smart tipsbe informed

March 6, 2008
Change the batteries in all of your smoke detectors. Check the charge on any fire extinguishers you might have in the house. Don't have any? Not a good thing, every one should have at least one fire extinguisher in their home, preferably one at the following locations: In the kitchen near an exit ( you want the door out behind you for quick escape); one at the entrance to the garage, one at the bottom of the basement stairs and keep them free of clutter and debris. If there's a fire you don't want to search for this stuff. Clean the lint out of the clothes dryer vent/hose. Not many people think of it, but a lint build up in the dryer vent/hose is likely and can present a fire hazard. Ask yourself, when was the last time you cleaned it out. Now is a good time to start. Go one step further and make sure the vent/hose is comprised of metal and not the plastic or vinyl type (they're more flammable). Change the batteries in all of your Carbon Monoxide detectors. (CO detectors should be placed, minimally, at each level of your home, near sleeping areas, hallways and living spaces.)

March 13, 2008
If the water pressure is low at just one faucet, try cleaning the aerator, it's the screen covered thing at the tip of the faucet. Using a pair of pliers, cover the faucet with a wash cloth first to avoid scratching the surface, remove the aerator and scrub with an old toothbrush or soak in vinegar. I'ts not a bad idea to exercise or open/close water shut off valves in the home, they have a tendency to freeze up when not used.

Clogged drain but no Drano? Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into the clogged drain followed by 1/2 cup of warm vinegar. Voila!! A clear and clean smelling drain.

March 20, 2008
To avoid a drop in water pressure in the shower after a toilet is flushed, try this quick fix. In almost all cases you will find a water shut -off valve under the toilet tank. Usually, this valve is fully open, allowing water to rush into the tank and dropping the water pressure. Close the valve to 1/4 or 1/2 open; water will flow slower to the toilet tank and the drop in water pressure at the shower will be significantly reduced. The result of course is a more relaxing shower and fewer third degree burns from a spike in the water temperature. Clogged shower heads? Mineral deposits often clog our shower heads and lead to clogged drains.

March 27, 2008
To get rid of mildew or soap build-up on interior caulking, try using rubbing alcohol, straight from the bottle, with a clean rag on the affected areas. It should come sparkling clean like the day it was applied. Bathtubs sometimes sink a bit when they're full. Because of this, the caulk around the tub and shower walls might fail prematurely. To get the most of the application and keep the area water tight, fill the bathtub with water before applying caulk. Drain the tub after the caulk material has dried or cured. Thinking of changing the bathroom floor covering? If you plan on using vinyl tiles I would think twice. The tiles, especially the peel and stick variety, are great for kitchens or other areas, but not the best for bathrooms. Sheet flooring in a bathroom gives a little more protection in the event of an overflow or tidal waves created by young children.

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