Monthly Archives: September 2022

Leaky Faucet? Tips On How You Can Fix Minor Problems (3)

September 30, 2022   Matt

Leaky Faucet? Tips On How You Can Fix Minor Problems

Did you know that the squeaking you hear from your pipes is the hot water causing the pipe to expand? This and more great plumbing information is provided in this article. If you are looking for clear and concise information, then read the tips we have provided below.

If you are starting a plumbing project due to a leak be sure to tighten all the nuts first. Loose areas are the number one cause for leaks. If after tightening all nuts in the area you find that the leak continues, it is then time to search for possible holes.

Set the temperature on your hot water heater to a temperature that does not exceed 120 degrees. This helps to save energy and prevents the water from becoming too hot and potentially scalding someone in your household. Older models that do not have a temperature setting should be set on Medium.

If you are the kind of person who likes to listen to music when you work, then you should be sure to avoid using headphones. A radio is a much smarter choice, as it will allow you to hear the music you want, without distracting you from hearing important sounds.

Insulate all of the pipes in your home that run along an exterior wall to prevent them from freezing. This step is not going to cost you a lot of money, but it is going to save you quite a bit of damage by preventing pipe freezes. It is easy and cheap to do and should be done as soon as possible.

You need to winter-proof your house. You have to make sure you switch of the master circuit breaker or the shut-off valve before you leave your house. Since one small hole or congested water can quickly freeze and cause pipes to break and expand, you need to drain and open all outdoor and household water lines.

If you have plumbing pipes that are exposed, meaning you can see them as you walk through your basement, you should take the time to insulate them. This can be done easily by wrapping them with foam tubes that slide right over the pipes. This will prevent any damage due to freezing.

Run your washing machine when it has a full load of clothes so that you can maximize the efficiency of the water that you use. You do not want to waste water, as this will lead to a higher water bill and can cause wear and tear to your machines internal components.

Is your toilet leaking? Find out by putting some food color in the tank and then check the bowl later. If there is colored water in the bowl, the toilet has an internal leak. To fix an internal leak you can simply replace the tank’s ball or flapper.

In conclusion, you now know what causes the squeaking noise from your pipes, as well as a lot more information. Use this guide as the best way to take care of any plumbing issues that might come up. Hopefully, you were able to comprehend the advice given and will be able to fully utilize it whenever needed.

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How To Properly Handle A Plumbing Problem (2)

September 28, 2022   Matt

How To Properly Handle A Plumbing Problem

At this moment in time, what more could you want than the best plumbing tips. You currently are having an issue at your house and want to know how to take care of it quickly and efficiently. Take the advice in this article and you should be in great shape.

For the most effective plunger to use on a toilet, choose one with a flange that sticks out from the end and fits into the hole in the bottom of the bowl. These typically work better than the classic cup-style plungers, since they create a tighter seal in the drain.

Sometimes kitchen sinks can be clogged up due to a slow accumulation of solidified grease. One quick fix for this is to try pouring very hot grease down the sink, which will liquefy the grease clogging the drain and carry it down. Water won’t work, because grease will not dissolve in water.

Remove all foreign objects from your drain, before you clean the area with chemicals. These objects include all kitchen utensils, fruit pits and certain types of metal objects. These cannot be flushed down your drain and could damage your unit significantly, if you put them through the garbage disposal.

When concerned with plumbing, you need to know what can cause noisy pipes. This is important because it can mean the difference between an annoying noise and flooding in your house. Do your research to distinguish between the different noises and hire a professional if any serious risk is posed.

Plumbing is something that can be done as a hobby, or as a way to make some extra money. If you feel that your skills have progressed a good deal, then you could consider using it is as a way to supplement your primary income by helping out neighbors and co-workers.

If water backs up from one sink to another, it is because the lines are connected. The part of the branch line for one device might be higher than another, but most likely there is also a blockage in the branch line connecting the two devices as well. This blockage must be cleaned.

Call different plumbers before choosing one. Plumbing prices among professionals are not uniform. Before you hire someone to fix a major problem, call two or three other plumbers to see what their prices are like. This can be difficult if you have a major plumbing problem that you need solved right away, but will save you money in the end.

Keep an eye on the hoses for your dishwasher and washing machine. These hoses can leak and bulge, which can be a problem. Check them for signs of wear and tear and replace any hoses more than 10 years old. You’ll find that these hoses age well, but you have got to make sure they are doing the job they should.

To summarize, you are looking for the best advice available, when it comes to taking care of plumbing issues that might arise in your house. The cost that it would take to hire somebody might not be something you can deal with right now. Hopefully, the tips in this article will prove to be beneficial and point you in the right direction.

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Ventless Gas Fireplace – Taking Care Of Yours

September 26, 2022   Matt

Ventless Gas Fireplace – Taking Care Of Yours

Efficient operations of a ventless gas fireplace can be expected only by regular maintenance of a fireplace. You should have a certified chimney sweep inspect and clean the chimney as and when necessary. It is a good idea to learn how to inspect it on your own as well and keep checks at regular intervals. The chimney should be checked at least once a year or after approximately eighty fires. A chimney brush can be used to keep the chimney free from creosote build-up.

There is a good amount of precautionary measures which should be taken during the inspection and cleaning process of a fireplace. Make sure that all ventless gas fireplace fittings are tightened securely and completely extinguish the fire before cleaning. Make sure the chimney is cold along its length.

Glass doors may produce tough stains from flames and heat. These stains can be cleaned by using a glass cleaner available at ventless gas fireplace stores. In order to shine brass fireplace utensils and fittings, Worcestershire sauce and a toothbrush may be used. The firebox is the area where the logs burn. It should be cleaned at least once a week during the months in which it is being used most. It is a good idea to leave an inch of ash while cleaning as it acts as insulation for the coal to heat up faster and easily retains the heat.

An exterior slate hearth can be made to shine by washing, drying and coating it with lemon oil while exterior brick hearths can be cleaned by making use of a brick cleaner available at a ventless gas fireplace shop. A chimney cap should be used to prevent damage due to water, nesting of birds and carbon monoxide entering the house.

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Landscaping Help – Factors to Consider Before Starting

September 25, 2022   Matt

Landscaping Help – Factors to Consider Before Starting

Feeling lost and needing help with landscaping terminologies? Actually, the concept is simple although the outcome can range from plain to atypical. It really depends on what the client wants and how far can the person doing the landscaping venture into in terms of design.

Landscaping can be considered as an art and also a science because it requires meticulous planning, design and keen observation. The landscaper should be aware of the environment, the plants that would grow and wouldn’t survive in the place and the conditions of so many other elements, including the weather, wherein the project is to be done before one could sit on a plan and start acting it out.

Modifying the land’s features is what the landscaper’s concern should be. But what are the elements that he should consider first before even coming up with a blueprint of what has to be done? Here are some.

Gardening
This is a vital step in landscaping because it can make or break the project. The flora and fauna factors would actually be the main focus once the modification is done because it will give the area its life and, of course, beauty.

But the landscaper should be attuned as to what kinds of plants grow in the place. It would be useless to buy all sorts of plants or even the most exotic flowers if they wouldn’t survive in the type of condition where the project is to be done.

In this case, the landscaper could ask suggestions from the clients what they would like to see in the landscape, but in the end, one must choose wisely as to what are the viable plants that could be part of the whole scheme.

Natural Elements
A good landscaper should first seek out the area for its natural elements before proceeding with a plan. Sometimes, the real beauty of the land can already be seen and would only need slight changes.

One should first inspect the land formations in the area, look at the terrain shapes and also the elevation of the place. It is also recommended to first see what sources of water the area could have so that if there’s none, something could be done to make it available.

Human Elements
These refer to the man-made components in the area where the project is to be laid out. The reason for this could be that the landscaping to be made can be implemented in a way that it complements its surroundings, like what are the structures adjacent in the area, or the buildings neighboring it and fences nearby.

In the long run, what surrounds the vicinity where landscaping is to me made is vital for its maintenance so it is really a must to consider such before heading out the planning stage of the development.

Abstract Elements
One need not be a weather guy to be accustomed with that kind of information in the area where the project needs to be developed. But weather is an imperative part of the research before anything could be started.

The weather that the place is usually getting will help the landscaper decide what type of plants is to be selected in the process. One could also have an idea for other structures to be done in the plan, especially if the place is either wet or dry most of the time.

Now, with all these in mind, the process is about to begin. One could already draw out a plan by considering all the landscaping help mentioned and begin the task.

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Plumbing Newbie? Tips And Tricks That You Should Know (3)

September 23, 2022   Matt

Plumbing Newbie? Tips And Tricks That You Should Know

Ah, plumbing. There are just so many ways to define it as it doesn’t mean the same thing to everybody. There are also so many ways that somebody can improve upon their own system at home. With so many ways to do things, you are probably wondering where you can begin. Try beginning with the tips below.

Don’t overlook the hair dryer trick for frozen pipes. If you have external pipes that are exposed, a simple hair dryer will get them back into working order. Make sure that you do not attempt it if there is pooling water in the area. Space heaters are useful for frozen pipes that are in the walls.

A great time to check your plumbing shut-off valves on sinks and toilets is when you turn off the main valve before leaving your home for an extended period of time. You can check to make sure they’re all functioning well and none of them are leaking, saving you from problems when you return.

Check your gas water heater periodically to make sure the pilot flame is lit. The correct color for this flame should be blue. The tip of the flame should be yellow. If you find that you are only seeing a yellow flame, you may need to call a professional for safety reasons.

The most common culprit in a running toiler is the flapper or the ball assembly. Both of these are easily replaced so check on these before running to call a plumber. If you have mineral deposit buildup in the tank, a try vinegar, boiling water and baking soda to help remove it and get your toilet back in tip top shape.

Some people have problems with their plumbing system in that the pipes sweat and drip condensation. You do not have to hire a plumber to take care of this nuisance. You can purchase self-adhesive drip tape from your local hardware store. This drip tape will insulate your “sweating” pipes which are dripping with moisture built up from condensation. To make sure the tape sticks firmly, dry the pipe thoroughly before applying the tape.

When having a consultation about a job with the plumber, take the opportunity to get to know them andtheir business better. Ask about their experience with the type of job that you are wanting to have done. Being comfortable with your contractor is important. They may be spending significant amounts of time in your house depending on the complexity of the job. You want to be convinced that they’re up to the task.

Sometimes in the case of minor and or major emergencies we all have to become Mr. Fix it ourselves. If you’ve got blockage in your drains the first step is to try a commercial de-clogger like Drano. Simply pour it down the drain, wait ten minutes, and presto, your drain should be clear.

Yes, plumbing is quite a subject in that it is completely subjective by it’s very definition. No two people view plumbing the exact same way. What one finds useful to their system, the other may not. These tips should have given you some advice on how to start with your own plumbing.

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Benefits And Dangers Of Chlorine In Showers, Pools, And Cleaning Products

September 21, 2022   Matt

Benefits And Dangers Of Chlorine In Showers, Pools, And Cleaning Products

For the past few years, many people have been alarmed
with the surfacing news about the possible dangers of
chlorine. The news was backed by many clinical
researches and studies on tap water. Experts and
researchers stressed the fact the there are dangers of
chlorine in showers, pools, and cleaning products.
However, people should also not forget about the
benefits of chlorine.

Before you look into the dangers of chlorine, you
should first know what chlorine is. Every home has a
shower room and quite a few have swimming pools too.
It is also a must to maintain the home’s cleanliness
by using cleaning products. Since you’re exposed to
chlorine everyday of your life, it would help a lot if
you know substantial info about chlorine.

Chlorine is used for different purposes. It is one of
the elements found in cleaning products and aside from
that it is also used in pool sanitation. The gas form
of chlorine is poisonous. You will note that chlorine
has a strong odor and when the liquid form us
released, it immediately turns to a hazardous gas.
Just try to imagine your pool filled with that
element; you will surely have second thoughts about
dipping in it even for a few minutes, right? But you
must know that the chlorine present in pools and
showers is already extremely diluted.

Public pools make use of more chlorine as compared to
private pools. Even if they have high chlorine
content, public pools are much safer. Chlorine is a
powerful cleaning agent. Private pools usually have
lower chlorine content because less people swim in it
and so there is fewer bacteria.

If chlorine is used properly, you will benefit a lot
from it. It can disinfect the water that flows from
your faucet and it can kill the bacteria present in
the pool. The house will also be kept clean and free
from germs and other bacteria. However, things can
suddenly turn unpleasant if you are overexposed to
chlorine.

Homeowners should be advised that chlorine is a
dangerous compound. Many years ago, it was used as a
poisonous substance. It can destroy your respiratory
system and if you inhale its concentrated form, you
will not be able to breathe. Chlorine is not explosive
but if you mix it with other compounds like ammonia or
turpentine, it can become combustible. Be very careful
when mixing cleaning products. You see, if you have
chlorine bleach at home, don’t try to mix it with
other household cleaners because it can turn into a
dangerous gas.

You can’t avoid using chlorine everyday. However, with
the right practice, you can use the element to your
advantage. Make sure that you keep all your household
cleaners in a safe place. The same thing should be
observed when storing your sanitation supplies for the
pool. You have to ensure that children can’t reach it
to avoid any accidents in the future. When using the
household cleansers or the pool cleaning supplies, you
should wash your hands thoroughly afterwards and
before preparing your meals.

There is always a good side and bad side; that is also
true with chlorine. If you use if properly, you can
enjoy its benefits but if you use it unwisely and
carelessly, your health will pay the price so be aware
of the dangers of chlorine in showers, pools, and
cleaning products.

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