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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1997-04-30, Page 9Home Improvement Safety tipsyou for and your home extra ventilation. • Rags have hive absorbed oil, paint, glue and other chemicals, fuels or solvents are extremely flammable. In fact, they can burst into flames spontaneously. Store soiled rags outdoors in a closed metal container. Better yet, dispose of them prompt- ly and never store indoors. • Make sure you clean the lint collector in the clothes dryer after each use. Also check the dryer exhaust pipe periodically to make sure it is lint free. Fuses • A fuse is an electrical safety valve; if too much cur- rent passes through it, a wire inside melts and stops the flow of the current. When a fuse blows, it's a sign of dan- ger. Either the lines have been overloaded or there's a break in the wires along the Zine (in an appliance cord, a switch, or inside the wall). • Remember to check your fuse box during your clean up. Is it equipped with the proper sized fuses'? Are spare fuses handy? • If you are blowing fuses repeatedly, don't just keep replacing- them or resetting the circuits. Track the line and discover the source of the problem. If you have to, call an electrical contractor to evaluate your system. As you complete all those spring projects on your list, taking the time to evaluate your home and property for safety will pay off. With the wirmer spring weather, we are more moti- vated to work on all kinds of projects .around the 1 ome. Keeping in mind the follow- ing tips will ensure any and all work will he done in the safest way, and that your home is safer. In the kitchen • Open pots should not be used for deep fat frying. Grease and fat are a leading cause of kitchen fires. • Never throw water on a grease tire or turn on an over- head fan — this will only spread the fire. Smother it with a lid or use baking Soda or a dry chemical fire extin- guisher. Don't carry a burning pot outside. • Don't block the air vents of a microwave t.v:n. It must have a sufficient "ii flow to operate properly. • Items you use for cook- ing should not be stored above the stove — you could be burned reaching for them. • Keep oven and stove areas free of clutter. Stacks of paper, cookbooks, grocery bags, towels, curtains, wood utensils, pot holders and garbage baskets can all catch fire in seconds if they come in contact with a /lame. • Never leave the stove or oven unattended while cook- ing, especially if.children are around. A fire can break out and start spreading in sec- onds. • Make stove controls easy to read from a distance. For example, you could mark "oft" with a bright red dot. • Never store flammable products near or in a stove or oven (e.g. pizza boxes, plas- tic containers). You may for - Optimum season for home repairs Summertime is the opti- mum season for putting those home improvement plans into action. However, hiring a professional for simple home maintenance repairs can lead to hefty expenses. As a result, more consumers are complet- ing home improvement pro- jects themselves. Caulking is a simple home repair tech- nique that can start any do-it- yourselfer on his or her way to a better -conditioned home. Here are a few easy -to -fol- low caulking tips that should make any "do-it-yourselfer wannabe" take note: *Check around the kitchen and bathroom sinks, bathtubs and toilets for minor cracks and holes. Many people for- get to look around•such fix- tures, which can be the source of unexpected leaks. These cracks and holes should be resealed when first detected to avoid further wear and tear. •Remove old caulk from the areas between sinks, toi- lets and the wall with a putty knife. Next, wipe the arca clean with a damp cloth and allow to dry. 'Apply a good siliconized caulk to seal the areas around sinks, tubs and toilets. Some new products can he squeezed straight from the bottle. Adjustable flow dis- pensers make caulking easy even for novice home repair- ers. •Wipe up excess caulk with a damp cloth and allow to dry. Properly sealed areas Sun bathroom and kitchenun deck away from the home get tney are there and the next time you turn on the oven they'll catch fire. • Accumulated dust is combustible. Check the vent over your stove as blocked vents mean an increased chance of grease fires. Replace the exhaust hood fil- ters regularly. Fire extinguishers • When using an extin- guisher remember to PASS — pull the pin; aim low; squeeze the handle and sweep from side to side. • Store fire extinguisher in an accessible area (prefer- ably bracketed to the wall near an exit) but not next to the oven because- flames could prevent you from get- ting to it. • Unused fire extinguish- ers can lose their pressure — follow the manufacturer's directions to make sure the pressure in your equipment is still adequate. If not, have it recharged. Basement • Beforc you start any basement project (e.g. furni- ture stripping) that involves the use of solvents, turn off your water heater, furnace and other heating appliances, including any pilot lights. The use of paint, varnish or glue can lead to a build up of volatile fumes. Fumes and open flames don't mix. Better yet, if it's nice outside, why work indoors? • When working in a con- fined area wit:t solvents, open a window or use fans for sinks, tubs and toilets will help prevent leakages. Most caulks arc paintablc and handy for other home repair projects, such as scaling around windows and door frames, indoors and outdoors. Perfect carpet is only your first step Choosing the perfect •:arpet is only part of the job. Proper installation ensures the investment will last. Before installation begins it is important to understand which services a retailer will provide and which you must handle. Here arc some tips to help carpet installation pro- ceed without a wrinkle. • With your carpet retailer, discuss who will remove the existing carpet and cushion and who will be responsible for disposal. Also, what pre- cautions will be taken to min- imize the impact on indoor air quality during retni.val. • Discuss furnitut c moving with your retailer. If thc installer moves your furni- ture, there may he an extra charge. • Double check the delivery date, the installation date, and the estimated time allowance for the installation because your home will be in disarray during installation. • To determine yardage, the retailer should carefully mea- sure each room or arca. Particular attention should be paid to doors, closets, unusual angles and seam placements. • Choose a firm, resilient cushion that is 7/16 -inch thick or less. • • Discuss the location of scams. Ask that seams he placed in less visible areas. • Request that the installc follow the instructions fron the carpet manufacture and/or those set forth an( accepted as industry scan dards. • Before the installer arrives complete other remodclinl projects intended in the room such as painting and wallpa-. pering. Vacuum thc old carpet to minimize the dust while it is being removed. Vacuum the bare floor after thc old carpet is removed. • Inspect the new carpet for color, texture, style and for visible defects. Carpets should be power stretched to minimize wrinkles and rip- ples. ► If the new carpet is thicker, It may prevent doors from swinging free and clear. The installer will remove doors and rc,iang them, if possible. If doors still do not clear, arrange to . have them trimmed. • Provide fresh air ventilation during removal of old carpet and cushion and for 72 hours after installation. Vacuum immediately to remove debris. • Discuss leftover carpet uses with your dealer. Excess car- pet can be used for doormats' or replacement :arpet for the future. Spring is the time when families want to get outside to enjoy the improving weather, hut the grass and garden can still be damp. Thoughts may then turn to building a patio- somewhere reliably sound underfoot and lending itself to decorative tubs, boxes• and hanging bas- kets. Most people extend out a paved arca from the back of the house, but if sunshine is the main reason for building a patio, you need to work out the site more carefully. Ideally, the patio should face south or west to get the best of the sun's warmth and light. If not, then consider building it at the side of the house or even at the bottom of the gar- den. A "sun deck" away from the house could actually be a lot quieter as well and there's no need to feel cut off if the phone rings. Invest in a cord - SILLS HARDWARE Wide variety of home care products from Makita Power Tools to kitchen appliances HAVE YOUR LOCKS ALL OPEN WITH "ONE" KEY Weiser Entrance Lock 2 carpet cleaners available to rent, save the life of your carpets. Clean on a regular basis. It's going to be a hot sticky summer. Cool off with no payments on air conditioners 'tel September '97: Purchase your new air conditioner or heating system before May 24 '97 and don't pay 'til September '97. L. McGRATH PLUMBING 04s3 HEATING ON . , . ; «'�. r'- :rei"p'r� : OAS HEA't$1O DEALERS. ALL OTHER OFFERS NOT APPUCAfLE. OFFER VAL FROM APRtI. 791, TO MAY 24'97. i PE ARE No SET-UP FEES OA less phone to take with you while sunbathing. [f you want to make the patio secluded by building trellises or fencing, you should also ensure that you don't Klock out sunshine as well as prying eyes. Another point in finalizing plans is the view from your patio. Keep in mind any par- ticular views you would like to see. You should also screen out any views you want to hide. The choice of a patio floor is another matter to consider. Concrete will last longer, but slabs tend to look neater and more attractive. Both could be messy if placed too close to a leaf or berry -shedding tree. You do have the option to use the patio for entertaining and barbecues. This project is a great way to get hack into thc great outdoors earlier than usual. TMS MOON warms. Asim 10, 110741 111k1' 1 S 1()1 R q()1". ()1'! For the do-it-yourselfer, we have all the supplies you'll need! •Building Materials •Power Tools •Hardware •Paint •Lumber WATCH FOR OUR LUMBER WAREHOUSE GRAND OPENING MAY 8, 9, 10 SEAFORTH CO.OP figENSALLTRIC527-0770 /S0 -OPERATIVE Se forth Come in and see our Selection of Lawnmowers, Trimmers, Chain Saws & Tillers 10 VALUE Paid A Groot impreuion book 64:4= a..r • Oter 100 pops of hare doccealbe • Mon M b oder ad 0•r• paired, • M'ini ledeiq,n Mdiq avasokig, fele raprr- HILDEBRAND PAINT AND PAPER Interior and Exterior Decorators 5274880 15 Main St., Seaforth A aaaaaa or aal►►ly' a•