The Back Porch

Most of the time when folks sit around on the back porch they like to tell stories and exchange information. The Spectrum Home Analysis back porch serves much the same purpose except for the lack of rocking chairs and iced tea.

Here is some information that you might find of interest.
Hot Water Scalding

Each year, approximately 3,800 injuries and 34 deaths occur in the home due to scalding from excessively hot tap water. The majority of these accidents involve the elderly and children under the age of five. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges all users to lower their water heaters to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition to preventing accidents, this decrease in temperature will conserve energy and save money.

WATER HEATER TEMP SETTING [in degrees F]	TIME TO PRODUCE SECOND & THIRD DEGREE BURNS ON ADULT SKIN
160	1/2 sec
150	1-1/2 sec
140	less than 5 sec
130	about 30 sec
120	more than 5 min

source: Consumer Products Safety Commission

The times are even less for children and the elderly.

This is why I check the temperature of the homes domestic hot water.

Hot Water Boiler Recall

Firm’s Hotline: (800) 688-2575
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

NY Thermal Inc. Recalls to Repair Gas-Fired Hot Water Boilers Due to Carbon Monoxide Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should contact the firm to arrange for a free repair.

Name of product: NTI Trinity Gas-Fired Hot Water Boilers

Units: About 4,800

Distributor: NY Thermal Inc., of Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada

Hazard: Acidic liquid in a drain line can cause a fitting in the boiler to leak, posing a risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: NY Thermal Inc. has received one report outside of the United States of a leaking fitting resulting in a CO alarm activation. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall includes NTI Trinity gas-fired hot water boilers with model numbers Ti100, Ti150, Ti200 and Ti400. The boilers were manufactured between November 28, 2005 and January 8, 2007. The Ti100, Ti150 and Ti200 are wall-mounted units, and the Ti400 rests on the floor. The boilers are gray in color and “NTI” appears on the front cover. The model number and date of manufacture are located on the ID label inside the front cover of the boiler.

Sold by: Plumbing and heating contractors nationwide from November 2005 through February 2007 for between $3,000 and 8,500, depending on the model.

Manufactured in: Canada

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact the firm for instructions and to arrange for a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact NY Thermal Inc. at (800)
688-2575 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.nythermal.com.

Life Expectenceis

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Washington, D.C.

APPLIANCES

Compactor – 10 years.
Dishwasher – 10 years.
Garbage Disposer – 10 years.
Dryer – 10 years.
Freezer (compact) – 12 years.
Freezer (standard) – 16 years.
Microwave Oven – 11 years.
Range (freestanding and built-in, electric) – 17 years.
Range (freestanding and built-in, gas) – 19 years.
Range (high oven, gas) – 14 years.
Refrigerator (compact) – 14 years.
Refrigerator (standard) – 17 years.
Washer (automatic and compact) – 13 years.
Exhaust Fans – 20 years.

BATHROOM FIXTURES

Cast Iron bathtub – 50 years.
Fiberglass bathtub and shower – 10-15 years.
Shower door (average quality) – 25 years.
Toilet – 50 years.

CABINETS

Kitchen cabinets – 15-20 years.
Medicine cabinet/bath vanity – 20 years.

COUNTERTOPS

Laminate – 10-15 years.
Ceramic tile (high grade installation) – Lifetime.
Wood/butcher block – 20+ years.
Granite – 20+ years.

DOORS

Screen – 25 – 50 years.
Interior (not perfect hollow core) – <30 years to life.
Interior (solid core) – 30 years to life.
Exterior (protected overhang) – 80-100 years.
Exterior (unprotected and exposed) – 25-30 years.
Folding – 30 years to life.
Garage door – 20 – 50 years.
Garage door opener – 10 years.

FINISHES (Used for waterproofing)

Paint, plaster and stucco – 3-5 years.
Sealer, silicone, and waxes – 1-5 years.

FLOORS

Oak or pine – Lifetime
Slate flagstone – Lifetime
Vinyl sheet or tile – minimum
Terrazzo – Lifetime
Carpeting – 11 years
Marble – Lifetime

FOOTINGS & FOUNDATIONS

Poured footing & foundation – 200 years.
Concrete block – 100 years.
Cement – 50 years.
Waterproofing (bituminous coating) – 10 years.
Termite proofing – 5 years.

HEATING, VENTILATION & AIR CONDITIONING

Air conditioning unit (central) – 15 years.
Air conditioning unit (window) – 10 years.
Baseboard heat units – 20 years.
Humidifier – 8 years.
Water Heater (electric) – 14 years.
Water Heater (gas) – 11 – 13 years.
Forced air furnace, heat pump – 15 years.
Furnace, gas or oil fired – 18 years.

HOME SECURITY APPLIANCES

Intrusion system – 14 years.
Smoke Detector – 12 years.
Smoke/fire/intrusion system – 10 years.

LANDSCAPING

Wooden deck – 15 years.
Brick and concrete patio – 24 years.
Tennis court – 10 years.
Concrete walk – 24 years.
Gravel walk – 4 years.
Asphalt driveway – 10 years.
Swimming pool – 18 years.
Sprinkler system – 12 years.
Fence – 12 years.

PAINTS & STAINS

Exterior paint on wood, brick and aluminum – 7-10 years.
Interior wall paint – 5-10 years.
Interior trim and door paint – 5-10 years.
Interior wallpaper – 7 years.

PLUMBING

Faucets (low quality) – 13-15 years.
Faucets (high quality) 15-20 years.
Sinks (enamel steel sink) – 5-10 years.
Sinks (enamel cast iron sink) – 25-30 years.
Sinks (Porcelain sink) – 25-30 years.
Waste pipe (concrete) – 50-100 years.
Waste pipe (cast iron) – 75-100 years.

ROOFING

Asphalt and wood shingles and shakes – 15-30 years.
Asphalt composition shingle – 15-30 years.
Asphalt overlag – 25-35 years.
Built-up roofing (asphalt) – 12-25 years.
Built-up roofing (coat and tar) – 12-30 years.
Gutters and downspouts – 30 years.
Slate – 50-100 years.
Sheet metal – 20-50 years.
Tile – 50 years.

SIDING

Aluminum Siding – 20-50 years.
Steel Siding – 50 years to Life.
Vinyl Siding – 50 years.
Wood Siding – 10 – 100 years.

WINDOWS

Aluminum casement – 10-20 years.
Screens – 25 – 50 years.
Window glazing – 20 years.
Wood casement – 20-50 years.

____________________

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

Firm’s Recall Hotline: (877) 607-6395
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
General Electric Media Contact: Kim Freeman, (502) 452-7819

General Electric Recalls Dishwashers Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of product: GE Dishwashers

Units: About 2.5 million

Manufacturer: GE Consumer & Industrial, of Louisville, Ky.

Hazard: Liquid rinse-aid can leak from its dispenser onto the dishwasher’s internal wiring which can cause an electrical short and overheating, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: GE has received 191 reports of overheated wiring including 56 reports of property damage. There were 12 reports of fires that escaped the dishwasher. Fire damage was limited to the dishwasher or the adjacent area. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall includes GE built-in dishwashers sold under the following brand names: Eterna, GE, GE Profile(tm), GE Monogram(r), Hotpoint(r), and Sears-Kenmore. The dishwashers were sold in white, black, almond, bisque and stainless steel. The brand name is printed on the dishwasher’s front control panel. Model and serial numbers can be found inside the dishwasher tub on the front left side of the dishwasher. A table of relevant model and serial numbers can be found on CPSC’s web site.

The GE and Hotpoint dishwashers involved are models beginning with GSD500D, GSD500G, GSD540, HDA467, HDA477, or HDA487 with a serial number that has a second letter of A, M, R, S, T, V or Z (for example, BM12345). The model and serial numbers are located on a rectangular label that is on either the right or left front edge of the inner tub. The GE or Hotpoint brand name is on the front of the dishwasher.

Sold at: Department and appliance stores from September 1997 through December 2001 for about $400.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dishwashers and contact General Electric for a free repair, a $150 rebate towards the purchase of a new GE dishwasher, or a $300 rebate towards the purchase of a new GE Profile or GE Monogram dishwasher.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact General Electric toll-free at (877) 607-6395 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday. Consumers also can visit the firm’s Web site at www.geappliances.com

______________________

Digital Security Controls Recalls Smoke Detectors that Could Fail to Warn of a Fire

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product.
Name of product: Digital Security Controls FSA and FSB Series Smoke Detectors

Units: About 32,000

Distributor: Digital Security Controls, of Toronto, Canada

Hazard: These smoke detectors could fail to reliably detect smoke during a fire.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves Digital Security Controls FSA and FSB series photo-electric smoke detectors. They are wired directly into the building circuitry, and do not use a battery. The dome shaped units have a metal mesh covering around the smoke sensor.

Sold by: Commercial and residential installers nationwide from October
2006 through December 2006 for between $60 and $70 per unit.

Manufactured in: Canada

Remedy: Customers should immediately contact their installer to receive a free inspection to determine if their units are included in the recall. If so, they will receive free replacement smoke detectors with installation. Customers also can contact Digital Security Controls for additional information on how to receive free replacement smoke detectors. Only professional installers should remove and replace these units.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Digital Security Controls toll-free at (877) 666-1250 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at at www.dsc.com