On the Wire - Toys and Toxins Don't Mix
For many Americans, garages are the most well worn entryway to their homes. Besides the daily family traffic, the garage is also a place where we mix things together that would never be found in the same place anywhere else in our home. Toys and toxins are a dangerous combination. But if you check your garage, you are likely to see just that: toys, bikes, and balls stored within inches of insecticides, turpentine and gasoline. It should be no surprise then that these same spaces can be the source of many injuries. Here are the main sources of garage dangers and what you need to know to make yours safe:
UNSAFE STORAGE – Playthings and poisons are a bad combination. To keep your family safe, be sure to store dangerous chemicals out of the reach of children, or better yet, in a locked cabinet. Also, be sure to keep chemicals in their original container with the labels in good condition. Never purchase chemicals in quantities more than you will use in a reasonable period of time. While it might make sense to buy a case of canned vegetables at the local supermarket warehouse, having to store leftovers from a 6-pack of ant poison isn’t worth the risk. Storing combustibles like gasoline, propane and kerosene is also something that needs careful planning. These fuels must be stored in containers designed especially for them. Gasoline cans, for example, have special vents to avoid the dangerous build up of combustible fumes. Storing gas in anything else is an explosion waiting to happen. Finally, common, everyday products like ladders and lawn tools can be unsafe if not stored correctly. Ladders, for example should always be stored in a horizontal position so that children can not climb on them and tumble over. Rakes, hedge trimmers and shovels left on the garage floor or leaning against a wall can easily fall under foot and cause injuries. To be safe, use wall space and get as many of your tools off the floor as possible.
SAFE STRUCTURES – Building codes require that garages be constructed to protect the rest of the home from fire damage should they become engaged in flame. For the most part this is accomplished by what is known as the “fire wall,” a wall-assembly constructed to keep fire at bay by the use of fire resistant drywall and other similar tactics. Unfortunately, older homes may not have a firewall and even modern homes may have had their firewalls rendered ineffective. For example, in an effort to make use of every available space, many families install an attic stairs in the ceiling of the garage. Doing so creates a “hole” in the fire wall and a short cut for fire to take out your entire home. To be safe, make sure all walls and ceilings between your garage and your house are constructed with at least 5/8ths inch thick drywall and that any attic stairs are covered with sheet metal for fire resistance. Finally, make sure your garage has a fire extinguisher rated “A-B-C.” This means the extinguisher can handle all types of fires, including fires from wood and paper, electrical and gasoline or grease.
GREASY RAGS MUST GO - Old towels or t-shirts might make convenient rags to have in a garage, but when they become soiled with grease, oil, gasoline or any other flammable materials, they must be tossed. These rags are nothing more than kindling that, with the right ignition source, can become the fireball that destroys your house. Never try to wash rags like these. The petroleum will leach into your washing machine and leave your next load of laundry smelling like a lawn mower. Also, placing any rag that has contained a flammable substance into a hot dryer is extremely dangerous. Rags are cheap. Always toss them and find new ones for your next project.
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Ask Tom & Leslie - Too Late to Fix?
This week’s question comes to us from Linda in Indiana: “I bought a 1910 Craftsman house in Indiana. I was ready to remodel when I was told by the contractor to consider selling because of structural issues in the front of the house. The brick stairwell support is crumbling and two front bedroom floors are sloping 3-4 inches. I also found out there was a fire in the attic at some point, none of which was disclosed to me before purchase or found by the inspector. I am ready to retire on a limited budget. Do I hope the house will last another 100 years and do my remodel?”
Linda, the good news is that if it lasted this long, it will probably be around for a while. It may sound like there are a lot of problems, but they may not be as serious as you think. Of those you mentioned, the first one you should address are the floors. You need to find out why they are sloping. Get some advice from a contractor or engineer and find out whether this is normal settling, or something more serious such as a termite infestation. The brick stairwell support is not connected to your home and easily fixed. Tackle each problem individually. Start with structural issues and then work on cosmetic problems. You’ll be enjoying your new home and retirement in no time!
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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+
A very special edition of the program for this week. We are bringing the show to you from the floor of the AARP Life @ 50+ event in Boston. The entire event is geared toward helping you with life’s challenges as you mature – including ways to keep your home safe and comfortable. That’s next time on The Money Pit. To find out where to tune us in or download our Podcast, visit www.moneypit.com.
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Dot Common Sense - Caring for Your Rechargeable Batteries
Going cordless have you feeling freer than ever before? Great! Just take care of those rechargeable batteries. Don’t run the tool until the battery is dead. You can reverse polarity in some of the cells within the battery, making them unable to be charged. As soon as you notice a loss in power in the cordless tool, switch the battery. Here are some more tips for your rechargeable batteries:
Avoid extreme temperatures when storing batteries. Batteries should be kept above freezing and below 100 degrees. This means don't leave them in your shed in winter and don't let them bake in your car in summer.
Read manual for optimum charging temperatures, it's usually around 40 to 100 degrees F. During charging, a chemical reaction within the batteries is taking place. If it is too hot or too cold, this reaction is compromised. Saw dust and drywall dust can collect on the charger's circuit board and over heat it causing the charger to die, which can be expensive to replace. Protect your chargers from dust, especially when you’re changing batteries. When you’re using tools in a dusty environment, blow them out with compressed air frequently, including the chargers. Keeping dust off the motor prevents excessive heat build up, so the tool can operate at peak performance.
Keeping spare batteries in your tool belt is convenient, but not always a great idea. Metal filings, screws, nails and metal hand tools can touch the contact points of a battery. If you have to, put those plastic battery caps, that came with the new tool, on the battery contact ends before the battery goes in your belt.
We can’t say enough about Ryobi’s One + cordless tool line. With more than 25 tools that charge off the same base, you’ll be set for any project. Brand new this fall, a line of tools with Lithium Ion batteries, for longer run time and more power. Visit www.RyobiTools.com for info.
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Fun Fact - Troubleshooting Paint Problems
If your new paint job doesn’t look quite the way you’d like, you may be wondering what you did wrong. Here are some of the most common painting problems and how to fix them:
Paint won’t stick: There are two main reasons for this. Either the walls were dirty and not prepped right, or you are trying to paint on a glossy surface. An example might be latex over oil paint. You will have to use oil paint over oil paint. For glossy latex paints, you can use a good primer, but you may need more than one coat.
Mud-cracking: This is when the paint forms deep irregular lines or cracks resembling dried mud. It happens when the surface is not prepared properly or if the paint is applied to thick. There’s no quick fix to this one. To remedy, you have to scrape and sand the paint, remove all loose debris with a soft brush or rag, prime if necessary and repaint.
How much paint: To decide how much paint you’ll need for any project, there is a very good calculator by the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute. This will also allow for a little extra for touchups over the years.
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Short Cuts - Keep Warm This Winter
Want to conserve heat at night but avoid waking up to a cold house in the morning? Get the best of both worlds by installing a “clock thermostat”. Clock thermostats have a set-back feature that can automatically lower your heat at night while you’re asleep, and then raise it in the morning. These “smart thermostats” conserve heat, save you money, and still give you warmth and comfort when you need it. Here are some more inexpensive ways to conserve heat, energy and money:
-Proper insulation in walls, ceilings and floors also significantly reduces the loss of heat to the outdoors. Insulation will pay for itself in fuel cost savings and home comfort.
-A home is basically like Swiss cheese. And all those little openings can add up to big heat loss. Caulking and weather stripping cracks around windows and doors will save fuel and money. Keeping the fireplace damper closed tightly when not in use will also result in heating cost savings.
-Use the natural heat of the sun to warm your home. Open shades, curtains and blinds on windows that get the most sunlight during the day to keep your hoe warm and reduces the need to use heat. Closing up when it’s colder will help insulate your house.
-Dry air makes you feel colder than moist air at the same temperature. Maintaining home humidity will produce personal comfort at a lower thermostat setting and save money. A room humidifier will help raise humidity levels. For a whole house version, visit www.Aprilaire.com.
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Copyright 2007 Squeaky Door Productions, Inc.
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