Kathryn Smith

Our friends recently purchased a new home. For those who’ve gone through the process, you know how time consuming and stressful it can be. You have to:

• Decide if you’re selling yourself or signing a contract with a realtor;
• Pack your belongings;
• Rent a storage unit;
• Prepare the house for showings; and
• Have a home inspection.

Having a home inspection of your dream house is an important step in the process. While you may love the master suite or the in-ground pool, you need to know if there are any problems lurking around the corner.

Some things that are covered by a home inspection:

• Yard – drainage, landscaping, sidewalks, and railings;
• Structure – fascia board, doors, and windows;
• Exterior surfaces – siding, masonry veneers, and paint;
• Roof – shingles, flashing venting, and chimneys;
• Basement – no major cracks or stains on the foundation; and
• Mechanicals such as furnace, water heater, etc.

An important piece that was missed in my friend’s home inspection was the dryer vent. Dryer vents can be hard to inspect. Vents can have long runs through the house which could make it difficult to see if there’s lint buildup. At my house, our laundry room is on an outside wall so the vent is very short and easy to inspect.

Shortly after my friends moved in, they noticed it took a long time for their clothes to dry. Luckily, they bought a home warranty. The warranty company sent out a professional and found the dryer was fine. Lint build up was the problem.

Your home and family may be at risk if:

1. Dryer ducts have not been inspected or cleaned each year. Since my dryer duct is short, and on the side of the house, I usually take a peak when I’m doing yard work.
2. The dryer duct is more than 25 feet long. The longer the dryer duct, the harder it is for the dryer to push the lint to the exit.
3. You have a flexible foil duct that’s kinked, creating lint buildup.

Warning signs that your dryer duct is clogged:

1. Clothes are damp after a completed drying cycle.
2. The outdoor flapper on the vent doesn’t open when the dryer is running.
3. It takes significantly longer to dry your clothes.

Here’s a video that shows how to clean out your dryer vent.

Dryer Vent Cleaning – This Is How We Do It.

Other resources

Frequently Asked Questions on Home Inspections

Total Home Inspection Checklist

Source: WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on Jun 14, 2016 11:17:49 AM

Dryer Vent Cleaning

Summer vacations are right around the corner. It’s time for final exams, as well as the annual cleaning of desks and lockers in preparation for the end of another school year.

If you’re like my wife, you may spend months researching and planning a vacation. Being an insurance person, I think about risks and delays.

Recently, news stations have been reporting long lines and delays at the security checkpoints. While I have no plans to travel this summer, I was curious about what’s changed. I didn’t encounter long lines while travelling last summer, nor this year on spring break.

Here’s why security lines are longer.

1. Increased passengers. An estimated 231.1 million people will fly between June 1 and August 31. This is a four percent increase over last summer. To put the increase into perspective, that means an additional 95,000 passengers per day.

2. Federal budget cuts. Due to budget cuts, the TSA has reduced staffing. If Congress addresses the issue, more staff may be hired.

3. Tightened security. Last year, the TSA was criticized for poor screening techniques. Undercover operators went through security lines with guns or phony bombs and made it through 95% of the time. As a result, TSA agents were retrained on screening.

4. Luggage fees. Due to airlines charging luggage fees, more travelers are taking carry-on bags. This creates the need for more screening at the security checkpoint, slowing down the line.

5. Increased seating on airplanes.

Here are tips for getting to your gate on time.

1. Allow plenty of time. For me, there’s nothing worse than rushing to catch your plane. Arrive at the airport with plenty of time to spare for parking, checking luggage, going through security, and using the restroom. For domestic flights, plan to be at the airport at least two hours ahead of time. For international flights, plan on three hours. Bigger airports equal longer lines.

2. Avoid peak travel. If you can, avoid traveling on Mondays, Fridays, and Sundays. When my wife does research, our travel time is based on airline fares which usually helps us avoid these peak travel days.

3. Enroll in the TSA PreCheck program. Taking off shoes and belts and throwing items in a plastic bin is stressful. While the process is necessary, at the end you’re left tripping over your pants and carrying your belongings in your arms. This is even more complicated if you’re travelling with small children or medical devices.

The TSA’s PreCheck program eliminates this hassle by running a criminal background check and collecting additional information about you. To apply you need to:

• Pay an $85 program fee;
• Complete an online application; and
• Visit an application center.

Once you’re approved for the program, it’s good for five years.

4. Pack strategically. Think about where you’re going keep your driver’s license or I.D., boarding pass, credit card, etc. This will the reduce stress of fumbling around to find these items.

5. Weigh your luggage ahead of time. The best money we spent was on a luggage scale. By weighing our luggage ahead of time, you know if you have room to spare. There’s nothing more embarrassing or annoying than pulling out your clothes at the check-in counter.

6. Check airline websites or apps. Flight times can change, resulting in additional planning. Depending on your new flight time, you may need more time to make your journey through the airport easier.

Sources:

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/business/aviation/sky-talk-blog/article80170157.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/tsa-scrambling-resources-to-deal-with-long-lines-at-airports/2016/05/29/69a68924-2409-11e6-aa84-42391ba52c91_story.html
http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/travelers-ed/16-ways-to-get-through-the-airport-faster

SOURCE:  WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on Jun 7, 2016 9:00:59 AM

As the weather warms up, yard projects get underway. One of those projects I dread is laying fresh mulch. While I find it rewarding after the project is done, it’s a lot of work.

The couple of times my mulch was delivered it rained. Colored mulch and rain can be a bad combination if the mulch is sitting on a concrete driveway. This combination can lead to staining of the concrete.

After I spread all my mulch a few weeks ago, I was left with a pinkish mulch stain. I knew this would happen and would eventually fade with time, so I wasn’t too concerned. My wife, however, didn’t like it and had me scrubbing off the stain with a toothbrush. Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit.

After looking for information on this topic, I found a blog written about it. Wolf Paving has been serving Southeast Wisconsin since 1941 and has shared a number of tips on how to remove mulch and other stains from your driveway.

So if you spent your Memorial Day weekend spreading mulch and now are left with stains on your driveway or sidewalk, here’s what they recommend.

1. Do not power wash the stain. This tip surprised me. I figured to get rid of the stain, I should blast it away. What I learned is that this can drive the stain deeper into the pavement.
2. Apply soap or vinegar. Once applied, scrub into the surface with a stiff-bristled brush using circular motions.
3. Use bleach and water for tough stains. Wolf recommends using two capfuls of bleach with two gallons of water. Again, scrub the mixture onto the stain using circular motions and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. An industrial strength biodegradable cleaner/degreaser may also work.
4. Gently rinse.

To avoid this extra work, you may want to hold off on having mulch delivered if rain is in the forecast. You can also have the mulch dropped onto a tarp, although that may make it difficult to move the mulch with a pitchfork or shovel.

To learn more about removing mulch and other stains from your driveway, visit Wolf Paving’s blog titled, “Asphalt Maintenance Tips – Removing Mulch and Oil Stains.”

SOURCE: WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on May 31, 2016 10:00:00 AM

As a parent of a teen driver, I know how nerve racking it can be when your child gets a license and begins to drive without you in the car, too. While both teens and parents enjoy the newfound freedom, parents need to remain cautious and continue to teach. You can’t rely only on what they learned in driver’s education.

Parental involvement is one key way to help protect your teen driver(s). Consider setting rules, signing a parent/teen driving contract, and being a good example. If you drive while distracted, speed, or run red lights, your teen driver will probably do the same. You know the old saying, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

West Bend and Road America are partners in offering another way you can help protect your teen driver(s). Road America’s Teen Driving School is an advanced driving school that focuses on skills not taught in driver’s education. Skills include:

Skid prevention and control – Teaches how to react and handle a car if you lose control.

ABS vs. threshold breaking – Teaches the difference between the two and how to effectively use ABS brakes. Never pump ABS brakes!

Collision avoidance maneuvers – Teaches how to make aggressive lane changes while keeping your car in control.

Proper vision skills – Teaches where to look, proper mirror use, and viewing traffic situations from a distance.

Road America’s experienced driving instructors accompany participants in cars provided by Road America. This program is offered several times during the year at Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI and runs from 9:00am to 4:00pm CST. To register your teen driver, click here.

2016 Dates

• Saturday, July 9
• Saturday, July 23
• Sunday, August 21
• Saturday, October 29
• Sunday, October 30

The program’s retail price is $250; however, because of West Bend’s sponsorship, the price is $140 for the public and $80 for West Bend policyholders. If you’re a West Bend policyholder, you’ll need a promo code to receive the discounted price. Please contact Scott Stueber for the promo code at sstueber@wbmi.com.

SOURCE:  WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on May 24, 2016 11:01:42 AM

Auto recalls have become very prevalent in the news the past few years. It seems like every other week, a manufacturer is announcing a recall. The Takata air bag and GM’s ignition switch recalls are two of the big ones as of late.

Does this mean the vehicles produced today are of poor quality compared to years past? Not necessarily. What’s different today is that consumer advocates are tracking vehicle data which helps point out quality defects. Automakers now feel the pressure from these groups to come clean on defects before a quality issue turns into a scandal.

An auto recall takes place when a manufacturer or theNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identifies a safety-related defect that doesn’t comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard.

Recently, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of Global Automakers jointly wrote several insurance companies and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety asking for help.

According to a recent study by Carfax, more than 47 million vehicles have at least one open safety recall. That’s one of every five vehicles on the road today. That one vehicle could belong to you, your family member, or your friend. Regardless of whose car it is, it potentially puts everybody at risk.

Do you cringe when you get a recall notice in the mail? I do. The reasons why 25% of vehicle owners fail to follow up on recalls are: People feel they’re a nuisance;

• Too busy or too difficult to fit into daily schedule;
• The defect will never happen to me; or
• Owners simply are unaware of the recall.

While you may consider an auto recall a nuisance, there some benefits to the auto recall process.

Benefits of vehicle recalls

1. Keeps us safe on the road. In 2015, there were 257.9 million cars and light trucks registered in the United States. Organizations like the NHTSA are keeping a watchful eye on quality defects which helps get dangerous vehicles off the road and into repair shops. Think of how much more dangerous our roads would be if vehicles weren’t repaired
2. The recall work is free. When a recall is issued, your vehicle can be taken to your local dealer for free repairs. While it can still be a nuisance because of the time it requires, the cost to keep your family safe isn’t coming out of your own pocket.
3. Focus on quality. Because there’s so much emphasis put on quality these days, automakers are becoming more willing to fix the problems.

What’s on a recall notice?

If a recall notice shows up in your mailbox, here’s what you’ll find on it.

1. A description of the recall;
2. The risk or hazard caused by the defect and any signs that can alert you of a problem;
3. A description of what will be fixed and when the repair will be available; and
4. What the owner can do if the problem isn’t resolved.

To see if your car is affected by a recall, simply visit http://www.safercar.gov/. To use this tool, an accurate vehicle identification number (VIN) is needed. You can also sign up here for e-mail alerts for your vehicles.

To learn more about why auto recalls are important, and in an effort to spread the word, I recommend watching these videos. They’re well done and easy to understand. Share them with your kids!

VIN and Recalls

Understanding Vehicle Recalls

For more information on the Takata airbag recall, visit my blog below.

Over 30 million vehicles recalled due to airbag defect. Is your car one of them?

It’s important to understand that if a recall is issued, your vehicle has a significant defect that can lead to injury or death. Don’t you want to keep yourself and others safe? Please share this important information with your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors.

Sources:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/recallproblems.cfm
https://hedgescompany.com/automotive-market-research-statistics/auto-mailing-lists-and-marketing

SOURCE:  WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on May 3, 2016 9:00:00 AM

Sometimes you have to buy things that aren’t very exciting or enjoyable. Gas, car repairs, and, of course, insurance all make the lackluster purchase list.

However, when you think about these items, they’re essential to our lives today. Can you imagine life without insurance or a car? We may not like to pay for either of them, but without them, life would be more challenging.

Another item on the list that’s critical to staying safe in our cars is windshield wipers. Windshield wipers take a beating from the elements. Dirt, debris, and sunlight contribute to the breakdown of the wiper’s rubber blade. And if you’re like me and tend to forget about replacing them regularly, you can add neglect to that list.

A few weeks ago, I replaced my driver’s side wiper with an inexpensive one. I figured why spend the money on something that doesn’t last long anyway? Unfortunately, on the way home from a volleyball tournament in Illinois, I experienced two hours of constant annoying wiper blade noise every time it scraped across my windshield. My family wasn’t amused since it was late and the noise was interfering with their beauty sleep.

Because of my recent experience, I did some research on wiper blades. Here is some information, as well as additional resources, to help you keep your windshield clean and your family happy and safe.

Types of wiper blades

Conventional wiper blades.

These blades have been on our cars for decades. They’re attached to a metal frame and apply pressure to the windshield via springs. These are the type of wipers I always bought for my cars

Beam blades.

Beam blades where introduced on luxury cars in the early 2000s. Beam blades aren’t attached to a metal frame so they’re more flexible and adhere to the curve of your windshield more efficiently, creating a better wipe. Because there’s no frame, snow and ice buildup are reduced.

What’s funny is that I’ve been buying beam blades for my wife and daughter’s cars for a couple of years. It never occurred to me that I could buy them for my vehicle too. I just continued to buy what was always on each car.

For a side-by-side comparison of these two wiper blades, check out Beam Blades Vs. Conventional Windshield Wipers.

Hybrid blades.

Hybrid blades are a combination of conventional and beam blades. These blades:

• Are more aerodynamic;
• Have the all-weather wiping efficiency of a beam blade; and
• Have precise pressure points for exceptional wiping performance.

Installation

For the most part, windshield wipers can be replaced without any tools; however, not all wipers attach the same way. There are many different mounting systems. Some of the more common ones are:

• Hook-style;
• Side lock;
• Bayonet; or
• Pinch tabs.

Remember the old saying, “You get what you pay for?” The cheap blade I bought a few weeks ago was so difficult to remove, I actually had to bust it off by cutting the metal with a pliers. I couldn’t disengage the blade from the arm.

If you experience difficulty replacing your wiper blades, stop at your local auto parts store for help.

Set a schedule

Set a schedule for replacing your wiper blades. Depending on where you live, wiper blades may last 6-12 months. Replacing your wiper blades in your garage or driveway on a nice day is key. Unfortunately, many motorists replace them when under duress (i.e., caught in a downpour or snowstorm).

Moving forward, my plan is to change my wipers based on when daylight savings time begins and ends. This way I’ll be ready for whatever Mother Nature has in mind.

Additional Resources

Recommended Replacement Periods For Windshield Wiper Blades

Wipers 101

SOURCE:  West Bend, Posted by Scott Stueber on Apr 26, 2016 10:29:41 AM