Tag Archives: Tips

Small Leak? Tips On How To Know What You Can Do Or When You Need To Call A Plumber

April 15, 2024   Matt

Small Leak? Tips On How To Know What You Can Do Or When You Need To Call A Plumber

Maintaining and repairing your own plumbing is an essential part of home improvement, but understanding it and buying the right equipment can be tricky. There are lots of things to consider for your particular plumbing job. Here are some steps you can take to ensure you get started with your own plumbing jobs.

Make sure your plumbing contractor has the proper insurance before letting them work in your home. This is a big problem with all types of construction contractors. They may have the proper licenses, but because of the high cost of insurance, they may not be properly insured and can end up on your homeowners policy if they get hurt.

It’s important to know how to turn off the water in your home in case the worst happens. For example, if your bathroom sink started leaking, do you know how to stop it? Walk around your home and find all the shut-off valves for each set of pipes and write them down. Create a map so you can always have a reference if necessary.

There are many ways to unclog a drain. You can try plunging it at first. If that doesn’t work try using a chemical agent from the store. Before you go and spend money at the store though, if you have baking soda and some vinegar handy, you can mix those together and pour them in the drain and try to plunge that but if all else fails they have stronger remedies at your local hardware store.

Make sure that any exposed pipes in your home are insulated, especially those found in crawl spaces on the outside walls of your home. This will help keep them from freezing and causing you tons of problems. Frozen pipes can often be devastating and leave you with problems that are expensive to fix and no water in the middle of winter.

If you notice noises coming from your pipes, you have nothing to worry about as this is natural. You can, however, get rid of these noises by securing the pipes to the walls more efficiently. Simply replace nails with drywall screws. These screws should firmly hold the pipes in place.

Be sure that you shut off your drain lines and outside faucets when the weather gets colder. Cold weather, snow, and ice can cause these lines to freeze up, which can cause damage to them. If you can, try to have these shut off before the first frost of the year.

When you’re leaving for vacation it’s a great idea to turn your gas water heater to the “vacation” setting before you leave. If you have an electric water heater you can turn the breaker off that leads to it instead. This will save you electricity which is being wasted on heating water you’re not using.

As you read, plumbing can be an incredibly important aspect to your current and future home improvement and so is understanding all the different techniques and equipment. This is so it makes it easier for you to understand what you need for your plumbing jobs. Following the tips in this article is a very good starting place.

Read More

Plumbing 101: Tips And Tricks For Your Pipes (4)

March 26, 2024   Matt

Plumbing 101: Tips And Tricks For Your Pipes

Ready to begin with your own plumbing jobs? Do you know where to start or how to begin? Do you know what equipment and techniques will work for your next task? Well, the tips that are listed below may be the very ones that you need.

If the water pressure on your street exceeds 60 pounds, you many want to consider installing a pressure reducing valve. Too much water pressure is actually harmful to your plumbing system and could cause excess water pressure. A pressure reducing valve cuts down your water pressure by almost 50 percent.

If you toilet is clogged up, the water is low and a plunger doesn’t work you could try dumping warm water from a bucket into the toilet from waist level or higher. You should repeat dumping warm water in the bowl when necessary and if the water gets low again.

Don’t forget to check the plumbing on the outside of your home before you leave on vacation! Any leaks that are there can end up damaging your foundation, especially if you go away during the winter. Check each faucet and pipe, including your sprinkler system, far enough ahead of time to be able to do repairs.

Do not use the liquid cleaning supplies that are designed to clear clogs. These cleaners are harmful and can damage your pipes as they clear the clog. Instead of using damaging liquids, use a plunger or a plumbing snake. These are much more effective and will not harm pipes.

When the temperature drops below freezing, protect exposed pipes from the weather by adding a source of heat near the pipes. Ranging from electrical tape applied directly to the pipes to small space heaters placed near exposed pipes, keeping the temperature above freezing can prevent costly repairs caused by frozen pipes.

If you live in an area where sewers are known to back up into homes. You will need to install a backflow valve into your floor drains. By doing this you can prevent future backup of sewage into your home. This device will save you much money from loss of property due to sewer water contamination, and it will also save many hours of labor needed to clean up after these backups.

When you’re leaving for vacation it’s a great idea to turn your gas water heater to the “vacation” setting before you leave. If you have an electric water heater you can turn the breaker off that leads to it instead. This will save you electricity which is being wasted on heating water you’re not using.

The truth to DIY plumbing is that you’re taking your life on the line when you start a project. You may drive yourself nuts, cost yourself an arm and a leg, and end up having to call in a professional to fix the mess you made – at double the price. Consider a professional first unless you really know what you’re doing.

Fair enough, you’re not going to become an expert overnight – but there are surely one or two pieces of advice here that you can use. Every job that you do yourself is one less job that you have to pay someone else to do!

Read More

Tips And Tricks For Keeping Asthma Under Control (2)

March 24, 2024   Matt

Tips And Tricks For Keeping Asthma Under Control

When you have asthma, it can be very scary. You can have trouble breathing, and have serious coughing attacks very often. Here are some tips to help you learn to deal with your asthma better. The more knowledge you have, the better you will be able to prevent an attack.

Asthma attacks can be caused by dust mites, which thrive in places where they can find dampness and skin cells to eat. This includes bedding and furniture. If you are allergic, it can help to seal your furniture in allergen-proof zip up covers, and wash bedding frequently to reduce dust mites.

Remember that you can have a happy and productive life – even with asthma! You will simply need to be aware of and vigilant regarding your asthma. Remember that you must take precautions to avoid triggers and be very self-aware regarding your physical condition. Joining a support group to discuss your challenges with others who have asthma may be very helpful.

Make sure that you get at least eight or nine hours of sleep every single day. It is important to get rest so that you can restore the energy necessary to take on your day. Lack of sleep yields stress, which can affect your ability to breathe during the day.

A great tip that can help you cope with asthma is to branch out and get in touch with other people who also suffer from asthma. Not only will you be able to get helpful advice from them, you won’t feel so alone and ashamed that you have asthma.

Although it may seem trivial to most people, it is important that you live near your doctor or an emergency room if you have asthma. Living in a rural area can mean that paramedics cannot get to you in time to save your life if you have a severe asthma attack.

Buy cleaning products that are labeled as environmentally-friendly. This will not cost you more, and they are just as efficient as chemical products. These green products will reduce the risk of asthma attacks and allow you to keep your house clean at the same time. Look for non-toxic cleaning products.

If you have asthma, and you have no choice but to live in a cold environment, try not to spend too much outside when it is cold. The cold will worsen your asthma symptoms or cause attacks. Spend as much time as you can in a hot environment and when you have to go outside, wear a scarf.

You should have your home inspected at least one a year if you or your child has asthma. You might not be aware that your house contains dust or mold in areas that you cannot see. Find a professional to inspect your house and give you a complete report of the situation.

You know how scary it is when you have asthma and you are having trouble breathing. The more panicked you get, the harder it will be to breath normally. Use this article as a reference and learn it so you will know what to do next time you are having asthma trouble.

Read More

Tips That Hammer Sense Into Home Improvement (2)

March 03, 2024   Matt

Tips That Hammer Sense Into Home Improvement

I guess you could say I’ve been involved in-home improvement projects quite often in my life. At this very minute my husband is finishing the drywall in our living room, and will soon be painting it. While it’s great to see the finished product, the process can be very messy.

If you need fencing that is both affordable and versatile, opt for a wooden fence. You can choose from a variety of wood types to find the most appropriate material for your particular climate and moisture levels. Wooden fencing is very diverse and can easily be stained to one of many natural-looking colors.

Planning landscaping to reduce water usage is not just for homeowners in drought-stricken areas. Between changing weather patterns, rising populations and falling water tables, water for home irrigation is only going to grow more expensive. By selecting plant species that require less water than the usual landscaping standards, a wise homeowner can save a lot of money.

Removing dated wallpaper is a home improvement that can completely transform the interior of your house. If you have money to spend, the best way to remove wallpaper would be to buy a commercial stream wallpaper stripper. If, however, you are on a limited budget, fill a spray bottle with a mixture of hot water and fabric softener and completely saturate the wallpaper. Leave the wallpaper for a few minutes then carefully peel off with a putty knife.

Make sure you understand every single step of a project before you decide to start working on it. Sometimes something that seems very simple may actually be quite difficult. The opposite is also true at times, so be sure to make a detailed, step by step, blueprint before you start really working.

When you hire a contractor to work on a home improvement project, make sure that he is holding a current license and that he has insurance for his employees. This is important for your protection, in case you have a legal dispute about the quality of the work. In addition, if his employees are not covered by his insurance, you might be financially responsible for any injuries that an employee incurs, while he is on your premises.

To save money on later projects, hold onto even your used equipment which still serves a purpose. For example, leftover drywall or putty may be useful if you ever need to patch a hole. Even seemingly “done” items like used paint rollers can find a second purpose; their long handles and narrow dimensions make them perfect for clearing gutters.

When undertaking major landscaping home improvement projects, always consult with your neighbors about drainage before work begins. An ideal landscaping plan involves draining all water off of your property. Often the convenient way to do this is to dump it on your neighbor’s property, but they are not likely to be happy with this! It is possible to coordinate mutually beneficial drainage plans, but it cannot happen without clear communication.

We have a home which is over 100 years old and updating it has been an ongoing process over the past five years. We have a new dining room, two new bathrooms and half of a new kitchen. Recently, my husband installed four new windows and put new siding on half of the house. I can’t wait for the whole thing to be done!

Read More

Plumbing Tips That Every Homeowner Can Use (2)

March 01, 2024   Matt

Plumbing Tips That Every Homeowner Can Use

Doing your own plumbing can be an important part of your home improvement. You need to do all of your research, so that you don’t wind up losing a ton of money or destroying your home and your stuff. There are some tips listed here to help you begin with it.

In any DIY plumbing project, make sure that you always test the drains and the supply lines before you close up the walls. It is a lot easier to find and solve problems if you look for them while you are still in the process of actively doing the job.

Make sure you allow a slow drip over the night when you experience the coldest of winter weather. A general rule to follow is, if there is snow on the ground, leave the water dripping. This keeps a constant flow and reduces your risk of waking up to frozen pipes that can cause a great deal of damage.

To avoid clogs, pay attention to what you flush. Sanitary napkins, thick toilet paper and baby wipes should never be flushed. These items can expand and cause a clog, or get caught on a pipe. Instead, dispose of them in a sanitary way that does not involve flushing them down the toilet.

If you drop a small item like a ring or earring into a sink drain, hope is not lost. By carefully removing the U-shaped trap underneath the sink, you can probably retrieve the item. Be aware that the trap will be full of water, though, so have something under it to catch the spills.

Do not put your hand in the garbage disposal to remove a clog. This can be potentially harmful. Always use tongs to get out whatever is stuck in the disposal. Using tongs is much safer, and you will make sure your hand does not get cut on the disposer’s sharp blades.

If you hear loud, vibrating noises coming from your pipes, you may want to consider adding air chambers to the end of the pipes and tightening them. Usually, these noises are caused from opening and closing faucets too quickly and tightening the pipes and adding air chambers can fix this problem.

Don’t shrug off that trickle coming from your toilet as a small problem. Even the tiniest leak can be quite expensive in the long run as you end up wasting potentially hundreds of gallons of water. See if you can find the root of the leak, or seek out professional advice, and keep your toilet running efficiently.

Avoid frozen pipes this winter! Keep a small trickle of water dripping from faucets, and wrap your uninsulated pipes with foam or newspaper. If possible, keep the doors open between unheated and heated rooms. In an unheated area such as a garage or laundry room, keep a small heater next to the pipes. Remember to do this before the first cold snap hits.

Doing your own plumbing can be very rewarding, but it can also be a lot of work. Regardless, if you know what to do and how to do your plumbing properly. So, do yourself a favor by doing your research and applying these tips to your home plumbing endeavors.

Read More

Easy Tips To Cure Your Plumbing Woes 4

February 05, 2024   Matt

Easy Tips To Cure Your Plumbing Woes

Plumbing has so many possibilities as to what you can use, do, and how you can apply it to your own plumbing jobs. It is rare to find somebody that has plumbing needs just like you, so why not take advantage of that and perfect your own? This article can help you.

One of the ways that you can improve the functionality of your shower head is to clean the mineral deposits from the surface. Unscrew your shower head and soak it in vinegar overnight. In the morning, brush off the deposits with a toothbrush to help the flow of water for your showers.

While it may seem like a seemingly harmless thing to do, never run potato peels through your garbage disposal. The chemical make up of this seemingly harmless food allows the potato to turn into a thick, viscous substance that can wreak havoc on the disposal itself, with the potential to render it completely useless.

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.

To clear mineral deposits from your showerhead, try a soak in white vinegar. Simply add a cup or two of vinegar to a plastic bag and tape it around the showerhead, ensuring that it is submerged. Leave the bag on for an hour, and the vinegar will dissolve the mineral build-up, allowing water to gush through like it was when it was new.

Do a routine check around your house each month on each and every faucet to make sure there are no signs of leaks or drips. Over time, leaks can add a lot of money to your water bill and will worsen if you do not take care of the problem.

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.

Make sure never to store flammable objects near the water heater in your home. These heaters can rise to a high temperature, risking ignition of surrounding objects. Try to keep the area around your water heater clear of debris if you want to be in the safest position during the day.

When you are snaking out your drain, always make sure that you use a mask to cover your face. You will be pulling up all sorts of chemicals that you do not want to inhale or get on your skin. Practice safe plumbing if you desire to optimize your health.

Isn’t doing your own plumbing a lot of fun? As you have seen in this article, there are a lot of ways this can be done and no two techniques or equipemnt will yield the same results. There are also lots of customizable options that can work with your home and budget.

Read More
« Older posts
Newer posts »

  • Subscribe

Support us!

If you like this site please subscribe