prevent the hangers from rusting in the future. After, Nathan is joined by Tom Silva and Kevin in the workshop to talk about choosing the proper fasteners and hangers for the project.
All About Ornamental Grasses
Ask This Old House landscape contractor Jenn Nawada discusses a variety of ornamental grasses, how to care for them, and how to incorporate them into a landscape design.
Where to find it?
Jenn discussed a variety of ornamental grasses, including miscanthus “morning light,” miscanthus “adagio”, panium vergatum “purple tears,” and hakonechloa “Japanese forest grass.” These can be found at some home centers and most nurseries. Expert assistance with this segment was provided by Stonegate Gardens.
What’s New with EV Chargers
Ask This Old House master electrician, Heath Eastman, and home technology expert, Ross Trethewey, discuss the progression of electric vehicle chargers and the role they imagine EV chargers will play in houses in the future.
Where to find it?
Working with the electric panel and high voltage wiring associated with electric vehicles can be dangerous, so Heath recommends that EV chargers should only be installed by licensed professionals. Heath and Ross discussed a variety of topics related to electric vehicle chargers. In general, Level 1 EV Chargers will come with the purchase of an electric vehicle. Level 2 chargers, and the variety of materials associated with an installation, can be found at home centers and electric supply stores.
How to Prevent Flooding in an Upstairs Laundry Room
Ask This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey explains how and why to install an automatic shutoff valve for the washing machine supply hoses.
Where to find it?
Richard replaced the standard hot and cold washing machine shutoff valves with an Automatic Washing Machine Shut Off, which is manufactured by Watts. The other tools and materials Richard needed to remove the valves and make the new connections, including the braided, stainless steel hoses, the PEX piping and connections, and the PVC glue, can all be found at home centers.
How to Replace a Deck Joist Hanger
Ask This Old House carpenter Nathan Gilbert helps a homeowner repair her deck by replacing rotted hangers and re-securing the joist to the structure.
Where to find it?
Nathan replaced the rotted joist hangers with 2x8” Face-Mount Galvanized Joist Hangers, which are manufactured by Simpson Strong-Tie and can be found at most home centers. To resecure the deck boards to the joist, Nathan used a drill driver and 2” Deckmate star drive coated deck screws, which can also be found at home centers. Original Air Date: May 23 2021 Season 19; Ep.24 23:42
Products and Services from this Episode
Expert gardening assistance: Stonegate Gardens Washing machine shut off valve manufacturer: Watts Deck joist hangers manufacturer: Simpson Strong-Tie
