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Archive for the ‘House Keeping’ Category
Thu, July 17, 2008 5:26 am By James Coolridge  Printer friendly version
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Step 1:
For a moderately clogged drain, you can use baking soda and vinegar. Put about ½ cup of baking soda into the drain, then slowly pour ½ cup of vinegar down the drain. The acidic nature of baking soda and the basic nature of vinegar will create a foaming action which will loosen the clog so that it can be rinsed away.
Step 2:
Plunging and pumping a drain is a steadfast way to clear drain blockages. Place the plunger directly over the drain and pump rapidly up and down several times. When you take away the plunger, the water should drain away. If it doesn’t, try again.
Step 3:
If your drain is still blocked, using a drain auger is a good option. Drain auger is a thin long piece of coiled metal with a hook at the end. Feed the auger down through the drain, turning it as you push it through the drainpipe. Either you will push the blockage or pull it up with the help of the hook.
Step 4:
Now, run hot water down the drain once you have opened the blockage. Hot water will wash away anything that may be sticking to the sides of the drainpipes.
Tags: Bathroom, Drain
Mon, June 30, 2008 11:27 am By Alex Gavitt
 The last time you cooked something in your kitchen did you notice a foul smell? Didn’t you want to get rid of it ASAP?! Try this the next time your nose meets some pungent smell:
For smelly freezers:
fill a clean sock with fresh coffee grounds and place it inside the freezer.
For smelly trash cans:
Wash the trash can once a week with hot and soapy water to remove pieces of debris that can hold in odors.
For your smelly pet:
For a quick fix, sprinkle a light coat of baking soda over the pet’s coat and then rub it in. Use a pet brush to brush it back out of the coat and the smell will go with it.
For a smelly toilet:
Pour vinegar in the bowl of the toilet and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Then use your toilet brush to scrub the toilet clean.
Tags: clean, fresh, smell
Sun, May 18, 2008 5:10 am By James Coolridge
 One way to save a lot of energy is by the proper usage of iron box in your home, which consumes a whole lot of electricity. Here is few tips on how to save energy while ironing.
Your clothing: Start your energy saving task right from the purchase of your clothes itself. When you are purchasing the clothes, it is better to opt for “no iron” types. This way, you need not press them each time you wear them because they are made with materials that will eliminated the need to iron them most of the time.
Storage of clothes: You can prevent wrinkles and thus ironing by storing your clothes properly. Don’t stuff your clothes into your wardrobe. Hang your clothes in the designated places. This way, you will avoid clutter in your closet and the wrinkles which occur due to improper storage of your clothes. Moreover, do not dump your clothes waiting to be pressed in the ironing basket because this leads to more creases and wrinkles and thus, more ironing time.
The ironing session: Wipe the face of your iron box before ironing. A clean and smooth surface will ensure better ironing. Never overheat your iron. A small mistake while handling the over heated iron will lead to scorching the delicate material of your clothes and more importantly, wastage of money.
When you are ironing, try to iron a large amount at one time. Separate the ironing into like materials. Begin by ironing light, low temperature fabrics first and then shift to the heavier material clothing. This will reduce warm-up time and the iron will always be at the correct temperature for the material.
When you are ironing the linens, make sure that they are slightly damp rather than fully dry.
Using spray starch on your clothes when ironing is also a good idea. This will make your clothes feel crisp and shed the time needed to iron them.
Last but not the least don’t forget to turn off your iron when not in use. Turn your iron off if you are interrupted whilst ironing.
Tags: wardrobe, energy saving., clothes, iron box, wrinkles, linen
Fri, May 16, 2008 5:08 am By James Coolridge
 How should you keep a check on the usage of gas, electricity and water in your home? The answer is very simple- have the habit of checking the bills, use patterns and reading the meters to ensure that you are charged correctly, according to the season. Here is guidance for you about reading the utility bills and usage patterns of your home.
You should read your electric, gas and water meters at the beginning and at the end of billing periods. This is done to check the utility companies’ accuracy. To check the gas and water meter, all you need to do is read the numerals from left to right. Next, take down the reading. You should also ensure that the rates are charged according to the season. The utility personnel may forget to change from summer rates to winter rates during the change in the season. So, ensure that the utility bills work according to the season because unless you say, the company may charge you at the standard rate-straight billing for kWh used. Call and ask the utility company to analyze a computerized record of your use and then give you the best rate.
As far as the water bills are concerned, they are generally billed for usage in addition to the monthly service charge. This service charge varies according to the size of your water heater. While the sewer bills are charged according to the water-meter readings. This means that you are billed on the basis of amount of water used irrespective of whether or not it ends up in the sewer line. If you have the habit of frequently washing your cars, filling pools, watering lawns and trees, it is better to replace the present meter with a smaller one. Make sure that it does not end in the sewer line.
By auditing your utility bills, you can prevent being over-charged. You should also keep a check on the usage of water and electricity to ensure that you save reasonable money.
Tags: water, gas, electricity, utility bills
Thu, May 15, 2008 6:30 pm By James Coolridge
 The increasing burglary of homes has almost made it mandatory to opt for tight security for your homes. A locksmith serves this purpose by having complete access to your home, car or business. How should to find a reliable, professional and trustworthy locksmith? Here is a guidance to find a reliable locksmith to secure your home.
Discuss the matter with your trusted friends and neighbors for a referral. If you aren’t able to find a solution, try this way:
•Contact professionals in organizations in your area that rate service businesses, like Consumer Checkbook or Angie’s List
•Some local security or construction firms hire locksmiths. Approach them to find out if you could get a solution.
•A local security or construction firm — some keep locksmiths on retainer
•Trade associations keep a quality check on their members and also keep them well informed of the latest industry developments. Members of such trade associations are tested for skills and efficiency. Check out some members from The Associated Locksmiths of America.
•Once you have finally found out a locksmith, the next step is to find out how long the locksmith has been in business. If the person has several years of experience in the profession in the same locality, they are more credible.
•Ensure the locksmith has all required business licenses and permits. Verify the authenticity of the license.
•Find out if the locksmith is bonded and insured and for how much.
•Find out if the locksmith has won any certifications or professional affiliations for quality of work.
It’s wise to seek out a good locksmith before you actually need one. Using the above tips will help you find a dependable and qualified locksmith.
Tags: Home, burglary, security, locksmith
Thu, May 8, 2008 4:53 am By James Coolridge
 Repairing the roof of your home can be an intimidating task. But, you can do it yourself easily. Just follow a few tips and repair your house easily!Climb the roof:
When you climb the roof to check for what went wrong with your roof, make sure that it you don’t climb on a hot sunny day. It will be very difficult to carry out the repairing work at a hot temperature. Moreover, the warm shingles will not hold onto the granules. They will come loose as you walk on them.
Inspect your roof:
Now that you have climbed the roof, check for the faults in the roof. If the pieces are warping, nail them down. Use the same metal types to avoid rust.
Inspect the areas near the chimneys and look for any gaps caused by shrinkage of the cement and tar. If you spot any gap, repair it with the same type of sealant.
Apply roof coat to fix the small leaks. This enables the rusted spots to patch up in the roof. There may be pinhole leaks in the roof which are difficult to spot. So, inspect the roof for any leaks carefully.
The seal-coating process to fix the leaks may take a few hours. Select the right roof coating for the purpose.
Fix the problem:
If the problem is a poorly sealed chimney, fix the problem by using the proper tools and equipment required. Equip yourself with a good roofing hammer, a caulk gun, a silicone caulk, a flat bar, a plastic trowel, half a gallon of cold tar and a good extension ladder.
First, place your ladder at the edge of the roof which is closest to the chimney. Now, look at the sides of the chimney. You will see six-inch long pieces of metal. These are the chimney flashing which are found between the chimney and the shingles. The next thing to do is look for cracks between the metal and the row of bricks on top of it. Position a medium sized “bead” of caulk on the sides, back and all around the chimney. Make sure that you leave the front of the chimney uncaulked.
Now, inspect where the roof shingles meet the metal flashing. If you notice moss on the shingle, immediately scrape it off with your flat bar. You should run a bead of caulk where the shingle meets the metal flashing. This way, you will seal this area and prevent it from water seeping through it.
If the shingle is broken or cracked, take the cold tar and your trowel. Stir the tar well with a metal rod and then apply it where the flashing and the shingle meet.
This way, you can easily make the chimney repairs without calling a professional to do this task.
Tags: chimney, roof, shingles
Fri, May 2, 2008 6:29 pm By James Coolridge
 Maintenance of your home is not just confined to repairing the wear and tear. It also relates to proper care, checking your household items for any crack, leakage or malfunction. Here is a list of items that every homeowner should take care of.
Garage door opener: Check the door opener of your garage once in a month and make sure that the system is functioning properly. Check the hardware and fittings. If the door opener is hazardous, disconnect the automatic door opener from the door, open and close the garage door manually, until the replacement is completed.
Clothes’ dryer: Maintain your clothes dryer. Clean the lint screen after every load. Make sure that the area around and below the lint screen and the back of the dryer is also clean. Call a professional and get your clothes dryer serviced once a year. Vacuum out the clothes dryer’ annually. Never use the top of the dryer to spray stain removers on clothes.
Furnace filters: The furnace filters should be replaced as suggested by the manufacturer. Maintaining your furnace filter is vital because if not given the proper maintenance, they can become dangerous by restricting airflow and causing fires, carbon monoxide leaks, or worse. When filters become loaded with particles, there is less air flow capacity which cuts down on the efficiency of the filter and causes the rest of the machinery to work extra hard to operate. It is highly recommended to replace the furnace filters quarterly.
Air conditioner: Check all hose connections of your air conditioner for leaks. Make sure that the condensate tube is draining freely. Clean the outside of the compressor by spraying it with a hose. During the winter, keep the compressor covered and remove window air conditioners. Clean leaves and debris your central air conditioner seasonally.
Refrigerator: Clean you refrigerator coils and drip pan. Vacuum the vents and coils to clean them. Dusty coils have to work harder to cool down the interior and contents of the refrigerator. Check the gaskets for proper air seals that keeps in cold air in and the room air out of the refrigerator and the same for the freezer. Maintain refrigerator temperature between 36 degrees F and 38 degrees F. this ensures optimum performance.
Fireplace: check for cracks in fireplace construction. Check the flue for blockages and get it repaired every few years. Make sure that the firebricks are not broken or loose. The ash pit should also be cleaned. Check for leakage if you find the ashes hard to remove and soggy.
Tags: fireplace, Furnace filters, air conditioner, garage door opener
Thu, May 1, 2008 6:31 pm By James Coolridge
 Do you want to know all about how to do electric wiring for your home? Here we are to assist you with some useful information about electric wiring.
First of all know about the color codes for Earth, Neutral and live wires. The standard color scheme used in the UK is:
Protective Earth = Green
- • Neutral = Blue
- • Single Phase: live, three phase L1 = Brown
- • Three Phase L2 = Black
- • Three Phase L3 = Grey
The electrical power circuits according to the UK’s standards are radial or ring.
A radial circuit is a mains power circuit found in some homes to feed sockets and lighting points. It is simply a length of appropriately rated cable feeding one power point then going on to the next. The circuit terminates with the last point on it. It does not return to the consumer unit or fuse box as does the more popular circuit, the ring main.
On the other hand, a ring final circuit or ring circuit (informally also ring main or just ring) is an electrical wiring technique developed and primarily used in the United Kingdom that provides two independent conductors for live, neutral and protective earth within a building for each connected load or socket. With a ring circuit a cable starts at the supply point and then goes down to each device, the same way as in a radial circuit.
This design enables the use of smaller-diameter wire than would be used in a radial circuit of equivalent total amperage.
Some changes have been brought about in the rules for electric installation. According to the new rules, all electrical work within a domestic setting must be in compliance with British standards as a requirement of Part P. The initiation of any work other than simple changes should be notified to the local building control authority. The simple changes include adding extra lights or sockets to an existing circuit.
So if you need electric wiring installation to be carried out on your property, make sure that you get the things done by a professional. This way, you will meet the standards for electric wiring set out by the Part P regulations.
Tags: electric, electricity, electrical wiring, power circuits
Thu, May 1, 2008 6:28 pm By James Coolridge
 Whether it is a vehicle or your home- maintenance is required everywhere. No matter how lavishly you are living, taking care of every aspect- from roof to the floors is vital to keep your home in good shape. Here is some quick home repairing tips.
Your blacktop roof shingle: Strong winds and fallen tree branches can crack or rip blacktop roof shingles. To repair the roof shingle, get a tube of roofing cement and a piece of copper or aluminum flashing. Cut the flashing about 1 inch narrower and 4 inches longer than the ripped part of the shingle. Use a flat pry bar to carefully loosen the damaged part and the tabs to the left and right. Next, apply two or three thick beads of roofing cement to the surface beneath the shingle. Slip the flashing underneath and apply more roofing cement on top of the flashing. Press the tab down to adhere the flashing to the roof.
The doors: If you have a door that binds at one corner, try this repairing tip. Check for any misalignment in the frame by closing the door and observing along the sides and top of the door. To adjust the alignment, install a thin cardboard shim or plastic playing card under one of the hinge leaves.
Kitchen backsplashes: If the backsplashes in your kitchen aren’t properly nailed or screwed to the countertop, reattach them. Apply two beads of construction adhesive to the rear of the backsplash, and a bead of clear silicone sealant along its bottom edge. Set the backsplash in position and press it against the wall and counter.
The dishwasher: If the dishwasher doesn’t clean the dirty stains properly, open the dishwasher and remove the lower tray to access the spray arms. Gently clean the holes at the ends of the arms with a steel skewer or an awl.
The showerhead: A loose showerhead? Here is the remedy. Pull the round trim ring away from the wall. Inject foam sealant into the cavity around the pipe. This stuff expands, so apply it sparingly. Push the trim ring back in place and hold it for a minute or two to contain the foam sealant. This way, the sealant will become hard and will lock the showerhead in position. The sealant will eventually harden, effectively locking the showerhead in position.
Floor Tile: So you have a vinyl floor which is stained and damaged. To take out the damaged tile, you require a stiff-blade putty knife and an electric heat gun. Warm the damaged tile until the adhesive softens (between 5 and 10 minutes). Start prying up the tile at a corner, and continue to apply heat above and below the tile until the adhesive releases.
Tags: Floor Tiles, dishwasher, showerhead, blacktop roof
Wed, April 30, 2008 6:28 pm By James Coolridge
 What happens when you are in the toilet to attend the nature’s call and suddenly find your flush not working? May be because of clogged drain? Or something else! Let’s find out.
Read on
Let us know the working of a toilet flush. When a toilet is flushed, water rushes from the tank, through the valve seat, around the rim, and through a siphon jet chamber built into the porcelain at the front of the bowl. As the water encircles the rim, some washes down through the rinse holes in the underside of the rim. The rush of water causes a cleansing action and creates enough force to push waste out through the back of the bowl and down into the waste pipe.
To know what went wrong in the system, open the tank and check the water level. If the water level is low, it means there may not be enough force to kick off the draining action.
On the other hand, if the water level is fine, the rinse holes may be clogged with some deposits. If it is hard water, minerals in water may get deposited in the rinse holes. You can use lime remover which can dissolve the minerals built in the toilet’s channels.
Use a short piece of coat hanger to clear the rinse holes which are located just under the rim or near the back of the bowl.
Here is another method to clear the contamination in the flush-water tank.
Dose 50ml of Household bleach (Milton) cleansing fluid per 15 litres of flush water. Add directly into the flush-water tank and fill with clean water. Leave the solution in the tank for 24 - 48 hours, depending on the degree of contamination. Empty the tank by draining or flushing into an empty, clean waste holding tank. Rinse the flush-water and waste holding tanks thoroughly with clean water. Always empty the waste holding tank at a designated location. Do not use together with other products. Depending on the degree of contamination a second treatment may be required.
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