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Wondering if your septic tank needs to be emptied? Septic systems usually need pumped every three to five years, but you may need to pump sooner if the sludge in the tank builds up faster. You can look for signs both inside and outside the house to determine if it's time to pump your septic tank.
Read MoreThe elderberry bush (Sambucus spp.) is a fruit-bearing, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. The plant grows clusters of round, purplish-black berries that are a hit with songbirds.
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A heat detector may be electronic or feature a bimetallic strip that sets off the alarm. The heat of a fire bends the strip to close an electrical contact. It is not affected by dust, smoke, or steam which may set off standard smoke alarms.
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Any grass seed stored for more than one year is likely to have a reduced ability to sprout. Knowing how to store grass seed properly can help it last.
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Some ivy plants like full sun, but other varieties of ivy grow best in partial or full shade. When looking for ivy for a sunny spot, review the specific sunlight requirements of different varieties to find a good match.
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The function of a compressor in an HVAC system is to power the heat transfer cycle that helps cool your home. Without it, your air conditioner can't cool.
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A bathroom exhaust fan operates by removing odors and moisture from your bathroom through a ceiling or wall vent and expelling them outside your home.
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Gas- and oil-fired furnaces typically have safety sensors that monitor furnace operation, and these may cause the furnace to shut off. Sometimes the furnace goes into lockout mode. If this happens, it may need to be manually reset.
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The function of a refrigerator thermostat is solely to regulate the refrigerator's cooling system by keeping the temperature at the setting you've chosen.
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Bolts are made of different grades of steel. The greater the steel’s tensile strength, the more torque the bolt can take and the tighter the bolted joint will be. Standards for...
Read MoreWhen you need a longer load-bearing beam, you can splice a new section onto the end of the beam. You may have to extend a beam because the original end rotted, was infested by termites or because a remodeling removed the original beam end.
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Ground faults in commercial fire alarm systems are difficult to find. An electrical ground fault is unintentional grounding of an electric wire. This accidental ground causes a current leak, which means devices on the affected circuit may not work at all or may falsely signal an alarm condition.
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The 7018 arc welding rod is commonly used for general-purpose welding of carbon steel. It is a mild steel rod that is coated with a low-hydrogen, iron-based flux compound that vaporizes to shield the molten weld bead from contamination by air and moisture. This rod has a tensile strength of 70,000 lbs.
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Plaster is a wall finishing material, used for centuries. It can be applied over concrete or cinder block, brick, stone or wood. It creates a durable, hard surface that conforms to flat or curved walls and ceilings. Plaster fell out of favor in the late 1940s as gypsum drywall board came on the scene.
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Structural wooden beams in houses and other buildings can weaken with age or start to sag because they are supporting a much heavier load than they were meant to carry. Weak beams may be uncovered during a home remodeling or when converting a non-residential structure into a home.
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Dryers and other electric household appliances are not supposed to shock their users. If your dryer is shocking you when you touch it, you have an electrical insulation breakdown somewhere within the machine plus a faulty ground connection that’s made the insulation problem noticeable via the electric shock.
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Standard household electric power in the United States is 110 to 120 volts, with a 60-cycle alternating current, and most household washers can be plugged into wall outlets supplying this current.
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On an equivalent unit basis, natural gas costs roughly one-third less than propane, also known as LP gas. This substantial cost difference may lead homeowners to consider converting from propane to natural gas once natural gas becomes available in their neighborhood.
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Clorox-brand household bleach is a solution of five chemicals dissolved in water that perform bleaching, cleaning and disinfecting functions. Clorox liquid bleach was introduced to commercial customers in 1913 in Oakland, California.
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Changing your lawn mower battery is a fairly simple job, but you will need a few tools and some safety gear.
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From time to time, you may need to fasten two or more pieces of metal together without bolting, soldering or welding them. Fortunately, there are special adhesive products on the market made for gluing metal.
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