Front-load washers are designed for high-efficiency operation while using low energy. But unfortunately, there is a downside to this energy-saving washer model. Some consumers have experienced mould or unpleasant odours developing in their front-load washers. Once present, these issues can be quite difficult to resolve. However, with a little extra care, you may be able to prevent these issues from occurring.
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This testimonial came from a Trican Client and has been re-formatted into this Bulletin. It has two very powerful learning’s, one about electrical safety, and the other about intervention. It’s very much worth the read. The statement below and the pictures have not been altered from the original document.
The following are recent safety alerts: Read More…
A well-built home can last for hundreds of years, but many of its parts must be replaced or renovated regularly. Here’s a sampling of life expectancies for different products and materials used in the home, as listed in a report titled “1997 Housing Facts, Figures and Trends” published by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) based in Washington, D.C.
If there were such a thing as a home psychologist in Greater Edmonton, the line of bitter and stressed-out houses seeking therapy would stretch for miles.
“I’m feeling smothered,” the two-storey ’80s model would say. “Can’t they see all this dust and humidity is killing me?”
“If that so-called ‘handy-man’ attempts one more repair, I’ll crumble to the ground,” moans a 1950s bi-level.
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The key to lasting beauty of your wood flooring investment is proper maintenance for the life of your floor. A properly maintained floor should last at least ten years and even longer if surface recoating is applied on a regular basis.
The following are some excellent guidelines for maintaining today’s wood floors:
| Zone | Location | Symptom | Risks | Costs | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tub and Shower | Failed caulking, grout, softflooring | Rooted flooring, structuraldamage | $5,000-up | Inspect caulking, crawl area; re-caulk, grout, seal as needed |
| 2 | Roof | Curled or missing shingles, roof debris, moss | Roof leaks; water damage to floors, walls | $15,000-up | Inspect and clean roof, flashings, skylights; remove debris quarterly |
| 3 | Gutters and downspouts | Debris, leaky seams, inadequate drainage | Damage to foundation, siding, gutters and eaves | $1,000-$75,000 | Inspect and clean gutters, downspouts, drainage quarterly |
| 4 | Water heater | Rust, dirty water, leaks, lack of heat | Water heater bursts, house floods, floors destroyed | $5,000-$15,000 | Inspect, clean, and flush water heater annually; replace anode rod |
| 5 | Doors and windows | Leaks, gaps or cracks in caulk, wood damage | Walls, windows, trim, siding need replacement | $5,000-$15,000 | Inspect flashing, caulking, paint and weather stripping annually |
| 6 | Furnace | Soot at vents, doors, broken, flues and ducting; high utility bills | Carbon monoxide poisoning | $200-up | Test, inspect and service furnace and filters, test for toxic gas emissions annually |
| 7 | Deck | Splitting, rot, weathering, lifting nails, splinters, loose railing | Deck failure, premature replacement, and safety hazards | $6,000-up | Inspect, clean, seal wood annually, reset nails, replace boards |
| 8 | Garage door | Loose hardware, noise, faulty reverser, spring malfunction, jerky | Personal injury, damage to car, failure of door opener | $750-up | Inspect, test, lubricate, tighten and adjust hardware of door and reverser annually |
| 9 | Sinks | Leaks under sinks, clogs, rusted traps, faulty shut-off valves | Damage to cabinets, walls, floors, and rot | $600-up | Inspect, test and service plumbing annually. Early detection is key. |
| 10 | Attic and crawl space | Insufficient ventilation, moisture, mildew, rodents, insects, foundation cracks | Hidden rot, foundation damage, and structural damage | $5,000-up | Inspect spaces and foundation, ensure adequate ventilation |
During the heating season, the average home may have a relative humidity as low as 13%. Amazingly, this is about ½ the relative humidity in the Sahara Desert! What should indoor relative humidity be, then? That depends on outside temperatures, as indicated below:
| When The Outdoor Temperature Is: | The Relative Humidity Should Be Maintained At: |
|---|---|
| +40 | 45% |
| +30 | 40% |
| +20 | 35% |
| +10 | 30% |
| 0 | 25% |
| -10 | 23% |
| -20 | 15% |