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Photoelectric Smoke Alarms

$12.99 Can save your life Buy Smoke Alarm here today

I had a devastating fire in my home in the West Nine Laguna Niguel, California in 2003. I returned home after work to find the yellow police tape lines around my front door and piles of charred wreckage. This incident has left me with a fear of fire during the night. Every month I test our smoke detectors and annually change the batteries before I put up the Christmas tree.

At Laguna Niguel preview today I learned valuable information from Bill Parker, of  Home Inspection Services that my older ionization alarms might not be good enough or fast enough to warn us to wake up and get out in a fire.

I purchased four photoelectric alarms today because they detect smoldering fire, and smoke much faster than the ionization type. They cost two dollars more. I’m suggesting you don’t throw away your older battery powered smoke alarms in each bedroom and each floor level, but add the photoelectric ones in every bedroom. California law requires sellers of homes to add carbon monoxide detectors. These can be mounted behind doors that are usual left open during the daytime to not have quite so many additional white plastic Frisbees in your bedrooms.  

You may have the type that is hard wired into the home’s electrical system. Smoke alarms are powered by battery or they are hardwired. If the smoke alarm is powered by battery, it runs on either a disposable 9-volt battery or a non-replaceable 10-year lithium (“long-life”) battery. A backup battery is usually present on hardwired alarms and may need to be replaced. You might need assistance in installing the newer hard wired alarms, but I’m pretty handy and there are videos on utube to do everything from install a new toilet to making rocket fuel. I am not suggesting you are a licensed contractor or have the skill set to take this on yourself, but it isn’t difficult.

These batteries must be tested on a regular basis and, in most cases, should be replaced at least once each year (except for lithium batteries).

A few tips on housekeeping:

Test the alarms monthly, Replace the batteries at least once per year. The entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced every 8 years.

The ionization alarms are sensitive to shower steam or cooking smoke where the photoelectric ones are not. Statistics on deaths in fires show that even though an alarm was present, often the unit did not sound off because of dead battery or disconnected alarm because of the constant screaming sound when they fry food, or their teen takes a thirty minute shower.

( In a smoldering fire, a photoelectric smoke alarm outperforms the ionization type by sounding much quicker.. The other reason is that ionization smoke alarms will outperform photoelectric alarms in the event of a fast moving fire. The faster reaction time can be measured in tens of seconds, but in the event of a fast moving fire, these are precious seconds. )

Smoke alarms are an inexpensive investment and can save your family’s life.

 

 

 

$549,000. Single Family Home Deal

 1950's single level single family home. I believe this is a deal as a two year hold because of the development occuring on both sides. This is an area of San Juan Capistrano that was once rural small family farms but today is a mixture of one and two million dollar ranch houses and commercial property. 32221 Del Obispo is directly across the street from Armstrong nursery and the old Cook's Barn (now gone) This has a large useable lot. Has some nice older growth trees in the front yard. Older hardwood flooring 3 bedrooms and one full bath, one sort of bath. 16200 square foot pie shaped lot.

Listed by Manuel and Judy here is more information: Manuel Adame MLS # s720598

http://www.ochomesonline.com/32221-Del-Obispo-San-Juan-Capistrano.html

 

Downfalls of the property:

Traffic noise as is fronted on a busy street with no curbs and gutters. Eventually one would expect the city will make the neighbor properties that have subdivision maps recorded put in the curbs gutters and sidewalks. City Planning may require the owners on both sides to complete it through... a major lawsuit was won by the neighbor against the city regarding installing drainage which is underway today. Subject house needs: new roof ( cost estimate: $9000- 10000) paint inside and out (cost $5000) french drain and grading to the rear of the house (estimate: $ 8000) one can assume as in everywhere in Orange County there are termites and dryrot (unknown total cost guess: $4500) I might also assume or guess that property will be off septic and able to tie in when the neighbors move their construction along. PS must love the sound of roosters in the morning :) $ 549,000. fixer house for sale Orange County California

 

chain link fence installed in front of failed wooden fence

Big driveway is gravel compacted. Two car garage

 

 

 

Rear yard. A small backhoe could widen this area, move the retaining wall back three feet, add french drain underneath to flow out around the house.  Gas lines appear to be in the front, but contact gas company and county for other lines

hillside slope of neighbor property

view of subject from up gravel driveway

 Roof view appears replaced in last couple years but there is damage indicating it leaks

another slope view

gas meter by mailbox

 

I love San Juan Capistrano. The house has a view of the San Juan Capistrano Valley, mountains and an ocean peek view. Old town San Juan has become charming and many historic houses have fabulous gardens and Spanish architecture. You can walk to trails, walk to Old Town or Main San Juan for dinner. This could be a charming single family home, with $27,500 it needs to make it comfortable, and $ 20000 in fountains and landscaping. OR hold it until the neighbors build the tracts with one to two million dollar houses next door. OR get a zoning variance to make it something commercial. I think it is a deal for someone with creativity. The bargain is in having $150000. cash for the 20% down plus the repairs needed.

 

Orange County California real estate deals as of 2/10/2013 this property is still for sale. Was in escrow and fell out.