911 light switch
If your 911 light switch – the one that flashes the outside light to help the 911 responders find your house – stops working, it may not be broken. There is a reset lever in the lower left corner of the switch. If the switch does not turn the outside lights on, try pulling this reset lever down with your fingernail and push it back up. If a power surge trips the switch, this reset should restore the switch to working condition. If this does not fix the problem, you will have to replace the switch. If you turn on the lights and you see a bright flash in the switch, it has probably failed and has welded the contacts together. If this happens, you will not be able to turn the lights off, and you will need to replace the switch.
The original switch was made by Leviton, but they no longer make that switch. There is a replacement switch made by Pass & Seymour, model TM8LOCATORW, the last letter indicating switch color. The switch is available from:
Westside Electric Supply, Inc.
1530 N. LaFox St.
South Elgin, IL 60177
Phone: 847-468-1000
The switch costs $34.52 and will fit right into the place of the old one. It is as easy to install as any light switch with two wires to connect. Be sure to trip the circuit breaker before removing the old switch. If you have never replaced a light switch, get someone who has to change this one for you.
Please do not use this switch to flash your outside lights to help the pizza delivery man find your house. It is only for 911 emergencies to help the vehicles find your house.
Mulch Volcanoes
If you or your landscaper have put new mulch around the plantings in your yard and it looks like a volcano around the base of your trees, you have a common problem in Sun City called “mulch volcanoes.” While you may like the looks of these structures, they are killing your trees. Please go to www.mysundaynews.com and reread the Ask the Woodchucks article on the damage these mulch volcanoes are causing and how to remedy it.
Washing machine review
It has come to our attention that there are still some washing machines in Sun City that are attached to the water line with rubber hoses. These hoses are subject to failure as they age, and when they fail, they pour water into your laundry room at an alarming rate. They are easily and inexpensively replaced with braided metal hoses that have a much longer life.
It is also a good idea to turn off the water to the washing machine when it is not in use. When the water is on, there is full line pressure on the hoses, and the water pressure in Huntley is high. This water pressure will find any weakness in the hoses and cause them to burst.
Pet screen
If you have pets that scratch your door or window screens, there is a good solution. There is now a heavy duty screen material that will stand up to all but the largest and most aggressive pets. You can have your screens rescreened with this material at Ace Hardware.
Light bulbs
In a recent article I told you about the different types of energy-saving light bulbs. I cautioned about the fact that CFL light bulbs take a few minutes to come to full brightness. On a recent trip to buy 65-watt equivalent recessed light bulbs, I found some that are marked “I am instantly bright.” These solve that pesky problem.
If you have suggestions for future tips or have questions about maintenance around your home, submit them to ask.the.woodchucks@gmail.com.
