Why it's so hard to find a McRib

Lovers of Elusive McRib Pork Patty Track Their SightingsBefore traveling to visit his parents in Nebraska last winter, Jeremy Duensing consulted what he always checks before a trip: the "McRib Locator" website.To his delight, he found a McDonald's (NYSE: MCD - News) restaurant near Omaha that, unlike most of the burger chain's 14,000 U.S. restaurants, had the McRib on its menu. He bought six of the pork sandwiches.

Five drinks that help you de-stress

Stressful day? Don't reach for a candy bar. Try one of these soothing liquids instead. © Michael Blann/Digital Vision/Thinkstock 1. Drink a glass of milk. It contains tryptophan, which as it is metabolized is converted to mood-boosting serotonin. Plus, its calcium, magnesium and potassium content may help keep blood pressure down.2.

10 dumb money moves to avoid

My 28-year-old niece and I were recently talking about money. She's (finally!) become interested in accumulating more and spending less, and because I've been in the personal finance business in one capacity or another since before she was born, she logically assumed that I've always done everything right and know exactly what to do at all times.

The fastest-growing American cities

The U.S.' emerging cities are not experiencing the kind of super-charged growth one sees in urban areas of the developing world, notably China and India. But unlike Europe, North America's population is slated to expand by well over 100 million people by 2050--much of this growth in the U.S. and much of it driven by continued immigration.

How to detect ATM skimming

Skimming devices placed over card-reader slots capture your information.The next time you pull up to an ATM, take a closer look at the machine. Does it look a little clunkier than usual?Look too at what's around you: Are there mirrors? Is there a brochure holder over your shoulder? Does it look like there might be a false panel or an extra light bar attached to the machine?If something looks or feels amiss.

Water Heater Problems & Repairs 0

xoiper | 11:20 AM |

Water Heater Problems & Repairs
Expert advice on how to troubleshoot and maintain a gas or electric water heater

Water heater problems normally become self-evident: A hot water faucet fails to summon hot water, you see dripping or puddles near the water heater, or the tank emits strange gurgling or popping sounds.

Though many gas utility companies will make a free house call to solve problems with a gas water heater’s burner or the gas supply to the tank, it helps to know how to solve basic outages yourself. For more difficult issues, contact a qualified local hot water heater repair person.

Typical water heater problems include a leaking tank, not enough hot water, water that is too hot, water that is not hot enough, strange noises in the tank, and discolored water. Most water heater problems are easier to diagnose and relatively easy to handle if you understand how they work. For more about this, see How a Storage Water Heater Works.

Note: Leaking natural gas can be dangerous. If you smell natural gas (it smells a bit like garlic) near the water heater, shut off the pilot light, close the gas shutoff valve, and call a plumber or your gas utility company for assistance.

How to Flush & Drain a Water Heater

Before draining and flushing your water heater, turn off the gas or electric power (depending on whether it is a gas or electric water heater) and let the water cool a little. Close the incoming water valve and attach a hose to the drain valve to run the water into a large bucket or to a drain or the outdoors.


Open the drain valve and open one hot water faucet somewhere in the house to let in air. When all water has drained from the water heater, turn the cold water valve on and off until the water from the drain runs clear. Then close the drain valve and the hot water faucet, open the cold water valve, and turn the water back on.

Water heater tips

  • Set the temperature control to about 150 degrees F. or lower if you have no dishwasher or if you have small children or elderly people in the home who might scald themselves.
  • To minimize the energy it takes to heat the water, insulate your water pipes if they run a long way from your heater to your faucets. Also consider installing a point-of-use water heater.
  • Always shut off the power to an electric water heater before working on it.
  • Periodically check the temperature-pressure relief valve, which keeps pressure in the boiler from building up too much. Lift or lower its lever on this valve. Water should drain from the overflow pipe.
  • Do not work on an electric water heater if there is standing water pooled on the floor near the appliance. Shut off the circuit to the water heater and call a qualified water heater repairperson.

Share/Bookmark

0 Responses So Far:

 
po themes Copyright © 2010 Prozine Theme is Designed by Lasantha Home | RSS Feed | Comment RSS