Monthly Archives: January 2024

Solid Advice When It Comes To Plumbing (2)

January 06, 2024   Matt

Solid Advice When It Comes To Plumbing

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.

Do not place items in the toilets that do not belong there. For example, if you are a female, do not throw away sanitary pads or tampons in your toilet. This could cause severe damage to your toilet that could require a plumber, or even worse, a whole new toilet!

If you have minor ceiling stains from plumbing water damage that has been repaired, you might not have to repaint the entire ceiling. Try taking a solution of bleach and water and dabbing the area with a sponge to lighten them. Make sure you protect your hands and eyes when working over your head.

Coat your sinks with expanding foam to deaden sounds. If you have to sinks side by side, sounds will resonate strongly between them and create vibrations. This is not good for the pipes. The expanding foam will reduce the vibrations and protect your pipes. You might find it easier to apply foam before you install the sink.

If you are trying to decide on the material to use for your hose, stick with stainless steel. Stainless steel has a very solid construction and stays durable for many years, eliminating the need for replacement. Also, this material is less prone to bursting, which can yield severe plumbing issues.

If you have bad water pressure in the shower, the showerhead might be clogged. Take a plastic baggie, fill it with regular vinegar, and tie it to the showerhead so that the showerhead is covered. Leave it overnight. In the morning, take the baggie off and use a small toothbrush to scrub away any mineral deposits.

Make sure you shut off your main system before leaving your house for a few weeks. The water will stay in the pipes, but this should prevent any further damages in case a leak starts while you are away. Check that your shut-off valve is working properly before you leave.

Make sure any plumber that you hire can handle the type of job you have. There are many aspects to plumbing and many contractors can do almost all of them, but some are better suited to doing work involved in specific areas. If need a plumber for your septic system, get one that specializes in septic systems.

Every year, you should check your toilet tanks for leaks by pouring red food coloring into the tank. Leave it in there for an hour and check the toilet bowl water. If the water turns red, that means you probably have a leak and you should have it fixed soon.

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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12 Things To Know About Carpet Cleaning

January 04, 2024   Matt

12 Things To Know About Carpet Cleaning

Carpets, there in all of our homes. Of course it’s a given that at some point you will be doing some carpet cleaning. Here are 12 things to know about carpet cleaning that will make your life easier.
1. Toxic
Most of the products on the market for carpet cleaning are safe and will have a minimal impact on the environment. However some of the carpet cleaning products do contain toxic chemicals which can be hazardous to the person using them as well as other people in the house or pets. So be sure to read the labels carefully before using. Always try to choose a product with the least amount of chemicals and in the mildest you can find that will work.
2. Clean Often
It’s always best to clean your carpets on a regular basis. If you do not clean your carpets on a regular basis you will need to use a stronger chemical product because the dirt will have ground itself deeper into the carpet and it becomes more difficult to lift. Cleaning your carpets on a regular basis is easier on the environment, your health, and it will help extend the life of the carpet.
3. Use Caution
Read labels very carefully. Not only on the product but on any documentation provided with the carpet. Should you use the wrong product or a product with stronger chemical than your carpet can handle you could damage the carpet.
4. Hire The Pros
If you are not comfortable with cleaning your carpets yourself or you can’t be bothered to rent a carpet cleaning machine, drag it home, and get to work, then hire the pros! There are many professionals that will clean your carpets for a very reasonable fee and give you a guarantee on the work they do.
5. Installation
If you are laying new carpets chances are the reason you are doing this is because you want them to look appealing and accent the room while at the same time providing functionality. If you install the carpet poorly or install the wrong type of carpet for the area you will have a higher maintenance cost and the carpets will need to be cleaned more frequently. So make sure you choose the correct carpets. Regular vacuuming and spot removal will also lower your cleaning maintenance costs.
6. The Right Underlay
The underlay is more important than you might think and is directly related to carpet cleaning. You need to match the underlay to the type of carpet you will be installing. Carpet should not be placed in areas were water, chemicals or hard to clean products could be spilled on the carpet. Kitchens, copy rooms, lockers, and entrances to buildings are not a good location to place carpets because your carpet cleaning costs will be high. Poor grade underlay will affect how the stain soaks into the carpet and how difficult stain removal becomes.
7. Stop The Worst
The worst soiling on your carpets comes from outside. So if you stop outside soil from coming in contact with your carpet you will reduce the amount of chemical cleaners you will have to use. Place a large walking mat at all outside entrances Every few days you should vacuum the mats this will prevent soil from entering the carpeted areas of your home. Have visitors remove their shoes so that they aren’t dragging that loose dirt across the carpets.
8. Vacuum Often
Believe it or not daily vacuuming with a good vacuum cleaner that has good suction and a power head with a brush type power bar will help to eliminate soil build up and reduce the amount of times you will need carpet cleaning performed. That’s because the dirt gets picked up before it has a chance to get ground in and soil the carpet.
9. No Drinks
Limit the places you allow the kids to have drinks and messy foods. If you have young children make them stay seated while drinking. If you are really concerned about reducing staining then don’t let any family member’s family drink or carry soft drinks, coffee or other food items across the carpet.
10. Act Fast
If you can react to the spill immediately and any spots you see with a good spot remover you will help prevent stain from becoming permanent and it will save you having to use a carpet cleaner. Be careful what you use to remove stains because if you use the wrong chemicals you could smear the stain and spread it further and deeper into the carpet. Always first try clear cold water and blotting with a cloth to remove the stain and only move on to a stronger product only as a last resort.
11. Toxic Chemicals
You should know that carpet spot removal cleaning products contain some of the most dangerous chemicals found in any cleaning products. If you us these products be sure to wear gloves and use the cleaner according to the manufactures directions. Avoid all type 4 spot removers because they contain Tetrachlorethylene which is very toxic to people and pets.
12. Steam Cleaners
Steam or rotary cleaners for carpets use a fairly mild products so they are an excellent choice. But you can still misuse them so follow the directions carefully. If you use this type of cleaner you will have to be careful that you do not saturate the carpet with hot water because if you do it will take longer to dry and may result in damage to the carpet.
Some of the cleaners supplied with the machines you rent from the local store are highly toxic so be sure the room or rooms you are working in have a good supply of fresh air. Be sure to keep kids and pets off the newly cleaned carpets until it is dry because there is always a residue left on the carpets that can be harmful to kids or pets. Always let the carpets dry completely and then vacuum right after it is dry to remove any residual contaminants.
These 12 things to know about carpet cleaning that will make your life easier much easier and keep you on top of the carpet cleaning game.

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Ideas To Help You Achieve Your Home Improvement Goals

January 03, 2024   Matt

Ideas To Help You Achieve Your Home Improvement Goals

Most homeowner’s find themselves in need of repairs or home improvement at one time or another. Here are some handy tips to pass on! Hopefully, this will save you both time and money by doing it right the first time. Read on for some great advice.

When doing home improvements in the bathroom, make sure you use the proper caulking for the job at hand. If you do not use water proof caulking and only use water resistant caulking, you are headed for disaster. Water will seep in and rot the material leading to an expensive repair.

Get new tiling. If your tiling does not match your walls, or is cracking and becoming damaged, replacing it is a great home improvement project that is relatively simple and inexpensive. Stick-on floor tiles are available at many home improvement stores, and if you want to use the real ones, they are not too expensive either.

Get curtains for your home much wider than the actual window. While there are measurements of curtains to ensure the right fit, sometimes more is better when it comes to interior design. Getting curtains that are too large for the window in width will provide many folds that give the room depth and richness.

Stay true to the property and the neighborhood when you take on major renovations. If you live on a street of suburb ranch style homes, then putting in a colonial mansion is not going to get you the desired result you’re after. It will be out of place and not something anyone else will be willing to pay for later.

If you love to barbecue and have the space outdoors, consider an outdoor kitchen for your next home improvement project. The space requirements for this can be fairly large, but it will add significant value to your home and make your backyard a much more enjoyable place to relax and entertain guests.

If you are renovating your kitchen but need to spend less money, consider using laminate flooring and countertops. These synthetic options are generally much less expensive than wood, tile, or stone. They are also easier to care for. Many of these products are designed to closely mimic the natural products, so that the difference is only visible on close inspection.

Some home improvement project are easier than others. Be realistic about your level of skill before you tackle any home improvement project. Painting and wall paneling are good projects for beginners and can quickly transform a room. Plumbing and electrical projects are best left to qualified professionals unless you have experience in these areas.

Treat your wall to a dolly! No, not to a child’s toy but to a specially made anchor and toggle bolt! The shank of a dolly expands when you screw it tight. It can be used to hold a picture or other light object in place on the surface of a hollow wall where there is no underlying stud to nail to.

Are you ready to start? Remember ‘a penny saved is a penny earned.’ So, take the time to read ahead of time to avoid any unnecessary mistake. Use the tips provided above to help you save time and money.

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You Should Learn About Plumbing If You Own A Home

January 01, 2024   Matt

You Should Learn About Plumbing If You Own A Home

Clogged drains are a problem for several people, as substances like food particles, hair, and other blockage can make a sink or toilet overflow. With a little prevention and purchasing a product like Dran-O, you can try plumbing by yourself. Read this article for some tips on how to do plumbing yourself.

The next time you have a clogged drain, avoid the simple solution of dumping drain-clearing chemicals into the pipes. While this method involves the least amount of effort, the chemicals in these liquid cleaners are destructive to your piping. Instead, consider using a little bit of elbow grease with a plunger, snake, or other device designed to clear your clog without chemicals.

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.

Be sure that you check your pipes every year for rust. Many people do not remember to do this and end up with faulty pipes because of it. If you see that your pipes do have rust, corrosion, or mineral deposits, it is crucial that you have them inspected and fixed immediately.

Teach your children how to notice plumbing problems. Many parents handle plumbing issues without sharing that information with their children, who grow up not knowing anything about plumbing. Any time you make a small repair or notice a problem, call your kids in and explain what the problem is and what you are going to do. Educate them so they can make good decisions in the future.

Do not put cooking oils, fat, or grease, down your drain. These fats cause clogs by solidifying in pipes. To properly dispose of fats, put them in a bowl with a lid that you can dispose of. Once it gets hard, throw it in the trash or compost bin.

Always try plunging any clogged toilet or drain before snaking. Snaking can often push problems further down the pipe and make matters worse. A plunger uses nothing but your strength and water pressure to help clear clogs. For more effective plunging, boil some water and pour into the affected drain or toilet to help loosen things up before plunging.

Avoid the bursting of pipes due to the change in the temperature. You need to allow the flow of heat to reach under the sinks and into the pipes, you have to keep the cabinet doors of the bathrooms and kitchens open. It is important to keep water running at both hot and cold faucets along with vanities that are in close proximity to exterior walls.

Hiring a plumber can be an expensive endeavor, and it may be unnecessary. Simple problems like clogged drains can be fixed at home without hiring a professional. Remember the tips in this article if you are having trouble with a sink or toilet overflowing or you need to clear a drain.

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