Home & Auto Maintenance

Question 1

What utility uses up the most electricity in your house?

Answer 1

home heating systems

Home heating systems include your air conditioning or in-floor heating.

On average, this accounts for 31.1% of home energy consumption during winter months (in cold regions).

Question 2

What single appliance uses the most electricity in a household?

Answer 2

refrigerator

Studies show the refrigerator to use up about 30% of the electricity in your home.

Question 3

What part of a plug should you hold when removing it from an outlet?

Answer 3

the plastic housing

Question 4

What can happen with an electrical outlet when you plug in too many adapters at once?

Answer 4

electrical overload

Credit: Envato Elements

An electrical overload is a potential fire hazard which occurs when too much current passes through the connected electrical wires.

While most electrical outlets are protected by either fuses or circuit breakers to minimize the damage done by electrical overload, it is not advised to plug in too many adapters to one outlet at once.

Question 5

True or false:

A plugged-in device, that is turned off, is still connected to electricity.

Answer 5

TRUE

Try to unplug devices when not using them to make sure there’s no current flowing through. This reduces the risk of shock or fire incidents.

Always wear rubber gloves when trying to repair electrical equipment to minimize the risk of electric shocks.

Question 6

A ____ ________ occurs when an electrical current finds a way to bypass the appliance on a path that has little or no resistance

Answer 6

short circuit

A typical example is when frayed insulation bares a wire and allows it to touch the frame of the appliance, so the current can flow straight to the ground.

Fuses (and circuit breakers) are designed to “blow” so that the connection is interrupted to prevent electric shock and fire.

Question 7

True or false:

Cotton is the best material to wear as protection when dealing with electrical wires in and around your home.

Answer 7

FALSE

Cotton and linen are more likely to catch fire in the event of a spark. 100% polyester or wool is a safer choice.

Also remember to wear rubber gloves and shoes with insulated soles if working with electricity, as rubber is a non-conductive material that will help prevent the flow of current from the source to your body.

Question 8

The basic unit of measure of electric power is the _____.

Answer 8

watt

One thousand watts are called a kilowatt. Your electric utility bills you by the kilowatt-hour (kWh) – a unit of energy equal to one kilowatt of power sustained for one hour

Question 9

What type of panel is this?

Credit: Envato Elements

Answer 9

a circuit breaker box

(aka main service panel)

A breaker box is like a switchboard for all the electricity in a home or building. It receives power from the utility company and distributes it to all circuits connected to it.

(Breaker boxes are sometimes erroneously called a “fuse box” even though they are made up of circuit breakers, not fuses.)

Question 10

What’s the difference between a cable and a wire?

Answer 10

• A cable is an assembly of two or more wires in a single jacket.
• A wire is an individually insulated or bare conductor inside a jacket.

Question 11

What’s a cost-efficient DIY way to remove water stains on white walls?

Answer 11

Spray the spot with a bleach (10%) and water solution and wait 48 hours.

Wear safety goggles and protect walls and floors with plastic.

Question 12

When you’ve spilled paint on your carpet, pour ________ on a rag and scrub away the paint.

Answer 12

denatured alcohol

Make sure the rag is as close to the carpet color as possible as the alcohol can transfer some of the color.

Question 13

To remove crayon from a wall, dip a rag in ______ ____ and lightly scrub the marks.

Answer 13

baking soda

Question 14

Describe the four steps to unclog grease, fat, or oil from a garbage disposal (thereby removing the smell).

Answer 14

1. Pour baking soda into the garbage disposal
2. Pour vinegar down the garbage disposal
3. Wait up to 20 minutes
4. Wash away the mixture with hot water while running the disposal

Question 15

What kind of specialized tool can you use to dislodge a clog if a standard plunger fails to work?

Answer 15

a plumber’s snake

A slender, flexible tool to dislodge clogs in plumbing. It makes physical contact with the obstruction and pushes it through the drain, dislodging it.

Question 16

What type of wrench should you use when confronted with a bolt like this?

Answer 16

combination wrench

A combination wrench (or adjustable wrench/spanner) has a closed loop at one end, an open-ended at the other.

It is perfect to unfasten bolts with the box-end and then separate them using the open-end with ease.

Question 17

List the three-step process of cleaning a garbage disposal safely and effectively.

Answer 17

1. Grind ice cubes into the garbage disposal
2. Add baking soda to a bucket of hot water
3. Pour the mixture down the garbage disposal

Adding a few lemon peels, ginger, or deodorizing balls can help to freshen a garbage disposal with a bad odor - even after cleaning it.

Question 18

Most edible plants like vegetables and fruits need at least ____ hours of sun a day.

Answer 18

six

So if growing vegetables or fruit indoors, try to find the sunniest spot in your house!

Question 19

What’s a cost-effective way to tell if a plant needs water?

Answer 19

Stick your finger an inch (2,5 cm) down into the soil (one knuckle deep).

If it feels dry, add water.

Other ways are: check for wilting leaves, check the surface of the soil and feel if it’s dry, lift the plant container (if possible) to feel how heavy it is, or use a moisture sensor.

Question 20

The average yearly date that the last or first frost of the year occurs is called the ____ ____.

Answer 20

frost date

This date range ensures that you don’t plant too early or too late in the season so your plants will grow in most optimal conditions.

For example, flowers and tomatoes should be harvested before the frost date, whereas kale, cabbage, and turnips could actually benefit from frost and could thus be cultivated after the frost date.

Question 21

When plants need a quick stimulant, it’s best to use [liquid / granular] fertilizer.

Answer 21

liquid

This type of fertilizer shows results sooner than the slow-release granular fertilizer. It’s a better choice if you need to provide immediate nutrients to your plant.

Question 22

What would be the benefit of using a granular fertilizer versus a liquid one?

Answer 22

You don’t have to apply it as often as liquid fertilizer

Granular fertilizer is a slow-release fertilizer, meaning that it continues to dissolve and gradually absorb into the plant’s roots over time.

Liquid fertilizers, on the other hand, need to be applied more often because of their immediate nutrient absorption.

Question 23

How often do you have to use granular fertilizer for a lawn?

Answer 23

once a season

Granular fertilizer is a slow-release type of fertilizer, which gives the lawn nutrients over a long period of time.

Question 24

What might be a disadvantage of giving plants too much liquid fertilizer and causing a growth surge?

Answer 24

weak root growth

High and rapid plant growth without much root growth can make the grass and your plants more vulnerable to stress, pests, and disease.

Question 25

Name the **three most important** nutrients for plants.

Answer 25

1. Nitrogen 2. Potassium 3. Phosphorus ## Footnote * *Phosphorus* helps with tissue growth in plants and can often be found in compost * *Nitrogen* is often found in manure and helps plants produce sugars with sunlight & water * *Potassium* helps to regulate photosynthesis and can be found in vegetables and fruit Fertilizers often have these added to their mixture to ensure healthy plant life.

Question 26

What is the most **ideal soil** for plants?

Answer 26

loam ## Footnote Loam is a subcategory of topsoil with an optimal mixture of clay, sand, and silt. Loamy soil is the ideal soil for most garden plants as it holds plenty of moisture. It also drains exceptionally well so that the roots receive sufficient air.

Question 27

What **three common organic materials** can further improve soil's richness for plant growth?

Answer 27

1. Manure 2. Compost 3. Fallen Leaves ## Footnote Manure, compost, and fallen leaves produce nutrients for growing plants such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus. These stimulate tissue growth, improve photosynthesis, and the transportation of oxygen and water. The decomposition of these materials takes about 3 to 4 months.

Question 28

What are **two consequences** of low oil levels in a car?

Answer 28

car stalling and overheating ## Footnote When there is **no oil**, the engine stops working and is permanently damaged. If you wait too long with refilling the oil reserve, you will risk causing massive damage to the engine as parts of it will come into contact with each other at high speed, destroying each other in the process. Use a dipstick to check the oil level at least once a month.

Question 29

What is this common automobile accessory?

Answer 29

a tire pressure gauge ## Footnote To check car tire pressure: 1. Remove the cap from the air valve on the tire; 2. Press the tire gauge against the open valve stem; 3. Read the air pressure gauge; 4. Compare this number with the recommended pressure. A PSI of 32 to 35 is recommended for cars, while most trucks have a recommended PSI of 40. (PSI stands for "Pounds per Square Inch", referring to the amount of concentrated pressure.) Remember to only check the pressure when the tires are cold because hot tires affect the pressure. If you've driven recently, wait at least three hours before checking the tire pressure.

Question 30

What does this **warning light** mean on your car's dashboard?

Answer 30

brake system warning light ## Footnote When you see the light, make sure your handbrake is **completely** disengaged. If the light remains on, park somewhere and call roadside assistance as soon as it is safe to do so. Continuing to drive with a red warning light on your dashboard gets you a hefty fine, and your insurance won't cover accidents if the car is not in order.

Question 31

If your car's brakes are **squealing** whenever you brake, you probably need new \_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_.

Answer 31

brake pads ## Footnote The sound indicates the old brake pads are worn out and rubbing against the brake rotor.

Question 32

When you hear a **rattling** sound when you brake, you might need to replace your car's \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.

Answer 32

brake rotors ## Footnote This sound indicates the brake rotor might be worn out or is warped.

Question 33

What's the **most efficient** tool to keep your car battery free from corrosion?

Answer 33

wire brush ## Footnote You should use a solution of water and baking soda when cleaning with a wire brush. Ideally, you should be scrubbing the battery like this every two months as corrosion can build up quickly to damaging levels within a year.

Question 34

What does a **yellow engine light** mean, and what should you do if it appears on your dashboard?

Answer 34

A **warning** to get your **car engine checked** ## Footnote It is **not** an immediate danger, but a pressing reminder. Waiting too long to fix the issue could lead to damage to engine and a high bill of repair.

Question 35

When a tire is under-inflated, the resulting decrease in air pressure _[**increases / decreases**]_ the car's traction on the road?

Answer 35

**decreases** ## Footnote Driving with poor tire traction makes it difficult to turn and brake. It is especially dangerous on wet roads as the risk of spinning out of control is at its peak. Be sure to check your tire pressure regularly, and keep them properly inflated!

Question 36

How often should you check the **oil** of your car's engine?

Answer 36

**once** a month ## Footnote A sufficient engine oil level is crucial to keeping your engine in prime condition. If oil levels are too low, your engine will get permanently damaged as parts begin to grind against each other. Waiting until your "check oil" light appears might be too late to avoid engine damage.

Question 37

What's the **term** used for a **thin rod** you can put into the oil reserve to check how much is left in it?

Answer 37

dipstick ## Footnote Dipsticks have a measurement line on the rod itself. If the oil level is below that specific line, it's time to fill up the oil reserve again.

Question 38

When doing laundry, what is the **ideal temperature** when washing delicate fabrics or items that might shrink?

Answer 38

cold ## Footnote Also, to prevent delicate clothes from shrinking, do not put them in the dryer. Clothes will retain their quality for longer when air dried.

Question 39

How do you **prevent color fading** from clothes in the laundry?

Answer 39

* **Separate** whites and darks * Wash your darks in **cold water** ## Footnote Colors can bleed into other items of clothing in the same batch.

Question 40

What simple trick can you do to **prevent condensation and mold** from accumulating in spaces like window sills and cupboards?

Answer 40

place a small bowl of **uncooked rice** in that space ## Footnote Uncooked rice absorbs atmospheric moisture, preventing it from condensing on surfaces, which would otherwise lead to mold growth.