Monday, July 28, 2008

Quick Maintenance Tips

A couple of quick maintenance ideas from my friends at Housemaster

Washing Machine Hoses. Although a burst washing machine hose can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage, most homeowners do not routinely perform a simple function that would prevent such damage - shut the water supply off to the washer between uses. For this reason, reinforced lines are recommended for the washing machine supply lines. “No-burst lines”, as they are sometimes referred to, are essentially the same as the standard rubber hose normally used, except that the rubber is sleeved in a metal mesh that prevents weak spots in the rubber from developing into leaks.

Air filters. If you have been using inexpensive fiberglass air filters in your central heater or air conditioner, try upgrading to pleated filters. Pleated filters cost more, but are much more efficient at filtering out dust, pollen and other indoor-air contaminants. Many better-grade filters can also be used effectively for longer periods of time than fiberglass filters, reducing the over-all cost. Whatever filter you use, change or clean it when it accumulates a significant amount of dirt. Very dirty filters will reduce the air flow through ducts, wasting energy and possibly damaging the unit.
Remember, these tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at www.housemaster.com.

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