AC Check
Many parts of the country are in full swing AC mode and it sure is great to come into a cool house. To keep things cool and affordable, there area couple of simple AC checks that should be made on a regular basis.
Check the air filter once a month or so to insure good airflow. A clogged filter restricts airflow and makes the equipment work harder. Check the condensate drain to make sure that it is draining. Besides cooling air, AC equipment removes humidity from the air. This humidity is condensed and the condensate (water) usually runs to a floor drain. Check the condensate drain regularly; there should be a steady trickle of water when the AC is in operation. If nothing is coming out to the drain, there is a problem and the water is going elsewhere. Find the problem or call for service.
Dryer Maintenance
The most important maintenance of clothes dryers involves lint removal. The lint filter usually gets cleaned with each use of the dryer, but what about the vent and area inside the dryer cabinet? At least once a year, disassemble the vent and clean out any accumulated lint. The same goes for dryer cabinet: get in there and remove all lint. If your dryer has a plastic flex vent, now is a good time to replace it with aluminum. Plastic can contribute to a fire. Look for the periscope-type vent hook-up. This allows the dryer to sit closer to the wall.
Ice Maker Woes
The most common complaint about an ice maker is no ice. First, check to see whether the wire arm is in the up position. If it is, lower it to turn the ice maker back on. If the problem is small cubes, check for a clogged water-supply line. High freezer temperatures can also cause several problems, as the unit won't cycle properly. Eight degrees or lower is best for operation.
An ice maker typically has a life of six to 10 years and replacement is often as cost effective as repair. Be sure to note the model number of your refrigerator when you go shopping for a new ice maker.
Painting Galvanized
Galvanized gutters and flashings are still commonly used and can last a long time if properly maintained. The galvanized finish resists rust naturally but you may want to apply paint for aesthetic purposes or for added protection. Unfortunately, galvanized surfaces have a bad reputation when it comes to holding paint. But proper preparation is the key to success. The surface should be cleaned with a Galva prep solution that removes any oil film and etches the surface. Follow this with a rust inhibiting primer made for galvanized surfaces and then a topcoat, with a recommended finish coat.
Toilet Mystery
On occasion, a toilet bowl may slowly drain itself. The first thing to look for is a leak, a wet bathroom floor, or wet ceiling below. If no leak shows up, there may be something (mop string or cloth) caught in the trap that is slowly wicking water out of the bowl and over the trap.
The surest cure is to pull the bowl and hunt for the problem. Be sure to have a new wax ring and closet bolts on hand to reseat the bowl.