Is the 110 VOLT outlet grounded-
o A laundry appliance plugged into an ungrounded outlet is a shock hazard. If your house was built in the 1960’s
__or earlier, you should make sure that this outlet is properly grounded.

Is there an overflow pan under the washer (if located adjacent to a finished area)-
o These pans came into being around 20 years ago. They are designed to dispose of water in the event that you
__have a washer-related plumbing mishap.
o They are usually drained to “open air”

Is the 220 VOLT receptacle secured to the wall-
o We often find these boxes hanging or lying on the floor.
o The wire should be attached to a running board if located in an unfinished area.

Is there an unused gas line lacking a cap-
o A gas line that is relying on the shutoff is not properly terminated. An inexpensive cap is the answer.

Speaking of gas lines, is yours a brass flexible line-
o If so, it’s time for replacement. These items were recalled several years back due to leakage problems at the
__connectors. Any appliance store or hardware store will have a replacement whip. Best to bring the old one
__in with you to insure you get the right size.
o NOTE TO SELF: Make sure you turn off the gas before disconnecting.

Is there a potential cross-contamination condition in the deep sink-
o Often, there is a short hose lying in the bottom of the tub that is connected to the faucet. This creates a condition
__where waste water can siphon into the public water supply, possibly contaminating whole neighborhoods.

Is there a “handy-dandy” dryer diversion gadget installed on the vent pipe-
o These gadgets are said to retain some of the heat from the dryer vent gases. Only thing, these are not a good
__idea, as they increase the moisture levels in the basement, leading to mold and mildew growth.
o We strongly urge people not to use these items, regardless of how readily available they are at your
__neighborhood home store.

Is the dryer vent piping flexible plastic-
o Why not! Isn’t that what they sell it for!
o In the words of the great American, Tom Sherman…not to me it isn’t!
o This material has an awful bad habit of twisting and turning, restricting air flow, allowing lint to build up and
__generally do a poor job in venting the dryer. It also habitually cracks, defeating its purpose.
o Worst yet, in instances where the clog up, they may start a fire.
o Our perfect vent material – Smooth walled metal piping. We like the galvanized over the lighter gauge
__aluminum, as it is sturdier and easier to work with.

How often are we cleaning out our vent pipe-
o In the best of circumstances, these should be cleaned out twice a year, although often, although it certainly
__wouldn’t hurt to do it quarterly to be safe.

What are our water feed hoses made of-
o If they’re rubber, we suggest that you invest around $30.00 for a set of stainless steel hoses. These are much
__more durable and will not burst. If a laundry hose bursts, it will run until you get home. (And that may be a long
__time if you are, say, vacationing in Tibet.)

Make it a habit to pull your washer and dryer out annually-
o If for no other reason, a good cleaning of the floor and wall behind works wonders. That’s also a good
__opportunity to re-level the equipment and pick up the loose change and odd socks that have fallen behind
__over the year.

Does your deep sink drain into the floor drain-
o Many older houses have this configuration where the concrete around the floor drain is lower to provide a
__better source of drainage. These drains may become clogged with lint, towels, tennis balls, and such, and
__may need occasional snaking.