Basel Labs

When you’re considering purchasing garden chairs in the UK or marveling at some Bulldog garden reclinerss, keep in mind that you couldn’t always buy garden accessories and high-tech devices. Settlements were gardening long before the sunbed or the garden hoe. Your hobby traces its roots back to the storied cradle of civilization.

Gardens in those days were cultivated for practical reasons, for spirituality, and we shouldn’t ignore spirituality. Generally surrounded by stone walls, fertile grounds were tended to produce grapes, vegetables, flowers, flowers, and occasionally even fish ponds. Some of this was set aside, holy plant life grown and cultivated in the name of their deities. Temple officers also tended to various roots on nearby land.

Assyrians, Assyrians and Assyrians mingled together nuts, stunning architecture, water features, and vegetables with fruits and stunning architecture to craft peaceful spaces. As you might think, another nation like this would be the Romans — the Greeks, however, concentrated on the food potential of their plantations alone.

While they may not have used garden garden chairs or sunbeds, these civilizations had created a variety of primitive chairs which were the prototypes of today’s reclinerss and hoes. They used iroko, hardwood, stone, hardwood.

Everything slowed to a halt under the pressure of the Dark Ages. Gardening was no different, but by good fortune, the priests kept what had been learned alive.

Slowly we returned to designing gardens for pleasure. Conventions began to evolve, a formalized structure controlling how the garden should ultimately appear. You have only to think about the work invested in a knot garden for that to be plain.

Such rules are no longer the be-all and end-all, meaning there’s really nothing to worry about - enjoy yourself, and stay confident about musing on how to mend some annoying garden reclinerss handle or perusing some in-depth garden reclinerss review. William Kent and others glanced at the guidelines — so codified now that they were effectively stagnant - and ignored any that detracted from their plans, mixing a naturalistic panorama with interesting statuary and similar decorative touches.

Certainly, the situation has changed over the centuries, but gardens are still loved for similar reasons to our forefathers’. Regardless, they’re always some of the most beautiful settings on earth.

We strongly suggest you visit this trusted resource for chairs information…

These sites were critical to my safety and energy starting a little while ago. And wanted to share these good websites with you. This is simply a roundup - that I think will be useful to somebody out there.

The Right Tent

We went on a family camp trip a few days ago. Sometimes the mountains just dump a ton of rain on you when you least expect it. Shopping before a camping trip is fun - especially online. We found a good camping tent. We were stressed that the tent wouldn’t make it to our house on time. It did! We ended up having time to set up and inspect the tent when we got it. It was the right one! Shipping was expedited for 2 day delivery. If you ever get the chance to hike into a camp, take it. It’s so worthwhile. So refreshing!

Safety

Home security was a top priority to get done before our vacation trip. You know you reach a stage in life where you feel like you have good things. If we had our computer stolen, it would take a lot from us. It took a day or two to decide on a solid home security company that would install a security system. It only took four hours to get it in. I can’t believe I never did this earlier.

Good Drinks for Camping

Camping takes a lot out of me and my wife. We had been efusjon members for a short time and are already happy to be part of the efusjon opportunity. The added energy is definitely something we were grateful for with all of the crazy camping activities we did. Energy is something I take seriously so the ‘a’ team at efusjon is awesome. Go for the opportunity if you can, it’s young and worthwhile now. It’s about time to visit that link!

See you later dinosaur. Let me know if this helped!

Most self-storage companies will offer packing as an additional service, so, in most cases, to save cash, you’ll be packing up yourself. The packing process is an art and you’ll need to put some thought into it before you begin.

Some of the more helpful packing tips have been assembled, and included below:

1. Box everything that you can - everything that is left unboxed in a self-storage facility will get dusty and very dirty.

2. Clearly Label all boxes so you can identify the contents and keep an inventory.

3. It’s wise not to fill large boxes with heavy items such as books as they’ll quickly become impossible to carry and may break.

4. Avoid packing items in sealed plastic bags, as humidity can cause mildew.

5. Book packing tip, store them flat to avoid damaging their spines.

6. Mirrors and pictures need extra protection in a self-storage facility, stack them on their ends and securely wrap in bubble tape. Pictures and mirrors should never ever be stored flat.

7. Before storage, separate lamp bases and lamp shades and securely wrap them for protection.

8. A good space saving technique is stacking chairs seat to seat. A small dust cover above them will keep them nice and clean.

9. For added protection of your wood furniture, spray with a good quality furniture oil before storing it in the facility.

10. Expect to be asked to drain the tanks if you’re storing items with fuel tanks such as lawn mowers and cars. Fuel is one of the several things that you *cannot* store in a storage unit facility.

Think creatively and you can easily make more space out of an existing unit! And when researching self storage units in the Atlanta area, click on http://www.myselfstorageunit.com/atlanta-self-storage-units.html to quickly find mini storage unit in the metro Atlant area!

About The Author

Peter owns and operates http://www.myselfstorageunit.com, an online self-storage unit facility locator. The site neatly organizes mini storage by state & city, and provides links to mapping locators for easy reference.

Windows are the eyes of a home. From inside, you see the outside world through them. It has been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. For a home, you can gain a sense of its character by examining its windows.

Windows are the primary source of natural light for a room, but they are so much more. They give a home beauty and personality. The decision to replace them is an important one. Replacements can affect the feel of the home for inhabitants and provide the opportunity for significant energy savings. They can dramatically change the value of the property when it comes time to sell the home.

Types of replacement windows

There are many types of replacement windows to fit the varied styles of home architecture. Some of the more popular styles include the following.

Casements have one or two panes. They are hinged on one side and open by rotating a crank. Casement windows generally open only 15 - 30 degrees, enough to let in light, but little else.

Sliders are generally two offset sashes, one which will slide behind the other, much like a sliding glass door.

Double hung have two sashes which move vertically, allowing ventilation through a space at the top and/or at the bottom.

Bay windows are three-sided arrangements that project from the exterior wall of the house, usually in living rooms or formal sitting rooms. They give the room a larger feel while offering additional space for a seat or arrangements of potted plants.

Bow windows are set in a series with each sash set at an angle. Bows are similar to bays in that they protrude from the exterior face of the house. They are different in that each sash or in the series is set at a slight angle so that the entire series forms a graceful curve or bow, rather than the sharp three-sided appearance of bay windows. There can be any number of sashes in the bow window series.

Garden windows are frequently installed in kitchens, often replacing the sash behind the kitchen sink. These also extend beyond the exterior wall of the house. They are much smaller than bay or bow styles and are often used for holding potted plants, creating an interior garden, while giving an improved view of the outside lawn or garden.

Skylights are installed into the roof of the house to provide direct lighting. These are generally not designed to be opened in order to provide the best weather seal.

Replacement materials

Not so long ago, windows were simple panes of glass glazed into a sash. Efforts to become more energy efficient have turned them into highly engineered systems.

Single pane models have little insulating value and are still used in warmer climates.

Double pane or double glazed styles are built with an air space between the two panes of glass. This glass-air-glass sandwich permits much less energy radiation through the glass. Better insulating value is offered by designs with clear argon gas in place of air. Yet another system combines the double glazed models with panes of glass coated with a low emissivity (low-e) film. This coating reduces energy transfer even further.

Frames for sashes may be constructed from wood, wood clad in aluminium or vinyl, vinyl or fibreglass. Wood is an excellent choice in that it can be cut or trimmed to provide an excellent fit. Wood clad with aluminium or vinyl is an excellent choice in regions with periods of high humidity or damp weather. Vinyl is a great choice for homes in high moisture regions such as on lakes or the seashore. Wood clad and vinyl replacement windows are also low maintenance after the installation.

There are also several options in the glass you will want to consider for your replacement project. You can choose clear or tinted glass. You may even choose leaded and bevelled edge glass or tempered safety glass. In addition to the types of glass, there are a number of films that can be applied to the glass to restrict light and energy radiation as well as to provide greater privacy.

Double pane sashes have the added advantage of cutting down the amount of sound coming from outside the home. This helps reduce traffic noise in high traffic areas.

Tips on selecting replacement styles

Here are some commonsensical tips to help you select your replacement windows.

Choose high quality products with a reliable warranty. Your new windows can be expected to last 40 or more years.

Choose models with low-e glass.

In cooler climates, choose either double glazed styles or gas-filled double glazed models for greater energy efficiency.

Check the magazine and website reviews about the various kinds of windows. The top brand names come at a price. You may find excellent engineering and craftsmanship in lesser-known brands that will provide you with excellent service for much less money.

The beauty and comfort of your home can be tremendously affected by the replacement windows you choose. Offers to sell discount products by door-to-door or telemarketing salespeople should be considered extremely carefully. Most of these offers end up with the installation of inferior quality replacements at inflated prices. The cost and effect of replacement windows is too great to take unnecessary chances.

About the author:

R. Carlton released a lot of articles for http://www.replacement-windows-tips.com. Robert is publishing from hurricane film to protection film for windows and other areas in this field.

My husband and I have an acre and a half behind our home and really wanted to do something special on part of it. We also just recently decided to renew our wedding vows and thought what better place to do it, than our very own home. Our dilemma began here because we did not have any ideas about what exactly we wanted. So over dinner one night we decided to talk about what we both envisioned for our wedding day, and what our budget would look like. Since we had been saving for this big event we were pleased with the amount we thought we could spend. So the next step was to look through some magazines, and watch a few remodeling shows on television for ideas.

It took us about a week and a half to get our ideas on paper and map out what we thought would function affectively for our family and still look appealing for future gatherings and events. We decided on a nice decorative gazebo with a beautifully lit pathway to its entrance. We also thought that we would put in decking section off to the side to provide for a dance floor, or future bar-be-que events at our home. The landscaping and gardens we decided we could handle ourselves with some hard work and planning, but the construction projects we knew better than to think we could tackle it. So we decided to look for a local general contractor that could meet our budget, and who shared our vision.

We wanted to be sure that we found the right contractor for the job, so we asked around to other people who had used him. We were glad we did, because we were able to even visit some sites where he had personally constructed other yard structures and other gazebos. This helped in the process to put our minds at ease using this particular contractor and his company.

We were also able to get a good idea of the material costs by calling around to local retail stores and asking a few questions. Then we spoke with this contractor and compared his quote with theirs. So far he seemed to be giving a fair price quote. One thing we really liked about this particular contractor was that he provided us a written quote and a list of the local retail stores that he tends to use or had used in the past. Not only was this helpful to compare costs, but also gave us a chance to ask others their opinion of this contractor.

Another aspect we appreciated about this contractor was that he provided a copy of his license and expiration dates. Over all, we were so pleased with this contractor because he provided a written contract that was easy to read, provided his name, address, phone number, license number, project description in detail, starting and completion dates, materials list, and a statement that said he was responsible for permits and inspections. He also provided us a warranty of workmanship and his guarantee. At the end of the project the contractor also provided a team that came out and cleaned-up all the mess and swept up any extra debris.

In the end, the total price was very accurate and the payment schedule ran smoothly. We were more than pleased with the working conditions during the building of the project and they always kept the site safe and as clean as possible. What more could a family ask for? Everything was completed on schedule and the wedding was on time too! Our guests had a wonderful time and they were so impressed with the gazebo and deck that many of our friends and family are considering using the same contractor to do some work in their yards too!
About the Author

Meredith Merchan is a freelance writer and consumer advocate for the general contractor and building contractor sector, and answers visitor questions and concerns at http://www.findacontractor.org

(ARA) - Consider the number of times you run your hands under it quickly while cooking. What about rinsing plates or filling a glass or pot with water? When the kitchen faucet isn’t working properly, the kitchen doesn’t run smoothly.

Just as there are secrets for removing red wine from carpet and coffee stains from ties, there are methods for keeping your faucet in working order.

“A faucet has a lifecycle of its own — with special considerations in the early years and others as the faucet gets older. The trick is knowing how to clean and maintain your faucet throughout its life,” says Barbara Peterson, senior product manager at Delta and someone who has a knack for solving not-so-common plumbing problems.

In a new home or when a replacement faucet is used for the first time, homeowners may notice flecks and particles in the water coming through the faucet. These are probably remnants of installation materials such as solder and copper chips, which can potentially cause a blockage and damage the faucet. To avoid problems, remove the tip of the faucet, known as the aerator, by unscrewing it, turning the handle(s) to a “full-on” position, and allowing the water to flush through the system for about two minutes. Then replace the aerator.

Day-to-day, kitchen faucets require low maintenance. Cleaning is easily done using a damp cloth and mild soap, then drying with a soft cloth to retain luster and shine. Window cleaning products also work well, and for crevices, an old toothbrush can be a handy tool. Remember, you’re not cleaning the hulls of a Navy ship; avoid harsh cleaners and abrasives that could damage your faucet’s finish. With any cleaning product, be sure to read and follow recommended usage instructions.

“For faucets with a matte finish, like Brilliance Pearl Nickel from Delta, you can use a liquid or aerosol furniture polish to wipe the faucet clean,” suggests Peterson. “The silicon oil in the polish fills the textures, rendering a more uniform appearance. This may darken the finish slightly, but will protect it from fingerprints and help reduce variations.” When it comes to finishes, homeowners should look for tested protection, like the Brilliance finish from Delta, which won’t corrode, tarnish or discolor.

* Removing Deposits

The amount of minerals in your water determines whether you have “soft” or “hard” water. Higher mineral count hard water sometimes causes lime and mineral deposits on faucets and drains. To remove stains, try a mild abrasive or window cleaner — avoid scrubbing with coarse heavy-duty sponges.

For really stubborn deposits, place a cloth soaked in white vinegar over the deposits for several hours. Vinegar, which is a weak acid, can dissolve many of these deposits. After removing the cloth, a mild cleaner to wipe the faucet clean should finish the job.

* Minor Maintenance

Quality faucets from well-known companies should provide long-term performance with little maintenance. However, there are small measures that can be taken to keep your faucet functioning well.

Through normal use, and depending on the water conditions in your area, seats and springs experience wear and may need to be replaced. If you’re waking up to that drip, drip, drip of your faucet, you may be able to solve the problem at home, without calling a professional.

“Homeowners should always refer to the materials that came with their faucet,” advises Peterson. “At Delta, we have some components that are common to our faucets — such as a cam, packing, a ball, seats and springs — and the location and set-up of these depends on the specific faucet and repairs should be made accordingly.”

Before beginning work on a faucet, turn off the water supply and cover the sink drain so parts do not fall into it. Then, following the diagram in the user’s manual, locate the exposed screw and remove the faucet handle(s) to reveal the inner-works of the faucet. Inside, there are “seats,” the rubber ring parts. If they’ve been worn or are dirty, they need to be replaced. This can be done easily by purchasing replacements from a home improvement store. When buying replacement parts, make sure to select “genuine parts.” Imitation or “universal” parts can significantly reduce the performance of the faucet and void the manufacturer’s warranty.

“Whether it’s a popular pull-out style or two-handled faucet, choosing the best products from the beginning can help to stave off any repair headaches,” Peterson says. “Make sure to buy products with a lifetime faucet and finish limited warranty. Making the best decision at the onset provides a good foundation for carefree, confident use of your kitchen faucet.”

Delta Faucet Company offers a toll-free hotline directly to experts at (800) 345-DELTA (3358). The company also offers a free “Faucet Care and Maintenance” brochure via telephone or online at www.deltafaucet.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

About the author:

Courtesy of ARA Content

Outdoor chiminea fireplaces are for the nature lovers who want to enjoy a warm and pleasant night out right in their backyard. A chiminea fireplace is affordable, they will provide a wonderful atmosphere for you and your guests and, most of all they are easy to start, maintain and clean.

There are many kinds of chimnea fireplaces available, made out of different types of materials, yet the most durable deck for a fireplace with chimney is the one made out of copper or cast iron. They will not bend under weight and heat and they are also easy to clean.

When you buy an outdoor chiminea fireplace you also need to think of size. If you intend to put it on the patio, first take a look and estimate what kind of chimney fireplace would be most suited. You should do this before buying the piece as you do not want to crowd your patio with a huge chimnea fireplace; there should also be space left for tables, chairs and so on.

When you go out shopping for an outdoor chiminea fireplace you will be amazed by the number of very different designs. There are the classical-looking fireplaces that come with a bronze finish in order to add a plus of antique-feeling, there are the medieval-looking designs made out of cast iron and cut in simple shapes and if you have a rather modern looking patio there is also the modern type of fireplaces available for you. Look carefully and view as many designs before you make your decision.

An outdoor chiminea fireplace is your best decor item for a warm and beautifully-lit court yard. What is more, the fireplace is safe to use by anyone, it is easy to clean and it comes in a wide array of shapes and prices. All you have to do to warm up the atmosphere is go out and pick your chimnea fireplace.

About the Author

Learn more about outdoor fireplaces at http://www.fireplace-outdoors.com

(NC)-Their names may be cute and slightly amusing - chickweed, creeping charlie, dandelion, crabgrass - but weeds can be a major annoyance. Left untreated, they spread quickly, fighting the grass for food, light and space. Many of them, like crabgrass, have stems that lie close to the ground making them difficult to cut with a mower. They spread out and smother grass, creating large unsightly patches on the lawn that you worked so diligently to create.

The healthier your lawn is, the more effectively it can prevent takeover by weeds. Fertilizing is an excellent first step. Applying the right fertilizer, with the optimum mixture of nitrogen, potash and phosphates, four times a year helps make sure your lawn is as healthy as possible. Even so, weeds are sure to put in an appearance. That’s when a weed and feed or other weed control product can help.

There are lots of options for you to choose from. Some are general practitioners, designed for a broad spectrum of weed control. Others are specialists that fight specific weeds like crabgrass. Some combine weed control with lawn food. Others just concentrate on getting rid of the weeds. Some require mixing, others come premixed.

Once you’ve found the right product for your situation, be sure to apply it when the weeds are actively growing, ideally in the late spring or early fall. Temperatures should be between 15 and 25 degrees. If it’s too hot, or too dry, don’t do it as the results may not be satisfactory.

When applying weed and feed products, it is best to spread them in the morning if possible. “Morning dew helps ensure the pesticide adheres to the weeds,” notes Derril Linseman, Product Manager at Home Hardware. Make sure there’s a day of clear weather in the forecast. Apply twice, the same way you would with grass seed, using half the recommended rate each time in a criss-cross pattern. Don’t water or mow the lawn for several days after application, and in some cases you may want to keep children and pets off the lawn for some time too.

For more information about maintaining a beautiful lawn and garden, and for the products you need to help you do it, be sure to visit your local Home Hardware or Home Hardware Building Centre.

About The Author

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web.

News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial “fill” items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

(NC)For many people, the holidays are about spending time with family and friends and entertaining at home. Decorating the home is high on the ‘to do’ list in preparation for this special time. To refresh your look this year, the holiday décor team at Canadian Tire suggests adding something new to complement your existing collection or finding new ways of decorating with some of your favourite pieces that you already have at home. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Decorate with ornaments. Try hanging glass or reflective ornaments on your chandelier for a dazzling festive effect or create a centrepiece by piling decorations into a glass vase or bowl. Shatter-proof ornaments that resemble glass are a great idea for pet owners and families with small children. Canadian Tire has a broad selection of exclusive styles and colour themes this year. Easy ideas include suspending ornaments on ribbons and placing on doors and doorknobs or hanging them as mistletoe in entranceways.

• String indoor lights on wreaths and garlands and place them in front windows. It’s a simple way to trim indoors and outdoors at the same time.

• If you don’t have a mantle, hang stockings on bedroom doors, a great way to deck the halls.

• Create instant ambience and warmth with candles. Try grouping several chunky pillar candles of varying heights together or place votive and pillar candles in coloured or cut glass holders for great light effects. For the latest look, Canadian Tire has tealight lamps with glass and beaded lampshades (never leave burning candles unattended).

• Dress up window treatments by draping beaded and decorative garlands over curtain rods.

• Use colour coordinated ribbons instead of hooks to hang tree ornaments for a stylish designer look.

• Holiday plants are an easy way to add splashes of colour. Decorate an indoor planter with a festive bow to add a vibrant accent to any room. Canadian Tire carries a variety of plants during the holiday season including poinsettia, cyclamen, azaleas, Christmas cactus, mumsettia (a red poinsettia planted with a white chrysanthemum), and indoor flowering bulbs like amaryllis, paperwhites, hyacinths and crocus.

• Clear your coffee table and dress it up for the holidays with yuletide music boxes, snow globes, a bowl of candy, holiday books and albums, candles and fresh flowers.

- News Canada

About the author:

News Canada

In recent years there has been many rumours about dryers catching on fire. Should we be concerned? Yes of course. We should take seriously anything that may put our family at risk.

Was the problem the dryer? Rarely. After investigating it is usually determined to have been the venting within the home catching on fire, and not the dryer.

Obviously appliance manufacturers are concerned about the possibility of any dryer related fires. They have made it a policy to advise both service companies and consumers that the use of plastic venting is prohibited. Also they have begun stressing not to exceed maximum limits for venting length. Let me try to explain the details of this problem.

The drying process —————————

When clothes are being dried inside your family dryer there are two processes happening. Firstly, heat is applied to the air inside the dryer drum as it turns. This raises the internal drum temperature to approximately 175 Fahrenheit. This causes moisture to be driven out of the clothing fibres by evaporation. Secondly, there is a vast volume of air being passed through the clothes. Surprisingly, the real trick to drying clothes is the air.

Ever wonder why the clothes on the clothesline dry so fast on a windy day? The hero is the wind. Well, the same process takes place inside your family dryer.

To make them dry faster air is constantly blown through the clothes during the drying cycle. The tumbling action of the drum allows further exposure of the clothing to the hot air flow. As they tumble the air picks up moisture from the clothes, carries it down the venting, and dumps it outside the home. Most people think the venting is to push the lint outside. Actually, its primary purpose is to dump the moisture outside the home.

It is a process that works efficiently. That is, as long as nothing interferes with the process. Slow down, or stop the airflow and the process quickly fails.

In the past homeowners who wanted to vent their dryers did it using rigid sections of venting. The dryer would always sit against an outside wall in the basement. The sections were secured together (using screws or duct tape), and elbows were added if necessary to connect the dryer and venting to the wall outlet. Although time consuming to install, straight venting sections were durable and would usually outlive the dryer.

Then along came flexible venting. It was basically a coil of wire covered in a plastic sheath. It made installations and servicing easier. It turned an hour installation into a ten minute job. The flex though tended to become brittle and break easily. Also it was prone to blockage and needed to be replaced every few years.

But, since flex venting was so much more convenient we continued with its use.

Then came a change in lifestyle. As both parents went off to work the household dryer was moved to accommodate our faster paced lifestyle. To save us time it was moved from the basement to a ground floor laundry room. Although moved to the working level of the home, it was still near an outside wall.

So you are saying, “I know all this, but what does it have to do with venting fires”.

I answer, “Have patience, we are almost there”.

Taking this desire for easy access still further the dryer was moved again.

The laundry room is now often located near the centre of the home, close to the family room or kitchen. If located upstairs it is often centrally located between the bedrooms, allowing faster access to where most dirty laundry is produced. Easier for the homeowner that is, but no longer near an outside wall. The distance from the dryer to the outside wall of the home is now substantially longer.

Presto, we have come to the crux of our problem. The venting is too darned long.

Physics and the venting pipe ————–

It is a lot more difficult to push air down a long venting pipe than a short one. This is because air inside the pipe has weight and volume. Obviously, the air inside a longer pipe would weigh more than a shorter one.

After about twenty feet of venting pipe the dryer begins to have difficulty pushing against all this weight. The average dryer motor does not have enough strength to overcome the weight of the air inside the pipe. The result is that the air in the pipe begins to slow down.

Since the air slows down the moisture will accumulate in the venting rather than being carried outside. This causes the venting interior to become wet and lint traveling down the venting it will cling to the wetness.

This starts a vicious cycle as follows: The more lint inside the venting pipe, the more blockage; The more blockage, the slower the air flow; The slower the air flow, the more moisture inside the pipe; The more moisture, the more lint inside the venting.

I think you get the scenario now.

Taken to extremes the lint can block the venting closed. When this happens it can cause the dryer to overheat. The normal drum temperature of 175 Fahrenheit can quickly shoot up to 300 Fahrenheit or higher. It may even get hot enough to allow lint in the venting (or in the dryer) to ignite.

“So who is to blame for this problem”?

I say there is no culprit in this scenario. If you want to blame anything, blame our fast paced lifestyle. Gone are the times when laundry day was a full days work. We all want instant gratification and instantaneous results - even with our laundry chores.

Calculating true venting length ———–

Manufacturers generally suggest a venting length of 15 feet to be the maximum. As service technicians we commonly see venting lengths of forty feet or more.

“So how do I know if my venting is too long”?

If you want to determine the actual length of your venting do the following:
(An elbow or abrupt turn is equivalent to an additional 4 feet)

1. Measure all the straight lengths and add them together
2. Count all the turns or elbows and multiply this number by 4
3. Add up the totals

Example 20 feet of venting with 4 turns would actually be:
20 feet + 4X4 feet = 36 feet

Don’t be surprised by the true equivalent length of your venting. In modern homes it can be substantial. Often it is 300% longer than recommended by the manufacturers.

Telltale signs ————————————

If the blockage becomes critical the dryer will stop doing its job properly. As a homeowner watch for the following signs that the venting may be starting to block.

Clothes coming out wet
Excess lint left on clothes at cycle end
Inside of dryer feels wet
Taking too long to dry a load
Clothes very hot at end of cycle
Electrical consumption greatly increased

So as a consumer what can you do to alleviate this problem? Well you cannot move the laundry room. The best thing you can do is to be aware that the problem exists. Lastly, consider taking down the venting and cleaning out the lint buildup during your annual spring cleaning. A small investment in time could make your family safer.

About the Author: Copyright 2005 by Donald Grummett. All right reserved. In the trade over 30 years as a technician, business owner, and technical trainer. For more information about appliances including FAQ, Stain guide, and Recycling visit http://www.mgservices.ca

Source: www.isnare.com