Monday, December 26, 2011

My Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit - What Now?

!±8± My Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit - What Now?

I went to a Heating and Air Conditioning customer's home the other day. They had called me to tell me that their heater was not coming on. It is December and getting colder in northern California. I am a compassionate guy so I headed over there after I finished with my regular job.

I arrived at the home and went to where the heater is located in a closet in the home. (yours maybe in the attic, basement, or garage) I removed the door and found a 30 year old Heating unit. This unit has a standing pilot light, a flame that burns continuously, and it was not lit. After trying to light the pilot light unsuccessfully I determined that pilot light would not stay lit.

The older Heating furnaces with standing pilot lights have a thermocouple, that is designed to sense the pilot light flame. That is how the pilot stays lit when you remove your hand from the dial, while trying to relight the pilot. If the thermocouple fails the pilot will not stay lit and the burners will not light so the furnace will not heat the house. You can visually check the thermocouple as well as the pilot flame. Look at the pilot flame while holding the knob in the start position.

1. Is the pilot flame floating (if it is have a Heating serviceperson check the gas valve)

2. Is the copper lead bent or kinked

3. Is the thermocouple insulation damaged

4. Is the thermocouple tip dirty

You can clean the tip by lightly sanding it. Also make sure it has not slid down out of the flame. If you feel the flame is aimed properly and the thermocouple is clean and there are no visible signs of damage then damage is on the inside, remove it. You can take it to an appliance parts and service dealer where they will sell you the correct part or you can call a heating service person to come replace it for you.


My Pilot Light Won't Stay Lit - What Now?

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Saturday, December 17, 2011

What is the Best Brand of Washing Machine?

!±8± What is the Best Brand of Washing Machine?

When looking for a new washing machine, the first thing you will ask is "what is the best brand of washing machine?" Today, there is a plethora of washing machine brands that are available in the market. Choosing the best one might seem like a colossal job. It is like finding a needle in a stack of hay.

There are a lot of good brands out there. LG, Samsung, Haier and Maytag are some of the household names in the US. Miele washers are more popular in the UK. Other brands like Kenmore, GE and Whirlpool closely follow in popularity.

If your definition of the best brand of washer is a washer brand that always delivers quality products in its best and most durable state, you are going to be disappointed. All these brands, no matter how good they all are, also fail in some terms. There are going to be customers that are bound to experience faults and failures in these washers.

A vigilant consumer does not look for brand name alone, though this is a good starting point. If you are to concentrate on one brand for starters, you should look for a brand with a good and solid track record. That is to say, they have been in this industry for quite some time now and they have generally pleasant reviews. Some of the washer brands that are deemed the best by general reviews are LG, Samsung, Maytag and Miele.

LG and Samsung are two Korean brands that have penetrated the US market. They are better known for their forward and cutting-edge technology. The latest washers of LG offers direct drive motor technology. This technology solves the problem of washer break downs. When a washer with direct drive motor spins, fewer parts are moving. Because of this, it does not wear out easily. In comparison to other models, the spin cycle might cause other parts to come loose and to deteriorate quickly. This is why LG washers are usually considered some of the most durable washers.

For quite washing techniques, Samsung also produces the best. With its new Vibration reduction technology, you can wash clothes loaded unevenly, without the noise and vibration problems.

Maytag's top load washers are considered the best. Not only is its capacity quite big for a large family but these washers can rival the efficiency of its front loading counterparts. Miele is the most popular brand of washer in the UK mainly because it gives its users less problems. It does not easily break and does a great laundry cleaning job.

The brand of washer you are going to choose will depend on your clothes washing needs. So, be more aware of the good brands out there and find out which one can solve your washer needs.


What is the Best Brand of Washing Machine?

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Monday, December 12, 2011

How To Fix a Washer That Won't Drain

!±8± How To Fix a Washer That Won't Drain

So, you have a washer that won't drain? Well don't freak out or call a serviceman right away. There are some things that you can check before you have to call a repairman.

The first thing you can check is the plug. Is the washer still plugged in? I know, I know, it might sound stupid but sometimes washers "walk" out from the wall and become unplugged from the outlet. If it's not, shine a flashlight on it and check for burns or breaks in the wiring. If you discover any burns or breaks, unplug the machine to prevent an electrical fire, and call your repairman to replace the cord.

If that's not the issue, here's another tip on how to fix a washer that won't drain. You should check to see if the load is unbalanced. Sometimes a washer will just stop if there is more weight on one side than the other. Most times it will thump around a bit if it is unbalanced, if that is the case just evenly distribute the clothes around the agitator, and see if your washer will start then. If it starts "walking" then grab a pair of pliers and a level, place the level on top of the washer and adjust the leveling legs underneath the washer. If that still doesn't work, then move on to step three.

Here's the third tip on how to fix a washer that won't drain: check the drain hose in the back of the washer. Look at the hose and see if it has any kinks in it, if there are, straighten them out. Also you'll need to check for any objects inside the hose, to do that, unclamp the hose from the washer and shine a flashlight inside. (Remember to have a five-gallon bucket handy because there will be water!) If there is a clog in the hose, you can remove the hose from the washer and spray the blockage out with a garden hose. If the hose is blocked by a piece of clothing take a clothes hanger, unbend it, and poke the clothing out the end of the hose. Re-attach the hose to the back of the machine, and see if it drains.

Now, if there was no clog at all in your drain hose, then the next thing to do is check the pump. You'll need a screwdriver and perhaps a volt meter for this part. Unscrew the back panel off of your washer using the screwdriver and locate the pump. It is usually found on the bottom right side or left side on the interior of the machine. Take your volt meter and test the pump for continuity, if it does not generate any electrical flow you will need to replace your pump. Tip: If you are replacing the pump yourself remember to first unplug the machine from the wall before you start. Otherwise you'll be in for a shock! (Pun intended.)

If none of these tips on how to fix a washer that won't drain work for you, there is another thing you can try before you have to cash out the big bucks for a service man. Find the model number of your machine, and contact a parts dealer and they can help you troubleshoot your appliance from there.

James Balcum


How To Fix a Washer That Won't Drain

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Saturday, December 3, 2011

What is the Best Vacuum Cleaner For House Cleaning Needs?

!±8± What is the Best Vacuum Cleaner For House Cleaning Needs?

With so many vacuum cleaners on the market today how can a consumer know what one to buy for house cleaning purposes? It is never easy to sort out the pros and cons but that is an excellent starting point to begin the search for the best vacuum. I have researched the market and spent many hours pondering which machine would be the best. I wrote a list of what was important to me before researching what was available. I did not do the research because I love vacuum cleaners but instead because I use and depend on them everyday in our cleaning business. Vacuum cleaners come in two basic types as most people know an upright and a canister.

In today's market some vacuum cleaner companies make a backpack vacuum, which as the name suggests is a vacuum that straps to your back. A few home cleaning service companies use a backpack vacuum but that is not a usual choice for a home owners use. Why carry a vacuum on your back when there is no need to? My research brought to light one brand of vacuum that consistently scored higher than the rest and most of the time at the number one spot.

What were important to me were several criteria.

First, the machine must do an excellent job picking up dirt, dust, and debris. As you can imagine, our customers would be upset if their floors were not clean after we completed our work.

Second, the machine should be durable and dependable. I have used machines that are a waste time because the belts break frequently or the hose clogs easily.

Third, the vacuum must be light. Home cleaning is a physically challenging endeavor especially when doing several in a day. Usually cleaning the floor is the most physical part of our daily house cleaning work. We have clients that purchased the wrong machine for home use. Little or no thought went into how difficult it would be to lift the heavy machine they own to the second and third floors. Pushing a heavy vacuum around from room to room can be a drag if the machine is too heavy.

Forth, ease of use was important to me. Bending over to wrap a cord up every time you are done is not what I would consider for a vacuum cleaner as easy to use, especially when there are other options available.

Fifth, good vacuums come with a HEPA filter. If you suffer from asthma or allergies a HEPA filter will keep your air clean. I can still remember as a child the smell of dirt and dust in the air after mom was done vacuuming around our home. All professional house cleaning service companies use machines with true HEPA filtration.

We tested and daily use the Miele canister vacuum. At this time they discontinued their flagship model vacuum which went by the name Blue Moon but they still have many top of the line models to choose from. All their vacuums have many features that will help you to do the job easier and quicker. Check their web site at milele.com for all your your vacuum needs.


What is the Best Vacuum Cleaner For House Cleaning Needs?

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