Category: DIY Maintenance

Humidifier Maintenance

Getting Zapped in Winter? Maintain Your Humidifier Now

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Humidifier MaintenanceEvery winter in the Midwest, I’m utterly shocked—by static electricity. While this clues me in to go look at my furnace humidifier, you can avoid these sparking revelations with a little upkeep before, during, and after heating season—especially in the Spring. Your semi-glowing pets will thank you.

Your furnace-mounted humidifier maintains your home’s humidity at a comfortable level. There are two common styles of humidifier: Reservoir and Flow-through.

  • The reservoir style has a tank with standing water. A sponge-like pad moves through it and circles up into the furnace heat. While this is a less expensive option, bacteria can build up in the water and it will require more frequent cleanings.
  • A flow-through humidifier has a constant drip of water to supply the humidity in the air. This more expensive option prevents the bacteria build-up and requires less maintenance.

As with any appliance, normal use will cause wear and tear over time. Cleaning and maintaining your humidifier are the best ways to ensure it will last and be effective for as long as possible. Check out these tips* to help you get the most out of yours!

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*America’s Preferred Home Warranty is not affiliated with and has not collaborated with Mr. Hardware in any capacity.

Spring Air Conditioner Maintenance

Temperatures On The Rise? Don’t Sweat It

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Spring Air Conditioner MaintenanceI know there’s still snow on the branches and ice in your driveway, so your air conditioner is probably the farthest thing from your mind. Don’t keep it on the back burner, though, or you may find yourself in hot water, or rather hot air.

Okay, puns aside, it really is important that you do a maintenance check on your A/C unit before you actually need it. It’s easier than you think. Here are a few tips on how to give a standard outdoor unit a once-over.

  1. Cut the Power: Turn the breaker box switch off for your A/C unit and test the power source to ensure it’s off prior to any cleaning. Those fan blades are no joke.
  1. Clean It Up: Trim back any nearby foliage or flowers. Clear away any leaves or debris and do what you can to remove as much outside dirt as possible. A brush attachment on a Shop-Vac works well, or a light spray from the hose. DO NOT use a pressure washer—it could cause damage.
  1. Test It Out: Once it’s cleaned up, restore the power and give it a quick test. This is easier with two people, one outside at the unit, and the other at the thermostat to turn on the A/C. That way if anything seems off, it’s a quick tap to turn it off, rather than having to run back inside.

For more in-depth DIY maintenance of your A/C unit, check out this article on the DIY Network.

There are occasions when hiring a professional is the way to go, such as performing an in-depth tune up, or if it is malfunctioning of course. If you’re unable to perform these steps on your own or if it has been a while since its last tune up, you may want to consider scheduling a visit. Experts recommend tune-ups on an annual basis, typically in the spring.

Not everyone is the handy type, but you don’t have to be for some basic maintenance. It’s worth more than just keeping your machine running longer and more smoothly—it also helps prevent a larger hit to your wallet. Just pick a day sometime in the next couple of weeks when it’s not raining or snowing, and get it done. Trust me, it’s worth it.

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Spring Cleaning

Do the Right ‘Spring’: Maintain Your Mansion

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Spring CleaningNortherners may be considering some groundhog revenge—He said Spring would be EARLY this year!—but those down south are enjoying some much warmer weather. So, let’s dust off the old Spring-Cleaning chore list, and while we’re at it, let’s give your home a check-up too. (Don’t worry, Spring will make it up north eventually!)

Inspection Suggestions

Pretty much every joint, corner, panel, shingle or window in your home is a good place for nature to try and wriggle through. Help your home (and your budget) with a thorough inspection of each room, including the basement and attic.

  • Look for worn, cracked or flaking caulk or seals.
  • Check for cracks in your foundation.
  • Inspect your roof, especially around your chimney.
  • Look over gutters and downspouts.

Walk around inside and outside slowly, taking notes as you do—so you can check each one off as you fix it and none get forgotten. While this may seem tedious, it’s necessary: Small issues have a habit of becoming much bigger (and more expensive) issues when left to their own devices.

While you’re looking around, take notice of any exposed piping or tubes in your home, like those connected to your washer and dryer, or the pipes beneath your sinks—Spring is a great time to check for leaks.

Dust EVERYTHING

Yep, you read that right. Pull out those appliances (gently—you don’t want to break any connections) and use a vacuum brush extension to dust the back and underneath. Dust all those shelves that nothing ever moves on. Go through your entertainment center and dust all the connections. Clean up underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks and wipe down any exposed piping in your basement.

Why so thorough?

  1. Dust is essentially dead skin cells, so… ew.
  2. Many-legged critters like to hole up in dark spaces for the Winter. This is their eviction notice.
  3. The more dust that builds up on your appliances, the harder they have to work, which reduces their lifespan.

Isn’t one day of dusting each year worth the money they would cost to replace? Plus the other two reasons?

Some Other Considerations

  • Test your Sump Pump
  • Check the Water Pressure
  • Drain Sediment from your Water Heater
  • Lubricate Often-Used Mechanics (such as a garage door opener)
  • Clean out the Dryer Vent
  • Check the Garage Door for Balance
  • Clean your Air Conditioner
  • Test/Replace Smoke Detector Batteries

Happy Spring Cleaning!

Water Well Pump Maintenance

Water You Waiting For? Well? Pump!

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Water Well Pump MaintenanceUnless you’re super into Little House on the Prairie, chances are you’d prefer not to manually lift buckets of water out of a deep well several times a day. So be sure to give your modern-day alternative, the water well pump, some occasional maintenance—lest you should experience a ‘Wilder’ existence in the near-future.

Leave It to the Professionals

This is one of those cases where any physical maintenance of your system is best left to those with the right training and equipment. Many a well-meaning homeowner has tried to fix an ‘easy’ water well pump problem, only to make it worse and more expensive to fix. You also run the risk of introducing bacteria to your primary water source just by removing the lid, and there’s the possibility of electrocution when working with submersible pumps. Save yourself a lot of headache—call a professional.

When & Who to Call

Schedule a maintenance check-up for your water well pump once per year with a National Ground Water Association (NGWA) licensed or certified well driller or pump installer. It should include the following:

  • An Itemized Contract w/ Terms & Conditions for the Job
  • A Flow Test
  • A Well Equipment Inspection
  • A Water Test for Bacteria, Nitrates, and/or Other Local Concerns
  • A Written Report with Recommendations & Test Results

If there is anything that you don’t understand, ask your contractor to explain it in a way that you will. It’s important for you to know what’s going on with your unit—this is your water supply, after all.

You should also schedule a bacterial test any time there is a change in the taste, odor or appearance of your water, or anytime a water supply system is serviced.

What You CAN Do

We’re not saying you should just ignore your water well pump. Here are a few things to consider on occasion while working in your yard:

  • Verify the well cap or cover is sealed with no leaks.
  • Take care around your well cap with lawn tools, and don’t bury it under snow, leaves, etc.
  • Keep hazardous chemicals away, such as pesticides, fertilizers, etc.
  • Keep the top of your well at least one foot above any landscaping.
  • When your well reaches its serviceable lifetime (typically at least 20 years), have it professionally decommissioned after the new one has been dug and installed. This will help to prevent bacterial growth, water supply contamination, and possible accidents.

So don’t forage into the old frontier unwillingly. With a little TLC, your water well pump should keep you living in modern times for quite a while.

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Garbage Disposal Maintenance Tips

A Disposal Proposal: Maintaining Your Daily Grind

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Garbage Disposal Maintenance TipsIt’s so easy to just scrape that extra little bit down the drain and let your garbage disposal handle it, right? Ah, but what you don’t know can hurt you—or at least the grinder below. Here are some tips to ensure you get the most out of your garbage disposal, and hopefully prevent it from grinding to a halt.

If It Crunches or Expands, Just Say No

  • If it’s too hard for you to chew and digest, it’s too hard to go down the drain. Seeds, bones, and other hard objects can dull your blades or get lodged in the mechanism, causing the motor to overheat.
  • Little bits of bread are okay on occasion, but unless you’d like to create a spongey blockage in your disposal and the pipes beyond, avoid excess amounts. The same goes for pasta, potato skins, and rice.

Is It Fatty or Stringy?

  • When you cook greasy foods or use oils, it’s tempting to pour those extra fats down the drain. Don’t do it! They will solidify and clog up both your disposal and your pipes, leading to major headaches down the road. Just set fatty substances aside in a container to solidify, then throw them away.
  • Stringy foods (such as asparagus or celery) can wrap around the blades and cause the mechanism to jam. These are much better either thrown away or used in a compost pile.

Is It Actual Garbage?

Just say no. Contrary to its name, the garbage disposal is not designed to handle inedible matter like plastic or paper, aka, actual garbage. Just imagine the disaster it would be for your pipes!

Clean It Up

It’s a good idea to refresh your garbage disposal regularly, at least on a weekly basis. There are several popular methods you can choose from:

  • Fill the drain with ice and some rock salt and turn on the disposal while running cool water through it. It will sound terrible, but it will actually clean the blades of any leftover residue. The combination may result in a slush that appears to clog the pipe for a moment, but once the ice melts it will all just run right down the drain.
  • Add lemon wedges to the disposal and run warm water (not hot) while it grinds them up. The acid in the lemon will help clean the blades while leaving your sink citrusy fresh!
  • Make vinegar ice cubes to run through the disposal weekly.

Is it clogged?

Whatever you do, DO NOT run hot water to remove a clog—especially if it involves a fatty substance. You’ll just end up causing the fats to re-solidify and further jam the mechanism. Also avoid commercial drain cleaners. If cool water won’t clear the blockage, your best bet is to turn off the power to the unit, open it up (see your user manual for details), and use a pair of pliers to remove the clog. NEVER stick your hand in there to do it—we’d prefer you keep all of your fingers intact.

Now that you know how to keep up your daily grind, we hope you can enjoy it for many years to come!

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Dishwasher Maintenance

Dishwasher Drama: Maintaining the Machine for New Homeowners

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Dishwasher MaintenanceAh, for the days when I would stand at the kitchen sink, up to my elbows in scalding, soapy water, scrubbing away at the slimy remains of our family dinner. Fond memories—riiiight.

Chances are pretty likely you love your dishwasher, especially if you loath doing the dishes as much as I do. Much like any other appliance, giving it some occasional TLC will help you get the most out of it. That is, unless you like scrubbing chicken grease off your pans.

Check out these maintenance tips to keep your dishwasher going strong!

Regular Use

This might come as a bit of a shock, but your dishwasher is an appliance that works better if you use it regularly. Seriously! While most food particles will get washed down the drain, some will settle on the bottom after each load. Letting them sit too long between loads can cause excess build-up, clogs, and possibly mold.

Cleaning the Cleaner

Your first step will be running your dishwasher through a complete cycle. Once that’s complete, inspect the spinning arms for any residual buildup, and clear out what you can from the tiny holes with a toothpick or some needle nose pliers. Be careful not to scratch the arms while doing so!

Next, clean off the seals along the outer edges of the door. Funky smells coming out of your dishwasher are often caused by the splash-over of food and drinks while loading the machine. While the cycle will take care of parts that face inside, the seals aren’t meant to let anything through, so they end up sealing the food there too, leaving it to rot (and stink).

Now brush any leftover debris out of your cutlery basket and your detergent dispenser. These parts tend to go unnoticed beyond loading and unloading, and can accumulate buildup as well.

Finally, unplug the machine and disassemble the drain on the bottom (keeping track of what went where—use your owner’s manual if need be). Clear away any large food items by hand, and use a brush or a cloth to clear smaller deposits before reassembling the drain and plugging the machine back in.

Ban the Buildup with… Tang?

Now you might have noticed some deposits won’t readily wash away, such as hard water spots or other stains, or possibly mildew. An acidic substance like Tang powder (yes, the drink mix) or lemon juice can actually help clear those away, or you can use white vinegar. Bleach is an option as well, but stick to the acids if your internal parts are stainless steel.

For powdered options, fill your detergent dispenser and run an empty load. For liquid options, place some in a bowl on the top rack and run an empty load. There are also dishwasher cleansers you can buy off the shelf if you’d prefer, just make sure to follow the directions on the container.

Until Next Time!

Go through these steps two to three times a year with regular use to get the most out of your machine and help it run more efficiently. If you have hard water, you may want to maintain it more frequently to prevent sediment buildup.

Happy washing!

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Fridge Maintenance

Hold the Mayo—Refrigerator Maintenance for Homeowners

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Fridge MaintenanceIs your refrigerator running? Well, you’d better go catch it! Ha hah… ha… ahem.

Okay, bad (and old) joke. But seriously, your fridge runs 24/7 to keep your food safe—don’t you think it deserves some TLC once in a while? Follow these tips to keep your hard-working appliance in good health, especially during this season of perpetual leftovers!

Ice See Dead Odors… (Monthly)

Did you know that ice can absorb odors in your freezer? Talk about unappetizing. It also has a habit of forming a solid block at the bottom of your ice bucket. To prevent this, empty and clean out your ice bucket monthly. Then add a box of baking soda to your freezer, to absorb odors before your ice does.

Filters and Drains and Drips, Oh My! (Twice a Year)

For refrigerators with water dispensers, replace the water filter twice a year to keep it running smoothly and with less buildup. You should find directions to do so in your owner’s manual. Once you’ve got the new one in and all set, run a gallon or so of water through it to remove any extra carbon residue in the filter.

Also, you know that drain hole the condensation drips through on the bottom of your freezer? There’s a drip pan underneath to catch it—not appealing, I know. Give them both a thorough cleaning at least once every 6 months.

Sealed & Condensed (3 to 4 times a year)

Your fridge is already running all day, the last thing you want is for air leaks to make it work even harder. Check the seals (or gaskets) along the doors and clean them of any food residue. Use a toothbrush and a mixture of baking soda and water for an easy and safe clean that won’t damage the gasket.

Once it’s all clean and dry, do the ‘dollar bill test’ on it to check that the seal is complete—place a dollar bill half in and half out of the fridge and close the door. If it slides out easily, your fridge is not getting a good seal and you may have to replace the gasket.

Last, but not least, make sure to clean out the condenser coils. Excess build-up over time can stress the condenser and reduce the lifespan of your fridge, so it’s good to clean them once in a while.

Yours may be on the back of the fridge or on the bottom of the front, behind a screen—check your user’s manual for clarification. Once you’ve located them, unplug the fridge and vacuum out the dust and/or pet hair.

Other Occasional Considerations

  • Keep It Level: An unlevel fridge can prevent proper closing of the doors and cause undue stress on the mechanics. Level it by twisting the feet on the bottom.
  • Keep an Even Temperature: Your fridge should be set to a temperature between 37 – 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Your freezer should be set to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Fill It Up: The amount of food in your fridge is known as the Thermal Mass. In other words, the more food that’s in there, the easier it is for your fridge to keep it cool. This is because the food absorbs extra heat. If you don’t typically have much food in there, at least add a couple jugs of water to prevent excess wear and tear on your condenser.
  • Stay Out During an Outage: If the power’s out, the best thing you can do is leave your fridge and freezer closed to keep the items inside cool as long as possible. FoodSafety.gov says that refrigerated food should safe for up to 4 hours, but when in doubt, throw it out! Check out this link for more specific food safety information.

Many blessings to you in the new year!

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Oven Maintenance

Stove & Oven Maintenance for New Homeowners

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Oven MaintenanceWhen the season means more time in the kitchen, the last thing you need is for your stove or oven to quit on you. Semi-regular maintenance can go a long way toward ensuring they will work when you need them most.

Keep a Schedule

Your stovetop gets dirty, you clean it—that’s just a normal part of cooking. When it comes to your oven, though, out of sight could end up out of mind. Make sure to clean your oven at least two to three times a year; more often if you use it frequently.

Be Aware of Electrical Hazards

You may be tempted to remove and scrub behind the knobs on your stove but think twice before you do.  There are electrodes behind them that can be damaged by harsh chemicals, heavy scrubbing, or excess water, causing short outs and possibly even electrocuting you.

The same goes for electric ranges with open heating coils, as well as the inner workings of your oven. Always follow this rule of thumb: Be careful cleaning around attachments!

Oven Cleaning Conundrums

Is it self-cleaning? What does that even mean? Here’s the short version: A self-cleaning oven has a cycle that will superheat the oven over a period of time to incinerate any food particles inside. If you choose to use this function, ensure you follow the manufacturer’s suggested procedure. After it is complete and fully cooled, wipe down the inside to remove any remaining residue.

There are some who recommend against using a self-cleaning feature, stating that it can cause excess wear and tear on the inner workings. If you choose to clean a self-cleaning oven manually, make sure you use a cleaner designed specifically for self-cleaning ovens, as the wrong cleaner can cause more harm than good.

It’s also a good idea to either unplug your oven prior to cleaning manually inside. This is to eliminate any risk of electrocution, particularly if you’re using excess water.

Replacement Recommendations

If you are replacing a gas stove, experts recommend replacing the gas line as well. This is because the movement of disconnecting and reconnecting parts can cause damage to older lines and may put you at risk of leaks. Labor fees vary by contractor, so be sure to ask about the possibility ahead of time.

In the end, a little elbow-grease will go a long way toward increasing the lifetime of your range. Keep it up, and have a happy holiday!

Smoke Detectors

A Homeowner’s Guide to Smoke Detectors

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Smoke DetectorsHomeowners love to hate (and share stories about) that annoying chirp smoke detectors emit when the batteries get low. We know these alarms can and do save lives, so we all enjoy the joke—until it isn’t funny anymore. Will your smoke detector be able to help when the need arises?

One truly disturbing study found that three out of every five home fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.1 Ensure your smoke detector works by properly maintaining it with these tips—and avoid becoming part of this statistic.

Dual Duty & Destinations

Did you know there are combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors? Save some ceiling space by installing one life-saving device that detects both. Install at least one on every floor of your home, preferably adding one to each bedroom or guest room as well.

Give it Room to Breath

You already know that a smoke detector will go off when it detects smoke. This may be obvious, but less so is the fact that corners where walls and/or ceilings come together create air pockets which can press smoke away, preventing your alarm from sensing it.

Install your smoke detectors at least 4 inches away from any cornered area. The best location is in the center of flat ceilings, or at least 4 inches from the cross section of a peaked one. If you must place your detector on a wall, make sure it is at least 4 inches from the ceiling to avoid the air pocket.

Maintenance Moments

Just remember this sequence: 1-2-10. Test your smoke detectors every month (1), change the batteries twice a year (2)—even if they aren’t chirping—and replace the detectors every 10 years.

A handy rule of thumb is to change the batteries when Daylight Saving Time rolls around, so it’s easy to remember when you changed them last. This is also a good time to vacuum away any excess dust that has built up, which can hinder detection.

Lastly, if you’re painting the wall or ceiling your detector is installed on, DO NOT paint the detector with it—the paint will block its sensors and render it useless.

Be safe, and don’t forget to Fall Back for Daylight Saving Time on November 4 this year!

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1. National Fire Protection Association; Based on a study conducted from 2009-2013; www.nfpa.org

Furnace Maintenance for New Homeowners

Need-to-Know Furnace Maintenance for New Homeowners

Posted on | by Clive Gillett

Furnace Maintenance for New Homeowners

Turn up the heat! Well, check your furnace first—but then turn up the heat!

When outside temperatures start to drop, it’s important to ensure you’re covering the basics of furnace maintenance. This will help you in a number of ways, including extending the life of your furnace—that is one expensive system to replace!

Have You Got That ‘Filter’ Feelin’?

Imagine wearing a cotton surgical mask. Much like that mask is filtering your breath as you exhale, the filter in your furnace is there to prevent dust and debris from being pulled into your furnace (and back into the air you’re breathing). That debris builds up over time, making your furnace work harder to pull air through it, which increases your electric bill and wears down the system itself. Changing the filters every other month, maybe even monthly if you have pets or children, allows the air to flow easily and helps keep your machine running smoothly.

Cleaning & Professional Inspections

Think of it this way: The less dust there is on your furnace, the less there is to clog your filter. Dusting the outside of your furnace is a must on a fairly regular basis (at least once every few months). In a lot of cases, this can be done with a can of compressed air or a damp cloth. That said, hire a professional HVAC contractor to conduct a tune up (and clean inside your furnace) in the spring and fall. A professional inspection can make a big difference, as licensed contractors are much more likely to catch an issue before it becomes a real (and more expensive) problem.

Look & Listen

The color of your pilot light indicates whether it’s burning at the correct ratio. Check on it occasionally to verify it’s burning at a steady blue. Any other color could be dangerous (an excess of carbon monoxide, for example), and you may want to consider hiring a licensed contractor to inspect it. Listen to your furnace as well. You are around it the most, and you know what sounds it typically makes. If it makes sounds you’re not used to, give that licensed contractor a call.

Another way to maximize your furnace’s efficiency is to clean your main living area vents from time to time. Take off and clean the covers, and vacuum inside the vents. Remember, any dust in there is dust you’re regularly breathing in.

Happy heating season! Check out our blog at https://aphw.com/blog/ for more household tips and tricks!