IKEA RECALL

NEWS: Ikea announced June 28 a recall of MALM dressers due to tip over issues. If you have one of these, contact IKEA for refund information

Refresh of Kitchen

Old cabinets just were not suitable for this remodel. Counter top and sink  reused. Exhaust hood added over stove. Original flooring was carpet, replaced with sheet vinyl (installed by End Of Roll)

PREVENT ROT

Wood and soil cause rot. Keep your fence away from soil by using gravel under each panel and where the posts enter the ground, ensure they are encased in concrete with a crown above grade to shed water.

WARNING - FIRE DANGER Kids Hoverboard

It's being touted as the hottest gift this Christmas - HOVERBOARDS. These two wheeled machines have a tendency to catch fire. Many people have reported house fires due to this defect.

DO NOT BUY THESE DEVICES OR IF YOU DO, KEEP THEM OUTSIDE WHEN CHARGING.

Also, check that the machine is UL or CSA rated (many toys from overseas do not comply)

GARAGE DOOR LIFT LIGHTS NOT WORKING?

I have had two inquiries about inoperative lights of garage door lifts. As it turns out, often the contact in the light bulb base gets corroded.

 When the bulb warms it expands at a different rate as the plastic base. This cycling eventually loosens the bulb. During that period the contact may lose contact, causing an arc which further promotes corrosion and heat.

In this example, the plastic base melted from the heat.

You can clean the contact and lift the contact up to provide a more positive connection. CAUTION UNPLUG THE UNIT BEFORE TRYING THIS FIX

I don't like the design of this type of socket and wish they were made more robust.

SHOPPING FOR A HOUSE? PAY ATTENTION TO THE WATER PIPES

Recently I've been touring homes with a customer who is looking to move.  I am not an inspector but there are some things that raise red flags. One is the type of water pipes used.

Plastic water pipes are convenient for the installer but some systems have a reputation of failures. Although the pipes may appear good, they can actually be rotting from inside out. Chemicals in the water can cause this.

Newer systems use better materials and procedures for installation but if it were my home, I would not have it. I'd rather have good old proven copper.

When shopping for a house, inquire about the type of piping and if plastic, ask if there have been any insurance claims or repairs due to ruptured pipes/fittings.  Inquire also about insuring a property with this system.

The corrosion visible in the photos can be caused by the water according to a professional plumber. "It is because of the water and possibly lack of treatment. Either the treatment system needs servicing or there may not be one in place" says JB.

These photos were of a well water system.

WEAKEST LINK

Recently I was asked to repair a door latch mechanism on a microwave. I discovered a broken piece of the moulded  plastic inside the door where a spring attaches. The weakest link.

This is yet another example of poor engineering. A part under load like that should, in my opinion, be made of metal.

To make matters worse, I discovered that the plastic, being "food grade", is next to impossible to glue. So, in this case, the part- the outer section of the door - would have to be replaced. Problem is, it's not available.

More junk to the landfill?

Wait a minute! I refuse to see an otherwise usable machine be trashed due to such a "minor" issue.

Check back here later for an update with photos when I'll post my solution. Hint: It involves a 50 cent bolt and nut and some black paint....