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How to Prevent Pink Stains in Toilet Bowls
Toilets often develop a pink or slightly orange ring around the bowl right at the water line, especially if the toilet is rarely used. It probably isn’t rust or a mineral. The bad news is that slimy, anaerobic bacteria called Serratia Marcescens cause this ring. The good news is that this bacterium is generally harmless in your home, although it does cause problems in hospitals and other places where people are immune-deprived. In those situations, it can cause urinary tract and wound infections.
The bacteria are called anaerobic because it does not use oxygen to sustain life. Serratia Marcescens also causes stains in the tub, behind or around the sink faucet, at the bottom of shower curtains, or wherever surfaces are moist or water pools for a period of time. It also feeds off of fatty substances such as the residue of soap or shampoo. This bacteria is present in the air and has nothing to do with the quality or type of water coming out of your tap. The red, pink or orange color is caused by a pigment produced as the bacteria colonize. In the middle ages, it inspired reports of “miracles” in damp climates where it grew on bread and locals were convinced the red pigment was the blood of Christ. Today, its growth in bathrooms is unsightly and most homeowners strive to eliminate it.
In their haste to remove the bacteria, some homeowners make the mistake of scrubbing the porcelain with something harder than porcelain, such as a metal brush. This scratches the porcelain and creates more surface area for the bacteria to breed at the surface of the water, and should be avoided. Chlorine does kill these bacteria effectively. Most municipal water is slightly chlorinated, but chlorine tends to dissipate when water pools and sits as in a toilet bowl. In-between cleanings chlorine may not be present at all. Resist the temptation to pour chlorine bleach into the tank or toss in a chlorine bleach sanitizing brick. Chlorine damages rubber parts in the tank such as the flapper, causing the flapper to deteriorate more quickly. This can quickly lead to a leak into the toilet and an unwanted increase to your water bill! The best way to deal with the pinkish ring is to tackle it in the toilet bowl with chlorine bleach and a plastic-bristled brush. For hard-to-reach areas, try an old toothbrush dipped in chlorine bleach, being careful of course to wear gloves and protect your eyes from the harsh chemical. Be sure to clean frequently to keep these ubiquitous bacteria at bay!
Toilets often develop a pink or slightly orange ring around the bowl right at the water line, especially if the toilet is rarely used. It probably isn’t rust or a mineral. The bad news is that slimy, anaerobic bacteria called Serratia Marcescens cause this ring. The good news is that this bacterium is generally harmless in your home, although it does cause problems in hospitals and other places where people are immune-deprived. In those situations, it can cause urinary tract and wound infections.
The bacteria are called anaerobic because it does not use oxygen to sustain life. Serratia Marcescens also causes stains in the tub, behind or around the sink faucet, at the bottom of shower curtains, or wherever surfaces are moist or water pools for a period of time. It also feeds off of fatty substances such as the residue of soap or shampoo. This bacteria is present in the air and has nothing to do with the quality or type of water coming out of your tap. The red, pink or orange color is caused by a pigment produced as the bacteria colonize. In the middle ages, it inspired reports of “miracles” in damp climates where it grew on bread and locals were convinced the red pigment was the blood of Christ. Today, its growth in bathrooms is unsightly and most homeowners strive to eliminate it.
In their haste to remove the bacteria, some homeowners make the mistake of scrubbing the porcelain with something harder than porcelain, such as a metal brush. This scratches the porcelain and creates more surface area for the bacteria to breed at the surface of the water, and should be avoided. Chlorine does kill these bacteria effectively. Most municipal water is slightly chlorinated, but chlorine tends to dissipate when water pools and sits as in a toilet bowl. In-between cleanings chlorine may not be present at all. Resist the temptation to pour chlorine bleach into the tank or toss in a chlorine bleach sanitizing brick. Chlorine damages rubber parts in the tank such as the flapper, causing the flapper to deteriorate more quickly. This can quickly lead to a leak into the toilet and an unwanted increase to your water bill! The best way to deal with the pinkish ring is to tackle it in the toilet bowl with chlorine bleach and a plastic-bristled brush. For hard-to-reach areas, try an old toothbrush dipped in chlorine bleach, being careful of course to wear gloves and protect your eyes from the harsh chemical. Be sure to clean frequently to keep these ubiquitous bacteria at bay!
Tips On Falling Safely From The AARP Magazine
Getting To Know Your Thermostat
The thermostats in our units are easy to use provided all you do with them is turn them up or down. However, they have other capabilities such as programmable heat and cooling settings that enable you to set the time heating or cooling takes place. The document included below is the complete instruction manual for our Honeywell TH6000 devices which includes how to change the batteries when the "Change Batteries" warning lights up on the face of the device.
| honeywell_focuspro_th6000_series.pdf |
How To Save Hot Water
How does a mixing valve save hot water?
Remember, a mixing valve is exactly what you do during a shower ... you add cold water to hot.
Each faucet; bath, kitchen, shower and tub faucet is a mixing valve... where you manually adjust water temperature by adding cold. Each time hot tap is turned on, new cold water immediately enters bottom of water heater as hot water leaves top of tank going to shower. When you use a mixing valve located at water heater instead of mixing valve located at shower, then you save the amount of hot water that travels down the pipe going to shower.
How much hot water is saved?
Every 10 feet of 1/2 pipe holds .12 gallons of water. If bathroom is 20 feet away. 3 showers per day .72 gallons per day x 365 days = 262 gallons of cold water that does not enter tank. That means 262 gallons of cold water is not heated to thermostat set point.The math can be more complex than this 2-D example. But a mixing valve keeps more cold water out of tank, and water heater stays hotter.
Adding a mixing valve is required for solar water heater. Because sipping Hot is important strategy for preserving the solar heat stored inside water heater. Rule of thumb... if it's good strategy for solar... then it's a good strategy for regular tank too. The water heater is an energy battery. Don't drain the battery.
Remember, a mixing valve is exactly what you do during a shower ... you add cold water to hot.
Each faucet; bath, kitchen, shower and tub faucet is a mixing valve... where you manually adjust water temperature by adding cold. Each time hot tap is turned on, new cold water immediately enters bottom of water heater as hot water leaves top of tank going to shower. When you use a mixing valve located at water heater instead of mixing valve located at shower, then you save the amount of hot water that travels down the pipe going to shower.
How much hot water is saved?
Every 10 feet of 1/2 pipe holds .12 gallons of water. If bathroom is 20 feet away. 3 showers per day .72 gallons per day x 365 days = 262 gallons of cold water that does not enter tank. That means 262 gallons of cold water is not heated to thermostat set point.The math can be more complex than this 2-D example. But a mixing valve keeps more cold water out of tank, and water heater stays hotter.
Adding a mixing valve is required for solar water heater. Because sipping Hot is important strategy for preserving the solar heat stored inside water heater. Rule of thumb... if it's good strategy for solar... then it's a good strategy for regular tank too. The water heater is an energy battery. Don't drain the battery.
The good news is that each water heater in our units is equipped with a mixing valve. Here's how it works:
The actual valve on our units looks something like this:
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In the photo above on the left the yellow arrow points to the mixing valve. In the photo on the right the close-up of the valve reveals a light tan colored knob. When it is turned in one direction (counter clockwise) the mixed water gets hotter. Turned in the other direction (clockwise) the mixed water gets cooler. The knob is marked indicating which direction is warm or cold.
Tip Suggested by Matt Berg
Tip Suggested by Matt Berg
Replacing A Smoke Detector Battery
Speaking about batteries we had one fail in our bedroom smoke detector at 3:30 AM. Although these devices are hard-wired to the AC circuit they also have a battery back-up in case of a power failure. The failing battery emits a very loud chirp every 30 seconds until either you do something about it or it finally runs out of juice. I tried to silence it by replacing the battery and it turned out to be a learning experience. I found out that the battery, a 9 volt model, can be installed by opening a small compartment built in the edge of the alarm's housing. With the compartment open the battery slides out following which the new battery can be slid in. The compartment door will not shut unless there is a battery in it to press down on the release built into the compartment's plastic floor. One other tip: The battery must be installed with the minus or negative terminal to the left when it is slid in. Batteries are marked plus and minus so finding the side with the correct contact polarization should be easy. It's a good idea to keep one or two 9 volt batteries handy in case you get awakened some day by an insistent chirper on your ceiling. I have included the instructions for the unit below. Clicking on the PDF symbol will open the instructions. Take a look at this YouTube video to see a demonstration of how to replace a battery. Click on the arrow to see the video --►
Joel Heller
Joel Heller
| hc-9120b_manual.pdf |
Battery Safety and Disposal
Michelle Marvin writes: "Since moving here, I've often wondered how to properly dispose of old batteries to eliminate the possibility of a fire. This article is helpful. It describes the proper way to dispose of batteries, as well as the proper way to store batteries to eliminate a potential fire hazard. Just click on the article's address to see it on the web."
http://www.lhsfna.org/index.cfm/lifelines/june-2014/battery-safety-could-save-your-home/
http://www.lhsfna.org/index.cfm/lifelines/june-2014/battery-safety-could-save-your-home/
The Doorbell That Wouldn't Quit
Recently, one of our unit owners was not at home when a package she ordered was left at her front door. The delivery person pushed her doorbell button and promptly left. Not known was that the pushed button had jammed in the "on" position and the bell kept ringing until the unit failed. When the owner returned home she noticed a strange, burning smell in the air. She also discovered that her doorbell button was hot to the touch. This potentially dangerous problem could happen to any of us so we have included some important information about this and other doorbell maladies below.
When The Bells Don't Ring
If you are having problems with your doorbell here are some facts about it:
Should your doorbell button gets stuck when you are home it might get unstuck by pressing it once again to free the button so it can pop-up and disconnect the ringing circuit. If that doesn't work turn the circuit breaker that supplies the doorbell with current to the "off" position. The breaker is located in the breaker panel. It has a gray metal door and is mounted on one wall of your unit's laundry room. The breaker you want has, along with the names of other rooms, the name "Laundry" or "Utility" room also written on it.
If the button got stuck while you were away one sign of failure is that the button is no longer lighted. However, that could also mean that the bulb in the switch burned out. A bulb burn-out would not affect the operation of the chime. It would still work. Other signs of failure are continuous ringing, a strange smell, or a hot button.
The doorbell buttons for our units are made by Nutone. It is model number PB76WH. This model is not available at Home Depot or Lowes. However, it can be obtained on-line from a variety of sources. The price range is from $4.95 plus shipping, at a number of on-line stores, to $6.90, including shipping, for Amazon Prime members. Amazon also has the bulbs for this button. The part number is Nutone pbl-2. It's a two-pack that sells for $6.89. Since it does not appear that these parts are readily available locally it might be a good idea to buy these items and store them away for a time in the future, when they might have to be replaced.
While other buttons will do the job the only advantage of using this inexpensive button is that the mounting holes in the button's case will match the mounting holes in your door frame. So, no drilling will be required. And, this model will also match all the other doorbell buttons in The Gatherings. This will make the Board of Directors and your floor mates happy.
We recommend clicking on the photo of the Nutone button above. Doing so will take you to a website that has complete instructions on how to recognize and fix the most common doorbell problems.
Should your doorbell button gets stuck when you are home it might get unstuck by pressing it once again to free the button so it can pop-up and disconnect the ringing circuit. If that doesn't work turn the circuit breaker that supplies the doorbell with current to the "off" position. The breaker is located in the breaker panel. It has a gray metal door and is mounted on one wall of your unit's laundry room. The breaker you want has, along with the names of other rooms, the name "Laundry" or "Utility" room also written on it.
If the button got stuck while you were away one sign of failure is that the button is no longer lighted. However, that could also mean that the bulb in the switch burned out. A bulb burn-out would not affect the operation of the chime. It would still work. Other signs of failure are continuous ringing, a strange smell, or a hot button.
The doorbell buttons for our units are made by Nutone. It is model number PB76WH. This model is not available at Home Depot or Lowes. However, it can be obtained on-line from a variety of sources. The price range is from $4.95 plus shipping, at a number of on-line stores, to $6.90, including shipping, for Amazon Prime members. Amazon also has the bulbs for this button. The part number is Nutone pbl-2. It's a two-pack that sells for $6.89. Since it does not appear that these parts are readily available locally it might be a good idea to buy these items and store them away for a time in the future, when they might have to be replaced.
While other buttons will do the job the only advantage of using this inexpensive button is that the mounting holes in the button's case will match the mounting holes in your door frame. So, no drilling will be required. And, this model will also match all the other doorbell buttons in The Gatherings. This will make the Board of Directors and your floor mates happy.
We recommend clicking on the photo of the Nutone button above. Doing so will take you to a website that has complete instructions on how to recognize and fix the most common doorbell problems.
The Seed Savers
If you like to grow flowers and vegetables from heirloom seeds Tim Fisher in Building 5 suggests you take a look at the site referenced by clicking on the logo link to the right to be taken to the website of an organization called The Seed Savers.
Recycling - Everything But The Bag
Submitted by Alison Prevost
If you are saving recyclables in either large or medium size garbage bags for recycling be advised that Manassas City does not want you to place those larger, brown or white, filled garbage bags in the recycle bins. They may be mistaken for ordinary bags of garbage and sent for disposal as pure trash. Instead, the recyclables you saved in those garbage bags should be emptied out into the recycle bins. The emptied garbage bags themselves should either be reused or put in the regular trash for disposal. This practice insures that items will be recycled. A welcome side effect is that it will also leave more room in the trash room bins that have been filling up days before pick-up day.
By the way if you shop at either Giant or Harris Teeter you can bring your used plastic grocery bags back to the store and deposit them in the bins set aside in the front of the store for that purpose. Giant says that since 2011 they have recycled over 1 billion bags - enough to circle the earth 7 times. Harris Teeter sends the recycled bags they collect to Trex where they are turned into composite decking. Both companies ask that the bags be clean when placed in their bins.
If you are saving recyclables in either large or medium size garbage bags for recycling be advised that Manassas City does not want you to place those larger, brown or white, filled garbage bags in the recycle bins. They may be mistaken for ordinary bags of garbage and sent for disposal as pure trash. Instead, the recyclables you saved in those garbage bags should be emptied out into the recycle bins. The emptied garbage bags themselves should either be reused or put in the regular trash for disposal. This practice insures that items will be recycled. A welcome side effect is that it will also leave more room in the trash room bins that have been filling up days before pick-up day.
By the way if you shop at either Giant or Harris Teeter you can bring your used plastic grocery bags back to the store and deposit them in the bins set aside in the front of the store for that purpose. Giant says that since 2011 they have recycled over 1 billion bags - enough to circle the earth 7 times. Harris Teeter sends the recycled bags they collect to Trex where they are turned into composite decking. Both companies ask that the bags be clean when placed in their bins.
Accurate Address Locations On Google and Bing Maps For Bldgs. 4 and 5
If you live in Building 4 or 5 and have used either Google Maps or Bing Maps to prepare a direction map for a delivery or a visitor you have probably noticed by now the inaccuracy of these on-line maps in pinpointing exactly where these two buildings are. Google maps places both buildings up near the Community Clubhouse. Bing maps is fairly accurate in placing Building 4 but places Building 5 around the corner on Fountain Circle. Instead of using your street address copy the following latitude and longitude coordinates into the search boxes of these programs and you'll see that the starting or ending points of your directions will now be accurate. Copy this: 38.734680, -77.476172
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HVAC Filters De-Coded
Changing the filters in our HVAC's periodically is a must to maintain a well working unit and clean air in our units. As you may have noted not all filters of the same size are the same nor are they the same price. One of the major features of a filter that determines what you pay for it is it's MERV rating. Every filter has a MERV rating printed on it.
MERV ratings or Minimum Efficiency Ratings Value, are numbers assigned to air filters to determine their efficiency when it comes to removing particulates from the air. Higher MERV ratings translate into better, more efficient, filters. These ratings are expressed in numbers from one to 20, each responsible for removing various types of allergens.
Higher MERV ratings also mean higher price tags, and in some cases more energy consumption as the unit encounters more resistance when pulling air in, but for comfort from severe allergies, they're a solid investment.
- MERV 1-4: Filters with MERV ratings of 1 to 5 are generally capable of removing only large particulates such as carpet fibers, dust mites, pollen, dust and textiles fibers.
- MERV 5-8: MERV 5 to 8 filters routinely capture mold spores, hairspray and even the dust from cement.
- MERV 9-12: MERV 9 to 12 filters can remove exhaust fumes, lead dust and some types of bacteria.
- MERV 13-16: Filters that boast MERV ratings of 13 to 16 can remove tobacco smoke, all types of bacteria and even the residue left lingering in the air from a sneeze.
- MERV 16-20: These ratings are usually reserve for commercial use. The highest MERV rated filters available can remove viruses from the air, as well as dealing with combustion smoke and carbon dust.
Higher MERV ratings also mean higher price tags, and in some cases more energy consumption as the unit encounters more resistance when pulling air in, but for comfort from severe allergies, they're a solid investment.
A Real Fixer Upper
Joseph Martin in Building 2 has offered this recommendation. He said that he recently backed into his garage door. Seeking help to repair the damage he called Door Pro America in Gainesville. Joe told us, "They sent out a young man named 'Shane.' I thought the damage was pretty serious. He put it back together, no new parts, and by the time the job was done, it was quieter and smoother than it had been before I hit it. I think the charge was around $100.
It's astonishing to get real value for one's money! I recommend him highly!"
Door Pro's number is: 571-261-3100.
It's astonishing to get real value for one's money! I recommend him highly!"
Door Pro's number is: 571-261-3100.
Mats Matter
Although our condo rules do not allow us to put door mats in our hallways one place they are welcome is inside our garages. Placed on the garage floor, by the inner door to the building, they become a great way to keep water, snow, and dirt from soiling the corridor floors.
Some Like It Hot Or Not
During the hot months the Building Captains try hard to keep the hallway temperatures set at 74 degrees. Some people like the halls hotter and some like them cooler. Compromising at 74 and keeping it that way is not a hardship considering how little time we spend in the hallways. In the winter those thermostats are set at 70 degrees.
Gas Odors
Kay Witt writes: Most of the gas smells in the community have been due to sewer gas. To prevent sewer gas from entering your unit turn on the water and let it run in all your sinks, appliances, tubs, showers and flush unused toilets about once a week. The u-joint in the waste pipes contains water which works as a stopper and prevents gas from coming up through your pipes. When the water in the u-joint dries out or leaks out the sewer gas escapes from the pipes and comes into your unit or the common areas. Cooking gas also has a very strong and repulsive odor. If you are unable to trace the smell to a stove knob turned slightly on then call 911 immediately. If you are not sure whether or not it is sewer or stove gas play it safe and call 911.
The Big Brush Off
Claudette Sylvester from Building 1 sends us this tip about cleaning in difficult places to reach.
She writes: "In additional to having services performed two times per year on your HVAC Systems, I have found that's it's equally important to use the Long Reach Flexible Duster two times per year to remove dust and debris from under your refrigerator, stove, washer, and dryer".
These plastic cleaners can be found online and they're washable.
For those Residents who have the new HE Dryers like my Samsung, this brush, mounted on a flexible wand, will remove the lint that gets past the dryer's removable lint screen., After removing the screen you insert the brush as far as it will go towards the bottom of the dryer and manipulate it back and forth. You have to do this a number of times. While I can't see the what going on down there each time you pull the brush back up you will see large amounts of lint trapped in its bristles. All of that stuff had been hidden in the crevices.
Now, as the comedian once said, "I am going to make a lint suit that collects blue serge."
For those Residents who have the new HE Dryers like my Samsung, this brush, mounted on a flexible wand, will remove the lint that gets past the dryer's removable lint screen., After removing the screen you insert the brush as far as it will go towards the bottom of the dryer and manipulate it back and forth. You have to do this a number of times. While I can't see the what going on down there each time you pull the brush back up you will see large amounts of lint trapped in its bristles. All of that stuff had been hidden in the crevices.
Now, as the comedian once said, "I am going to make a lint suit that collects blue serge."
It's A Wrap
While she was at it Claudette also pointed to a helpful way of recycling some familiar items. For those Residents who are not using your grocery store bags, wrapping/tissue paper, and bubble wrap, she is collecting these items for both the Northern Virginia Family Services Food Pantry and Thrift Store. They can be dropped off at Claudette's unit #110 in Building 1.
Keep From Freezing
To prevent freezing pipes in the hot water closets when the temperature drops make
sure the electric heater in the closets on your balconies is turned on. It may have been
turned off in the summer to conserve electricity.
sure the electric heater in the closets on your balconies is turned on. It may have been
turned off in the summer to conserve electricity.
There are More Tips available just by clicking here.
Have a tip of your own to offer? Click the button and use the form to send it to us.
