Show Notes: “Fall Back” To Do List, Central Vacuums, Slippery Steps – On the House

Show Notes: “Fall Back” To Do List, Central Vacuums, Slippery Steps

By on November 1, 2014

It’s time to set the clocks back to standard time and say hello to shorter, crisp fall days. Don’t miss out on our “Fall Back” To Do List. It could save your life.

Have you ever thought about installing a central vacuum cleaner? We have included some high points of why you may want to consider installing one.

Thank you to our special guest: Mr. Grant Olewiler from MD  Central Vacuums

 

“FALL BACK” To Do List

It’s that time of the year again – when we “fall back” and spend an hour resetting everything from alarm clocks to watches. And whenever you make time changes, you should also check batteries in flashlights, battery operated radios and smoke detectors. And you should check the batteries in all household safety systems like carbon monoxide detectors and back-up batteries in the burglar-alarm control panel. While you’re at it, here are a few more things to do when the time changes – reset your programmable thermostat and change the clocks on VCRs and the lawn sprinkler timer. And don’t forget to change the furnace filter and the direction of ceiling fans.

 

7 Reasons to Buy a Central Vacuum

We’ve all experienced it at least once in our lives. Hauling a vacuum cleaner up and down stairs. Trying to navigate under and between furniture. Examining a room after putting the vacuum cleaner away and having an odd sense that the room seems dustier than when you began. Worst of all, finding ourselves back at the stores every few years to purchase yet another vacuum cleaner because the old one fell apart. 

Installing a central vacuum system is the answer to all these complaints. Why, then, don’t more people have one? In a word, profit. The truth is, even though central vacuums are superior to regular vacuums, big name central vacuum manufacturers can make more money selling portable vacuum cleaners at more regular intervals than selling their central vacuum systems. These manufacturers have the money to nationally advertise central vacuums, but they choose not to. 

If you’re like most homeowners, you’re probably not too familiar with central vacuum systems. For instance, some people mistakenly believe that installing a centralized system in a pre-existing home will cause property damage, but this is not true (see item #7 below). So here are seven simple reasons why you should consider installing a central vacuum system in your home

#1 Minimal Vacuum Noise

Most of us are so accustomed to the noisy racket vacuum cleaners make, we don’t think twice about turning it on, even if someone is trying to sleep or talk on the phone. We assume that noise just comes with the territory. Believe it or not, noise doesn’t “come with the territory” if you have a central vacuum system. In fact, there is an absence of noise because the source of noise (the motor) is not in the house but is centrally located elsewhere, such as the basement or garage. Think of it as the dawning of a new era where vacuuming and life can actually coexist for the first time.

 #2 Super Easy to Use

Okay, so we can agree that very few love to do household chores. However, we can also agree that using a central vacuum system makes cleaning and dusting as close to painless as one can come, and some may even call it fun. Forget about lugging around a bulky canister or hauling an unwieldy upright around the house. No more standing on chairs trying to reach high ceilings only to come a few feet short. A spill on the top shelf of the top cabinet? No problem. Dust-covered ceiling fans? Piece of cake. Cat hair on sofas? Carpeted stairs? Screen doors, vents, appliances, you name it. What other vacuuming system lets you clean every nook and cranny of the house so quickly and effectively?

#3 Goodbye Portable Vacuums

Most standard portable vacuum cleaners need to be replaced every few years. By contrast, once a central vacuum system is installed, all you need to worry about is basic maintenance. In a head to head comparison, a central vacuum will always beat out a portable or canister vacuum. Consider these advantages to owning a central vacuum system:

  • No power cords or extension cords
  • No re-circulated dust particles that trigger allergies (see #4 below)
  • Large trash capacity
  • No filter troubles
  • Longevity of all the parts
  • Costs less than portables bought over time
  • Lightweight and easy to use
  • Never awkward, bulky or off balance

#4 Cleaner Air, Reduced Allergies – PROVEN

One of the first things central vacuum owners realize is how much cleaner the air inside their home is once they start using their systems. Allergy sufferers in particular notice an immediate reduction in their symptoms. In fact, science has proven that using a central vacuum system actually alleviates allergy symptoms. The reason for this is simple: unlike portable vacuums that recycle vacuumed allergens back into the air, the central vacuum system draws these allergens out of the house and into the basement or garage, where they are then exhausted outdoors. Portable vacuum cleaners cannot promise the same results because they do not transport the allergens outside of the living environment. Read the UC Davis Central Vacuum Clinical Study (PDF).

#5 Versatile

Furniture and carpets inside the home aren’t the only surfaces that collect dust. Nooks and crannies outside the home can benefit from the power and efficiency of a central vacuum system too. The long central vacuum hose makes easy work of cars, trucks, vans, boats, or RV’s. Whether your garage is shrouded in cobwebs or is a neatly-organized area for crafts or woodworking, a central vacuum system is ideal. It doesn’t stir up dust like broom sweeping and is a lot less cumbersome than dragging a portable machine outside. In fact, 80% of men report they vacuum more when a central vacuum is installed. The most common reason? “It feels more like a power tool than a household appliance.”

#6 Powerful Deep Cleaning

The powerful motor in a central vacuum system, which is stored in the basement or garage, remains stationary and cooler, and can be up to three times stronger than standard upright vacuum motors. Unlike portable vacuum cleaners, the central vacuum motor lasts longer, allowing it to do its primary job, which is to provide strong suction through the network of pipes and through the hose. Consequently, central vacuums extract not only surface dust but also the deep grit and particulates that age carpet, thus helping you save your investment.

#7 A Smart Investment

Most shoppers don’t regard purchases such as household appliances as investments. Yet installing a central vacuum not only saves money over time, it also adds value to your property. As a long-term investment, dollars spent installing a central vacuum system in a newly built or existing home is money that should come back when the property is sold. Central vacuum systems last longer than portable vacuum cleaners. While most portable vacuum cleaners need to be replaced every few years on average, by contrast, central vacuum owners can usually go ten years before they even think about replacing accessories or scheduling maintenance.

www.centralvacuum.com

 

Slippery Steps?

 Here’s an easy surfacing trick to fix slippery concrete: Super-smooth concrete can be etched. Wearing safety goggles and rubber gloves, use a 25-percent solution of muriatic acid.

This powerful chemical eats away the thin top layer of concrete, exposing the sand that was originally mixed into it. This procedure leaves a slightly rougher surface, one similar to fine-grit sandpaper. It provides better traction underfoot — even when it’s wet.

Simply pour it on, let it stand for 10 or 15 minutes, and rinse it off carefully — using a garden hose. To make the surface still a bit rougher, repeat the process until it’s exactly how you want it. Consider it social security for those you love.

 

Time to Test Your Sump Pump

 This is a very easy test that may avoid major water damage to your home.

 Slowly pour several gallons of water into the sump pit to see whether the pump turns on. You should do this every few months, but especially after a long dry season or before a rainy one. If it does not start, consider replacing the pump with a new battery back-up style.

Here are some additional testing tips:

If there is a back-up pump, unplug the primary pump and run the back-up pump to make sure it works properly

When testing your sump pump, go outside to make sure it is discharging water

Sometimes the pump can run but not pump any water. This means the impeller has disengaged from the pump shaft or the check valve is installed backwards.

Check the operation of the float to make sure it is not restricted

Clean out the air hole in the discharge line

Listen for any unusual noises when the motor is running

Replace the battery on the back-up sump pump every 2 or 3 years

 

If you love fall and want to decorate for the season and Thanksgiving, take a look at this “best of” Pinterest board

http://www.midwestliving.com/homes/seasonal-decorating/our-10-most-pinned-fall-decorating-ideas/?page=9

 

 

Website Mentions:

Aleddra LED light tubes: http://aleddra.com

Key Port Slide: http://mykeyport.com

 

Remodeling Babe

 

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