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Ask The Pro Newsletter
-How to find a good contractor
Volume I, Edition 2
Hello Ask The Pro Listener,
The Ask The Pro Newsletter is your outlet for pre-qualified contractors, tips from professionals, and
instruction on how to find safe contractors. The Ask The Pro Newsletter is loaded with information to
keep you up to date in what to look for when hiring professionals today. To view more information about
a company click on their logo!
For more information on how to find qualified contractors, weekly tips from Ace Hardware, and weekly
information from qualified professionals listen to the Ask The Pro Radio Show every Saturday 11am-
12pm central on CNN 650. For more information about the Ask The Pro Radio Show click here to visit
our website!
If you are not currently a subscriber to The Ask The Pro Newsletter but would like to receive the email
on a monthly basis, you can subscribe here.
Jim Klauck
Host, Ask The Pro Radio Show
______________________________________________________________________
Airtronics
Kim Cope
Air conditioning and Water Leaks
Condensation leaks are 20-30% of all HVAC service calls we run. Most HVAC systems are located in
the attic which includes the Evaporator coil. The Evaporator coil pulls the humidity out of the air before it
is blown into your home. Part of the evaporator coil includes 2 pans and 2 drain lines. The primary line
located in the evaporator coil carries the water to the indoor household plumbing system. In the event
the main drain becomes clogged there is a safety pan located underneath the evaporator coil that will
catch the over flowing water. This line is terminated outside the home over a window so you can see
the water dripping indicating the main drain is clogged. If the situation is not corrected in a timely
manner the result could be extreme ceiling damage.
Don’t let this happen to you. It is important to have you’re a/c system checked, which includes the drain
lines, to ensure everything is working properly including the drain lines. Airtronics provides semi
annual checks of a/c and heating systems.
______________________________________________________________________
Advanced Home Technologies
Rick Cassani
Have you ever noticed all the little blank wall plates throughout your house on the ceilings and the walls
and wondered what they were for? Having these little plates means your house was wired by your
builder for a whole-house audio system. The blank plates on the ceiling are where the wires are for
each speaker. And the blank plates on the wall are where the wire is for the volume control.
In addition to those plates you should also have a bundle of wires in your Family Room sticking out of
the wall or in the cabinetry. Those are the other ends of all the volume control wires for each room. Most
builders today wire their homes for at least one room of surround sound (typically the Family Room or
Game Room) as well as a few additional rooms of stereo (typically the Dining Room, Kitchen, Master
Bedroom, and the Patio).
If you are thinking about taking the next step and having the speakers installed, here are a few things to
consider. Whole House Audio comes in 2 flavors; Multi-Zone and Multi-Source/Multi-Zone. They sound
alike but are vastly different. Both styles are explained below. Regardless of which style you go with you
will need speakers. There are basically 3 types of speakers to consider. In-ceiling and in-wall
speakers are the most popular for indoor applications. In-ceiling speakers are round and flush mount
into the ceiling. There are many to choose from, each with specific functionality. Look for speakers that
can handle a minimum of 50 watts. Depending on the application you may also want a speaker that
can be aimed.
These speakers have pivoting tweeters which allow you to direct the sound somewhere other than
straight down. Of course, the more features you select in a speaker the more it will cost! In-wall
speakers are rectangular and mount in the walls. They have the same variety in functionality as in-
ceiling speakers. Outdoor speakers are used in areas that are affected by weather. They come in many
varieties such as inceiling, bracket-mounted for eves, and rock style for landscapes to name a few.
As for controlling the music, Multi-Zone is the most popular and the least expensive. Multi-Zone
involves a stereo receiver in the room where all the speaker wires terminate and volume controls in all
the rooms with the speakers. In a simple Multi-Zone system each room plays whatever is playing
through the receiver and the only control in those rooms is the volume level. Be sure to get a receiver
powerful enough to handle the number of speakers you have. The more rooms of speakers, the more
powerful receiver you will need. You could use a dedicated amplifier instead but I’ll save that
discussion for another article! Most receivers today will handle 2 zones of audio. By that I mean that a
single receiver will allow you to play surround sound in one room (zone 1) while simultaneously
allowing you to listen to music in the remaining rooms (zone 2). And get this; the music played in zone
2 does not have to be the same music being played in zone 1. For example, the kids could be watching
a movie in the Family Room while the adults are out on the Patio istening to FM or the iPod.
The other option for controlling the music is Multi-Source/Multi-Zone. It is more expensive but offers
significantly more benefit. A Multi-Source/Multi-Zone system allows every room with speakers the ability
to listen to a completely different source of music, independently from the other rooms. In addition to
volume level control users also have control of which source to listen to and how it plays; i.e. the ability
to play, pause, skip tracks, select radio presets, etc. Here is how it works. Instead of a volume control in
each room there is a push-button keypad or touchscreen. That keypad allows the user to walk into a
room and select what they want to listen to (FM, Cable, CD, DVD, XM, iPod, etc.). Once selected, the
user can then control functionality of that device like Play, Pause, Stop, etc. using additional buttons on
the keypad. Back at the cabinet a Multi-Source/Multi-Zone processor controls it all. With this system
Mom can be listening to her favorite CD in one room while Dad is listening to the game in another
room and the kids are playing the iPod out by the pool. Multi-Source/Multi-Zone systems are sized and
priced based on the number of zones and number of sources it needs to support. A typical system will
allow for 6 sources to be played in 6 rooms. A Multi-Source/Multi-Zone system must be installed by a
professional. They involve careful setup and programming. You will not find these systems at your local
electronics retailer.
Of course, every application is different. Think about how you listen to your music and how you would
want a system to work for you. Contact a professional and tell them what you are trying to accomplish.
They will design and size a system that is right for you.
______________________________________________________________________
U Travel EZ
Dolores Loyd
Update on New Government Rules On Passport Cards and Entry to U.S.
First: New regulations go into effect on January 31st that require all persons entering or re-entering the
U.S. to show proof of citizenship. Prior to that date, persons can continue to prove citizenship verbally.
Proof of citizenship can be accomplished by presenting a valid passport, an original or certified copy of
a U.S. birth certificate, or an original copy of your certificate of citizenship or naturalization. We
recommend a passport because it is the only document that proves both your citizenship and your
identity.
Second: The Department of State, the agency of the Federal Government that issues passports, issued
new rules regarding the new passport card on December 31, 2007. Here is a summary of everything
covered in the new regulations. When and how the State Department will begin issuing the passport
cards is not yet known.
1. The State Department will issue passport cards. The official name of the document will be "passport
cards." State will continue to issue "passport books" which up until now we have known as a
"passport."
2. A new DS 11 passport application form will be issued between now and February 1st. On the form,
applicants will be given an option to apply either for a passport card or a passport book.
3. The passport card is valid only for passage through land and sea ports between the U.S. and
Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The passport card cannot be used for flights into or out
of the U.S.
4. The passport card will be issued to citizens in all 50 states but it is exclusively for use for land and
sea entrance to the U.S. Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel.
5. Passport cards can be used for identification for domestic flights. Remember: the passport card can
be used as government-issued proof of identity and proof of citizenship. So, if you do not have a driver's
license and need identification for passing through security for domestic travel, you can use your
passport card for proof of identity instead of presenting your driver's license.
6. Passport cards have the same validity as passport books – 10 years for adults 16 and over and 5
years for children under 16.
7. Citizens will be able to apply for a passport card at any acceptance agent on the same basis as a
regular passport.
8. Passport books must be signed on the signature page by the passport holder to be valid. Passport
cards do not have to be signed to be valid.
9. The passport cards will be able to be scanned at U.S. borders when a person is in the vicinity of an
electronic reader that will be operated by U.S. border control officials. The chip in the card contains only
one item of information – a unique identifying number that has meaning only inside the secure
database of the State Department and Homeland Security Department. There is no personal
information such as name, date of birth, social security number, etc. stored electronically on the chip.
So, if someone did pick up the signal, they would not be able to use the data to learn anything about the
holder.
10. The execution fee for applying for a passport card is $25. The execution fee for applying for a
passport book is $30.
11. The fees for obtaining a passport card for persons without a passport are as follows:
Adults: Total $45 ($20 application fee, plus $25 execution fee)
Children under 16: Total $35($10 application fee, plus $25 execution fee)
12. Persons who have a valid passport book (Remember: a "passport book" means a person who has
a "passport") and who are applying for a passport card (in addition to holding a valid passport) are not
required to pay the execution fee. Thus, persons with a valid passport who also want a passport card
can apply for $20.
13. The government may permit alternative documentation for land crossings such as driver's licenses
issued by states that have established methods for determining citizenship acceptable to the Federal
government. Several states have already submitted proposals to the Federal government. This matter
will be addressed in subsequent regulations issued by the Federal government.
We will provide updated information as new rules and regulations are issued.
______________________________________________________________________
Pleasure Pools
Take the work out of maintaining your swimming pool!
Your swimming pool will always be ready to enjoy if you follow these simple guide lines:
2-3 times a week:
- Test free chlorine (1.0-3.0ppm)
- Test PH (7.4-7.6)
Weekly:
- Brush Pool
- Empty pump and skimmer baskets
- Adjust water level to midway of tile or skimmer
- Add algaecide and or other problem solvers
- Check for proper salt levels ( salt water pools only)
Every two weeks:
-Add shock treatment or super chlorinate
-Treat total alkalinity
-Check filter gauge. Backwash or clean filters if pressure is above 25#
After parties and heavy rains:
- Add shock treatment or super chlorinate
Required Chemicals:
-3” chlorinator tablets for use in automatic inline chlorinator – kills algae bacteria
-Granulated calcium hypochlorite/shock-eliminates contaminates and revitalizes chlorine.
-Muriatic acid to control PH and scaling
-Algaecide 60-maximum algae control for summer months
-Grandular salt-salt water pools only.
Additional Information:
-Filter pump needs to run 10-12hrs a day during the summer and 6-8hrs a day in the winter.
-DE filter should be manually cleaned every 6 months
-Heater should run a few minutes every month. It should also be shutdown 15-20min before pump is
turned-off.
-When temperature is below 32 degrees F, run pool pumps continuously
-Do not add chemicals to shallow end of pool, on steps benches or in the spa
-Always turn-off pool equipment before servicing valves or equipment
-Never run cleaner pump if pool pump is not running.
______________________________________________________________________
Tips From Ace Hardware
The Helpful Hardware Man's Corner - Answers by Lou Manfredini
Q: On Christmas, my wife put potato peels in the garbage disposal and now the drain is backed up.
Can I pour Draino or Liquid Plumr in the drain or will it mess up the pipes? Do I need a plumber?
A: If you have two basins, then add water to both of them and hold the stopper in the clear sink and use
a plunger to free the clog in the sink with the disposal. If that does not free it, then hire a plumber.
______________________________________________________________________
Finding A Good Contractor
Sponsored By Check A Pro
When considering a contractor always be sure to 'Check' them out! You should:
-Research license information with the State of Texas
-Ask them for references
-Ask them if they are insured
-Contact the local business bureau
For a list of pre-qualified service providers visit www.checkapro.com. All Check A Pro members have
been pre-qualified through the following:
-Reference Check
-Local Business Bureau Review
-License Check w/ the Sate of Texas
Volume I, Edition 2
Hello Ask The Pro Listener,
The Ask The Pro Newsletter is your outlet for pre-qualified contractors, tips from professionals, and
instruction on how to find safe contractors. The Ask The Pro Newsletter is loaded with information to
keep you up to date in what to look for when hiring professionals today. To view more information about
a company click on their logo!
For more information on how to find qualified contractors, weekly tips from Ace Hardware, and weekly
information from qualified professionals listen to the Ask The Pro Radio Show every Saturday 11am-
12pm central on CNN 650. For more information about the Ask The Pro Radio Show click here to visit
our website!
If you are not currently a subscriber to The Ask The Pro Newsletter but would like to receive the email
on a monthly basis, you can subscribe here.
Jim Klauck
Host, Ask The Pro Radio Show
______________________________________________________________________
Airtronics
Kim Cope
Air conditioning and Water Leaks
Condensation leaks are 20-30% of all HVAC service calls we run. Most HVAC systems are located in
the attic which includes the Evaporator coil. The Evaporator coil pulls the humidity out of the air before it
is blown into your home. Part of the evaporator coil includes 2 pans and 2 drain lines. The primary line
located in the evaporator coil carries the water to the indoor household plumbing system. In the event
the main drain becomes clogged there is a safety pan located underneath the evaporator coil that will
catch the over flowing water. This line is terminated outside the home over a window so you can see
the water dripping indicating the main drain is clogged. If the situation is not corrected in a timely
manner the result could be extreme ceiling damage.
Don’t let this happen to you. It is important to have you’re a/c system checked, which includes the drain
lines, to ensure everything is working properly including the drain lines. Airtronics provides semi
annual checks of a/c and heating systems.
______________________________________________________________________
Advanced Home Technologies
Rick Cassani
Have you ever noticed all the little blank wall plates throughout your house on the ceilings and the walls
and wondered what they were for? Having these little plates means your house was wired by your
builder for a whole-house audio system. The blank plates on the ceiling are where the wires are for
each speaker. And the blank plates on the wall are where the wire is for the volume control.
In addition to those plates you should also have a bundle of wires in your Family Room sticking out of
the wall or in the cabinetry. Those are the other ends of all the volume control wires for each room. Most
builders today wire their homes for at least one room of surround sound (typically the Family Room or
Game Room) as well as a few additional rooms of stereo (typically the Dining Room, Kitchen, Master
Bedroom, and the Patio).
If you are thinking about taking the next step and having the speakers installed, here are a few things to
consider. Whole House Audio comes in 2 flavors; Multi-Zone and Multi-Source/Multi-Zone. They sound
alike but are vastly different. Both styles are explained below. Regardless of which style you go with you
will need speakers. There are basically 3 types of speakers to consider. In-ceiling and in-wall
speakers are the most popular for indoor applications. In-ceiling speakers are round and flush mount
into the ceiling. There are many to choose from, each with specific functionality. Look for speakers that
can handle a minimum of 50 watts. Depending on the application you may also want a speaker that
can be aimed.
These speakers have pivoting tweeters which allow you to direct the sound somewhere other than
straight down. Of course, the more features you select in a speaker the more it will cost! In-wall
speakers are rectangular and mount in the walls. They have the same variety in functionality as in-
ceiling speakers. Outdoor speakers are used in areas that are affected by weather. They come in many
varieties such as inceiling, bracket-mounted for eves, and rock style for landscapes to name a few.
As for controlling the music, Multi-Zone is the most popular and the least expensive. Multi-Zone
involves a stereo receiver in the room where all the speaker wires terminate and volume controls in all
the rooms with the speakers. In a simple Multi-Zone system each room plays whatever is playing
through the receiver and the only control in those rooms is the volume level. Be sure to get a receiver
powerful enough to handle the number of speakers you have. The more rooms of speakers, the more
powerful receiver you will need. You could use a dedicated amplifier instead but I’ll save that
discussion for another article! Most receivers today will handle 2 zones of audio. By that I mean that a
single receiver will allow you to play surround sound in one room (zone 1) while simultaneously
allowing you to listen to music in the remaining rooms (zone 2). And get this; the music played in zone
2 does not have to be the same music being played in zone 1. For example, the kids could be watching
a movie in the Family Room while the adults are out on the Patio istening to FM or the iPod.
The other option for controlling the music is Multi-Source/Multi-Zone. It is more expensive but offers
significantly more benefit. A Multi-Source/Multi-Zone system allows every room with speakers the ability
to listen to a completely different source of music, independently from the other rooms. In addition to
volume level control users also have control of which source to listen to and how it plays; i.e. the ability
to play, pause, skip tracks, select radio presets, etc. Here is how it works. Instead of a volume control in
each room there is a push-button keypad or touchscreen. That keypad allows the user to walk into a
room and select what they want to listen to (FM, Cable, CD, DVD, XM, iPod, etc.). Once selected, the
user can then control functionality of that device like Play, Pause, Stop, etc. using additional buttons on
the keypad. Back at the cabinet a Multi-Source/Multi-Zone processor controls it all. With this system
Mom can be listening to her favorite CD in one room while Dad is listening to the game in another
room and the kids are playing the iPod out by the pool. Multi-Source/Multi-Zone systems are sized and
priced based on the number of zones and number of sources it needs to support. A typical system will
allow for 6 sources to be played in 6 rooms. A Multi-Source/Multi-Zone system must be installed by a
professional. They involve careful setup and programming. You will not find these systems at your local
electronics retailer.
Of course, every application is different. Think about how you listen to your music and how you would
want a system to work for you. Contact a professional and tell them what you are trying to accomplish.
They will design and size a system that is right for you.
______________________________________________________________________
U Travel EZ
Dolores Loyd
Update on New Government Rules On Passport Cards and Entry to U.S.
First: New regulations go into effect on January 31st that require all persons entering or re-entering the
U.S. to show proof of citizenship. Prior to that date, persons can continue to prove citizenship verbally.
Proof of citizenship can be accomplished by presenting a valid passport, an original or certified copy of
a U.S. birth certificate, or an original copy of your certificate of citizenship or naturalization. We
recommend a passport because it is the only document that proves both your citizenship and your
identity.
Second: The Department of State, the agency of the Federal Government that issues passports, issued
new rules regarding the new passport card on December 31, 2007. Here is a summary of everything
covered in the new regulations. When and how the State Department will begin issuing the passport
cards is not yet known.
1. The State Department will issue passport cards. The official name of the document will be "passport
cards." State will continue to issue "passport books" which up until now we have known as a
"passport."
2. A new DS 11 passport application form will be issued between now and February 1st. On the form,
applicants will be given an option to apply either for a passport card or a passport book.
3. The passport card is valid only for passage through land and sea ports between the U.S. and
Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The passport card cannot be used for flights into or out
of the U.S.
4. The passport card will be issued to citizens in all 50 states but it is exclusively for use for land and
sea entrance to the U.S. Passport cards cannot be used for international air travel.
5. Passport cards can be used for identification for domestic flights. Remember: the passport card can
be used as government-issued proof of identity and proof of citizenship. So, if you do not have a driver's
license and need identification for passing through security for domestic travel, you can use your
passport card for proof of identity instead of presenting your driver's license.
6. Passport cards have the same validity as passport books – 10 years for adults 16 and over and 5
years for children under 16.
7. Citizens will be able to apply for a passport card at any acceptance agent on the same basis as a
regular passport.
8. Passport books must be signed on the signature page by the passport holder to be valid. Passport
cards do not have to be signed to be valid.
9. The passport cards will be able to be scanned at U.S. borders when a person is in the vicinity of an
electronic reader that will be operated by U.S. border control officials. The chip in the card contains only
one item of information – a unique identifying number that has meaning only inside the secure
database of the State Department and Homeland Security Department. There is no personal
information such as name, date of birth, social security number, etc. stored electronically on the chip.
So, if someone did pick up the signal, they would not be able to use the data to learn anything about the
holder.
10. The execution fee for applying for a passport card is $25. The execution fee for applying for a
passport book is $30.
11. The fees for obtaining a passport card for persons without a passport are as follows:
Adults: Total $45 ($20 application fee, plus $25 execution fee)
Children under 16: Total $35($10 application fee, plus $25 execution fee)
12. Persons who have a valid passport book (Remember: a "passport book" means a person who has
a "passport") and who are applying for a passport card (in addition to holding a valid passport) are not
required to pay the execution fee. Thus, persons with a valid passport who also want a passport card
can apply for $20.
13. The government may permit alternative documentation for land crossings such as driver's licenses
issued by states that have established methods for determining citizenship acceptable to the Federal
government. Several states have already submitted proposals to the Federal government. This matter
will be addressed in subsequent regulations issued by the Federal government.
We will provide updated information as new rules and regulations are issued.
______________________________________________________________________
Pleasure Pools
Take the work out of maintaining your swimming pool!
Your swimming pool will always be ready to enjoy if you follow these simple guide lines:
2-3 times a week:
- Test free chlorine (1.0-3.0ppm)
- Test PH (7.4-7.6)
Weekly:
- Brush Pool
- Empty pump and skimmer baskets
- Adjust water level to midway of tile or skimmer
- Add algaecide and or other problem solvers
- Check for proper salt levels ( salt water pools only)
Every two weeks:
-Add shock treatment or super chlorinate
-Treat total alkalinity
-Check filter gauge. Backwash or clean filters if pressure is above 25#
After parties and heavy rains:
- Add shock treatment or super chlorinate
Required Chemicals:
-3” chlorinator tablets for use in automatic inline chlorinator – kills algae bacteria
-Granulated calcium hypochlorite/shock-eliminates contaminates and revitalizes chlorine.
-Muriatic acid to control PH and scaling
-Algaecide 60-maximum algae control for summer months
-Grandular salt-salt water pools only.
Additional Information:
-Filter pump needs to run 10-12hrs a day during the summer and 6-8hrs a day in the winter.
-DE filter should be manually cleaned every 6 months
-Heater should run a few minutes every month. It should also be shutdown 15-20min before pump is
turned-off.
-When temperature is below 32 degrees F, run pool pumps continuously
-Do not add chemicals to shallow end of pool, on steps benches or in the spa
-Always turn-off pool equipment before servicing valves or equipment
-Never run cleaner pump if pool pump is not running.
______________________________________________________________________
Tips From Ace Hardware
The Helpful Hardware Man's Corner - Answers by Lou Manfredini
Q: On Christmas, my wife put potato peels in the garbage disposal and now the drain is backed up.
Can I pour Draino or Liquid Plumr in the drain or will it mess up the pipes? Do I need a plumber?
A: If you have two basins, then add water to both of them and hold the stopper in the clear sink and use
a plunger to free the clog in the sink with the disposal. If that does not free it, then hire a plumber.
______________________________________________________________________
Finding A Good Contractor
Sponsored By Check A Pro
When considering a contractor always be sure to 'Check' them out! You should:
-Research license information with the State of Texas
-Ask them for references
-Ask them if they are insured
-Contact the local business bureau
For a list of pre-qualified service providers visit www.checkapro.com. All Check A Pro members have
been pre-qualified through the following:
-Reference Check
-Local Business Bureau Review
-License Check w/ the Sate of Texas
| Ask The Pro Radio Show Saturdays 11am - 12pm on CNN 650 CALL IN LINE (713) 965-0650 |
