Learn the Most Common Causes of Fire Here!

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Jeremy Leake

Fire is something that no one wants to face in their home. There are things that homeowners can be aware of in order to avoid fires. We found this article that we hope will help you avoid a fire in your home.

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SPONSOR FOCUS: If you need Denham Springs apartment associations vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Many common causes of fire can be related to some of the following:

Open Flames

Examples of such unsafe conditions are as follows:

negligence in conducting hot work, such as welding, cutting or grinding;

improper use of candles;

improper handling of flammable or combustible liquids or flammable gases in near-to-potential ignition sources; and

matches and cigarettes that are improperly disposed of, or left unattended near combustibles.

Electrical

Examples of such unsafe conditions are as follows:

damaged electrical conductors, plug wires or extension cords;

use of faulty, modified or unapproved electrical equipment;

insufficient space or clearance between electrical heating equipment and combustibles;

short or overloaded circuits;

loose electrical connections; and

lighting.

Electrical Fire Safety Tips

Do not use electrical equipment that is in poor repair or that has a damaged cord.

Do not overload circuits or extension cords.

Use approved power bars instead of circuit splitters.

Keep electrical heating appliances at a safe distance from combustibles.

Cooking

Examples of possible unsafe conditions are as follows:

deep frying in pots or pans on stove tops;

unattended cooking appliances; and

combustibles located dangerously close to cooking equipment.

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Did you know that your dryer could catch on fire? Checkout this article and learn why it’s important to maintain your dryer that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/labour/fire_protection/prevention/fire_causes.shtml

Replace Old Rubber Hoses on Your Washer

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Jeremy Leake

It is important to maintain your laundry room but it can be difficult to know exactly what to do in order to maintain the appliances in your laundry room.

We found this article that lists exactly what should be done in order to avoid any damage to your machines and to your home.

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SPONSOR FOCUS: If you need Hammond apartments vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Burst washing machine hoses have to be one of the most common causes of catastrophic water damage in homes. When I find rubber hoses used to connect the washing machine, I often mention to my clients that it’s a good idea to replace them. It’s downright disturbing how often my client then goes on to share a story with me about how they already had a flooded house or knew someone who’s house flooded because of a failed washing machine hose.

As rubber ages, it loses it’s flexibility. After being subjected to water hammer over and over for many years, the rubber washing machine hose is eventually going to fail, and it’s going to be one heck of a mess. Here are a few suggestions to lower the risk of your washing machine hoses suddenly bursting.

Turn off the water supply when not in use
Washing machine manufacturers actually tell you to do this in their installation instructions.

Replace your old rubber hoses regularly
I???ve heard that a good rule of thumb is to replace rubber washing machine hoses every five years. That sounds good, but how do you remember? Another tip I???ve heard is to replace your washing machine hoses every leap year. Not a bad idea.

Install an emergency shutoff kit
You can purchase an emergency shutoff kit, such as the type sold by Floodstop, which will almost surely prevent any type of catastrophic leak. These devices come with a water sensor, so if a leak is detected, an alarm goes off and the water supply valves automatically close. These kits are battery powered, and according to the web site, can be installed in about 10 minutes. Not a bad idea.

Install stainless steel braided hoses
This is the simple advice that I usually give during home inspections. Stainless steel braided hoses are much more resistant to bursting, and they???re fairly inexpensive.

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Still have questions about caring for your dryer? Checkout this article about troubleshooting your dryer for homeowners that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.structuretech1.com/2012/07/rubber-washing-machine-hoses/

Find Out How to Save Money in the Laundry Room!

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Jeremy Leake

Everyone likes to save money, especially saving money in areas that they use frequently. We found this article that we hope will help you save money by focusing just in the laundry room.

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SPONSOR FOCUS: If you need Denham Springs condos vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

1. Wash with cooler water
About 90 percent of the energy consumed by your washing machine is used just to heat the water, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. Switch to cold water for many of your loads, especially those with dark or bright colors and delicates like silk or wool. Cold-water washing won???t just save you money: It will also keep colors bright, reduce wrinkling and won???t set stains.

2. Run full loads
Your washer and dryer use the same amount of mechanical energy, regardless of how full they are, so the best way to save energy is to run full loads of laundry.

If you need to run a smaller load in the washing machine, be sure to use the appropriate water-level setting.

3. Throw in the towel
Toss a clean, dry towel or tennis ball into the dryer to get clothes to dry quicker, the Alliance suggests. The towel absorbs moisture, while the tennis ball helps circulate air between clothes.

4. Clean the lint filter
After each load, clean the lint screen in your dryer to improve air circulation, reduce drying time and prevent fires. The DOE recommends periodically using the long nozzle tip of your vacuum cleaner to remove the lint that builds up below the dryer???s lint screen slot.

Also, inspect your dryer vent from time to time to ensure it is not blocked; this precautionary measure will also save energy and prevent fires.

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Looking for more money saving ideas? Checkout this article on more money saving ideas that could be of interest to you.
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Learn the Facts About Dryer Vent Safety Here!

Posted on July 19, 2013 by Jeremy Leake

With so much confusing information out there about dryer vent safety we thought it would be important to provide clear information that’s easy to understand.

We found this article that we feel will do just that. Check it out!

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SPONSOR FOCUS: If you need Denham Springs townhomes vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

The Facts About Dryer Vent Fires

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a consumer product safety alert. According to the CPSC, annually there are 15,500 household fires due to dryer exhaust duct fires.

Annual property damage is approximately $88,000,000

There are approximately 400 injuries and 15 deaths each year due to dryer vent fires

Failure to clean the dryer vent is THE leading factor contributing to clothes dryer fires in residences

80% of clothes dryers fires occur in residences

Why it is Critical to Keep Dryer Vents Clean

Moisture- one gallon or more of water must be disposed of for every typical load of laundry. Because of the moisture, exhausting the dryer to the outside is a must. Lack of cleaning can contribute to the growth of mold and retention of lint within the system.

Carbon Monoxide- Proper exhausting is of particular importance with gas dryers. In addition to moisture and lint, gas dryer ducts carry the by-products of combustion, including carbon monoxide.

Clogging- A lot of lint is produced in the drying process, and lint can restrict or block dryer ducts. A poorly exhausting dryer is not only less efficient, it can also be a fire hazard due to extreme flammability of lint.

Who Should Have Their Dryer Vent Cleaned?

Anyone who uses their dryer regularly each week and has not had it cleaned in 2 years.

Anyone who washes several loads of laundry every day should have the dryer vent cleaned annually.

Anyone who can see lint buildup in the exterior duct vent or lint preventing the closure of the exterior flapper.

Anyone who has dryer duct work running up through the roof or out a second story wall should have the dryer duct work cleaned annually.

Anyone noticing that it is taking the dryer longer and longer to dry their clothes.

Everyone who owns and uses a dryer!

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Looking for more tips on dryer vent safety? Checkout this article and learn more important fire safety tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.mikesexteriorhomecare.com/dryer-vent-cleaning/

Looking to Upgrade Your Laundry Room? Checkout These Ideas!

Posted on July 16, 2013 by Jeremy Leake

Laundry rooms are unique in the fact that their primary function is to be functional. Regardless of the space you have available for a laundry room it needs to be functional for your needs.

Checkout this article that we found that we hope will give you ideas on ways to upgrade your laundry room to better suit your needs!

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SPONSOR FOCUS: If you need Hammond apartment associations vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Tip #1 ~ Add Storage

The goal is to keep your laundry room and workspace as clean as possible with minimal maintenance. Ask yourself, how can you maximize this space?
??? Add a counter on top?
??? Add shelving or a cabinet? {above or below washer/dryer}
??? Add a clothes hanging rod?
??? Can you stack the washer and dryer?

Create a folding station. In The Fun Lane maximized her laundry room layout by completely starting from scratch! She gutted her room and installed new floor to ceiling cabinets and added a table on top of her washer and dryer to create a folding station. Two shelves from Ikea complete the look and add storage at her finger tips.

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Looking for more storage ideas in your laundry room? Checkout this article with laundry room storage ideas for homeowners that could be of interest to you.
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Get the checklists here: http://www.tipjunkie.com/diy-decorating/upgrade-laundry-rooms/

Learn Important Dryer Vent Safety Here!

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Jeremy Leake

A dryer is something that almost every home in America has and it’s important to know how to be safe around them.

Most people are probably not aware of how dangerous they can be and we hope you’ll learn how to stay safe with this article we found!

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SPONSOR FOCUS: If you need Denham Springs homeowners associations vent cleaning services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Clothes dryers evaporate the water from wet clothing by blowing hot air past them while they tumble inside a spinning drum. Heat is provided by an electrical heating element or gas burner. Some heavy garment loads can contain more than a gallon of water which, during the drying process, will become airborne water vapor and leave the dryer and home through an exhaust duct (more commonly known as a dryer vent).

A vent that exhausts moist air to the home’s exterior has a number of requirements:

It should be connected. The connection is usually behind the dryer but may be beneath it. Look carefully to make sure it’s actually connected.

It should not be restricted. Dryer vents are often made from flexible plastic or metal duct, which may be easily kinked or crushed where they exit the dryer and enter the wall or floor. This is often a problem since dryers tend to be tucked away into small areas with little room to work. Vent hardware is available which is designed to turn 90?? in a limited space without restricting the flow of exhaust air. Restrictions should be noted in the inspector’s report. Airflow restrictions are a potential fire hazard.

One of the reasons that restrictions are a potential fire hazard is that, along with water vapor evaporated out of wet clothes, the exhaust stream carries lint highly flammable particles of clothing made of cotton and polyester. Lint can accumulate in an exhaust duct, reducing the dryer’s ability to expel heated water vapor, which then accumulates as heat energy within the machine. As the dryer overheats, mechanical failures can trigger sparks, which can cause lint trapped in the dryer vent to burst into flames. This condition can cause the whole house to burst into flames. Fires generally originate within the dryer but spread by escaping through the ventilation duct, incinerating trapped lint, and following its path into the building wall.

InterNACHI believes that house fires caused by dryers are far more common than are generally believed, a fact that can be appreciated upon reviewing statistics from the National Fire Protection Agency. Fires caused by dryers in 2005 were responsible for approximately 13,775 house fires, 418 injuries, 15 deaths, and $196 million in property damage. Most of these incidents occur in residences and are the result of improper lint cleanup and maintenance. Fortunately, these fires are very easy to prevent.

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Looking for more tips on dryer vent safety? Checkout this article and learn more important fire safety tips that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://www.nachi.org/dryer-vent-safety.htm

Looking to Save Money? Try These Ideas!

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Jeremy Leake

Everyone likes to save money. We found this article that we hope will help you narrow down some additional ideas on saving you valuable money.

From the article:

Choose energy-saving lighting. About 10 percent of the energy your home uses going to lighting costs. Replacing 15 traditional bulbs with energy-saving bulbs will save you $50 a year — and more than $600 in energy costs over the life of the bulbs. Compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs can yield as much as 75 percent energy savings and last six-times longer. Get even more energy savings, longer life span and less wasted heat by switching to ENERGY STAR LEDs.

Use an electronic power strip for your electronic equipment. Many electronic devices and equipment continue to consume unnecessary energy even when not in use. Often called energy vampires, these unplugged devices cost families about $100 a year. Use a power strip for electronic devices and turn it off when not in use to eliminate these energy vampires. And be sure to unplug your chargers — they draw energy even when they aren???t connected to a device.

Reduce energy for water heating. Water heating is a large energy expense in your home, accounting for about 14 percent of your utility bills. By taking low-cost steps, you can reduce your water heating bills. Make sure your water heater is set to no higher than 120 degrees. Install low-flow showerheads or temperature-sensitive shower valves. Newer water heaters have more insulation than older ones. If your water heater is more than five years old, you should wrap a water heater jacket around it to stop heat loss from the tank.

Hire a professional to maintain your heating and cooling system. Arrange for annual maintenance with a qualified technician. This includes checking the airflow over the coil, testing for the correct fluid (refrigerant) level, checking the combustion process and heat exchanger are operating safely, and ensuring proper air-flow to each room. In addition, you should clean the air filters in your heating and cooling system once a month, and replace them regularly.

Read the entire article here: http://energy.gov/articles/resolve-save-energy-year

Had Water Damage in the Past and Now Have Mold? Start Here!

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Jeremy Leake

Water damage and mold go hand in hand unfortunately. If water damage isn’t properly cleaned up and dried it can easily lead to mold. We found this article with tips on how to remove it.

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SPONSOR FOCUS: If you need Denham Springs townhomes cleaning dryer vent services, then Dryer Vents Plus is your #1 choice! Call Jeremy Leake today at 225-612-7752 to schedule your 100% Free, No Obligation Quote!
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From the article:

Do-It-Yourself
Depending on the extent of the water damage, you may be able to take care of it yourself. Small water problems call for basic do-it-yourself tips, (3 must know tips for do-it-yourself mold removal) like drying out the area and using products that are specifically designed to destroy mildew. Fans directed at the wet area can help it dry quickly and efficiently. So can running the heater in the house, because it dries out the air. You can also try using a hair dryer on the area if it???s a small space, so you can dry out the carpet, baseboard, or drywall.

There are products designed for protecting an area from mold and mildew, as well, including sprays and paints. Even if you dry out the area thoroughly, you???ll still want to consider using one of those products to make sure you don???t let mold start to develop.

Repainting the area with a mold-stopping paint can be a good plan, depending on the size of the area. You can always do that, allow it to dry, and repaint over that with a color that matches the room. For very small areas, or for treating carpeting and soft furniture, there are anti-mold sprays that can be purchased and used to stop mildew growth.

Hire a Professional
If these things aren???t enough, they don???t seem to do the job, or the area is very large ??? such as your house getting flooded ??? it may be in your best interest to hire a professional restorer. A mold remediation specialist (How to Choose a Mold Remediator) can make sure that any problems are resolved before they get started, or can treat them once they develop. It???s better to catch mold problems early, but a professional can treat advanced issues, as well.

What to look for and where you should go when locating a mold remediation specialist is similar to finding any kind of worker for your home. Make sure you find someone who???s insured, and who???s properly licensed. If they make a mistake, you???ll be compensated. All reputable companies will meet these requirements.

You should also get some estimates. Just because two or three companies perform the same service doesn???t mean they all charge the same price. You don???t want to end up paying too much when you could???ve gotten the same quality for hundreds or thousands less. Ask questions of the people who you???re considering working with.

Make sure you understand the process they???ll be going through, what it means for you and your family, and whether you???ll have to stay somewhere else while the work is being done. The mold damage might???ve been a surprise, but the remediation process doesn???t have to be.

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Need more information about mold? Checkout this article with more information about mold that could be of interest to you.
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Read the entire article here: http://moldblogger.com/how-to-remove-mold-after-water-damage/