On the Wire - The Silent Killer
Colder weather means a higher risk of falling prey to a killer gas you can't see, taste or smell. Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America. It's caused by household fuel-burning appliances such as a fireplace, furnace, water heater, gas stove, gas or charcoal grills, as well as by gas-powered engines like a vehicle or generator. The gas can build up quickly in a home when appliances malfunction, are used improperly, or are not adequately ventilated, causing injury and death. The only safe way to detect carbon monoxide is to install a CO alarm, yet most American homes do not have one. Install at least one battery-powered CO alarm or AC-powered unit with battery backup on each floor and near sleeping areas. Replace CO alarms every five years in order to benefit from the latest technology upgrades. Follow these tips when choosing a CO Alarm:
• Look for an alarm with an electrochemical sensor, which is more stable during humidity and temperature changes, and resist reacting to common household chemicals that may cause false readings.
• Choose a CO alarm that is listed by Underwriters Laboratories or Canadian Standards Association. A "UL listed" or "CSA listed" label should be printed on the product's packaging.
• Look for an end-of-life warning feature, which alerts you when it's time to replace the alarm.
• Make sure CO alarms are at least 15 feet away from cooking or heating appliances to prevent false alarms.
• Don't cover or obstruct the unit. Test the CO alarm monthly.
It can be difficult to recognize the signs of CO poisoning, which mimic the flu. If you feel dizzy, nauseous, tired, headachy or weak – and the symptoms seem to improve when you leave the house – have a professional check your home for immediately.
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Ask Tom & Leslie - Off the Wall
This week’s question comes to us from Wendy who listens to The Money Pit in Greeneville, Tennessee. Wendy asks, “What is the best way to remove border and wallpaper?”
Wendy, the first step is to take a look at how the border is applied. Sometimes people attach it with hot glue, staples, even wall paper paste, we have seen it all. If everything is securely attached with wall paper paste the best option is to rent a steamer. This is going to loosen up and saturate the adhesive with steam making it easy for you to remove the wall paper in fairly large pieces. You will have to work in sections and really let the steam loosen everything up before you start peeling, don't use one of the paper cutting devices to shred it before steaming that only means very small pieces to remove and could damage the drywall below. Once you have all the paper removed sand and repair any damaged area and be sure to prime the walls before you paint them. Enjoy the fresh room!
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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 - Life @50
On our next radio show, The Money Pit comes to you from AARP’s Life @ 50 event. Tom and Leslie are talking Universal Design – that’s comfort, security and safety at any age and stage of life! Find out what you can do to make your home work FOR you… everything from lighting the brighten up your home to appliances that will make life easier for you. It’s all on this week’s show. To find out how to tune in, click here.
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Dot Common Sense - Wood Floor Facts
If you are thinking of building a new home or remodeling an existing home, investing in hardwood floors is a really smart choice. Here’s some background on hardwood floors from the folks at Armstrong Floors:
Of all the flooring choices, hardwood floors can last the longest. In fact, the floors in my own home are now well over 100 years old and still look great. Plus, by reacting with air and sunlight, their appearance actually improves over time as they fade to a very desirable patina. Hardwood floors can also be refinished and they are generally easy to maintain. Sweep or dust mop once a week, using soft fabrics like cotton or terry cloth. Clean up spills and tracked-in dirt immediately. And regularly use recommended hardwood floor cleaners. Plus, when it comes time to sell your home, hardwood floors are a major selling point and will increase the perceived value of your home substantially. According to realtors, hardwood adds 8% to 10% to the price of a house. In a $200,000 house, that means $16,000 to $20,000 more on the selling price. For more information on hardwood floors and all your flooring choices, visit www.Armstrong.com and click on the Complete Guide to Flooring.
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Fun Fact - Dish Drying Discount
Want to cut your dishwasher energy costs by one-third? It’s easy. Most automatic dishwashers have a “power dry” switch to speed up the drying process. If you’re not going to run another load, turn the switch off. The dishes will still dry spotless, and you’ll save about one-third of the energy costs.
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Short Cuts - Smart Design
Some design features just make good sense. Once you have them in your home, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. Plus, you’ll have no problem hosting friends and family of all ages. AARP suggests floors and bathtubs should have non-slip surfaces to help everyone stay on their feet. Good lighting helps people with poor vision. And it helps everyone else see better, too. Lever door handles and rocker light switches are great for people with poor hand strength. But others like them too. Try using them when your arms are full of packages. You'll never go back to knobs or standard switches.
If you’re constantly navigating narrow stairs with a laundry basket in your arms, it's time to bring the laundry room upstairs and into the light. More new homes have washers and dryers in hallways, kitchens and bathrooms. The AARP says it's never been easier to move your laundry room upstairs. New washers and dryers are making this possible.
One new unit is called a "stack" washer and driver because the washer and dryer sit on top of one another. The washer tub is on the bottom of the unit. The dryer is on the top. The stacking unit takes up half the space of a standard washer and dryer. It's small enough to fit into a closet.
Another combination unit washes and dries clothes without any help from you. This unit looks like a normal washing machine. But it does the work of two machines. Put your dirty clothes into it and forget about them. When you return, they will be clean and dry. You won't have to move wet clothes from the washer to the dryer because the washer is the dryer. You also don't have to vent this unit to the outside. So you can put it anywhere you want. Bring your laundry room to you – instead of you having to go to the laundry room and cleaning your clothes will be less of a chore!
For more great ideas and info, go to www.aarp.org/universalhome.
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Copyright 2006 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.
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