Glass-lined tanks are insulated steel cylinders with an enamel coating on the inside – the lining helps prevent corrosion. If it’s not installed properly, the water heater can explode. There are standards that regulate the safety of installation and design of water heaters. Certification marks on them from approved agencies indicate compliance with approved standards. […]
All homeowners should know where their electrical panel is located. When you open the door to it, there are breakers that have labels corresponding to different rooms or areas of the home. Breakers will sometimes trip due to an outage or power surge, but you can reactivate the affected area by flipping the specific switch. […]
Condition: Window frames, sashes and sills should be monitored because the interior condition and hardware of windows change over time. Frame materials can include steel, aluminum, plastic, wood, plastic-clad wood, and metal-clad (aluminum or steel) wood. Window types include single-hung, double-hung, horizontal sliding, casement, projected out or awning, fixed, and projected in. The putty around […]
Wire Cutters Wire cutters are pliers that are designed to cut small nails and wires. They will come in handy when cutting steel, iron, brass, aluminum, and copper wires. Wire cutters also have insulated handles that will ensure no shock from the wire cutting. Screwdriver Set It’s best to have 4 screwdrivers: small and large […]
Plan and practice your escape from fire. Panic and fear can spread as quickly as a fire, so plan an escape route with the entire family and map out a meeting place outdoors. If you live in a condo or apartment building, make sure you read the signs posted on your floor advising you of […]
Typical life expectancies for most components found in homes are listed below. These life expectancies have been determined through research and testing based on regular recommended maintenance and conditions of normal wear and tear, and not extreme weather (or other) conditions, neglect, over-use or abuse. Therefore, they should be used as guidelines only, and not […]
Flashlight: None of the tools you own will be of any use if you cannot visually inspect the situation at hand. The problem and solution are fixed only with a good flashlight. A traditional two-battery flashlight can usually work well, as larger flashlights may be too bulky. Having backups at home ,and in your cars […]
Structures: All stairs must be kept structurally sound. Don’t forget to examine the basement stairs, too. Check the area where they meet the floor and where they are attached to the floor joists above to make sure there are no problems. Width and Clearance: Stairways should have a minimum headroom of 6 ft and 8 […]
The interior condition of exterior doors can wear out over time, and should be monitored for the condition of their frames and sills. Check doors that are not protected from the weather for the presence of essential flashing at the head. Interior Doors: Check their hardware for finish, wear, and proper functioning. Monitor the condition […]
Caulk Your Windows By caulking around your windows and doors, it can help you cut down on cooling and heating bills by preventing air leaks during the warmer and cooler months. Clean Your Gutters This is another way to keep your home moisture-free. Your gutters help to direct water away from your home. By keeping […]