PAMA Animation: Awnings Save Homeowners Cooling Costs
RV Awning Recalled
Rvnewsservice.com recently published an article about a recall on certain powered awnings made by Dometic Corporation of Indiana. Potentially 27,000 RV owners could be effected. Read the entire article here.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, did we forget the “day that will live in infamy”?
Today is the “day that will live in infamy” or so we were told by President Roosevelt that cold fateful December day in 1941. He believed it whole-heartedly as the whole country did when he said it. It has only been 71 yrs. and we seem to have forgotten. September 11th may have overshadowed this event as it was only 11 yrs. ago but are we so busy that we can’t take time to remember the thousands that died or were injured on this very important day. There are still people living that remember this day pretty clearly and yet, locally, little is mentioned on the news media outlets. In actuality, December 7th 1941, is one of the most important days in US history. The attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor, launched the US into WWII changing the world dynamic forever. So let’s remember our heroes, our survivors, and our freedom by flying our flags at half staff today and every December 7th. Let’s show them we haven’t forgotten and teach the new generations not to forget!
Kaplan’s is Partnering with the Applebee’s to honor our Veteran’s.
Do you think that our veterans deserve a free US flag? Here at Kaplan’s Enterprises, we definitely think so! That is why we are partnering Applebee’s in Allentown on Motel Drive (Off Airport Road), to honor our veterans. For the past several years, Every Veterans Day, Applebee’s invites vets and active duty military to come have a meal on them. It’s their way of saying thanks for the service. So we are joining Applebee’s Thank You Movement to honor our veterans. Guests will be asked to show one ore more of the following as proof of Service: a U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, a U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, a photograph in uniform, or wearing a uniform in person. These Military Veterans and Active-Duty Service Members will be able to eat FREE at Applebee’s from their selected menu http://www.applebees.com/veterans-day-menu AND will receive a complimentary US flag, compliments of Kaplan’s on Veterans Day, Sunday, November 11, 2012.
Join the movement yourself http://www.applebees.com/thankyoumovement and say thanks to all those that currently serve and have already served this great country.
credits: applebees.com
What is Veteran’s Day?
On November 11th 1918 Germany and the Allies signed an armistice agreement effectively ending the “Great War” or as it was know as “The war to end all wars”. One year later President Woodrow Wilson gave an eloquent speech praising the soldiers for their pride and heroism and exclaiming the debt of gratitude that was owed to the veterans for the extreme sacrifices they make during the war. Thereafter celebrations were held every year on the anniversary of the armistice, the concept of the celebration of Armistice Day expanded to many other countries in Europe over the next decade.
In 1926 Congress officially designated November 11th as the day of celebration of peace and understanding among all the nations throughout the world. In 1938 Congress made Armistice Day a national holiday dedicated to world peace.
President Ike Eisenhower signed the document declaring November 11th to be a day of recognition to honor the Veterans from all wars.
There is a marked difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
Memorial Day is a national holiday to recognize and honor the soldiers who have given their lives in the service of our country. Veterans Day is a national holiday recognizing the accomplishments and work of all the soldiers who have fought in war and to recognize the debt owed by the citizens of our country to all the veterans of those wars. There is also a special recognition of the debt owed by the citizen of the United States to those soldiers who have been injured or maimed in the service of their country.
Credit to US Flagmaker
DIY —take down your own awnings.
As we are moving into the Autumn season and the weather is getting cooler, it is definitely time to take down your awning. You do NOT want to leave it up too long or you may need much more repair after a winter storm. For those of you who would like to do this on your own, here is a great checklist for the DIY-er.
To take it down:
- Only take it down when weather permits.
- Make sure that your awning is completely dry. Mildew is a fabric’s greatest foe, and is caused by dampness. Mildew may grow on the surface of a damp awning and permanently stain the fabric.
- Brush top and underside of the awnings clean by simply brushing with a clean household broom.
- Don’t force or yank the awnings when raising or lowering them. Do it gradually.
Once you take it down.
- Don’t drag your awning across any abrasive surfaces, such as cement, asphalt or the awning frame.
- Check your seams. Over the winter, is a great time to do any necessary repairs to the awnings. That way you won’t have to worry about them opening during the time in storage or even worse, during the next awning season. You can bring it in to Kaplan’s for professional repairing if you’d like.
- Clean your awning. Brush it off with a broom and spot clean it. You can use a mild soap, but rinse thoroughly and immediately. Special cleaners and protestants are available. Don’t wash your awnings with a harsh or strong solution, or scrub too vigorously with an abrasive cleaner. Don’t pressure wash it.
Here is our awning care page for more ideas.
It’s that time of year—take down your awnings.
It is coming to the end of the summer and it is time to consider scheduling your awning removal. We will not AUTOMATICALLY remove any awnings. You must CALL to have your awnings removed..
WEATHER PERMITTING…
Removal will begin UPON REQUEST and will continue until servicing is complete.
- If you need to have your awnings taken down by a certain date, a minimum 3 weeks notice is required specifying the date.
- We will only take down awnings when they are dry – otherwise they may become moldy if stored wet. Our schedule may change due to Mother Nature.
- We do try, over the winter, to do any necessary repairs to the awnings we service. We will contact the customer for authorization if there will be a charge
Storm clean-up-what does that mean for your awning?
Did you know that usually your awning is covered under your home owners insurance? Check with individual insurance companies to confirm the coverage provided by their policies. However, most companies follow similar standards of protection for homeowners. The following perils are commonly covered:
- Fire or lightning
- Windstorm or hail
- Explosion
- Riot or civil commotion
- Damage caused by aircraft
- Damage caused by vehicles
- Smoke
- Vandalism or malicious mischief
- Theft
- Volcanic eruption
- Falling object
- Weight of ice, snow or sleet
- Accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam from within a plumbing, heating, air conditioning, or automatic fire-protective sprinkler system, or from a household appliance.
- Sudden and accidental tearing, cracking, burning, or bulging of a steam or hot water heating system, an air conditioning or automatic fire-protective system.
- Freezing of a plumbing, heating, air conditioning or automatic, fire-protective sprinkler system, or of a household appliance.
- Sudden and accidental damage from artificially generated electrical current (does not include loss to a tube, transistor or similar electronic component)
Notice how many of these items can pertain to your awning? Don’t put off fixing your awning during clean up. So ask about your policy including your awning when you call your insurance company for clean up after a storm.
Retractable awnings: Wind, rain and snow oh my!
We all know the benefits for retractable awnings, right? We have all seen you-know-who’s commercial for them. At Kaplan’s, we don’t sell that particular brand but we do sell high quality, MADE in USA, retractable awnings. Kaplan’s carries the following brands of retractable awnings: Sunair, Perfecta, Eastern and Craftbilt. They are custom made sizes and colors as well as other accessories such as being motorized or with automated sensors.
Retractables give you the advantage of having shade when you want it. With motorized or manual operation, you can shade your deck on those hot sunny days or keep the awning rolled in when it’s cloudy and a shaded area is not needed. Kaplan’s only sells motorized retractables with a manual override. That way if the power goes out, you can still roll in your retractable awning.
We have had a crazy year with high temperatures, high winds and rain that seems to come down in buckets; so here are some guidelines:
TOP 6 SITUATIONS WHEN YOUR RETRACTABLE AWNING SHOULD BE ROLLED IN:
1. If you see Benjamin Franklin walking by with a key on his kite.
2. If a cow followed by the Wicked Witch of the West goes by.
3. If it is literally raining cats and dogs.
4. Anytime the Emergency Broadcast System interrupts your favorite TV show or radio song.
5. If you are switching channels and you happen to catch the weather man utter the words “golfball sized hail.”
6. If you have to resist the urge to run to the store to stock up for supplies as you hear a nor’easter is on its way.
But seriously, if you aren’t comfortable in the existing weather conditions it seems only wise to retract your awning. We are confident in the quality of our retractable awnings to withstand light wind loads that but if your book or newspaper seems like they are trying to fly away in freedom, you should roll it in. The awning should always be retracted in heavy rains, thunderstorms or windy conditions. Retractable awnings are not designed to be rolled out for long periods of time. In fact, we recommend that unless you are sitting under the awning or are nearby, you keep the awning retracted (rolled in).
The basic rule is plain common sense. If weather conditions prevent you from being outside, or it you feel the need to close your windows to prevent rain or wind damage, then the awning should be rolled in. And if you are unsure, roll it in, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Because, damage to your awning from inclement weather is not covered by the warranty!
Made in the USA
Do you know where the US flag that you bought was made? I would guess that you don’t. Most people don’t. It is quite a shame really, that we would buy a US flag not made in the US. It almost seems like we shouldn’t have to…it’s a US flag, right? WRONG! Lot’s of US flags are sold in the US that isn’t made in the US. At Kaplan’s, we only sell US flags made in the US. In fact, any item we can get from US manufactures, we do. Not from China, or Indonesia or any other “over seas” country. Just look in the tags, they say “made in the USA”
Hang them out proudly for the 4th of JULY.
Happy Independence Day!