Emergency Shutdown Instructions

To avoid damage when leakage occurs:

1. Turn Off Gas or Electricity – Gas – turn top of dial from ON to OFF position. Electric: turn off power at the circuit breaker panel.
2. Turn Off Water Supply – turn handle clockwise until it stops.

Drain the Water Heater if necessary, to avoid damage – attach a garden hose to the drain faucet of the hot water heater and drain water.

3. Call a plumber or water heater specialist.
4. Monthly Safety Inspection
5. Once a month, check the top valve for corrosion, and inspect all lines and pipes for signs of leakage or loose fittings.
6. Check the high pressure relief valve for proper operation.
7. Attach the hot water heater to the wall with braces to ensure that it is earthquake safe.

Always use cookware which is microwave safe and avoid placing metal objects in the food compartment. The significant control behind the microwave technology is the magnetron tube. It is important to keep the oven clean as food particles can cause the magnetron tube to arc, possibly leading to failure of the tube, or worse, a fire. If the unit is kept clean, you should be able to look forward to years of convenient, tasty food preparation.

Ranges require little care other than regular cleaning. You should avoid spilling grease into the burners, but when spillage occurs, you should turn off the range and clean the area after it has cooled down. Burning grease presents not only a medical hazard in your home, it also represents a fire hazard. Other types of spills should also be cleaned up immediately to prevent fire and/or smoke.

The temperature in the oven should be within a few degrees of the dial setting. You can purchase oven thermometers at most supermarkets and hardware stores. If your temperature is not within ten (10) degrees of the dial setting, you should contact a service technician to perform a calibration of the oven’s temperature sensor.

To avoid the gasket leaking, gently wipe it with a soft cloth. If your dishwasher doesn’t drain properly, the most like source of the problem could be a clogged pipe. Since most dishwashers are connected to the kitchen sink, it is quite possible that food has become lodged in the pipes. Turning on the garbage disposal or using a drain cleaning agent will usually clear the obstruction. If the clog is persistent, you may need to call a plumber.

Air conditioners are best maintained by regularly cleaning the condenser coils and changing the filters. These simple, easy to perform tasks will keep your air conditioner functioning at it’s best. If the unit is not cooling the area sufficiently, it may just be too small for the area. You should select the unit according to the size of the room you wish to cool. One commonly experienced problem is the formation of ice on the unit. This indicates that it is working too hard. This can be avoided by raising the temperature setting on the thermostat.

If your food is being maintained at the temperature you desire, there could be several causes which have nothing to do with equipment conditions. The most obvious is the temperature setting for both the freezer and refrigerator. Adjusting the controls so that the desired temperature is maintained may take a bit of experimentation, as it will take several hours to detect any noticeable change. Another possibility is that the doors are opened too frequently to maintain the desired temperature. If your ice “fuses” together, this is very likely the cause. Other causes are low coolant level, a leaking door gasket, a bad defrost timer or a compressor failure. Keeping the coils free of dirt build up through regular cleaning can avoid unnecessary repairs. Cleaning the exposed coils should be done with a soft brush (either by hand or attached to a vacuum cleaner) and care should be taken to avoid damage to the coils. Some new refrigerator designs have the coils placed underneath the refrigerator. Regular sweeping of the floor should b e sufficient preventive care for these models.If the refrigerator fails altogether, call a service technician and keep the door shut to avoid food spoilage. The insulation will keep the contents cool for about 24 hours, if the door remains closed.

When selling your home, always remember that First impressions sell your home! It is important that you do the following to help you sell your home, receive top dollar and set your home apart from others. Your property, whether it is a single family home, apartments, commercial real estate or vacant land, is a valuable asset and you want produce substantial financial success (in other words, make you money). It is estimated that half of all properties are sold before buyers even get out of their cars. Stand across the street from your property and review its curb appeal. To help increase your property value and maximize exposure, do the following:

Outside

Sweep the front walkway

Remove newspapers, bikes and toys

Park extra cars away from the property

Trim back the shrubs and trees

Paint the trim

Clean windows and window coverings

Make sure all windows and doors are working

Screens should be on all windows in in good repair

Make sure the roof and gutters are in good condition

All lights are working

Driveway stains are cleaned

Grass lawns and landscaping are in good shape

Mow the lawn once a week and plant flowers

Keep pet areas clean

Inside

Kitchen and bathrooms should shine

Vacuum carpets and have them cleaned

Place flowers in the main rooms

Put away dishes, unless setting a formal display for decoration

Make beds and put clothes away

Open drapes and turn on lights for a brighter feel

Straighten closets

Put toys away

Turn off the television

Play soft music on the radio or stereo

Keep pets out of the way, pet areas clean and odor- free

Enhance the spaciousness of each room. Pack away collectibles so buyers can envision their own furnishings in the home

Clean fronts of kitchen cabinets

When buying a home, choose your realtor carefully; make sure the realtor is going to work for you and purchase the home you want.

Pre-qualify with a lender for a loan

Shop for the best loan rates

Shop for the best homeowners policy

Have your attorney review the purchase agreement, escrow and loan documents

Choose an experienced home inspector

Don’t be afraid to negotiate with the seller on purchase price, repairs and furnishings.