Carbon Monoxide is a odorless killer gas.
Homeowners with natural gas and/or propane appliances should have Carbon Monoxide detectors at all levels of the home. Batteries should be replaced yearly. Replacing batteries during daylight savings is a great time to do so. Fire and smoke detectors DO NOT detect carbon monoxide which is an odorless gas that can be deadly if it goes undetected. Some models of Carbon Monoxide detectors detect both smoke and CO. There are also both direct wired detectors as well as battery only models to choose from. See our "links" page for more information.
Change your furnace filter!
Changing you furnace filter is an important thing to do. A dirty filter will impede the airflow through your forced hot air furnace causing the furnace to run inefficiently. The amount of people and pets in the home will determine how often you should change your filter. Some homes require monthly replacement or every 6 months. There are numerous sizes and styles available at your local hardware stores and big box stores.
Fire Extinguishers Are a "Must" in every home.
Fire extinguishers are an essential fire prevention tool. They are an absolute "Must Have". In the kitchen is where most house fires start. There should be a readily available fire extinguisher with an "ABC" rating. If you have a fire extinguisher already, make sure it's fully charged and not expired. It's a good practice to get your extinguishers re-filled or replaced periodically. As a TEST to see if everyone in the household knows where the fire extinguisher is: When they are not expecting it, ask them to tell you where the fire extinguisher is? (as if it's anemergency) You might be surprised that most adults and children have no idea, even when it has always been in plain site. It's also a good idea to have another fire extinguisher at the entrance to the basement and/or garage.
Ceiling Fans Are Not Just For Cooling.
Ceiling fans come with a switch on them to "Reverse" the blade rotation. During the winter you can reverse the blades to help circulate the warm air that rises to the ceiling. This should ONLY be done when the fan is in the "Off" position.
Annual Maintenance for your Hot Water Heater
Manufacturers of hot water heaters recommend that you drain your tank yearly to prevent sediment build-up that can cause failure to the lower heating element and void the warranty. Some manufacturers also recommend inspecting the upper and lower heating elements as a maintenance procedure. For both maintenance procedures: follow the manufacturers instructions that are contained in the owners manual. In all cases, you will be instructed to turn off the electrical power to the appliance and turn off the incoming water supply. Do NOT ever drain a water heater while the electric power is still connected. If you do ot have the instructions that come with the owners manual, you can find a copy online by searching for the make and model number listed on your water heater.
TIP: (for electric water heaters) When you are planning to be away from home for an extended period of time, it's a good idea to turn OFF the power to your hot water heater and also shut off the water supply line. For gas and oil fired hot water heaters, follow the manufacturers recommendations or consult a plumber. This saftey procedure is to eliminate the chance of flooding while you are not home and also saves electricity.
TIP: (for electric water heaters) When you are planning to be away from home for an extended period of time, it's a good idea to turn OFF the power to your hot water heater and also shut off the water supply line. For gas and oil fired hot water heaters, follow the manufacturers recommendations or consult a plumber. This saftey procedure is to eliminate the chance of flooding while you are not home and also saves electricity.
REPLACE THOSE OLD HOSES!
Avoid disaster by frequently inspecting your washing machine hoses. If you have the older style black rubber hoses and they are more than a few years old, consider replacing them ASAP. These hoses can rupture without any warning (see image on the left). If you are planning a vacation or expect to be away from home for an extended period of time, it would be a good idea to shut OFF the water supply lines connected to your washing machine. I've had personal experience with a ruptured hose that flooded a basment with 4 inches of water before being discovered. You can find new braided reinforced hoses at any plumbing supply house, hardware store and the big box stores.
What are those Spots on my Siding?
Ever wonder what those tiny brownish red spots all over your home are and where they came from? Well, in most cases, they came from a bad decision a lot of us make. We bought mulch and spread it all over the place. We put it around the house and around trees in the yard. This is what we call “Organic” material. Organic material includes wood mulch, root mulch, and the dreaded dyed wood mulches (which contains old shredded wooden pallets). “What’s the problem with that?” you ask. Unfortunately organic material promotes fungus, yes fungus. Not just any old fungus but Artillery Fungus also referred as “Shotgun Fungus”. This is a fungus that lives, grows, and spreads in mulches especially in moist areas. When the day is bright, these little fungi SHOOT their spores upwards to bright and shiny objects. These fungi are capable of shooting the spores as high as thirty-five feet and higher depending on the air currents. If you have these spots on your home and you look up at the second level under the eves or from an upper window, I can guarantee they’re there. Even if you park your car in an area where there is mulch nearby, you’re risking getting these nasty spots on your vehicle. The problem here is that it is almost impossible to remove these spots. Even with a high-powered pressure washer you can’t rid the siding of these little brownish stains. “What should I do?” you ask. Get rid of it, bag it and throw it away, make a pile and burn it, or donate it to the neighbor you don’t like. If nothing else, stop putting wood mulch around your home. Remove the mulch in the spring and use it somewhere else like a walking path where there are no structures to stain. Putting it into your compost pile is NOT an option. There is way too much carbon in wood mulches and it will spoil the process of composting. As a side note, mulch should not be put up against any tree trunk or the stems of any other plants for that matter. Compost is the best alternative for retaining moisture and adding nutrients. The big box stores won’t tell you any of this and neither will those bulk suppliers or your local garden centers. They just want to unload this useless byproduct. In closing, I would recommend replacing any organic mulch with pea gravel, crushed shells or stone which will reduce the liveability of the fungus.