A tumble dryer has become an indispensable appliance for the majority of large households, however, as is the case with any appliance, it must be well maintained.  If a dryer is not cared for properly it could even become the cause of a serious house fire.  So, what are some simple ways to care for the dryer?
Most of us will be aware of how a dryer works, wet clothes are gently spun in the drum of the dryer as hot air is forced into the drum enabling it to dry the clothing.  As this is happening, water evaporates from the clothes forming water vapor.  This water vapor then must exit the dryer and does so through the dryer vent.  Another result of the drying process is lint, and this too must exit the dryer to avoid a dangerous build-up in the machine.
When a dryer becomes a fire hazard.  If the water vapor cannot exit the dryer this could cause the machine to overheat which could then cause it to burst into flames.  If lint, which is extremely flammable, starts to build up in the machine, this also creates a big fire risk.
What are some ways to prevent a dryer fire? The vent plays a crucial role when it comes to dryer safety as this is the way water vapor escapes from the machine.  Be sure to check it never becomes disconnected or damaged in some way that would cause the vent to become blocked.  Another important thing to do each time you use the dryer is to empty the lint trap so that you avoid excessive build-up.

​If the home you are about to move into uses a grinder pump, it will be beneficial for you to have at least a little knowledge of the way one works so that you can keep it well maintained.
Let’s look at how a grinder pump works and discuss a few of the dos and don’ts of using one.
 
A grinder pump is a device designed for managing household waste.  It works by grinding up this waste into a slurry and then flushing it through into the sewer system.  Grinder pumps are usually required if the homes drainage system is below or even at the same level as a public sewer line or septic tank which would prevent sewage from flowing quickly enough through the system by itself. 
 
Although we know there are many items that should never be flushed down any toilet or sink, it's important to be aware of items that you should avoid disposing of this way when you have a grinder pump.  Among the things that should not be placed in a toilet or drain are grease which builds up in the tank, caustic or toxic chemicals, cat litter, aquarium gravel, plastic, feminine hygiene products, and diapers.
 
Keep in mind that grinder pumps require electricity to operate, this means that, should you experience a power outage for any reason, the pump will not work so you will want to limit the amount of water you use during this time otherwise the tank cause become too full. 
 
If you are going away for a few days you will want to prepare the grinder pump by running water long enough so that the pump activates and leaves only clean water in the tank.  If you do not do this, you could experience some unpleasant odors. 
 
Be aware also that you should never connect a grinder pump to the sump pump.  This will not only use much more electricity but will overwork the pump, potentially costing you a lot of money.

Are you presently looking for a home to buy? Maybe you’re a first-time buyer and are looking for a starter home. Whatever your reason for buying property, you have many options available to you that suit a variety of budgets.  The important thing with any property you choose though is making sure you know its exact condition. 
 
One example of the importance of knowing the home's condition is if it has a prior history of fire damage. The seller may have done a good job with the home’s outward appearance, but what is its real condition? To help you understand why we are saying this, please watch the following brief video.  It highlights the many problems that a fire damaged property might have incurred and will also help to give you an idea of why a thorough home inspection is so vital.