DIY Bathroom Plumbing
A few things in your home that are relatively easy to fix. Lime buildup in your commode and cracks in your bathtub are two fix-it jobs you can do yourself. The lime scale in the toilet can be remedied using standard cleaning supplies, but the bathtub needs caulk. This can be found in the bathroom plumbing supply area of your local Aubuchon hardware store.
For the lime repair, simply shut off the valve that gives water to the toilet and flush until it is empty. Take paper towels that have been soaked in white vinegar and place them over lime deposits for three hours. Then remove the towels and use a brush to scrape away lime that remains.
As for the caulking between the wall and the tub, such cracks are a cinch to fix. First, fill the tub with water, apply the caulk and then immediately drain. The draining process compresses the caulk and allows the cracks to repair.
Fluorescent vs. Incandescent
The early days of fluorescent lamps were not as successful as those of the modern day fluorescent lamps. They were not very pretty and they were large. Nowadays, everyone is interested in keeping their energy costs down and living "green." Not only that, but those hefty lamps 25 years ago have morphed into more compact, streamlined lamps that people find more attractive. They use compact fluorescent light bulbs that burn about 80% of the energy of that of incandescent bulbs.
As if the energy savings were not enough, fluorescent bulbs last much longer than incandescent. While the latter has a life span of about 1,000 hours, the fluorescent will last anywhere from 8,000 to 14,000 hours. The cost of fluorescent bulbs is very comparable to incandescent even though they use much less energy and last a lot longer.
Fluorescent bulbs are much more advantageous than incandescent. These low energy light bulbs cut costs and are environmentally friendly. They should be used anywhere artificial light is needed.
Solar Outdoor Lighting
The use of solar-powered lighting systems has progressed through the years. Solar lighting is convenient to install as it does not use any wiring whatsoever or any transformers.
Solar-powered lighting captures and stores the natural sunlight during the day and uses it once it becomes dark outdoors. It can be used to light a garden or fountain or it can be used as driveway or pathway lights leading to your house. The only disadvantage to solar outdoor lighting is that it produces a faint light and does not light a large area. However, it is great as an accent light where bright light is not needed. Many electrical products can be used with switches and timers. These sensors can help you control the amount of lighting produced and avoid wasting power.
How to Prevent Electrical Injury within the Home
There are a few ways one can be hurt with an electrical injury: through faulty household electrical wiring, contact with electrical power lines, or from lightning during a thunderstorm. The injury and fatality rate for any of the aforementioned is low but it is worth taking a few precautions. The following tips should be used to prevent electrical injury: - Be sure power strips and surge protectors can handle the load being plugged into them. Don't plug too many items into the same circuit.
- Any electrical equipment that has been damaged should be replaced immediately. Any flickering lights may be a sign of electrical wiring problems.
- If you use a generator, plug your appliances into it directly. Do not plug them into the house's wiring.
- If you are working with electrical equipment, always turn off the power button. This includes simple tasks such as changing a light bulb.
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