On the Wire - Turkey Day Trouble
The potatoes are mashed, the pumpkin pie is cooling and the turkey is ready to be carved; but what's a homeowner to do when the unpredictable happens? Check out our checklist of some of the holidays' most common home repair hurdles:
Disposal Disaster: If your garbage disposal goes on the fritz right when you need it most, follow these steps: turn off the electrical switch that operates the disposal. Use a flashlight and tongs to pull out any obstructing objects. If this doesn't work, insert an Allen wrench in the base of the disposal and rotate clockwise and counterclockwise until the object dislodges. Remember to push the reset button on the base of the disposal. Avoid this by keeping pumpkin rinds, corn cobs, bones and other heavy-duty kitchen waste OUT of the disposal.
Toilet Turmoil: If a toilet is clogged, first turn off the water at the shut-off valve typically located behind the base of the toilet. Use a plunger over the drain hole rapidly about a dozen times. Repeat if necessary. If that doesn't work, insert the corkscrew end of a toilet auger into the drain hole to dislodge the obstruction. Slowly pull it out and do not attempt a repeated effort at flushing it down!
Dishwasher Dilemma: If your dishwasher goes on strike right after twenty of your closest friends and relatives have finished dinner, check to make sure the spray arm isn't blocked by large dishes, which would stand in the way of rinsing. Double-check the water temperature, and make a quick adjustment at the water heater if water isn't hot enough (at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit). Lastly, use a granular type detergent if the home has hard water and a liquid or gel detergent if the home has soft water.
Hot Water Help: If your hot water calls it quits when you've still got company waiting for a shower, there's not a lot you can do but have them wait. But to avoid cold showers in the first place, take a few minutes to install water-saving shower heads before visitors arrive. Stagger and set time limits on showers for guests and family members. Also, run washing machines and dishwashers at night while guests are sleeping. Consider a tankless hot water heater, which provides little to no waiting time for a hot shower!
Electricity Takes a Timeout: First, turn off all appliances, such as hairdryers or microwaves that may have triggered the outage. When working with a circuit breaker (or fuse), use one hand, while keeping the other at your side. Go to the main electrical service panel and open the door. Look for the circuit breaker that is in the off position (it will be flipped in the opposite direction of the others) and switch it to the on position. Plug appliances back in one at a time so the circuit doesn't trip again.
Kitchen Emergency: For a grease fire, a quick solution is to pour a box of baking soda directly over the flames. Never douse with water! Always keep a fire extinguisher within reach. Regularly check the gauge to make sure it's operable.
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Ask Tom & Leslie - A Fungus Among Us?
This week¡¦s question is from V. Dough who says, "I have noticed little mushroom-type looking things growing in my attic where the water is seeping in. Is it a fungus? Part of the mold family? Are they harmful? I have cleaned up the area with an antibacterial spray but what is the proper thing to do to clean up mold?"
Fungus? Yes! Part of the mold family? Well, it is sort of the other way around (mold is actually part of the fungus family). But you have bigger things to worry about than whether the chicken came before the egg! Those mushrooms are a sign that Mother Nature's army of wood destroying rganisms is hard at work attacking your roof structure. Not good! The solution is a two-fold approach:
1. Fix the Leak. Wood destroying organisms can only survive when the moisture content goes about 25%. You need to fix the leaks first. If you do, these organisms will "switch off" and go dormant.
2. Ventilate, Ventilate, Ventilate. Most attics don¡¦t have enough attic ventilation. To get yours up to speed, read our column Drafty Attics are a Good Thing.
Small areas of fungus can be cleaned up with a solution of one-third bleach and two-thirds water. Be very careful applying this bleach. You¡¦ll need to wear safety glasses, gloves and old clothes, and work cautiously since attics can be unfamiliar territory. For larger areas, you¡¦ll need to contact a pro. The key here is fixing those leaks. Once the leaks are gone and the humidity down, there will be no more fungus among us!
For more information on dealing with fungus and other members of the mold family, check out books by Jeff May including "My House is Killing Me" and the "Mold Survival Guide", all published by Johns Hopkins University Press. You¡¦ll also find great tips in the Mold Resource Guide at www.moneypit.com.
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Got A Question About Your Money Pit?
You can do-it-yourself but you don't have to do-it-alone. Getting in touch with us is as easy as 1 - 2 or 3!
- The toll-free studio hot line is 1-888-MONEY PIT. Find out when we broadcast in your area by checking out our website at www.moneypit.com. Each week we take dozens of calls, give great advice and offer callers a chance to win a terrific prize awarded to one random caller to every show.
- Call when it's convenient for you, 24 hours a day, same number: 1-888-MONEY PIT. A live person takes your call 24/7! So -- WHENEVER you have a home improvement question -- phone it in. Simply tell our phone screener your first name, and where you're calling from...and ask your question. We’ll get back to you with the answer – or even call you back during the show!
- Click here to email your question to us. We may read your email on the air and we also respond personally to many of the email questions we get.
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On the Air - Keep Your House OFF the Menu for Mold
This week on the radio show, learn how to keep your house off the menu for mold. Those tiny spores only need a little moisture and some organic food - like wood, paper or fabric ¡V to spread like a cancer through your home. But you can leave the food out of the equation with PAPERLESS drywall called DensArmor Plus. Find out all about this amazing product that you might want to consider incorporating into your remodel or renovation.
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Dot Common Sense - Maintain Your Domain
Taking care of your home will not only keep you safer and more comfortable, it will keep up its value AND allow you to stay in it as long as you can. A few things that can help you do that: each month test your smoke detectors, test and reset ground fault circuit interrupters, check the gauge on your fire extinguisher. Twice a year, check all faucets and under sinks for leaks, inspect caulking around sinks, tubs and showers, clean the coils on your fridge and drain a few gallons of water from your water heater to prevent sediment buildup. Some quick checks and repairs now will ensure your future in your home for years to come. For more info, go to www.aarp.org/universalhome.
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Fun Fact - Hot, Hot, Hot!
How about a cup of hot chocolate, steaming hot tea or instant soup right out of the tap? It¡¦s not too good to be true! You can have steaming hot water on tap any time you¡¦d like it with an instant hot water dispenser. It¡¦s simple to install and keeps hot water handy for beverages and cooking. Installed under the sink and available in a range of styles and colors, this inexpensive luxury is one you¡¦ll appreciate all year long.
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Short Cuts - Stain Removal 101
To remove stains in your dryer¡¦s tumbler, apply spray cleaner, a mild abrasive, or laundry stain treatment to the affected area and wipe with a damp cloth. Then dry a load of old towels or rags for about 25 minutes. These steps will remove the stainƒ{and even if a mark remains on the tumbler, the color won¡¦t transfer onto your clean laundry.
Water rings on furniture are the result of moisture trapped under the finish or the wax. To take the ¡§bite¡¨ out of these stains, simply apply toothpaste to a damp cloth and rub it into the ring. When finished, buff the entire surface, and then ¡V buy yourself some coasters.
Listeners to the show know that pet stain removal is one most requested cleaning questions. There is a product that will get rid of the source of the stain and the odor, down through the carpet padding right down to the sub-floor so the odor disappears. It¡¦s called 1-2-3 Odor Free and you can get it online at www.justrite.com. The product uses a special application of an enzyme/bacteria culture that feeds on the source of the stain and odor. When the food source is gone, the bacteria and enzymes simply evaporate, leaving your carpets odor free! Plus there¡¦s a stain remover included in the kit that you can order. This is the way professionals remove stains ¡V everything from pet accidents to red wine.
When cleaning marble, remember never to use acidic cleaning solutions like vinegar. Marble is delicate and should be cleaned with pH neutral and gentle cleaning agents. Marble easily stains because its surface is porous and spills easily soak into it. Clean up spills quickly. For food stains use a terry cloth with 20% peroxide and water solution, plus a teaspoon of ammonia. Allow it to sit for a while. You can repeat if the stain does not come up. Use a dry terry cloth to wipe it down for regular cleanups. Once every few months, use a mild detergent. Heavy duty cleaning might require a commercial cleaning product. You can also have your marble professionally buffed to restore the finish if the marble has permanent stains or becomes etched.
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Copyright 2006 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.
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