Latest news with #maintenance
CTV News
4 hours ago
- CTV News
Blue Line service to be interrupted over weekend for routine maintenance
Blue Line service will be interrupted over the June 28-29 weekend for routine maintenance. The Blue Line will be closed between 69 Street and Downtown West/Kerby this weekend for routine maintenance. Shuttle buses will replace CTrains and run every five minutes between stations, with a separate shuttle between Kerby and Sunalta. The city said on its website that it's using the downtime to inspect and do maintenance on tunnels, station repair work, cleaning and inspection, roof repairs at Shaganappi Point, electrical work, and other things as well. Full CTrain service will be back up and running early Monday, June 30. For more information, go here.
BBC News
19 hours ago
- Automotive
- BBC News
Humber Bridge tolls to go up later this year as new fees revealed
Tolls to cross the Humber Bridge will increase later this year, the bridge board has without an account will see the fee for a car rise from £1.50 to £2 with the cost for vans increasing to £5 and £15 for with an automatic payment HumberTag account will see prices increase from £1.35 to £1.50 for cars, with vans paying £4 and HGVs £ bridge's chief executive Andrew Arundel said the increase would go towards "ongoing maintenance". "Despite significant increases in the cost of operating and maintaining the bridge, the toll has remained frozen since 2012," Mr Arundel will continue to cross for free and the concession scheme for drivers with disabilities will continue. Patients on the south bank of the Humber Estuary travelling to Castle Hill Hospital for treatment will still be allowed to cross without paymentThe bridge board has given no date for the introduction of the increased tolls.A spokesperson said it was linked to launch of a new tolling system, called Humber Bridge Toll, which is expected to go live by late new system will mark the end of the toll booths with motorists required to pay via an app or the bridge's website, although there will be an option to use cash at designated payment to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
KiwiRail staff 'overworked' when machine derailed in Auckland, TAIC says
File pic Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone KiwiRail staff were "overworked and under supported" when a railway maintenance machine derailed at an Auckland tunnel, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) says. Three linked tamper machines came off the rails in Purewa Tunnel shortly after midnight on 9 November, 2023 after a section of track had been removed. A tamper is a railway maintenance machine that lifts and aligns track while compacting the ballast beneath the sleepers, to create a smoother path for trains. None of the crew or any track workers were injured, but the machine was badly damaged. The TAIC report, released on Friday, explained how train controllers and track officers were kept in the dark about a gap in the railway. The train controller, the worksite's rail protection officer for the worksite and four train crew members were all unaware of the report said the driver of the lead machine saw the missing rails but could not stop in time. "[The tamper] was unable to stop before driving off the end of the track and into ballast, where it travelled for 16.4 metres before stopping. The rear two machines were able to stop and remain on the track." Staff aware of the missing track did not properly communicate it to key personnel. "Safety-critical information about the removal of the track within the project area was not provided to the track protection team because the key staff who were responsible were absent," the report said. "Key staff were unsupported while working in safety-critical roles and had very high work volumes." In a statement, TAIC acting chief investigator of accidents Louise Cook said the accident was preventable. "There were no engineering protections in place - nothing automatic to stop a train or to warn that rails weren't in place. Engineering controls are more reliable than rules and procedures that govern human behaviour. "We've recommended KiwiRail require such protections wherever tracks are impassable - like in the Purewa Tunnel that night, where the track had been removed for repairs. "Authorisation for the rail movement relied on people applying rules and procedures. But those failed because safety-critical staff were overworked, and the people who knew the track was gone were unavailable and hadn't communicated crucial information." The commission recommended KiwiRail review and improve its process for authorising rail movements within worksites to ensure the safe movement of all rail traffic and personnel within protected work areas. The recommendations included the "verification of track integrity and the sharing of and access to safety-critical information". KiwiRail has also been called to review and improve its rules and procedures relating to track maintenance work. Lastly, it was being asked to review its national project management structure to ensure there was sufficient oversight of and ongoing support for all project staff. KiwiRail accepted all of the commission's recommendations. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
From cloths to cleaning tablets: how to make your coffee machine last longer
If you want your coffee machine and grinder to perform their best, morning, noon and (very ill-advisedly) night, you need to give them the care they deserve. Get into a routine of basic cleaning and low-cost maintenance, and they will run better and last longer, meaning fewer emails to the manufacturer's help desk or trips to a repair cafe – or worse, buying a new machine altogether. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. I've consulted two experts: Radu Bria at a man who's repaired more coffee machines than I've had flat whites. And Ben Young, a manager at Craft House Coffee. Here are their hard-earned tips, tricks and general advice for keeping your brewing equipment in tip-top condition so it lasts for years to come. Before we get into the nitty gritty, though, there are some general rules of thumb. Always read the manual There are a huge number of coffee machines and makers out there, and what works for one won't necessarily work for another. Before you start scrubbing, soaking or descaling any of your equipment, check the manufacturer's recommendations – and warnings – first. Unplug your machine If you're embarking on deep cleaning, then always remove that plug. Water and electricity do not make a pleasant brew. Use dedicated cleaning supplies Never, ever use your usual cleaning kitchen cloths and brushes. You don't want to contaminate your coffee with harmful or abrasive cleaning products. This sounds ridiculously simple, and it is: keeping your machine clean cuts down on a huge number of issues. Coffee splatters, sticky milk residue and wet coffee grounds can make your machine a grime magnet. They don't just look messy: they can block spouts and prevent your machine from working to its full potential. Both Bria and Young recommend regular, light cleaning over the occasional desperate deep clean. What you do depends on the type of machine (or maker) you have. The intricate internal design of an espresso or bean-to-cup machine will require a more fastidious approach than a simple filter coffee maker. A quick wipe-down goes a long way. Clean spouts, drip trays and milk frothers daily if used. Wipe the exterior of your machines regularly to prevent staining. If you have a fancy machine with a touchscreen or LCD display, then don't put harsh chemicals anywhere near it – use a general-purpose, nonabrasive cleaner. Steam wands are particularly prone to getting blocked with milk deposits, so ensure you wipe them with a dedicated damp cloth after every use. Do it before purging the wand with steam, though, or you'll bake the milk residue on to the wand. For automatic machines, ensure that every nook and cranny of the milk carafe is cleaned, scrubbed and soaked after every use to remove buildup and prevent tainting. If milk or coffee residue does end up getting caked on, then don't waste effort scrubbing, as it's incredibly sticky. Instead, use a dedicated coffee machine cleaner such as Urnex Cafiza or a milk system cleaner such as Urnex Rinza. These are available in liquid, tablet and powder forms, so pick the one that works best for your machine. For instance, many automatic bean-to-cup machines recommend cleaning tablets rather than powder, so check your manual before buying the wrong type. If your machine uses a manual steam wand, and the power seems a bit limp, then Bria's advice is simple: remove the steam tip, soak it and clear any blockages with a needle, paperclip or – technical term incoming – the little poky tool that came with your machine. If it's really baked on, then soak the tip in a milk cleaner solution. Either Urnex Rinza or Puly Caff will do a good job. It's worth noting that Urnex's Rinza comes in both alkaline and acidic formulas. Both can be used as part of a regular cleaning regime, but they're complementary rather than strictly interchangeable. The alkaline formula is best at removing all types of milk residues, including non-dairy alternatives, whereas the acidic formula is most effective at dissolving scale buildup – something which is particularly useful if you live in a hard water area. Urnex Rinza milk system cleaner, 1.1l £14.49 at Amazon Puly Caff milk frother cleaner, 1l £10.90 at Clumsy Goat According to Young, manual espresso machines require more regular care. Make sure to clean your portafilter with a dot of dish soap and a non-abrasive cloth after every use. If your machine has an auto-cleaning cycle, don't be afraid to use it regularly. More upmarket espresso machines equipped with solenoid valves (often found in machines costing upwards of £300 – if in doubt, ask your manufacturer) can be back flushed with espresso machine cleaner to remove internal coffee residue buildup. If you're doing regular cleaning, Young recommends Clean Express's group cleaning powder as a slightly cheaper option than Cafiza. Clean Express group cleaning powder, 900g £6 at Copper Coffee Roasters Urnex Cafiza cleaning powder, 566g £10.66 at Nisbets £11.99 at Amazon If you live in a hard water area, the mineral deposits can quickly cause limescale buildup and, over time, put your machine out of action. A simple jug filter will help (and potentially improve the taste of your brews). And some machines allow you to fit dedicated internal water filters: buying these in bulk can make it reasonably economical, and more convenient than having to keep a filter jug topped up. Brita Marella XL jug, 3.5l capacity £24 at Argos £18.99 at Amazon Peak water filtration starter pack £40 at Camden Coffee Roastery Some fancier machines provide a water pH testing strip: based on the results, they'll remind you to descale after a set period. Most machines, however, rely on you to remember. The easiest option is to put a reminder in your calendar. Consult your machine's manual for specific recommendations, and consider that your water hardness and usage levels will affect the required frequency. Using the right descaling method for your machine is essential – the manufacturer will usually recommend a specific type – as some products may damage the metal parts inside. We'd recommend using coffee-machine-specific descalers, such as Urnex Dezcal and Puly Cleaner powder descaler. Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion Alternatively, Young's top money-saving tip is food-grade citric acid. It's more affordable than pricey specialist products. It's safe to consume, and any residue is easy to detect. It works on more than coffee machines, too – it'll tackle limescale anywhere in the home. Whatever you do, don't attempt to make up for lost time by using more descaler than advised, as this may damage the machine. You want just enough to dissolve limescale; any more and it may start attacking metal parts, too. Always follow the instructions. Also, avoid using vinegar. Unless, that is, you're happy to risk tainting your machine permanently and potentially eating away the rubber parts and internal components. Rinse the machine through thoroughly after descaling. Run several cycles of clean water through before brewing another batch – you don't want it in your coffee. Urnex Dezcal, 900g £13.99 at Zoro £14.74 at Nisbets Puly Cleaner powder descaler £7.79 at Clumsy Goat £11.95 at Amazon Food-grade citric acid, 1kg £6.49 at Amazon A more hardcore option for real connoisseurs is a reverse osmosis (RO) filter, which you can plumb in under the kitchen sink. This has far faster filtration – water jugs are slow; tediously slow if you're uncaffeinated – and the dramatically larger and more effective filters in reverse osmosis filters may only need to be replaced every six months to a year. The downside is expense, and potentially the need to plumb in a dedicated tap. Another consideration raised by Young is that RO systems don't just remove the stuff you don't want – they also remove beneficial minerals, too, which can negatively affect the taste of your brews. You may need to consider adding a remineralisation cartridge to optimise coffee taste and keep your machines working well. Needless to say, unless your water quality is objectively terrible – or you're a certified coffee obsessive – this approach is akin to using a sledgehammer to crack a coffee bean. Waterdrop G2P600 water filtration system £269.99 at Waterdrop Whether it's a stand-alone grinder or a bean-to-cup machine, Bria urges owners not to forget about its maintenance. Oils from beans build up over time, and these can impede grinding quality and cause off flavours. If you're particularly partial to dark roast, oily beans, then your grinder will need more regular cleaning. Use a combination of stiff and soft brushes to clean the burrs, chutes and internal parts, and you'll help ensure that nothing gets clogged. Rhino grinder and bench tidy brush £16.99 at Coffee Hit Rhino steam wand and milk frother brush set £9.99 at Coffee Hit Every once in a while, a deeper clean is a good idea – but you don't have to dismantle the grinder. One easy option is to use cleaning pellets. Run through the grinder to remove stuck on coffee residue. Once done, flush by grinding some old coffee beans and discarding the grounds. If you have an automatic bean-to-cup machine, don't use cleaning pellets without consulting the manual or manufacturer first. As these kinds of machines automatically grind then brew, you don't want to end up brewing the cleaning powder (which expands upon contact with water) and clogging your machine. Crucially, keep an eye out for worn burrs. If the grind becomes uneven, and the coffee quality fades – for instance, if you find your brews suddenly becoming sour or bitter – then it might be time for new burrs. Some are easy to replace at home, but consult your user manual or manufacturer for advice. If in doubt, give your local coffee machine repair shop a call. Urnex Grindz cleaning tablets, 430g £26.38 at Nisbets £21.99 at Amazon Puly grinder cleaning crystals, 405g £21.99 at Bella Barista Good, fresh coffee can taste like all manner of wonderful fruits and flowers, nuts and chocolate, but if it's literally sprayed with flavouring, then that sticky stuff can ruin a good grinder. Please, don't do it. Or if you must, get the supplier to grind it for you. If you want coffee delivered to your door, check out our expert guide to the best coffee subscription services Sasha Muller is a tech and consumer journalist, avid coffee drinker and craft beer enthusiast with more than two decades of experience in testing products and avoiding deadlines. If he's not exploring the local woods with his kids, boring people talking about mountain bike tyres or spending ill-advised amounts on classic drum'n'bass vinyl, he's probably to be found somewhere swearing at an inanimate object
CNET
3 days ago
- CNET
A Dirty Robot Vacuum Means a Dirty Floor Here's What to Do
CNET Robot vacuums make life easier by handling one of the most tedious household chores: cleaning your floors. They dodge furniture, avoid cables, and even mop up messes without much help. But as smart as they are, they still need a little attention to keep doing their job well. After days or weeks of collecting dust, crumbs, and pet hair, these machines start to show signs of wear. Brushes get tangled, sensors get dirty, and charging contacts can stop working as smoothly. The good news is that with just a few minutes of routine maintenance, your robot vacuum can stay in top shape and keep your floors spotless for the long haul. Here's how to clean and care for it the right way. Specifically, you'll want to focus on the upkeep of its wheels, main brush and side brushes. I connected with Ryan Stocking, Roomba product manager at iRobot, via email to get some expert-approved tips for caring for your trusty robot vac. For more vacuum cleaning tips, check out these five ways to help your robot vacuum clean even better. There's also our guide to help you choose between buying a robot or a cordless vacuum, or the cheapest vacuums we recommend. Why do you need to clean your robot vacuum? Isn't the whole point of a vacuum that it does the cleaning? While it may be frustrating to have to clean your cleaning tool, regular maintenance has serious benefits; principally, increasing the longevity of your device's efficiency. We all know the feeling of firing up a once-great vacuum only to find it's become a relic of its former self, but there are ways to mitigate that. The lifespan of a robot vacuum varies depending on the frequency of use, floor conditions and importantly, user maintenance. With proper care and cleaning, your robot vacuum can last a long time, according to Stocking. Vacuum cleaners last about eight years, according to a Consumer Reports survey, but the lifespan can vary to 10 or more years based on how often you use your vacuum and how regularly you maintain it. If you're unsure of when to replace your vacuum, follow our guide for warning signs to know if it's time to buy or upgrade to a new one. How to clean your robot vacuum If you're unsure of where to start cleaning your robot vac, it's recommended that you reference the maintenance guide provided by the manufacturer. Your specific robot vacuum model may require specific care. There is a fairly uniform cleaning routine needed no matter the brand or style "Generally, maintenance includes cleaning or replacing air filters, inspecting and cleaning the brushes and rollers, and occasionally wiping down sensors located on the bottom of the robot, such as the cliff detect sensors and charging contacts," Stocking stated. Modern, Wi-Fi-connected robot vacuums can also provide maintenance tips and reminders via the companion app, even offering health status updates on various components, such as filters and roller brushes." Every so often, you'll need to deep clean your robot vacuum's brushes. Tyler Lizenby/CNET How often should you clean out your robot vacuum? Your robot vac likely came with a guide on the recommended frequency of cleaning procedures, so be sure to reference that first, but the timelines are usually straightforward and consistent from model to model. The frequency for robot vacuum maintenance procedures ranges: Daily: Emptying the bin, checking wheels for stuck debris. Emptying the bin, checking wheels for stuck debris. Weekly: Cleaning brush rolls and wheels. Cleaning brush rolls and wheels. Monthly: Charging contacts and cliff sensors; removing and deep cleaning the brushes. Stocking said iRobot specifically provides illustrated guidance on how to perform common maintenance procedures, which are also available in the iRobot Home App. Other robot vac brands like Dreametech, Roborock and Eufy also provide extensive usual manuals that cover how best you should upkeep and maintain your device. How to care for robot vacuum wheels When robot vacuum wheels get grimy, caked with dirt, or tangled with hair, they don't turn as well, which means your little machine won't move as efficiently and could even scratch your floors. To keep the wheels spinning, check for any threads or hairs wrapped around the axles at least once a week. If there's a buildup, you can use a utility knife or scissors to cut the debris free. Next, check to see if anything is stuck to the wheels. If you have kids or pets, you know there's no end to the sticky gunk that can potentially be run over and become caked to the bottom of a robot vacuum. If you find some, wipe the wheels down with a damp cloth. Clean wheels get better traction and prevent strain on the vacuum's motor, which will ultimately extend the life of your machine. If dusty, take a cloth to clean the underside and wheels of your robot vacuum. Tyler Lizenby/CNET How to clean a robot vacuum's main brush All robot vacuums -- whether it's a Roomba, Shark, Botvac or another popular brand -- have at least one main brush that pulls dirt, lint and hair into the dust chamber. Like the wheels, the main brush can get entangled with hair, strings and other debris. After every use, check the main brush and cut away anything wrapped around it. Be careful not to cut the bristles as you work. Once a month you should remove the main brush completely and hand wash it in warm water and mild dish soap. Give it a good rinse, then let it air dry fully before putting it back into the robot vacuum. How to care for the robot vacuum side brush Side brushes on robot vacuums are great at pulling debris from baseboards and can get hair tangled around them sometimes. Chris Wedel/CNET The side brushes on a robot vacuum are smaller than the main brush and are tasked with pulling debris into the main brush's reach. These smaller brushes will need some extra care to keep working well, too. After a while, you may notice that these brushes can become warped or even tangled. Luckily, you can straighten them back out without much effort. Here's a little hack I've worked out over the years: Simply heat the plastic bristles for a few seconds with a hair dryer set on high. Once they're warm, coax the bristles back into position with your fingers. Hold them in position for a few seconds until they cool, which will set them back in place. The bottom line Whether you work from home, travel frequently, live alone or with a family and pets, robot vacuums are a convenient addition to your daily cleaning routine. They can make life so easy, but only if you're willing to put in a little work each week to keep them running the right way. Simply put, a few minutes of extra maintenance every week or so will keep your robot vacuum humming along for years to come so you can make the very most of your robot vac investment. For more vacuum tips, explore the best Roomba alternatives to keep your floors clean and the best robot vacuum deals available now. You can also explore the proper way to vacuum your floor. Watch this: How to pick out a robot vacuum: Find the one that fits your needs and budget 13:21 More for your home
