Lewis Maclean's online newsletter for July 2018
JULY 2018
Staying Cool and Safe This Summer
Summer is in full swing! The kids are out of school and everyone is looking for a way to keep cool. While some of us are enjoying cool, air-conditioned homes, others are heading outside to cool off with the backyard hose. That means the kids are running water through the outside taps. They’re filling up their kiddie pools, water balloons, and water guns and having the time of their lives. Every year, we talk a lot about checking your outside taps and hoses before the cold weather sets in to prevent icy disasters, but you can encounter problems in the summer as well. Before the kids go out to play, you want to make sure all the hose connections are safe and up to code. Every year, it’s good to check the pipes for potential leaks, along with the hose connection itself. After all, you don’t want water leaking through that connection, which can cause rot and deterioration around the tap. The most important thing to be aware of, however, is the backflow prevention device. The backflow device is a type of valve designed to help keep the drinking water supply free of contaminants. Most homes should be equipped with this device, and it’s something you want to make sure is working properly. If your home’s water is clean and the water pressure is good, then the backflow device is doing its job. That said, there are things that can disrupt the device. For example, if water pressure drops too far, contaminated water can flow back into your water system. But that hose connection could spell trouble.
Water pressure drops are often caused by pipe leaks or breaks within the home or along the pipe outside the home. Even a fire hydrant discharge can cause a drop in water pressure if that hydrant is connected to the same pipe system as your home.
“The most important thing to be aware of, however, is the backflow prevention device.”
When water pressure drops, dirty water can enter the system and cause big problems. For one, no one likes to shower in dirty water, but worse, this water can be a carrier for all kinds of bacteria. If this water is ingested, you and your kids can get sick.
Along this same line, as a general rule of thumb, you should never drink out of a hose. Hoses are often used on an infrequent basis, so water doesn’t always get flushed out. This makes the inside of a hose a breeding ground for bacteria and other grime. Before the kids and pets play in the water, it’s good to flush out the hose for a few minutes. Let the water run before filling up a pool or before the kids run around in the sprinkler. If you have any questions about your home’s backflow prevention device or the outside taps, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re here to help your family stay safe — and cool — this summer. As always, we’re standing by the phone, ready to take your call 24/7. Our technicians can take care of all of your plumbing, drainage, heating, and air conditioning needs.
From all of us at Lewis MacLean, here’s to a fun and safe summer!
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Can I Have S’more?
Myth #1: A larger A/C will cool your home better. 3 Air Conditioning Myths That Are All Hot Air Truth: It all comes down to the size of your home or the size of the room you want to cool. A bigger air conditioner isn’t always the right choice and can lead to huge energy bills if it’s improperly sized for your home (either too small or too large). You want to work with installers who can correctly size your home for maximum efficiency (and lower bills).
CREATIVE TWISTS ON THE CAMPFIRE CLASSIC
You’re just three ingredients away from the perfect summertime treat: chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. The s’more is a fan favorite on camping trips and at backyard bonfires alike. Though they say you can’t improve perfection, we’ve found a few creative twists on the classic treat that will make your summer a little sweeter. The Elvis A campfire snack fit for a king — of rock ’n’ roll, that is. This s’more pays homage to Elvis Presley’s love of peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Swap out the chocolate bar for a peanut butter cup candy and add a few slices of fresh banana between the graham cracker and marshmallow. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even add some bacon.
Myth #2: Turning off the A/C every time you leave home saves money.
Truth: Turning your air conditioner on and off repeatedly can be taxing on the unit, and it will not efficiently cool your home. If you leave your home for an extended of period of time — a few days or longer — turning off the A/C will save you on energy costs. But turning it off every time you leave home will cost you more in the long run, because the unit will have to work harder on a continual basis to cool your home to the preferred temperature. The most efficient way to save money and keep your home cool is to set your thermostat a few degrees higher than your ideal temperature when you are gone for a few hours or the day.
S’mores in a Jar Here are s’mores you can enjoy all year long. Layers of crushed graham cracker,
melted marshmallow, and creamy chocolate turn a simple jar into a great dessert! Learn how to make the perfect s’mores on the go at family. disney.com/recipe/smores-in-a-jar.
Myth #3: It’s efficient to leave the thermostat at the same temperature all day.
Strawberry S’more-cake If you really want to wow your guests at the next bonfire, try your hand at this creative take on the summertime classic. Gooey s’mores meet fresh strawberry shortcake in a dessert that’s as delicious as it is original. Find the whole recipe, including tips on making the perfect shortcake, at aspicyperspective.com/smores-strawberry-shortcake-recipe. S’mOreo A simple but memorable twist on the campfire classic. Grab a box of Oreo cookies, pull a cookie apart, and use that in place of your graham cracker. The cream filling will pair nicely with the chocolate and toasted marshmallow. S’mores Milkshake Too hot for a campfire? Cool down with a s’mores milkshake! The trick is to lightly toast the marshmallows in the oven so they mix well with the other ingredients in the blender. Get the recipe at spoonfulofflavor.com/2013/08/30/smores-milkshake to enjoy this sweet treat even in the heat of summer. It’s the simple recipe that opens the door for creative interpretations of the classic s’more. Be adventurous this summer and see what great new s’mores you can create!
Truth: When you’re not home, theuuure is no reason to keep the thermostat at your preferred temperature, but at the same time, you don’t want to walk into a home that is too warm and uncomfortable (and that you have to cool back down). You can set it to cool during your normal “at home” time and set it at a higher temperature while you’re away. There are even a number of smart thermostats on the market you can control from your smartphone for even more customization.
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SCRUB IT OUT WITH Vinegar
Cut through grease. As a degreaser, vinegar is best right out of the bottle. Pour it into a spray bottle and go to work. While some people aren’t partial to the smell, it does fade after several minutes. Use vinegar to degrease pots, pans, glass cookware, dishes, and many common household surfaces. Keep in mind: While vinegar will help lift grease off of surfaces, you may have to go over them two or three times to get that ideal lustre. De-scale coffee makers. To clean a coffee maker, mix together 1 part vinegar and 1 part water. You can make the mixture right in the coffee pot. Then pour it into the water reservoir and turn on the coffee maker. For maximum cleaning effectiveness, run the
When it comes to household utility, vinegar is often heralded as a multipurpose master. Tons of blogs and magazines feature unending lists of ways to use distilled white vinegar. You have to wonder if vinegar really is that useful if there really are 1,000 ways to use it. The truth is that vinegar can be great for cleaning a variety of messes, but in many cases, dedicated cleaning agents will do a better job. That said, vinegar has the unquestionable benefit of being safe for people, pets, and the environment. There are no secrets about what’s in the bottle. Vinegar, for the most part, is a risk-free cleaner. Just keep vinegar away
vinegar water mix through three times (using a fresh mix each time), and finish with clean water to rinse. De-funk microwaves. To clean a microwave, use a 1-to-1 ratio of vinegar and water. Pour a cup of each into a microwave safe bowl, then set the microwave to five minutes on high. Once the five minutes is up, take out the bowl (which will be hot), wipe down all the interior surfaces with a cloth or paper towel, and that’s it!
from granite, marble, stone, and hardwood; it can damage these surfaces. Here are three ways you can safely use it around your home:
CORN CHARRED CHILI-CHEESE
W Y K C S N E E E C P N C A H K M P P A D A S E U J O F O C N S N F G N S P D A N G C O Q P U S P B O A X V F Z K K I F A E B K R B L D E K E U T R D R U L C R V D D A Y H P R N T A Y A S M O E H D R Y Z E Y X D L W X T R W E L P A M G H K E C S V A T N E M A I L R A P Y K C T Y B Z Z R Q V I U I O K T I Z J Y O I I I Q E B U H Y O C A M P I N G F F X M Z V N G H Y U O V R W W A O A W I R R E A T S A T F W C E H C Y V Z Q D Z W S B A D Y I L R B
Inspired by Bon Appetit magazine You’ll find all of the flavours of elote, Mexican street corn, in this dish, without any of the mess. It’s the rare side that can outshine any main course.
INGREDIENTS
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4 ears of corn, husked 4 tablespoons high-smoke- point oil, such as canola or vegetable 1 large shallot, thinly sliced 1/2 red chili (such as Fresno) or jalapeño, thinly sliced
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1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 ounces fresh cotija cheese (or feta), crumbled
1/4 cup cilantro
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Salt and pepper, to taste
CAMPING CANADA CONFEDERATION DAY
DIRECTIONS
FIREWORKS HAMBURGER HOCKEY LACROSSE LEAF MAPLE PARADE PARLIAMENT
CAMPING CANADA CONFEDERATION DAY FIREWORKS
1. Heat grill to medium. 2. Brush corn with 2
3. Cut kernels off cob and
HAMBURGER HOCKEY LACROSSE LEAF
MAPLE PARADE PARLIAMENT
combine with shallots, chilis, lime juice, cheese, and remaining oil.
tablespoons oil and grill until visibly charred, 10–12 minutes.
4. Season with salt and pepper, garnish with cilantro, and serve.
3 604-532-9625 •
23008 Fraser Highway Langley, BC V2Z 2V1 604-532-9625 www.lewismaclean.com
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THIS ISSUE
Stay Cool and Safe in the Summer Take Your S’mores to the Next Level 3 Air Conditioning Myths That Are All Hot Air 3 Great Ways to Use Vinegar That Actually Work
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Charred Chili-Cheese Corn Must-See Swimming Holes
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Secret Swimming Holes of the World
EXCLUSIVE SPOTS YOU MUST SEE TO BELIEVE
Summertime is for swimming, but why settle for a community pool when you can have access to the most beautiful swimming locales in the world? These three exclusive, little-known spots are sure to take your breath away. Hali’i Falls, Hawaii With its spiral staircase of waterfalls, this remote jungle location offers up more than one unique spot to take a plunge. Visitors never fail to be awestruck by the deep blue-green hue of each pool created by the four cascading waterfalls. Hali’i means “to spread out,” which is precisely what each waterfall does, showcasing a serene experience unlike any other. But the beauty of this one-of- a-kind experience is only outdone by its exclusivity. To reach these pools, you’ll have to hike through dense forest, deep marshes, and wide-open pastures of sugar cane. Dos Ojos, Mexico The Spanish translation of the name for this magical system of caves is “two eyes,” and you’ll want to have yours checked after you see this swimming hole. When limestone bedrock collapses, a sinkhole called a “cenote” is formed. The unearthed water from the natural aquifer balances a colour palette of earth tones with the
most majestic shades of blue you’ll ever behold.
The calling cards for these bodies of water are the Blue Eye and the Black Eye. Both offer unforgettable experiences, but the price of entry is a hefty sense of adventure. You’ll need a full set of scuba gear to get to either hole. The Baths, Virgin Gorda A day in the Caribbean is like living every moment inside a beautiful pastel painting. The elegance of this location in the British Virgin Islands will make you feel like you’ve been transported into a cathedral. The large boulders and natural rock formations create shallow caves that will captivate your eyes as you wade through the water in wonder. When you exit, you’ll witness the sight that gives this beautiful spot its name: A handful of 40-foot granite boulders form private pools as if that was what they were made for.
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