What Do Smoke Alarms Have To Do With The Time Change?

Daylight Saving Time comes to an end this weekend, on Sunday, November 3, when most of the United States rolls back the clock by one hour. That means a very important item just jumped to the top of your to-do list: changing the batteries in the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors in your house.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about two-thirds of fire deaths in the United States take place in homes without working smoke alarms.Smoke detectors are the first line of defense when a fire breaks out in your home and the most critical fire safety element you have. So when you’re out getting more coffee to help your internal clock adjust to the time change, be sure to pick up some batteries, enough for every smoke detector in your house.

What’s the Time Change Got To Do With Smoke Alarm Batteries?

While discussing this bi-annual reminder, I did wonder how the switch between daylight savings time and standard time became associated with changing the batteries in smoke detectors.

There isn’t a direct connection between the time change and fire safety. Fire safety experts recommend changing the batteries in your smoke detectors every six months, which makes the annual Spring and Fall time changes a convenient, universal reference point for doing just that.

Back in 1995, the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Energizer company partnered up to create the “Change Your Clocks, Change Your Batteries” campaign, making it semi-official and providing a catchy slogan to drive home the importance of this simple, potentially life-saving task. It’s a brilliant social marketing campaign, one that’s had a lasting impact since rolling out some three decades ago. Now, changing your smoke detector batteries is one of those essential home maintenance tasks, right up there with cleaning your gutters or changing your furnace filter.

How do you know if your smoke detector batteries need to be replaced?

While it’s a good idea to replace the batteries every six months, it’s possible that the life of the batteries you put in your smoke alarm won’t always line up with the calendar. If your smoke detector is making a high-pitched chirping sound every few seconds, that usually means the batteries are dying. Sometimes, the chirping sound can signal that the smoke alarm must be replaced.

How to test smoke detectors

While you’re changing the batteries, it’s important to test the smoke detector and make sure it’s working. To do that, just press and hold the test button. You should hear the siren after a second or two. If it sounds weak or quiet, that usually means the batteries are dying.

How often should you replace smoke detectors?

It’s recommended that your replace smoke detectors every 10 years, regardless of the brand or whether they’re battery-powered or hardwired. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors must be replaced every five to 10 years, depending on when the CO2 detector expires.

What if I have a hard-wired smoke alarm?

A hardwired smoke detector is one that’s wired directly into your home’s electrical system. Connecting to the wiring in your house helps ensure that there’s an uninterrupted power supply going to your smoke alarm at all times. However, hardwired smoke detectors also have a battery backupsomething that’s important should the power in your home fail, like in the case of a natural disasterthat you should change on the six-month cycle. It’s important to regularly test your hardwired smoke detectors too.

How many smoke detectors do you need?

Local building codes may stipulate exactly how many smoke alarms a building is required to have, so be sure to check those. Regardless, fire safety experts recommend at least one smoke detector for every floor of your home (including basements and attics), one for each sleeping area and any hallways that bedrooms or sleeping areas open into.

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Over 125,000 Volvo Trucks for Potential Brake Malfunction

From engine fires to security features, it seems like there’s constantly a new issue with the nation’s most popular vehicles that results in a recall. This week is no exception. Hundreds of thousands of Volvo trucks are being recalled due to a dangerous braking issue that could impact those who drive the trucks and those around them. Read on to learn which trucks are on the recall list, why Volvo is recalling them, and what to do to address the issue with your Volvo.

Which Volvos Are Being Recalled?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall is for “certain 2020-2025 VN, VAH, VHD and VNRE trucks, equipped with Bendix EC-80 Advanced Electronic Control Units.” The recall impacts over 125,000 Volvos with this equipment.

If you own a Volvo truck from 2020-2025, you must check with the manufacturer and confirm whether your vehicle is on the recall list.

Why Is Volvo Recalling These Trucks?

The recall concerns a problem with these Volvos’ electronic control units. According to the NHTSA report, the “electrical noises and low signal to the power line carrier may cause the unit to incorrectly process commands or stop working.”

Unfortunately, the electronic control unit is a component of the antilock braking system (ABS). The ABS helps drivers maintain control of their vehicle during hard braking by preventing the wheels from locking up. The issue impacting the electronic control unit in Volvos could cause an ABS fault, or the ABS could stop operating altogether.

The NHTSA recall notice states that “other functions which strongly interact with ABS such as Active Cruise Control (ACC) and Collison Mitigation System (CMS) may also fault. In extremely rare situations, before the system faults or stops operating, if there is a stability event or an automated braking request, the system may respond incorrectly to the event.” Altogether, this issue increases the likelihood of a crash.

How Do I Know If My Volvo Truck Is Recalled?

You can check to see if your Volvo is recalledin several different ways. If you prefer to check online, you can start by looking up your VIN or license plate on theNHTSA website. Enteringthat information into their search feature will take you to a list of connected recalls.

If you prefer to talk to someone about your questions, you can call Volvo’s customer service number at 1-800-528-6586 instead. If you choose to call in, you must mention recall number RVXX2409. Volvo will also be mailing out letters with more information to affected owners. The letters should be in the mail starting in mid December.

What To Do If My Volvo Is Recalled

Volvo dealerships will be conducting repairs at no cost to customers. Reach out to Volvo’s customer service (1-800-528-6586) to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Source

• ECU Malfunction May Impact Safety Systems, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 2024
• RACV: “Effectiveness of AVS and Vehicle Stability Control Systems” (2004)

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The 15 Types of Trim You Need to Know for Your Next Remodel Project

Bare Wood

When you’re prepping for a trim project, the first thing youll have to decide is what types of trim you want to use. The most prevalent types of trim include bare wood, primed wood, medium-density fiberboard, polystyrene and PVC trim. You should use bare wood if you want to stain it or have a natural wood look. There is a wide range of wood types available, from poplar to pine to fir to oak to aspen.

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The Most Common National Electric Code Violations DIYers Run Into

The National Electrical Code (NEC) exists to keep people and property safe from electrical hazards and fires. Electricians like me and Chris Lozano of Frontdoor Home Services spend years learning the ins and outs of electrical installations. Homeowners who DIY their own electrical work have to follow the same rules, as well as any local electrical and building codes.

Below, Lozano and I walk you through some common issues that you may run into when working on your own home. It’s not an exhaustive list! The NEC updates every three years, so verify with your local electrical inspector which code cycle your jurisdiction follows. Requirements apply to new construction and repairs, so you don’t have to rush out and fix everything. As always, call a licensed electrician if you need help.

Mislabeled Breakers

The NEC requires that circuit breakers be legibly marked so you know exactly what they do. Well, I don’t know about you, but I’ve never lived in a house where the breakers were labeled right. That’s a problem if you’re doing DIY electrical work or if you need to shut off a circuit quickly when there’s a problem.

Lozano says the easiest way to fix a poorly labeled breaker box is to ask a friend or family member to switch each breaker off one by one. When the lights or power go off in the room, you know what the breaker controls. (If you’re by yourself, you can use a radio, circuit tracer or receptacle tester.)

Label each breaker, or make a panel schedule and post it inside or adjacent to the door.

No Ground Fault Protection

If you’ve sold or bought a house or upgraded your kitchen, bathroom or garage, you’ve probably had an inspector flag a missing ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI), especially if your home is older. GFCIs protect you from electric shock, and they’re required in multiple places around your home where water is present.

Because GFCI requirements have expanded over time, many homes lack them, where the NEC currently requires them. To get your circuits up to code, there’s no need to install a GFCI in every outlet. Install one GFCI in the first outlet after the panel, and daisy chain the rest (these can be regular grounding-type receptacles). Or, put in a GFCI breaker.

• Pro tip: If your bathroom receptacles go out, and you can’t figure out why, look for a GFCI in another bathroom. The NEC allows bathrooms to be wired together, and because one GFCI receptacle can protect an entire circuit, you probably have one upstairs that’s tripped.

No Dedicated Circuit

Your kitchen sure would feel roomier if you ditched that countertop microwave and installed one over the stove, right? If you DIY the installation, resist the urge to tap off an existing circuit. Make sure you run a dedicated circuit, also called an individual branch circuit.

A built-in microwave/range hood combo, or any appliance “fixed in place” that shares a circuit with lights or countertop receptacles, must use less than 50% of the branch circuit rating, which in your kitchen is 20 amps. Even if you purchased a smaller over-the-range microwave, you’re cutting it close by staying under 10 amps.

Plus, if you plan to plug in your new microwave instead of hard-wiring it, the NEC requires a dedicated circuit, no matter the amp draw. Finally, over-the-range microwave manufacturers nearly always require dedicated circuits, and the NEC says you have to follow the listing and labeling instructions provided by the manufacturer.

Overloading Circuits

Let’s say you don’t want the hassle of DIYing a range hood. You’d rather free up space by putting your new microwave in a cabinet under the counter. Can you feed a new cabinet receptacle from the countertop receptacle directly above? Nope.

Kitchens (including adjoining areas like pantries and dining rooms) have two 20-amp small appliance branch circuits that supply your countertops, wall and floor receptacles and fridge (although many people put fridges on their own circuit). Everyone’s kitchen is different, so the NEC wants these small appliance circuits reserved for toasters, air fryers, coffee makers and other small portable countertop appliances.

Adding a new receptacle in a cabinet adds a permanently plugged-in load that could potentially overload your circuit.

Open Junction Boxes or No Box at All

Lozano sees these a lot. Junction boxes must be covered, and you can’t have splices made outside of a junction box. I once found several splices just dangling in a wall cavity, which I remedied by adding a box before the device I was installing.

The next house I moved to had open boxes in the attic. The splices were fine, so I added “blanks,” which are covers that don’t have any openings. If you’re doing a DIY project and come across any open junction boxes, you can do the same to bring them up to NEC safety requirements.

Permanent Extension Cords

When you work on a project in your garage, are you constantly stepping over multiple extension cords? Have they been there longer than you can remember? The NEC doesn’t allow extension cords to be used as a substitute for permanent wiring, so for your next DIY project, why not put in some new surface-mounted receptacles?

If you do add receptacles in your garage, consider the loads you’ll be using. New garages must have one 20-amp circuit, with one receptacle in each vehicle bay not more than 5 1/2 feet off the floor. Additional circuits can be 15 amps or greater.

Wrong Outdoor Receptacle Covers

Newly constructed homes must have two outdoor receptacles for plugging in lawn tools, holiday lights, and other electrical needs. (You may just have one, or even zero if your home is old enough.) These outdoor receptacles could be in “wet locations,” where they’re subject to weather or water intrusion, or “damp locations,” such as under porches and eaves.

The NEC requires that receptacles in damp locations be weatherproof when nothing is plugged in and that the receptacle covers be closed. In wet locations, the receptacle must be weatherproof even when the plug is inserted. Wet location covers are called “bubble covers” or “in-use” covers, and you can use them in damp locations, too.

When I moved into my home, I noticed the deck above did nothing to stop rain from dripping on the lower porch receptacle. So, I added in-use, weatherproof covers, and it’s an easy DIY project for you, too. “Weatherproof receptacle covers will go a long way in prolonging the life of the receptacle installation,” Lozano says.

Inaccessible GFCIs

“Installing GFCIs in a location that is hard to find or access can create headaches for homeowners and electricians alike,” Lozano says. A great example of this is behind a refrigerator. The NEC requires kitchen and garage receptacles to be GFCI-protected, but it’s very hard to move a fridge if the GFCI trips.

That’s why the NEC requires GFCIs to be installed in a readily accessible location. No climbing up ladders, no fumbling for a key, no moving something heavy. A great way to get around difficult placement, like a garage door opener on your ceiling, is to install a breaker or use one GFCI to feed other receptacles. “A tripped GFCI can affect a whole circuit, creating a real issue,” Lozano says.

No Neutral at Switch

Most switches don’t require a neutral to operate, so for decades, the NEC didn’t require electricians or homeowners to bring a neutral to switch boxes. But, today’s smart switches and dimmers have electronics, and most of them do need the neutral. The NEC now requires neutrals at switch boxes, or there must be a way to easily pull one later (like through a pipe).

But most homes aren’t piped with conduit. So if you’re DIYing an addition, it’s best to just bring one now, even if you don’t use it. If you’re adding smart switches to your older home, look for ones that don’t require a neutral (they do exist).

Improperly Replacing Non-Grounding Receptacles

I used to live in a very old house with knob-and-tube wiring. Knob-and-tube has two wires: hot and neutral. (No “ground wire,” more accurately called an equipment grounding conductor (EGC).) A previous homeowner got sick of having nowhere to plug in a three-prong plug and swapped out the two-slot, non-grounding type receptacles for three-slot, grounding-type ones.

That was a code violation. I had three ways to fix it:

1. Pull an ECG from the service panel to every outlet in the house. This is the best but most expensive option.
2. Put the non-grounding receptacles back. This is the cheapest, but I’d still have the three-prong problem.
3. Put in a GFCI, which would provide shock protection, accept a three-prong plug and be code-compliant. This is what I chose.

If you put in GFCIs like I did, the NEC requires that you label the front of the receptacle: “No Equipment Ground.” (Stickers come with the GFCI.) If you use one GFCI to control other grounding-type receptacles on the same circuit, label these “No Equipment Ground” and “GFCI Protected.”

Not Installing Tamper-Resistant Receptacles

Tamper-resistant receptacles are required everywhere in your house to keep kids from sticking things in the slots. You don’t have to run out and replace them if you don’t have them, but if you’re adding a new room or swapping out an old receptacle, make sure you buy tamper-resistant ones. (One exception is if you happen to be replacing a two-slot, non-grounding receptacle with another of the same type.)

Overfilling Electrical Boxes

The NEC has specific box fill requirements for junction boxes to minimize heat buildup. If you open a box during a DIY project and discover a packed box, put in a bigger one. “Wire nuts and connections can come loose when trying to fit everything inside of the box,” Lozano says, and if you’re using a metal box, “[wire] insulation can become damaged and leave wiring exposed.” That’s a fire waiting to happen.

Leaving Christmas Lights Up Too Long

Are you a Clark Griswold when it comes to Christmas lights? DIY holiday displays are becoming more and more common, with lights, sound and inflatables popping up way before Thanksgiving. Some people even extend that holiday spirit into a year-round affair, with Valentine’s, Halloween and Fourth of July decorations in every imaginable color and design.

Be aware that the NEC has a 90-day limit on “temporary installations” of holiday lights. Typical big-box lights aren’t made to withstand the elements forever. If you plan to light up your yard 365 days a year, invest in permanent lights that are listed for this purpose.

About the Expert

Chris Lozano is a master electrician and virtual electrical expert at Frontdoor, a home services app that connects you to on-staff, qualified experts to help you solve your home maintenance issues. It’s like telehealth for your home.

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Cut Perfect Circles Every Time With This Easy DIY Router Circle Jig

Circles are difficult to create. Whether you draw them by hand or try to achieve that perfect circle with a tool, they are not always easy, especially when it comes to wood. I tell all my clients that curves and circles always cost moretime and moneyuntil your world opens up to a router circle jig, also known as a trammel arm.

A router circle jig basically sets the center point and allows you to make a circle with whatever you put at the other end of it, sort of like a compass. A pencil, a jigsaw, a router can all work well to make a circle with a trammel arm jig. I used to dread making circles until I found out I could attach my wood router to a jig. Let me make your woodworking life easier and certainly much more pleasant by sharing the steps to making this simple woodworking jig. You may not need it often, but when you do, you will be happy to know how to make it!

Remove the router base plate

Unscrew the plastic base plate (also called a shoe, running plate, or sub-base) to remove it from the wood router.

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Chasing Paper’s New Cottage Edit Has Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper Prints of Our Dreams

Cottagecore and Nancy Meyers go together like peanut butter and jelly. If you dont know what that means, Nancy Meyers is the filmmaker behind movies like The Holiday and Somethings Gotta Give and decades worth of cozy, homey set designs, which sparked major decor trends earlier this year. Now, popular wallpaper brand Chasing Paper has launched its ‘Cottagecore Edit‘ inspired by the trend.

Whats the general vibe of the homes featured in Meyers movies? Theyre timeless and, more often than not, feature neutral color palettes and down-home touches. Likewise, the cottagecore trend promotes a simple, vintage design and accents such as floral patterns and plaids. So, soft, floral wallpaper is an obvious choice when picking the best wallpaper for these style trends.

Heres what you need to know about Chasing Papers wallpaper.

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Chasing Paper Cottage Edit Wallpaper

A line of printed-to-order wallpapers with a Nancy Meyers touch

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What is Chasing Paper wallpaper?

Chasing Paper was started in 2012 by third-generation printers who sought to create high-quality wall coverings. Whether designing your forever home or sprucing up an apartment, Chasing Paper has peel-and-stick (removable) and traditional wallpaper options. Every order is printed to order, and the brand works with artists to create unique patterns you cant find anywhere else. Plus, all of the wallpaper is made using non-toxic, water-based ink. The brands printed-to-order model allows them to be more flexible and sustainable.

The ‘Cottage Edit wallpaper line includes prints with neutral and muted hues, floral patterns, stripes and plaids. The prints have a serene yet rustic charm suggestive of a countryside setting. Chasing Paper has wallpapers for every room. However, the cottage core-inspired line is ideal for bedrooms, powder rooms or living rooms if you want to achieve a grand millennial or traditional design style that leans toward homey and casual.

Peel-and-stick wallpaperis easy to apply and remove, so you can jump on the cottagecore bandwagon without major commitment. You can also opt for traditional wallpaper if you prefer it to peel-and-stick wallpaper. With whimsical, versatile designs, the Chasing Paper Cottage Edit wallpapers allow you to create a cozy, timeless sanctuary with the timeless allure of cottage living.

Where to Buy the Cottagecore Wallpaper

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You can shop the Cottage Edit at Chasing Paper. Peel-and-stick rolls start at $45, but pricing will ultimately depend on the size of the space you plan to cover.

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The Noah Kahan x L.L. Bean ‘Northern Altitude Collection’ is a Love Letter to New England

Founded in Freeport, Maine, L.L. Bean has been a household name in retail and outdoor spaces for over 110 years. However, the brand has only collaborated with public figures and other companies on limited-edition product lines since 2020 (previous collections include Summersault, Blundstone and Todd Snyder, among others).

Most recently, L.L. Bean teamed up with singer-songwriter Noah Kahan on a capsule collection that includes hats, jackets and the beloved Bean Boots. The pieces were released on October 22, 2024. Ready to shop the collection before it sells out? Check it out below:

The Northern Altitude Collection

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L.L. Bean & Noah Kahan Mountain Classic Five-Panel Hat

This hat is made of water- and wind-resistant material (it is also UPF 50+ rated) and features a woven patch touting the collection's name.

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L.L. Bean & Noah Kahan Signature 1933 Chamois Cloth Shirt

Perfect for fall, this soft flannel shirt buttons down the front and has a slim fit throughout.

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L.L. Bean & Noah Kahan L.L. Beanie

The all-black L.L. Beanie can be adjusted, thanks to the rolled cuff, and is made from recycled polyester.

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L.L.Bean & Noah Kahan Hoodie Sweatshirt

Grab this cozy hoodie with the embroidered Noah Kahan and L.L. Bean logo on the front (we give bonus points for the kangaroo pouch).

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L.L. Bean & Noah Kahan Bean Boots

Handmade in Maine, these Bean Boots are built to last, thanks to the rubber outsole and waxed canvas upper.

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L.L. Bean & Noah Kahan Boat and Tote Zip Pouch

This zip pouch fits inside a larger bag (ahem, the Boat and Tote bag), and comes emblazoned with the Noah Kahan patch.

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L.L. Bean & Noah Kahan Mountain Classic Anorak

Keep the rain out with this water resistant jacket, which comes in both men's and women's sizes.

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A Cheap Bidet Could Change Your Life — and Help the Environment

Four and a half years after the COVID lockdown turned toilet paper into a precious commodity, a strike by longshoremen in October 2024 fueled another wave of panic buying and shortages. I observe such events with bemusement because, after outfitting my toilet with an inexpensive bidet, a single roll of toilet paper lasts for months in my bathroom. In fact, if it weren’t for the bidet-averse squeamishness of visitors, it would last for years.

Why are people around here (in California) so reluctant to use a bidet? It could be the fear of cold water, but I think it’s just habit. I lived in Japan for 10 years, and the people there have no such reluctance. One reason for this might be that Japanese bidets (they call them washlets) can deliver pre-heated water sometimes accompanied by a soothing blast of drying air, a puff of deodorant and even a chirpy little tune to mask those troublesome bathroom noises. That sounds so good that you’d expect to find a washlet in every Japanese bathroom, but you don’t. Many people there, like everywhere else, are addicted to toilet paper.

Today, toilet paper can be found in bathrooms all over the world, but people in many countries have been doing fine without it for millennia. I first learned to wash while living in India, and once, in a restroom in Thailand, I saw a poster extolling the virtues of washingin English and directed at Western tourists.

Installing an inexpensive bidet has become so easy that now might be a good time to try one out if you haven’t already. It’s convenient and soothingeven if the water is a little colder than you’d likeand it’s more sanitary than wiping.

Save the panic buying for something important.

To Wash or to Wipe?

The use of toilet paper dates back to the Zhou Dynasty in China (618-907 AD), and it replaced such practices as cleaning up with natural materials, such as leaves or stones, man-made materials like cloth or sticks or as the Romans used to do mounting a sponge on a stick and dousing it in water. All these wiping techniques were developed because water wasn’t always readily available, and toilet paper was definitely an improvement. But is it better than washing with water?

No, says a paper published by the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research, and here are some of the reasons:

• Wiping always leaves residue, no matter how thorough you are. Washing, if done properly, leaves no residue.
• Cleaning the hands after wiping is a strict necessity, but many people don’t do it, creating the risk of spreading disease. You also have to clean your hands if you use them while washing, but if you wash with a bidet, your hands remain uncontaminated.
• Wiping can cause injuries, including hemorrhoids. This can be avoided by wiping with wet paper, but who’s going to do that?

The Development of the Bidet

Washing has always been common in India and Pakistan, but one reason the practice didn’t become more widespread was that it involved direct contact with the hands. A bidet eliminates that issue because no hand contact is required. A stream of water does all the work, and all the user has to do to control the stream is turn a dial or press a button. But bidets haven’t always been that simple to use.

As you’ve probably guessed, the bidet is a French invention. The first one appeared in the 17th centurybefore the invention of toilet paperand until the mid-20th century, it was a separate toilet-shaped unit detached from the main toilet. You had to move from the toilet to the bidet to do your cleaning.

It wasn’t until the 1980s that Japanese manufacturer Toto began marketing bidet-style toilet seats (coining the name “washlet”), and they didn’t make it to the United States until the 1990s. Washlets were revolutionary because they eliminated both the need for direct hand contact and the need to move to a separate fixture. But they also weren’t widely available, and purchasing one was as expensive as buying a new toilet. Luckily, bidet development didn’t stop there.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when sanitation and hygiene became crucial issues, a number of manufacturers introduced simple bidets that homeowners could attach to their existing toilets. They are inexpensive, easy to install and easy to use.

Environmental Benefits

According to various sources, 27,000 trees are cut daily to make toilet paper. That amounts to almost 10 million trees a year. That has prompted the National Resources Defense Council to lament that toilet paper production is helping to fuel the climate crisis. What can one person do about this situation? Install a bidet!

Of course, water conservation is an equally important environmental concern, but a single use of a bidet consumes only about one cup (or less). If you have a low-flush toilet (1.6 gallons per flush), using a bidet for a week amounts to about one extra flush. Unless you live in a water-scarce area, that’s a decent tradeoff.

Brands to Consider

When it comes to washlets, Toto is the clear market leader, but because they are complete toilet seats, washlets don’t fit every toilet. Plus, because they pre-heat water and provide other conveniences, most washlets need to be plugged in, and not every bathroom has a receptacle accessible from the toilet. Several manufacturers offer much simpler bidet attachments that don’t need external power.

Tushy

The Tushy Classic 3.0 ($100 – $130) features a self-cleaning sprayer with an adjustable knob that controls pressure and angle. I installed one of these at a friend’s house and was impressed at the high-pressure spray and overall elegance of the design.

Brondell

The Brondell Fresh Spa ($28) is the model I installed on my own toilet. It features the same control knob and the same functions as the Tushy, and it’s way cheaper. It doesn’t develop the same high pressure, but it does the job, and I’m happy with it.

Brondell also manufactures the Omigo Element + ($40), which provides heated water. This one isn’t for every bathroom because it needs a hot water connection from the sink, which may not be in a convenient location.

Luxe

The Luxe Neo 120 ($39) costs a little more than the Brondell Fresh Spa, but for the extra money, you get two control knobs, one that controls pressure and one that controls direction. The direction knob is a feature I wish I had, as I find myself having to move around on the seat to get a complete cleaning.

Installation Is Ridiculously Easy

A new bidet attachment comes with a tee that allows you to connect it to the toilet supply line. Here’s the 10-minute installation procedure in a nutshell:

Start by removing the toilet seat, setting the bidet in place on the bowl and replacing the seat. The seat bolts hold both the seat and the bidet in place. Next, screw the tee onto the shutoff valve after draining the toilet and unscrewing the toilet supply line. You then screw the supply line onto one of the tee outlets. The other outlet is for the supply hose for the bidet, which comes as part of the package. That hose connects to the tee on one end and the bidet on the other. That’s it! After you tighten all the connections with a wrench and turn the water back on, your bidet is ready to use.

There’s one slight complication. Most health authorities require a check valve to prevent contaminated water from siphoning back through the bidet outlet and into the water supply in the event of a toilet backup. Many models come with an anti-siphon valve pre-installed to satisfy this requirement. If you choose a model that doesn’t, you may need a plumber to help you determine the best way to handle your installation.

Sources

• The Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research: The Butt, To Wipe or Not to Wipe?; 2019.
• Bidet King: A Brief History of Bidets; 2023.
• Natural Resources Defense Council: Toilet Paper Is Driving the Climate Crisis with Every Flush; 2020.

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Why Home Depot Is Making Corporate Employees Work Retail Four Times a Year

Have you ever felt like your boss doesn’t understand your day-to-day workflow? Or, if you are a boss, are you worried that you may be disconnected from your employees? In an effort to address that very concern, Home Depot’s corporate staff will soon be subject to a policy that will take them out of the office and onto the retail floor.

What is the Policy?

According to Bloomberg, which obtained a corporate memo outlining the policy, Home Depot will require all of its corporate employees to work a full eight-hour shift at one of the company’s retail stores once every quarter. That includes everyone from senior management to remote workers. The policy is set to take effect starting in the final quarter of 2024.

If this news feels familiar, that’s because this is not entirely a new move for Home Depot. Despite the policy being billed as “new,” the report explains that the company had this policy in place before 2020 but paused it because of the COVID pandemic. Now, Home Depot is planning to bring it back before the end of the year.

Why Do Home Depot’s Corporate Staff Work Retail Shifts?

The company is dedicated to keeping its corporate staff in touch with the needs and realities of the retail employees. The report quotes an internal memo from CEO Ted Decker: “We need to stay connected to the core of our business so we can truly understand the challenges and opportunities our store associates face every day.”

This move will facilitate better understanding between these two facets of the company. It will also, hopefully, make it easier to resolve any issues that store associates face.

The quarterly requirement should also keep the lessons fresh. Rather than having their corporate staff do this once a year, or one time in the entirety of their service with the company, coming in once a quarter will give these employees a more cohesive view of the way stores are run.

Have Other Companies Done This?

While this move may make a lot of sense to many of us, it’s an unusual one in this industry. According to Forbes, few other large companies have an initiative like this one in place. The only one they mentioned was Doordash, who has been doing something like this since their start. But if this Home Depot initiative succeeds, perhaps other large retailers will take note and implement a similar policy.

Sources

Bloomberg, “Home Depot Orders Corporate Staff to Take 8-Hour Retail Shifts,” 2024.

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Turn Your Old Telephone Wall Jack Into a Secret Hiding Spot

Landlines are a thing of the past, rendering the phone jacks in most homes useless. You can use the space inside the telephone wall jack as a mini secret safe. With the wires removed, youll have space to hide some cash, jewelry or small collectibles. Then find or make something decorative to cover the opening, and no one will ever suspect theres loot hiding behind it!

This project will take some time to complete because you’ll need to wait a few hours for the super glue to dry completely. The first time I tried this, I didn’t wait long enough for the glue to dry, and the magnets were pulled off the wall. So, don’t make my mistakebe patient and let everything dry properly.

Is it safe to cut old telephone wires?

Modern communication wiring runs on low-voltage systems (less than 50v). However, phone lines used in the past were copper, which could carry a significant amount of current if improperly wired or insulated. That said, whenever you’re doing a project like this one that involves removing wiring, use a voltage tester to ensure you don’t encounter any unexpected voltage.

Remove the face plate

Use a flathead screwdriver to remove both screws in the phone jack face plate.

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Old House Smell: What Causes It and How To Get Rid of It

Some of the best deals in real estate are fixer-upper homes in need of repairs or updating. I only buy fixer-upper homes, and have visited many in various states of disrepair over the years. While each home was different, they almost all shared a musty, stale smell I’ve dubbed ‘old house smell.’ The odor can make a home very unappealing and turn off hopeful buyers. But don’t count an otherwise solid home out just because it suffers from an old house smell.

Ahead, learn about the likely causes and ways to remove this unwanted smell with Michael Sacenti from American Healthy Homes and realtor Beatrice de Jong.

What Causes That Old House Smell?

Older homes can develop a distinctive, musty smell over time, especially if unoccupied and closed up for any length of time. Both experts agree that the main cause of old house smell is unresolved moisture issues in the home. “Musty is another word for mold,” Sacenti says. He points to high humidity levels in the basement or slow plumbing leaks as primary culprits of mold and mildew, which largely contribute to old house smell. Other causes include years of accumulated dust in carpets and HVAC systems, cigarette or fire smoke and pet urine. When these musty smells are trapped in a home with poor ventilation, this can lead to an old house smell.

Tips to Get Rid of Old House Smell

Improve ventilation

The first thing to do is to get some fresh air into the home. “Open windows and doors and use fans to increase airflow and bring in fresh air, which can help dissipate the smell,” de Jong says. This step is free and can begin to make a difference right away.

Address humidity levels

Humid basements are prime areas for mold to develop and grow, so if you’re combating old house smells, start here. “Fifty to sixty percent of all basement air goes straight up into the house,” Sacenti says, so if the basement smells, the house will smell too. A dehumidifier should be used in the basement or crawl space to keep humidity levels below 50, preventing mold spores from growing.

Repair any plumbing leaks

Inspect the home for plumbing leaks, or hire an inspector to look for you. Look under sinks, below and around showers and tubs, in the basement and in the attic. “Inside sink vanities is a prime spot for mold growth if there’s a plumbing leak,” Sacenti says. “There’s moisture, darkness and organic matter, which are perfect conditions for mold to grow.”

Remove Mold

Areas of mold greater than 10 sq. ft. should be treated by a mold remediation company. For smaller areas, wear gloves and a mask, then scrub hard surfaces with a 50:50 solution of water and white vinegar. Moldy soft surfaces like drywall, rugs and ceiling tiles will need to be removed and discarded.

Clean the Carpets

If the home has wall-to-wall carpeting, these will absorb and trap odors. Even if you remove mold sources and improve ventilation, the smell may persist unless you remove or deep clean the carpets. “Try sprinkling baking soda on the carpet, letting it sit and then vacuuming it up,” de Jong says. “If the odor persists, consider hiring a professional to deep clean or shampoo the carpets.”

Paint the Walls

Like carpets, walls can also absorb smells. “Applying a fresh coat of paint can help not only freshen up the look of your home but also mask lingering smells from previous occupants,” de Jong says. Before painting, apply an odor-blocking primer like Kilz Restoration.

Use Scented Solutions

When you’ve neutralized the smell with the above tips, you can add some pleasant smells to the home. “Burn scented candles or use an essential oil diffuser to freshen up the space,” de Jong says.

About the Experts

• Michael Sacenti owns American Healthy Homes. He has 10 years of experience in the mold remediation industry and 40 years experience in real estate maintenance.
• Beatrice de Jong is a real estate broker with Beverly Hills Estates in Los Angeles, California. Ms. de Jong previously worked for Open Listings as the Director of Residential Sales and OpenDoor as a Consumer Trends Analyst. She has over ten years experience in the real estate industry.

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Can Flex Seal Prevent Water Damage in Floods?

Since it came onto the DIY repair scene 13 years ago, Flex Seal has gone on to become the go-to product for making weatherproofing and waterproofing repairs around the home. I always keep some Flex Seal on hand and use it to fix leaky gutters, plumbing pipes and even my canoe.

In recent years, with the increase in extreme weather and corresponding floods, Flex Seal has taken on a more serious task: waterproofing your home. Read on for tips on using Flex Seal to prevent water damage in your home with Phil Swift, inventor and Chief Executive Officer of Flex Seal Family of Products.

What Is Flex Seal?

Flex Seal is a line of sealant and adhesive products that create a “watertight, flexible rubberized coating that stops leaks fast,” Swift says. Flex Seal can be used for all kinds of waterproofing and weatherproofing projects around the house.

Can Flex Seal Stop Water Damage in Floods?

All Flex Seal products can help seal your home from floodwaters. However, the company has recently launched a Flood Protection System specifically with low-level flooding in mind, “which accounts for 90 percent of all floodwater intrusion,” Swift says.

Where other Flex Seal products are meant to be permanent applications, the Flex Seal Flood Protection System is designed as a temporary barrier that can be easily removed after floodwaters have receded. The system comes in a spray, liquid, paste and tape. “When used in combination, they provide multiple layers of flood protection for a wide range of openings where water could enter, such as under and around doors and windows, thresholds, brick molding, door jambs, vents and ducts, basement windows, crawlspaces and more,” Swift says.

What Does Flex Seal Say About Using the Product to Prevent Water Damage?

Flex Seal can be used to prevent water damage to your home, but it has limitations. “Obviously, no solution can guarantee full flood prevention, particularly with huge storms like [Hurricanes] Helene and Milton,” Swift says. The Flex Seal Flood Protection System is not meant for use during flash floods. The products need 24 to 48 hours to cure before water exposure, so proper lead time is crucial for maximum effectiveness.

Tips for Using Flex Seal to Prevent Water Damage

Follow these tips to protect your home before the next storm hits.

• Be prepared: Make sure to plan ahead as Flex Seal needs time to properly cure. “Stay informed about incoming storms and weather events, so you have time to apply them before floodwaters arrive,” Swift says.
• Buy enough product: Make note of all doors, cracks or seams where water can enter, then purchase enough Flex Seal product to adequately cover all surfaces.
• Use multiple product layers: The Flood Protection System works best in multiple layers. For most openings, apply the paste first, then finish with liquid or spray formulas to seal any remaining gaps.
  
• Prepare surfaces: For the best adhesion, make sure all surfaces are clean and dry before applying Flex Seal.
• Apply overlapping layers: As you overlay products, make sure each layer is wider than the previous one. Make sure you allow for adequate dry time between layer applications.

About the Expert

Phil Swift is the inventor and Chief Executive Officer of Flex Seal Family of Products.

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Hyundai Recalls Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles Due To Fire Risk

Hyundai Motor America has announced a safety recall affecting approximately 1,545 Hyundai Nexo hydrogen fuel cell SUVs from model years 2019-2024 due to a potential fire hazard. The recall comes after the discovery of a defect in the vehicles’ Thermally-activated Pressure Relief Device (TPRD), which could lead to unexpected hydrogen gas leaks.

Which Hyundai Vehicles are Affected

The affected vehicles, manufactured between August 10, 2018, and August 25, 2023, are equipped with a glass bulb-type TPRD designed to vent hydrogen gas in cases of tank over-pressurization. However, manufacturing defects have resulted in possible microcracks in the glass components, which could cause premature fracturing and unintended hydrogen discharge during normal vehicle operation.

According to the safety recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the risk is particularly concerning when vehicles are parked in confined spaces where leaked hydrogen gas could accumulate near potential ignition sources. While only an estimated 1% of the recalled vehicles are expected to have the defect, Hyundai is taking proactive measures to ensure customer safety.

Vehicle owners may notice several warning signs if their TPRD malfunctions, including a loud rushing wind noise, a white fog-like cloud near the rear of the vehicle, rapid decrease in fuel gauge readings, and illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp in the instrument cluster.

Fixing the Issue

Hyundai has already developed a remedy for the issue, replacing the problematic glass-type TPRD with a new metal-type component. The automaker implemented this change in production vehicles starting May 21, 2024. All repairs will be performed free of charge at authorized Hyundai dealerships, regardless of warranty status.

As a precautionary measure, Hyundai recommends that owners of affected vehicles park their cars outside and away from structures until the recall repair is completed. The company plans to notify both dealers and vehicle owners by December 10, 2024, through electronic communications and certified mail respectively.

The recall was prompted by reports received through Hyundai’s quality monitoring system and involves components supplied by Youngdo Industry, based in Busan, South Korea. Hyundai has also established a reimbursement program for owners who may have previously paid for repairs related to this issue.

Contacting Hyundai

Owners seeking additional information can contact Hyundai Motor America at 800-633-5151 or wait for their official recall notification. The recall is being tracked under NHTSA recall number 24V-761 and Hyundai’s internal recall number 269.

This recall highlights the ongoing challenges faced by automakers as they transition to alternative fuel technologies, particularly in ensuring the safety and reliability of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, which require specialized components for safe fuel storage and handling.

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The Hidden Dangers Lurking Beneath Your Leaf Pile

Oh, fall is a beautiful season. Cooler weather, delicious beverages, and an excuse to wear cozy clotheswhat more could you ask for? As we dust off our cute boots and flannels and settle into the season, we also begin facing this season’s other responsibilities. For me, that looks like piles and piles of leaves.

I live on a beautiful country road alongside both professional landscapers and our green-thumbed neighbors, Patty and Steve. The pressure to keep up is real. But, if you know me, you know that it’s safety first. Ahead, we’ll take a deep dive into leaf pile safety how to keep kids, pets, and yourself safe while maintaining your property.

What Bugs and Animals Hide in Leaf Piles?

According to The Xerces Society of Invertebrate Conservation, leaves provide excellent shelter and habitat for many insects, such as butterflies, moths, and beetles. The Penn State Department of Entomology details how these insects not only promote decomposition and vital nitrogenization of our earth but also pollinate and contribute to necessary plant reproduction. If you’re curious about how to clean up your property as beautifully as Patty and Steve while not disturbing all of this precious buggy ecosystem, check out our other article on whether to rake or leave your leaves alone.

Safety Hazards of Leaf Piles

When it comes to leaf pile safety, there’s more than just the hazard of stepping on a rake. With great biodiversity comes great responsibility. Understanding that there’s a whole world under our leaf piles means well, there’s a whole world under our leaf piles.

Bugs

Those aforementioned bugs can include ones that bite and sting, so be sure to keep a clothing barrier between you and the leaves. This will help reduce some of your risk of getting bitten or stung.

In addition to excellent popcorn, my real-life Boy Scout brother had a number of Scout-branded pamphlets on taking warm showers after camping to wash off ticks. That recommendation absolutely applies here. In the United States, ticks are endemic. Once you or your family are finished playing in or cleaning up your leaves, make sure to put your clothes and your bodies in their respective wash cycles.

Mold

According to health educator and allergist Dr. Maya Gharfeh, “One of the biggest hidden allergens under those leaf piles is mold. If you are mold allergic, make sure to take allergy medications before you head out and wear a face mask while working in the yard this Fall to help prevent allergy symptoms.”

Sharp Objects

Depending on how you gathered your leaves, you may have collected more than just leaves, but also sticks, snakes, and contraband lawn darts. So wear long pants, gloves, close-toed shoes, and any other protective gear that makes sense for whatever you plan to do in those piles.

Leaf Pile Safety Tips

• Wear protective clothing, such as gloves, long pants, and close-toed shoes, and always keep at least one clothing layer between you and the leaves.
• Be mindful of any non-leaf debris you may have collected while gathering leaf piles.
• If you have allergies, consider wearing a facemask.
• Shower and wash your clothes after leaf pile activities.

For more information, take a look at how to best and most efficiently clean up leaves.

About the Experts

Maya Gharfeh, MD, MPH, is double board-certified in allergy/immunology and pediatrics. She practices in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where she cares for patients of all ages with allergy, asthma, eczema and immunology needs. She is published in many academic journals and active in several national allergy societies. Dr. Gharfeh is a health educator through her online handle @allergistmama.

Sources

• PennState | Department of Entomology: Insect Life Under the Leaves (2021)
• The Xerces Society: Leave The Leaves! These Invertebraates Depend On It. (2022)

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Modern Furniture Materials and Open Floor Plans Are Making House Fires Worse

If you’re in the market for a new couch or a kitchen table, you might want to take a closer look at what it’s made of before buying it. Manufacturers are using more plastics and other petroleum-based products to produce much of the cheaper, lighter furniture available these days, and those can make fires burn faster and more intensely, leading fire experts to sound the alarm.

Firefighters in Las Vegas, Nevada, echoed that warning this week in the wake of a deadly house fire that killed four people. Despite responding within five minutes of receiving the call, the fire department was unable to get through the front door because of the heat, according to a report from KSNV News in Las Vegas.

“It’s not unheard of for a fire to go that quickly, an official with the fire department told the local news. Fires, especially in modern homes, with modern finishes, that burn very hot.

Rather than natural fabrics, much upholstery found on furniture today is polyester fabric covering up cushions made of polyurethane foam. Lighter and cheaper tables, bookcases, television stands, etc. are often made from synthetic materials, too. And you’ll find plenty of other plastics, resins and other synthetic materials in everything from picture frames to electronics. Together, these materials make fires move much faster and burn as much as eight times hotter than in homes just a generation ago.

In addition to intensifying the heat from a fire and burning faster, those synthetic materials create more smoke than natural materials and contain toxic carcinogens. Smoke builds up faster as these materials burn, and the chemicals it contains stick around long after the flames have been extinguished.

In 2020, the Fire Safety Research Institute conducted an updated demonstration of just how quick and intense house fires can be because of these materials, an updated version of the test conducted by the FSRI in 2009. The FSRI did a side-by-side comparison lighting two, equally-sized rooms with nearly a identical setup, except one room contained furnishings made primarily from synthetic materials and the other using furniture made from natural materials to demonstrate the flashover times for each one. (FSRI defines flashover as “the transition phase in the development of a room fire in which fuel surfaces, exposed to thermal radiation from fire gases in excess of 600 degrees C (approximately 1100 degrees F), reach ignition almost simultaneously and fire spreads rapidly through the space.”)

In five different tests, the room containing furnishing made with natural materials reached flashpoint in just under 30 minutes, versus less than five minutes for the room setup with synthetic furnishings. In one trial, the room with synthetic furnishings reached the flashpoint in three minutes and 20 seconds. You can see the video of the experiment below.

Another risk factor common in modern homes is the open floor plan. With fewer barriers between rooms, fires are less contained because they’re not compartmentalized. Flames and smoke spread much faster when they ignite in larger, open areas. It also makes it harder for firefighters to control the fire.

Fire Safety

Understandably, it’s hard to avoid synthetic materials in your home entirely, and going out and replacing all of your furnishings in one swoop isn’t realistic for most of us. But there are steps you can take to help keep you safe.

Smoke detectors: Firefighters and fire safety experts all stress the importance of having working smoke detectors throughout your home. At a minimum, you should have a smoke alarm on every level of your house. It’s also a good idea to have one in each bedroom and one in any hallways that sleeping areas open into. Be sure to test your smoke alarms regularly and change the batteries twice a year, unless it’s hardwired.

Escape plan: Make sure you have fire escape plan with well-defined escape routes. You may need to plan different escape paths for different bedrooms and parts of the home. And make sure everyone in the house knows the escape plan and understands what to do in case of an emergency.

Fire-protected furniture: If you are looking for new furniture, curtains, etc., read and understand the label. Look for natural materials or fire-protected furniture. You can also look for products made under the Upholstered Furniture Action Council (UFAC) program or that meet the requirements laid out by the California Bureau of Home Furnishings.

Avoid fire risks: Be aware of the fire hazards in your home and take steps to avoid them. That includes measures like turning off space heaters when you’re not in the room with them and keeping them away from curtains, clothing, bedding, etc. Space heaters are one of the most common causes of house fires in the United States. You should also be aware of hazards like unprotected outlets and overloaded circuits, things than can cause electrical fires in your home.

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