There are numerous detection devices available and choosing the right one to protect a particular area isn’t always easy. There is a whole range of circumstances to take into account — the size of the room, what’s in it, even how it is constructed, as well as what’s outside or even across the road.
You may need one or more types of detectors in any one area — for example, there are bound to be doors and windows to protect as well as the room itself. There may also be very large areas of glass, such as a patio door, draughts or heating, which may make it difficult to site certain types of detectors, and you may have pets in the house which will mean careful positioning and directing of the detection pattern. Read the rest of this entry »
When you buy from a trader who has called at your home without an appointment, you, have seven days in which to cancel the contract and reclaim the money you might have paid. This applies to goods you buy and to work you have arranged to have done, provided the sum involved is over £35. This law covers home improvements such as replacement kitchens or double glazing, but not new building work such as home extensions. If in doubt, contact the local Citizens Advice Bureau. Read the rest of this entry »
Anyone who calls on you uninvited has no right to assume that you want to talk to them, let alone invite them into your house. Keep the back door locked at all times as well. Many tricksters work in pairs and one may keep you talking while the other slips round the back! Don’t feel guilty about leaving them on the doorstep while you check their identity. Genuine callers will not object to you taking sensible precautions. Read the rest of this entry »
Most callers are genuine but, sadly, no-one can afford to be too trusting these days. Beating the doorstep conman need cost very little but common-sense precautions are necessary to ensure that a caller is genuine, and to avoid being pressurised into buying goods or services that you do not really want.
The most important point is to ensure that you can see and talk to the caller before opening the door and putting yourself at risk. If the front door or nearby windows do not provide a good view of the caller, you should install a door viewer. Read the rest of this entry »
This valve assembly is probably the most important component of the gas burner assembly. The valve assembly controls the flow of gas to the main burner from the gas supply line.
Cycling thermostats are bi-metal devices or thermo-discs that are designed to cut the main burner OFF when a pre-determined temperature has been attained in the dryer drum. There is no adjustment of the temperature response of these thermostats. Read the rest of this entry »
Unplug the power cord or gas supply before servicing the clothes dryer. Move clothes dryer out from the wall. Exercise care when moving the dryer from its original position because the dryer legs can easily tear holes in your floor.
Remove screws to dryer top. Lift the top of the dryer by inserting a flat-blade screwdriver between the cabinet and the top of the dryer. Remove the screws that secure door switch to dryer front panel and discard the door switch. Read the rest of this entry »
An obvious failure symptom is when you select a drying cycle and attempt to start the dryer, but it does not run. To find the cause of the problem, move the dryer out from its position and unplug the power cord.
If line voltage is indicated on the volt/- ohmmeter, check the dryer power cord as possible cause of the problem.
To avoid any incorrect readings when using the volt/ohmmeter, always “zero” the ohmmeter before making continuity checks on components. Read the rest of this entry »
Specific failure symptoms include: 1) The clothes dryer is running longer than normal. 2) The clothes are extremely damp at the end of the drying cycle.
Although the problem could be that the automatic washer is not spinning your clothes properly, in most cases the problem is inadequate air movement in the dryer.
Before blaming the dryer, you should check the automatic washer. At the end of the spin cycle, open the washer lid and check to see if there is excess water left in the washer basket. Read the rest of this entry »
Unplug the fridge power cord before servicing the fridge. Move the fridge out from the wall. Use extreme care when moving the fridge, because the fridge legs can tear or damage the floor.
Using hand tools, remove the screws on all four sides of the fridge or freezer doors so that you can remove and discard the defective gasket(s). Before removing the old gasket, note carefully how the gasket is installed, because the replacement gasket has to be installed in the same position as the defective gasket that is removed. Before installing the replacement gasket, heat the rubber with a home hair dryer set on low heat. This will make the rubber more flexible,’ and easier to install on the fridge or freezer door. Install the replacement door gasket by mounting the lip of the gasket under the retainer plate. Read the rest of this entry »
Other specific failure symptoms include: 1) Food not remaining at the desired temperature. 2) Fridge compressor does not cycle OFF.
If the compressor motor runs continuously in an attempt to keep the fridge cool but the cabinet is still not cool enough, you will have to find the component or failure that is restricting the cooling capacity of the fridge. Check the components in the order that they are listed below. Read the rest of this entry »
