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DEAR MAINTENANCE MEN
turn the drill motor in a clock wise rotations at all times. If you reverse the rotation, the rods could come loose in the exhaust tube.)
7: Keep adding rods until the brush comes out the other side or end of the exhaust tube. Extra rods can be purchased or attack the exhaust tube from both ends if you don’t have quite enough rods.
8: Reconnect the dryer flex hose to the exhaust tube. Turn on the dryer to Air Dry and allow the force of the air to push out any remaining lint and dust.
The Dryer Vent Tube should be cleaned once a year. A cogged tube is both a fire hazard and waste of expensive power.
DEAR MAINTENANCE MEN:
I’m doing some preventive maintenance with spring coming up. I’m considering installing ceiling fans in my units to help my residents keep cool in summer and save energy. Is this a good plan?
- Sam
Dear Sam:
Personally, we love ceiling fans and encourage there use. Most people feel cooler with a fan moving the air, but that increased comfort doesn’t always result in their lowering the air-conditioning thermostat. We don’t believe the fans will actually lower the temperature of a warm apartment significantly. It does look good spinning there and will give the appearance of cooling. Given a choice, a potential resident will most likely choose a unit with a ceiling fan. If you really want to lower utility bills and cool the units at the same time; install a powered temperature controlled attic fan and/or attic insulation. Insulation alone will have a dramatic effect and often the utility companies or cities have programs to provide and install the insulation at little
or no cost to the owner. All that being said; Yes, Good Plan!
DEAR MAINTENANCE MEN:
I have a laundry room problem. I am forever repairing drywall holes that have been kicked in. How can I stop the tenants/kids/visitors etc. from abusing my laundry room?
- Steve
Dear Steve:
Since many people use the laundry room as a meeting area and keeping a guard is not reasonable. The quick and easy answer would be to install a self- closing/locking security door and give keys to all the tenants. This works to a point, but over time the door may find itself open. So, we have tried to beat the vandals at their own game. We now install “T-111” plywood along the lower four feet of the laundry room walls. T-111 plywood comes in a 4x8 sheet and has vertical lines running through it. Typically T-111 is used for garage door sheathing and building siding. Installation is fairly straight forward. We cut the plywood in half producing 4x4 sheets. These are then screwed to the wall at every 16” or at each wall stud. The lines should be vertical. Then install a 1x4 plank to trim the top of the sheet along with a plank at the bottom as replacement for the base coving. Caulk all seams and edges, paint with primer and enamel paint of choice. If you two tone the trim board and T-111, it looks very nice and it will be a lot tougher on your little vandal’s toes than your wall!
WE NEED YOUR QUESTIONS!!!
If you would like to see your maintenance question in the “Dear Maintenance Men:” column, please send in your questions to:
DEARMAINTENANCEMEN@GMAIL.COM
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