10-2-19 Real Estate Weekly

OCTOBER 2, 2019 • Volume 14 • Issue 40

RE WEEKLY RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVELOPMENT 515-233-3299 • 317 5th Street, Ames • All REALTOR® ads within are REALTORS® licensed in the State of Iowa

OPEN SUNDAY, 10/6 11:00-12:30 PM 3413 Taft Avenue, Ames

Spectacular & spacious ranch in Fellows school district 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms Features include updated kitchen w/quartz counters, 2 wood burning fireplaces, screened in porch & beautiful landscaping This is a must see!

$319,000 0

Mike Purcell

mpurcell@friedrich-realty.com m

Proudly Serving Central Iowa for Over 90 Years!

515-231-6083 5 Licensed in the State of Iowa

Online at www.AmesTrib.com/realestateweekly

Page RE2 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Why is my

shower

not getting

hot?

How to diagnose the problem

By Laura Firzst More Content Now

W

hen the days grow chilly, you want — no, you need — a steaming hot shower to get you going in the morning. So if you turn that faucet and wait and wait ... and wait some more for the water to warm up, your day’s off to a bad start.

“Why is my shower not getting hot?” you moan. Good question. But it should really be broken down into two parts:

1. Why is my shower not getting hot (and there’s no hot water anywhere)?

• Water heater malfunction

When there’s no hot water anywhere in the house, most probably your hot water heater is not working as it should.

If you have a gas water heater, check to see whether the gas lines are closed or pilot light has gone out. (You may be able to relight it yourself, following the manufacturer’s directions on the heater UNLESS there is a smell of gas. In that case, call the gas company immediately, from outside your home.)

In the case of an electric unit, the breaker may have tripped or the heater may need to be restarted. Another possibility is that a leak from your hot water heater has caused a short in its electronics. Make sure your electric water heater is safely off before you make any attempt to inspect it.

• Undersized water heater

Your tank water heater may have temporarily run out of hot water because it’s just too darn small for the needs of your household. A 30-gallon unit, for example, is fine for a single person but will definitely not be up to the task of supplying enough heated water for the multiple showers and appliances used by a big family. (Average usage amounts to 10-plus gallons per shower, 8 gallons per clothes washer load and 6 gallons per dishwasher load.)

Consider replacing your current water heater with a larger-capacity model; they are available in sizes up to 80 gallons and have a normal lifespan of 10 years.

In the meantime, turn up the appliance’s

thermostat to 140 degrees max — and if you don’t already have one, install an anti-scald device or faucet barrier to protect your loved ones.

• Inadequate tankless water heater strength

Tankless water heaters may promise to offer hot water on demand, and it’s true that you will be spared the hassle of waiting for a tankful of water to heat up if you’re last in line for the shower.

However, tankless heaters come in various strengths, measured in gallons per minute. Overtax this capacity and you’ll be left, once again, wondering, “Why is my shower not getting hot?”

The simple, cheaper solution is to install low-flow showerheads and watersaving faucets. In the long run, you might want to replace your water heater with a more powerful version.

2. Why is my shower not getting hot (when there’s hot water everywhere else in the house)?

• Incorrect anti-scald setting

Your anti-scald device (aka temperature-regulating mixing valve) is an important safety feature, designed to prevent accidental scalding when, for instance, your toddler turns the hot water way, way up. However, if the device is set incorrectly, the result is water that’s way too cold.

Adjusting anti-scald settings is a fairly simple DIY task: Just follow manufacturer’s instructions for your shower model.

Keep children safe; install a barrier or lock to prevent tiny hands from playing with the faucet.

• Shower mixing valve problem

The shower mixing valve works to blend hot and cold water, controlling the temperature of your shower. If this valve has been positioned incorrectly or if it’s worn out or broken down completely, you are likely to end up with an ice cold shower.

Shower repair for the mixing valve is tricky — it involves taking apart the shower fixtures. Time to hire an expert in water heater replacement and repair.

Laura Firszt writes for networx.com.

REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, October 2, 2019 • Page RE3

Page RE4 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, October 2, 2019

TIPS OF THE WEEK GARDENING

HOME BUYING

WINDOWS

PUMPKIN, SQUASH TIPS

CONDO VS. A HOUSE

SAVE WITH DOUBLE PANE

These tips from Gardeners.com will help those hoping to grow pumpkins and other winter squash.

For potential homebuyers, the decision between a condo and house can be daunting.

Buyers have several things to consider. While condo ownership requires less money up front, not all fees are apparent. Membership and homeowners association fees, for instance, can make the investment more expensive overall. These fees, however, might be worth the cost if buyers want to avoid routine maintenance.

Double pane windows, made from two panes of glass with a gas trapped in between, help better insulate homes, according to Modernize. com. Additionally, the gas inside slows the transfer of heat. Unlike single pane windows, double pane does not allow condensation to form inside a home during the colder months.

Pumpkins and squash need space. The plants send out 10- to 20-foot vines that can disrupt a garden. Those who want to grow pumpkins can use a trellis or simply plant them at the edge of a raised bed, allowing the vines to hang over onto the grass.

Rather than eating pumpkins or squash straight from the garden, you should cure them in a warm and dry place before storage or consumption. This process toughens the skin and improves the flavor.

— More Content Now

REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, Oct ober 2, 2019 • Page RE5

Page RE6 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Don’t see your home in the

RE WEEKLY Then contact a Realtor® today, because you are missing out on over 39,000+ potential buyers seeing your property for sale.

STORY TY COUN

PMENT ERCIAL • AREA DEVELO GE • FARM • COMM RESIDENTIAL • ACREA Street, Ames 99 • 317 5th ® licensed in the State of Iowa 515-233-32 are REALTORS ® within All REALTOR ads

RE WEEKLY

JANUARY 11, 2017 Volume 12 • Issue 2

JANUARY 4, 2017 1 Volume 12 • Issue

RE WEEKLY

STORY

RESIDENTIAL • ACREAGE • FARM 515-233-329 9 • 317 5th • COMMERCIAL • AREA DEVE LOPMENT Street, Ame ads within are s

COUNTY

All REALTOR ®

w w. A m e s Tr Online at w

ib.com/rea

lestatewee

REALTORS ®

licensed in the State of Iowa

kly

home in Don’t see your

the

RE WEEKLY

® because Realtor today, Then contact a 00+ potential out on over 39,0 you are missingO nyour l property for sale. buyers seeing i n e a t w E ww

DIRECT MAIL +

ONLIN

. A m e s Tr

lestateweekly

AmesTrib.com/rea

ib.com/r

ealestat

eweekly

DIRECT MAIL + ONLINE AmesTrib.com/realestateweekly

REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, October 2, 2019 • Page RE7

Page RE8 • REAL ESTATE WEEKLY • Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Realtors, do you want to reach a wider group of potential buyers?

Advertise in the RE Weekly.

In print and online.

Call Ali Eernisse 515-663-6956

RE WEEKLY