HEALTHY-HOME-DESIGN

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Tag: yourself

You Can Teach Yourself To Handle Plumbing Problems

by Louise B. Delia

You’ve done it. You’re ready to handle your home’s plumbing maintenance and repair. What perfect timing! You probably have tons of questions on how to start and what to do, but fear not, this article can help you. Listed below are some tips that will help you get started with your plumbing aspirations.

If you are paying someone else to do the plumbing in your home be sure that they are licensed in your state to do that work. Some people who have little or no knowledge of plumbing will try to pass themselves off as a pro. So you can see the importance of checking to see if your plumber is licensed. You should also see if you can find positive testimonials about the plumbers work.

Use your garbage disposal with the cold water running so that you can preserve the blades of the disposal. Using hot water makes grease more liquid and can cause problems, including clogs. Make sure to clean blades by putting in a little dish detergent and run cold water at the same time.

At least once a year remove the faucet aerator and clean the screens. This helps it properly function. The function of a faucet aerator is to allow for an even flow of water and to conserve water. Be sure to clean out the aerator and you’ll notice a these things working.

Make sure you get a good recommendation or check the references before you hire a plumber. With good recommendations, it will assure that you are hiring an experienced plumber. If the experienced plumber is professional, he will have a fully stocked truck and be able to complete most small jobs in one visit.

When plunging a drain to attempt to remove a blockage, first make sure that the drain is completely covered in water. This helps to form a seal. Then, plunge at least fifteen to twenty times before stopping. Repeat the process two to three times. If this doesn’t work, try a chemical drain cleaner.

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.

If you have an automatic sprinkler system, you want to consider getting a spring-loaded timer which can be attached directly to your hose. This prevents your lawn from getting too much water in case you forget to turn your system off. Getting too much water could kill your grass and plants.

Use a product like BioBen if you are planning to leave your system shut off for a few weeks. Water will still remain in the pipes and could start smelling because it is not moving. This type of product will keep the water from stagnating and from smelling too bad.

Now you should be much more prepared when it comes to plumbing. If you thought that you were ready before, well you should now be an expert! The tips that were given should have provided you some advice that can help you get started with maintaining and fixing your own plumbing.…

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Trying To Save Money? Do Your Landscaping By Yourself!

by Louise B. Delia

Not many people think they have what it takes to have a great landscaped property. What many people fail to realize is that you don’t have to have an elaborate design or lots of plants. A clean and manicured look is all you need. This article will show you how to make that a reality.

Draw up a plan of what you are hoping to achieve before you start your landscaping project. This lets you visualize the space with the correct dimensions, thanks to your careful measurements, so you can estimate the materials needed and costs involved. Remember, it’s much simpler to alter a drawing than completed landscaping.

When planning a landscaping project, concentrate on native plants. Be sure to use shrubs, trees, and flowers native to your region when landscaping. Native plants have the best chance of surviving in the toughest of weather conditions.

When building an outdoor kitchen, look to granite for your surfacing. While there are more inexpensive surface options, granite is often the most attractive, versatile and durable choice.

One landscaping tip that people should understand is to be wary of how new plants and trees will affect your home. There are a lot of things to consider such as pipes, gutters and roofing materials that you have to worry about whenever you are landscaping. Make sure you are prepared to deal with these things.

Plant companion plants in your garden. These plants naturally work together to help each other repel pests and diseases. This can help you to have a healthier garden without the use of pesticides. You can find a lot of information on companion plants through a quick Internet search.

Landscaping involves much more than simply planting a lawn and some trees. Including wood, iron or cement structures in your landscaping design can add both substance and texture. Pergolas, archways and water features create visually striking elements in any landscape design. These elements come in many different prices no matter your budget.

Invite wildlife into your garden. Birds, squirrels and butterflies can add beauty to a yard, and they will also benefit your plants. You can invite them into your yard by leaving out food, strategically placing bird feeders, and having sources of water spread throughout the garden. You will love watching the animals and listening to the birds every time you enter your garden.

Befriend your neighbors. You might be able to share costs when you rent equipment or buy large quantities of landscaping supplies together. Offer to help your neighbors with their landscaping project and they will probably help you with yours. Let people borrow your tools and talk about creating a common tool collection.

Speak often with your neighbors and friends about your landscaping plans. They may also want to do work on their yards, and you may be able to go in together to rent things like chippers or tillers. By sharing this equipment, you will all save money and be able to get your work done.

Having a well-groomed front yard will make the curb appeal of your house gain some serious points in the neighborhood. A well-groomed back yard will give you the outdoor space that you desire for family functions, entertaining or just relaxing on your own. This article has shown you ways to accomplish all of this.…

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Tips To Rid Yourself Of Pests Forever

by Louise B. Delia

Do not live in slavery to the pests in your home anymore. No matter how big the problem or small the problem, you have to take action yourself. Whether you pay a pest control service or not, take action with these tricks today to help out on your own turf.

Make a simple fruit fly trap using a 2-liter bottle and some cider vinegar or wine. Cut the bottle in half, and invert the top inside the bottom half, like a funnel. Add an inch or so of your chosen liquid, leaving a bit of space between it and the opening of the bottle. The flies can enter, but they cannot fly out and will drown.

Sweep your kitchen and dining room floors and wipe your counter tops every day. Even small crumbs or bits of dropped food can attract ants, roaches and other pests. It is a good idea to empty the garbage each day. Trash can be a breeding ground for house and fruit flies.

If you are seeing a large number of bugs indoors, slowly circle the perimeter of your house. Try to find any small openings where bugs could get in. Look closely near your chimney and the siding. If you locate a hole, buy silicone caulk and get the area fixed to the best of your ability.

One of the ways that you can prevent mosquitoes from coming to your house is to eliminate the standing water that you have outdoors. This can be anything from a puddle to a kiddy pool, as you will want to drain all the water in these, especially in the summer.

Keep your garage, basement or any other work area clean if you do projects at home. Make sure that wood scraps and dusts are regularly swept up, collected and disposed of. Termites are not very big, so they do not need big pieces of wood to come in and start munching.

Properly store food to help deter pests. Pests are very attracted to the smell of food, so avoid baiting them. Don’t let trash sit for long periods in the kitchen. Take it outside promptly. Pests are also attracted to trash.

Keep sweet smelling food products in sealed containers or in the fridge. Sweet foods can easily attract a vast variety of pests, from rodents to ants. If you do not have enough containers to seal your sugar, cereal and breads you should invest in them. It will cost you a lot less than paying an exterminator.

Mint helps keep mice away. Plant some mint near your home’s foundation. This will make the mice find another home that has less aversive stimuli. If mice are already a problem, you may want to place mint leaves in the areas that are affected. This will keep mice away a lot of the time, but you have to use fresh mint leaves.

You should now be prepared to put a plan into action with the tips you have learned. Keep the advice in mind as you continue to learn more about what you can do. There is no reason to not be proactive when it comes to pests in your home when there are so many options.…

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