Home remodeling is a rewarding thing to do, especially when you use the services of Empire Today.  Empire Today has been a leading provider of installed Home Furnishings and Home Improvements for more than 45 years, with over one million satisfied customers.  The company was founded in 1959 by Seymour Cohen and was a family-run business under its original name, Empire Carpet. Empire Today even has a Wikipedia page here. They have cute commercials too, check out the video below:

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Backflow prevention protects the potable water system from minor, moderate, and severe hazards. There are over 10,000 reported cases of backflow contamination each year.

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 For your viewing pleasure we bring you Chilli - the 6′6″ (from ground to shoulder) tall cow from Somerset, England. The 9-year-old Chilliwho is said to be a friendly and gentle cow is currently being assessed by the Guinness Book Of Records for the title of Britain’s tallest cow.  Chilli lives at the Ferne Animal Sanctuary in Chard, Somerset, after he was left on their doorstep aged just six-days-old.

Nine years later, Chilli has kept on growing, and staff believe the giant will smash a record for Britain’s tallest ever cow.  The typical cow stands about 5 ft.  Chilli does weigh over a ton but is quite lean and not as fat as many of his companions.  Slap a couple of horns on Chilli and he would make a great “Babe the Blue Ox”, should there be a casting call for a new Paul Bunyan film.

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Good Services has been offering Seattle plumbing and heating services since 1909. The company has been on Capitol Hill since 1971 (first as Bruce the Plumber) and was well known to Mr. Frees. An agreement was reached and the combined company ‘Good Services’, continues to operate out of the Jay Frees building on 12th Ave. Since this time Good Services/Jay Frees has increased its area of work to include heating and radiant heating. Initially it had the only RPA Certified radiant heating technicians in Seattle.

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The study conducted in collaboration with researchers from the University of Illinois and Mars, Incorporated found that, as part of a balanced, low-fat diet, the daily consumption of CocoaVia® dark chocolate bars with added plant sterols (natural plant extracts) significantly lowered total cholesterol by 2 percent and LDL cholesterol (or “bad” cholesterol) by 5.3 percent in individuals with elevated cholesterol. In contrast, when the same study participants consumed dark chocolate bars without added plant sterols, neither total nor LDL cholesterol level was significantly affected, supporting that the consumption of plant sterols was responsible for the cholesterol reductions. Interestingly, the regular consumption of these flavanol-rich chocolate bars was also shown to result in a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure, reducing systolic blood pressure by 5 percent after 8 weeks. Of importance is that these improvements in cholesterol and blood pressure were observed without any adverse affects on HDL (’good’ cholesterol), triglycerides, or body weight.

The study authors suggest that specially formulated foods, like the chocolate bars used in this research, could have potential to help support cardiovascular health as part of a healthy diet. This is important, since, according to the American Heart Association, nearly half of all Americans are living with high cholesterol levels and one third are afflicted with high blood pressure, putting them at risk for serious cardiovascular disease.

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For the stars of a hit show on the Sci-Fi channel, “Ghost Hunters,”  names can be deceiving.? Hawes said, “We aren’t walking around with hoovers strapped to our backs,”  and they have never been slimed either.

Wilson added, “We have done lectures at colleges and they’ll play that song and we’re like, ‘Can you just turn that off’ ? drives us crazy ? because we’re so not that.”

Hawes and Wilson have been hunting ghosts on their own for nearly two decades. It all began after they encountered a few paranormal experiences of their own, experiences they didn’t want to talk about. The phenomena inspired them to found TAPS: The Atlantic Paranormal Society, a group that tries to help people who think their house, farm, garage or anything might be haunted.

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Once the carpet is wet, use a clean, white towel to blot up the water, let the water dwell, then blot it up again.

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In addition to creating the relaxing sound of splashing water, solar power eliminates the need to run cords or install pipes. The built-in, high-quality solar panel powers the recirculating pump, which is out of sight in a covered reservoir. Aluminum with a verdigris finish.

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Tiny particles of pure silica coated with an active material could be used to remove toxic chemicals, bacteria, viruses, and other hazardous materials from water much more effectively and at lower cost than conventional water purification methods, according to researchers writing in the current issue of the International Journal of Nanotechnology.

Peter Majewski and Chiu Ping Chan of the Ian Wark Research Institute, at the University of South Australia, explain that the availability of drinking quality water is fast becoming a major socio-economic issue across the globe, especially in the developing world. However, water purification technology is often complicated, requires sophisticated equipment and is expensive to run and maintain. Moreover, it usually requires a final costly disinfection stage. The Australian team suggests that nanotechnology could provide a simple answer to the problem.

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Selecting the right ceiling fan isn’t just about choosing the right color and style. There are some key factors that you must consider your decision in order to get the maximum efficiency and enjoyment from your fan.  

Ceiling Fan Fundamentals
Fans do not actually lower room temperature, but instead circulate or ventilate air, which speeds up the evaporation of perspiration from the skin so we feel cooler (think of it as a wind chill factor inside your home).  The ventilation process also makes a room more comfortable by replacing hot, stuffy indoor air with fresh, outdoor air.  It is estimated that moving air with a fan has the equivalent effect of lowering body temperature by 3 degrees Celsius - very much appreciated on those hot summer days!
Motor
The motor is the ‘heart’ of the fan, and you certainly do NOT want a fan with a motor that clicks, hums or buzzes during operation (just TRY to sleep in a room with this type of annoyance).   Cheaper fans typically have an outer covering or case that is made up of very thin metal.  As you can imagine, these thin components may vibrate and rattle more than your more expensive models, which are more solid in design.  Thus the old adage “you get what you pay for” is very true in the case of fans.

Blades
People often mistakenly think only in terms of aesthetics when choosing a fan - selection is usually narrowed down to how well the particular blades (color or design) fit in with the decor of a room. 

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When trying to loosen a screw the screwdriver tip has to fit snugly in the slot or star. If it’s too small it will not properly grip and probably slide out of the slot and mutilate the head of the screw. Once damaged, screws become almost impossible to remove with a screwdriver.

Not only does the screwdriver have to fit the screw snugly but the length of the screwdriver also has a bearing on how easily you’ll remove the screw. (in this case length does matter) The longer the shaft of the screwdriver, the more torque or turning power you can exert on the screw and the more likely you’ll get the screw out. By grasping the square shaft of a screwdriver with an adjustable wrench you further increase the power you exert by turning the wrench and screwdriver together.
Once the head of a screw or bolt is mutilated the slot can be cut deeper with a hacksaw sometimes. When that won’t work, you need a tool called a screw extractor or easy-out. Screw extractors come in several sizes. Each one has a drill bit size embossed on its shaft. First select a screw extractor smaller than the shank of the screw or bolt. Then you drill a hole of the size marked on the screw extractor into the top of the screw. Finally, tap the screw extractor firmly into the hole and with the special handle available for the extractors or an adjustable wrench you should be able to back the screw or bolt out.

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Mark Webster is the reigning BDO World Darts Champions and scooped a check for a whopping £85,000 with his sharpshooting from the oche earlier this month.

But he has no intention of downing tools and turning to the fulltime pro circuit just yet.

“It makes sense to carry on with my plumbing,” said the spirit-level headed 24-year-old, who was back in lectures just a day after winning the world title.

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Use New Parts

You should plan on replacing all the parts that you loosen or remove during the replacement. So when shopping for a new wax ring, also buy a new water supply line and a new set of mounting bolts. The newer style flexible supply line that comes with both end nuts in place are preferred.  These parts will cost under $10. If you separate the tank and bowl, you should also buy new bolts, a new gasket and washers to re-connect the tank and bowl.

Protect any floor covering around the toilet, either remove it or cover with old towels. You will get water on the floor…count on it. If you have to turn the water supply off at the main house shutoff, fill two buckets with water. One bucket of cold water to use to drain the bowl (see below) and the other with hot water to clean the floor under the toilet and the bottom of the toilet. Finally fill your sink with warm water to wash up after handling the wax-ring.

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If you have Dampness or water puddling around the base of the toilet in your bathroom. Or if water is leaking through and staining the ceiling below it is usually a sign that you have a leaking wax seal between the toilet and the drain. But before you replace the wax ring, do make sure the water is not coming from some other sources. There could also be a leaking connection under the tank or condensation on the tank may be dripping and collecting around the base of the bowl. Even a pin-hole in the drain pipe below the toilet may cause similar symptoms. 

In any case, moisture around the base of a toilet is a problem that should not be ignored. It will usually not go away by itself, and over time it can cause significant damage to the subflooring around a toilet and the ceiling below. (more…)

There are three different well designs in common use, and each design consists of three parts: The well pipe, the pump and the storage tank. Although wells are generally dependable, they can act up.

The oldest type of well, the piston pump, has rarely been installed since the 1950’s, but many are still in service. This classic style is driven by a windmill-or by a hand-operated pitcher mechanism. The piston, submerged in the well shaft below water level, is connected to a rod that extends up the well casing.

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Although a conventional p-trap serves as a necessary component of a drainage system, the simple design has always been prone to problems. PermaFLOW Drain functions like a p-trap in normal use, but also has added technology to ensure the “permanent flow” of water. Unlike traditional p-traps, PermaFLOW is made of clear ABS plastic, so potential problems are not only seen, they can be diagnosed and quickly remedied. The inlet and outlet pipes on PermaFLOW are angled to increase flow turbulence. This helps break and propel debris which minimizes deposition and prevents the sink from becoming clogged. Inside PermaFLOW there is a “first ever” rotating paddle that can clear blockage with a turn of the outside mounted dial. This rotating paddle feature also provides users with a by-pass mode to quickly avoid the blockage until convenient maintenance may be performed – as well as the ability to lift and easily retrieve items dropped down the drain.

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It’s a pretty simple formula really, keep your thermostat on and any pipes that are directly exposed, have got to be insulated. Property owners should know that even a cursory check now can avoid trouble ahead.

According to State Farm Insurance, “an eighth-inch crack in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons of water a day.”

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The culprit most likely in this case may be high water pressure in your home. In most areas of the country any plumbing system with water pressure over 80 pounds per square inch or psi for short, is considered too high for residential use. An easy test that you can do yourself to determine your water pressure is to go down to your local home center or supply house and buy a water pressure test gauge.

These gauges simply screw on to your outside faucet (Silcock.) spout, and when you open the valve the pressure is displayed on the gauge. Normal ranges are usually between 35 psi to 75 psi. Any water pressure over 80 psi is too high for most homes and a plumber should be called to install a “pressure reducer valve” to correct the problem. Sometimes an old shower may use more than 2.5 gallons per minute and your new shower system meets the current code of 2.5 gallons per minute or less. That reduction in flow combined with possible high water pressure can produce a humming sound in your plumbing system.

Difference in toilet rough-in size is the distance from the finished wall to the center of the sewer outlet back to the toilet. Here is some background. Historically prior to the mid 1930’s toilet tanks were hung on the wall. The 10″ or 14″ sewer outlet depended upon the piping used to connect the toilet tank to the bowl. The 12″ rough became the norm, when tank & bowls were connected together without the use of piping.

How do 1.6 GPF style toilets differ from older model?

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1. Condition the pipe and fittings so that they are at the same ambient temperature. Cut the end of the pipe square by using a fine-toothed hand saw and miter box or power saw. Tube cutters with wheels designed for use with PVC are acceptable, provided they do not leave a raised bead on the outside diameter of the pipe. There are shears available for cutting small diameter PVC pipe also.

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How does solvent cement really work?
The solvents in the cement penetrate the plastic surface and cause the plastic to swell. The swelling continues until the gaps between the pipe and the fitting walls are closed and pressing against each other.

What plastics can be solvent cemented?
PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) , CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl), ABS (Acetylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene), polycarbonate [PC or Lexan] Styrene, Geloy and other plastic materials.

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In a typical tank, the float rising w/ the water level in the tank operates the inlet valve to shut off the water when it is full. When the flush handle is pushed, its linkage lifts the stopper off the discharge-pipe opening & the tank empties into the bowl flushing it. The stopper floats back down on the dropping water level to plug the opening again while the float sinks down to open the valve. The weight of the water in the tank holds the stopper in place until the handle is tripped.

Problem: Too much water in tank
Solution: Adjust the float arm by the adjustment screw. Do not bend the arm it’s old & may break. Most tanks have a water level mark inside. This mark is one inch below the top of the overflow pipe.

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•  be careful in using laundry products not to spill them on the exterior of the dryer. Wipe up any spills at once. Most exteriors are painted (synthetic enamel) which can be damaged or removed by chlorine bleach, ammonia, solvents or other chemicals often used in laundering & stain removal. Do not use dryer top as work-top for stain removal unless it is protected by heavy plastic cover, or for rust removal. Use the sink instead & follow remover product label directions exactly including flushing sink w/ cold water.
• do not spray pre-wash stain removers on clothing on top of dryer unless top is protected completely; this may corrode plastic control parts as well as paint.
• clean lint filter after each load for efficient drying. If load is very dirty, clean filter part-way through drying cycle also. Clean out exhaust vent system at least once a year, & be sure it is not clogged at any time. NEVER vent dryer into house; vent outside.
• check labels on garments & other textile items & never dry w/ heat those items which warn against such drying lest a fire start. Never dry items used w/ solvent or waxes for the same fire hazard reason. 
    

Rudders’ plumbers have to get inside each home, where they will turn off the water for a half hour or so and install a new, more accurate and efficient meter.
Village officials were not available Wednesday morning to say what would happen to people who refused to let the plumbers into their homes.

Shopping malls aren’t the only businesses that reap big profits on the day after Thanksgiving. For plumbers, it’s known as Black Friday too.

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Remove your dirty shower head

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The Specs
Ultraviolet (UV-C) light rays safely sterilize clear water by destroying viruses, bacteria and protozoa including Giardia and Cryptosporidium
SteriPEN is simple to use: Just press a button and gently agitate the water with a quick stir
Purifies 16 fl. oz. of water (cold or warm) in less than a minute or 32 fl. oz. in a minute and a half
Small size fits most containers–use it in cups, mugs, water bottles and canteens
SteriPEN turns itself off once ultraviolet treatment is complete; can be used up to 5,000 times!
Watertight seals keep water away from the electronics; rubberized inset grips for secure handling in wet conditions
Low-power indicator lets you know when batteries need replacing; twist-off cap for easy battery access
Long used by municipal water districts and bottling companies, low-level UV-C light treats water safely, and unit’s light will not damage eyes or skin
Four alkaline AA batteries purify 20 to 40 16-oz. glasses of water; purify 130 to 140 glasses with lithium AA batteries (batteries sold separately)
Average weight is 8 oz. with alkaline batteries and 6.4 oz. with lithium batteries; weight empty is 3.7 ounces
Use only on clear water, as cloudy, sediment-laden water hinders effectiveness
Newest SteriPEN features easier battery access, water bottle and military canteen compatibility and a new, slimmer carrying case

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The toilet may not be first on your list of celebratory causes.  But every year, water and sanitation-related disease kills 1.8 million children – one child every 15 seconds.  World Toilet Day, Monday November 19, raises awareness of the more than two billion people without access to basic sanitation in the developing world.

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The date of Crapper’s death has also been a source of confusion for many years. For example, Chase’s Annual Events, the authoritative book for listing special days and dates, has listed January 17 as Thomas Crapper Day and January 17, 1910 as the date of his death.

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It takes a lot of work to become a professional plumber. You start as an apprentice, you develop skills and gain experience during this time, before you decide to take it to the next level. The next step is striking out on your own as a licensed plumber.

How To Become A Licensed Plumber

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First though you must choose a under-sink water-purifier kit (compression fittings and mounting hardware included) .  You will also need Teflon tape
Steps:

Following are steps in the installation of a generic model. Read and follow the manufacturer’s directions and diagrams that come with your specific model. Installation should be fairly uniform for most models, but there may be model-specific variations. In our demonstration, the compression fittings supplied with the kit could be installed by hand–without the need for wrenches. An adjustable wrench may be useful for some installations.

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a beautiful autumn day is the perfect time to prepare trees and shrubs for cold weather to come. Fortunately, much of getting these plants ready for winter involves doing nothing this late in the season, avoid watering, fertilizing, or pruning, because these tasks stir up plant activity at a time when trees and shrubs should be slowing down and toughening up their wood for winter before the ground freezes.

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During the spring and summer, a leaf is a food factory for the tree. Its surface is filled with chlorophyll, which absorbs the sun’s light and through a process called photosynthesis converts it to food.

Tree and plant leaves contain pigments that give them their color. Three pigments are involved in fall color:
During the growing season, most tree leaves are green because they are full of chlorophyll. Plants use chlorophyll to capture sunlight for photosynthesis, the process that enables them to manufacture their own food. The amount of chlorophyll is so high during the summer that the green color masks all other pigments present in the leaf. As the days grow shorter in the fall, chlorophyll production slows down and eventually stops. The carotenoids and anthocyanins that are present in the leaf then become visible:
-Dogwood turns purplish red;
-Beech turns light tan;
-Red maple turns brilliant scarlet
-Sugar maple turns orange-red;

-Black maple turns glowing yellow;

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Purchase a few helium filled ballons and cover them with lightweight sheets or large pillow cases. Paint a friendly face on the sheet and let the finished product bounce around the room.

Make a Scarerow

Using old clothes and stuffing, the whole family can get into the action of making scarecrows. Stuff clothing with paper bags, pillows, stuffing, bedding, rags or leaves. Run a broom down the center of the pumpkin (so that the broom handle comes out the top), and cover the broom head with a halloween mask. Use indoors or out.

Monster Footprints

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Take a small amount of Vasoline (petroleum jelly) and rub between your finger tips, then use your fingers to gently shape the brush head into its correct shape. The bristles will stay soft as new and any residue of paint will not set up.

Brushes and roller sleeves used with oil-based paint can be temporarily kept soft by being wrapped in aluminum foil, placed in a plastic bag and stored in the freezer. This saves clean-up time and trouble when you plan to resume painting in the next day or two.

Before painting apply masking tape around your roller and then remove.  This will pull off al the fuzzies that will otherwise end up on your walls.

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But raking leaves gives you a perfect opportunity to get outside, get some fresh air, and get in a workout.

Raking leaves is considered moderate physical activity, similar to a brisk walk, so take an activity break at halftime and get in the fall spirit. Grab a rake, a bottle of water, and have at those leaves. To make it easier on your body, use some leaf-raking tips:

Preparation:

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 Wash the walls to remove any dirt and dust. Paint will not stick very well to dust so it is important to have them cleaned. Also vacuum the carpet.

 Use masking tape to tape around anything that should not be painted. Put a drop clothe down over the entire carpet especially if you are painting the ceiling.

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Remember, bathing is supposed to be a soothing, pleasurable experience. It is supposed to relax you and give you a chance to have a good rest and cleanse yourself. However,  if you are bathing in bath tub that looks dirty no matter how much you clean it, it kind of kills the ambience. If you are thinking about replacing your old bath tub with a new one, you have to consider that it will be very expensive to do so. If you can’t afford a brand new bath tub, you should consider refinishing your old bath tub.

Here is a cost effective solution that can let you save a lot of money and still give you a good as new bath tub. What bath tub refinishing means is that you will not really replace your old bath tub with a new one, but you will refinish your old bath tub in order to make it look as good as new.

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Things You’ll Need:

Draw a diagram, to scale if possible, of your lawn and garden areas you wish to irrigate. This will enable you to plan the routing of pipelines and placement of sprinkler heads so you can purchase your materials.

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The squealing sound you hear may be water rushing through an obstruction in the pipes.  You may be able to eliminate the squeal easily and inexpensively.

Like blowing air on an empty pop bottle, air and pressure can cause sounds in your pipes. So  what’s causing the whistle in your pipes? First, if you have an older home you may have worn-out galvanized pipes. Galvanized pipes corrode from the inside out, with large rust deposits forming on the inside surface.  Sometimes chunks of this corrosion can break away and get lodged in valves or faucets.

Also, if you’ve recently remodeled bathrooms or replaced the water heater, etc.you may have accidently introduced dirt into the system. And any time work is done on old pipes, you risk disturbing corrosion or sediment already in the pipes.

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First, remove the basket strainer from the drain.  Run hot water until it stands about 2 inches deep in the sink.
Take a suction cup plunger and pump it up and down directly over the clogged drain. The water in the sink provides a seal. If the suction cup does not clear the drain in a few minutes, you will probably be forced to remove some of the pipes to get the job done.

If you cannot open the drain with the suction cup, open the cabinet under the sink and take a look. Notice the section of pipe beneath the sink that’s shaped like an “S” or a “P”? That portion of the pipe is called the trap, and it could be at the root of your problem.

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So what to do if you do need a new water heater?  Well you will need to decide what kind of water heater you need and how long a warranty you want.  For example Tankless Hot Water Heaters cost more than conventional storage water heaters. However, you may find that a tankless water heater may have lower operating and energy costs, which could offset its higher purchase price.  I will get more into choosing a water heater in a new post but the point is you will need to make a few decisions before you can get estimates to compare apples to apples.
When choosing a company look for one that has been in business for awhile and has experience installing and repairing both traditional storage hot water heaters and tankless hot water heaters.  Look for a company with Water Heater Services that can respond to you within 24 hours and the same day if possible.