Tag Archives: drains

General Safety Issues, Hand Protection

SIMPLE DIY TIPS TO MAINTAIN YOUR PLUMBING SYSTEM (GUEST POST)

 

Plumbing is an essential of modern life, so when a problem occurs within a drain or fixture, it needs to be dealt with right away. From toilets and bathtubs and garbage disposals and water heaters, each fixture gets daily use. In addition, the pipes that deliver clean water to your home and the waste water and sewer lines that take it away all need regular maintenance to operate efficiently and effectively. As a homeowner, you can minimize the risk of plumbing system problems by following these simple DIY tips for drain cleaning and unclogging toilets and pipes.

Unclogging Toilets
A clogged toilet can quickly lead to a big, smelly mess. To begin, turn off the water supply to the toilet. To do this, locate the metal knob behind the toilet and turn it as far to the right as it will go. If a small object such as a toy has fallen into the toilet, put some rubber gloves on and manually extract the item or use the handle of a toilet brush to fish it out of the bowl. For clogs due to toilet paper or waste, vigorously plunge the toilet with a rubber plunger. Lastly, try a toilet snake to push through the clog. These devices can be purchased at your local hardware store.

Drain Cleaning
All sorts of debris can make its way into the drains of sinks, showers and bathtubs as well as from the washing machine. Hair, soap scum, toothpaste, food and for families with children, any small object that could fit into the drain could be lurking within the pipes. Keeping the drains clear can prevent an unsightly and unwholesome mess from happening. To keep drains clean, take these steps:

*Every two or three days, run hot water down the drain for several minutes. This liquifies solid or thickened debris like soap scum and grease.

*Once each week, pour one to two tablespoons of baking soda down each drain. Follow this up with 1/4 cup of white vinegar or lemon juice. Allow the mixture to bubble and sit for 30 minutes before using that drain. Then flush the drain with hot water for several minutes.

*For kitchen sinks, send a brine solution through once each month to get rid of grease buildup from cooking and washing greasy dishes.

*Use a drain strainer to collect hair and lint in shower drains and washing machine drains. These can also prevent unwanted items such as washcloths or bathtub toys from going down the drain and creating a clog.

Check for Leaks
Check for leaks in faucets, underneath sinks and around tub and toilet seals at least once each week. Most faucet leaks result from a worn out washer, which is easily replaced in just a few minutes of time. If there is discoloration of the wood, mold or mildew growth or moisture present under a sink, there is likely a leak. Some toilet leaks can be fixed by adding more caulk, while other leaks may be more serious and require replacement of some of the plumbing materials or even the entire toilet. Peeling paint, mold or dampness on a wall or a warped floor are signs of a leaking pipe within the wall or floor. This situation usually requires the expertise of a professional plumber.

Our thanks to Ryan Edun, for these helpful tips.  These weekly maintenance ideas would also be a good idea for offices and other places of work. pb

General Safety Issues

MISTAKES OF CYCLING: TIPS TO STAY SAFE ON THE ROAD (GUEST POST)

Cycling on the road can be tricky at the best of times. You need to be constantly aware of your surroundings. By reading these safety tips you can prepare yourself for dangerous situations you’re likely to come across.

Red lights

Just like cars, when the red light appears you need to stop too. You may be scoffing at this suggestion but people still do it, just as cars do – don’t take the risk. Unlike when a car jumps a red light, as a cyclist you will definitely end up worse than the other party. It could cost you more than a £30 fine. (That’s $45 in the U.S.)

Parked cars

When moving around an obstacle such as a parked car, always check over your shoulder that the coast is clear. Although you may be ahead of a car, don’t assume the driver will slow down and allow you into their lane. If the parked cars are spaced out, you should ride in a straight line rather than dodge in and out – motorists will just have to wait to overtake you.

Left corners

When approaching corners where cars can turn left, make sure you position yourself in between cars. Riding next to a car when approaching a left turn could cause an accident, particularly if you are in the driver’s blind spot.

Buses

Large vehicles like buses can make passing on the curb dangerous, but you need to be wary of travelling between them too. Resist the urge to shoot through at the mere sight of a gap as it can close just as quickly as it appears. The large structure of a bus can make it difficult to read the road ahead which may cause a gap to get narrower – be patient.

Drains and gutters

It can be tempting to ride as close to the curb as possible to make it easier for drivers to pass you by, but drains and gutters pose their own problems. Not only is it uncomfortable to ride over these, they could cause your bike to suddenly stop at any moment which could lead to you flipping over your handlebars. These hazards can also be extra slippy when wet.

Signalling

It’s annoying when cars turn without signalling isn’t it? Well, it’s the same vice versa too. No one can read minds so signalling can help motorists act in advance to accommodate you.

Fingers on brakes

After a period of cycling on the road without any accidents you’ll start to feel safe. But letting your guard down is when accidents are most likely to happen. One of the first signs of over confidence is taking your fingers away from the brakes. This however prevents you from making an emergency brake out of the blue.

Jasey Rae is a passionate cycling blogger and writes on behalf of Access Legal.

For more information visit Cyclist Safety,
http://www.cemex.co.uk/cyclist-safety,-a-key-part-of-the-logistics-agenda.aspx

An added note: wearing a high-visibility vest is another safety suggestion for cycling.