Reclaimed Greywater to Flush the Toilet?

The Sloan Valve Company's new Sloan® AQUS® Greywater System does exactly that, reclaims greywater from bathroom lavatory drains and reuses it to flush toilets, which could mean savings of gallons of water annually. The system is currently ideal for hotels, schools and many commercial applications, a common household probably will not generate enough greywater for this system to be practical but if Sloan Company can come up with a home model, it will be a great one for household use, but who says you cant try this one for your home?

The systems basically, funnels water collected from sink drains, sanitizes, cleans and filters the water. The water then stored to a reservoir under the sink for future use. When a toilet that is connected to the system flushes, water from the reservoir is used to flush the toilet, a very ingenious way to save and tap greywater.

www.thediypal.com

Electrical Cords Safety

Electrical cords that are damage or used improperly can posed a serious risk, they can be a source of shock hazards, fire hazards or tripping hazards.

Here are some few tips to prevent injuries or accidents involving electrical cords from occurring.

• Before using electrical cords, make sure they are not damage, check the insulation make sure they are not chafed or cut. Make sure all the prongs are there and not damage.

• Use GFCI along with your electrical cord when working outdoors, in close proximity with water, or in damp conditions.

• Remove all cords out of foot traffic paths, they pose a tripping hazard when stepped on. If this is not unavoidable, use duct tape to keep them flat and secure on the floor, use this only as a temporary solution.

• Move cords or furniture so cords are not covered. Heavy weights or traffic can damage cords, crushing insulation or breaking wire strands, creating a fire or shock hazard.

• Unwrap cords. Wrapped cords trap heat that normally escapes loose cords, which can lead to melting or weakening of insulation.

• Do not use nails or staples to fasten electrical cords, nails and staples can tear or crush the insulation or cut the wires inside, presenting a fire or shock hazard.

• Do not overload cords, make sure extension cords are not carrying too much load than what they are supposed to, if so replace cords with a higher capacity cords (16 AWG handles 1375 W, use 14 or 12 AWG for heavier loads). Too much current will cause the wires to get hot. If the cord, plug, or outlet feels warm, it may be overloaded, and can be a fire hazard.

• Do not use extension cord as a permanent wiring, extension cords are not as safe as permanent house wiring. Have additional outlets installed, installed wiring can carry more current and is protected from accidental damage that could cause shock or fire.

• Do not pull on the electrical cord itself when unplugging, remove them by the plug.

• When using electrical cords, make sure they do not come in contact with water, water and electricity do not mix and can result in serious shock or fire.

• When done using them, unplugged and remove them from electrical source.

www.thediypal.com

Handy Solutions for Common Interior Paint Problems

Tips from the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute

Now is the perfect time to look around your home and take stock of areas in need of repair or an inexpensive spruce up with the holiday season behind us and warmer weather still months away.

“A simple change of paint color can rejuvenate a tired kitchen, warm a family or living room or help to create a restful bedroom. But, before opening that first can of paint, correct surface issues and make sure your walls are clean and sound. Good surface preparation coupled with top quality paint, brushes and rollers will help to insure a long-lasting and beautiful finish,” Debbie Zimmer, color and decorating expert with the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute explains.

Common Interior Surface Paint Problems

1. Foaming or Cratering
This occurs during the formation of bubbles and results in small, round concave depressions when those bubbles break during paint application and drying.

Possible causes include shaking a partially filled can of paint, use of low quality paint or very old latex paint, applying paint too quickly or excessive rolling and brushing, using a low quality roller cover or wrong nap length or applying a gloss or semigloss paint over a porous surface.

Solution
All paints will foam to some extent during application: however, higher quality paints are formulated so bubbles break while the paint is still wet, allowing for good flow and appearance. Apply gloss and semigloss paints with a short nap roller, and apply a sealer or primer to porous surfaces before painting.

2. Mildew
The black, gray or brown areas of fungus growth can occur on paint or caulk surfaces. Mildew forms most often on areas that tend to be damp with little or no sunlight. Ideal areas include bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms.

Possible causes include use of a low quality paint, with minimal or no additives to prevent growth, painting over a surface where the mildew has not been removed or applying paint in “too thin” of a coat.

First test for mildew by applying a few drops of household bleach to the discolored area, then rinse; if it disappears it is probably mildew.

Solution
Remove all mildew from the surface by scrubbing with a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach, three parts water), wearing proper safety protection, including rubber gloves and eye protection. Rinse thoroughly, prime bare surfaces and paint. To protect against mildew, use a top quality latex paint and clean when necessary with bleach/detergent solution. Consider installing an exhaust fan in high moisture areas.

3. Brush and Roller Marks from Poor Paint Flow and Leveling
Failure of the paint to dry to a smooth film results in unsightly marks or patterns after the paint dries.

Possible causes include use of low quality paint or wrong type of roller cover or low quality brush, adding additional paint to “touch up” partially dried painted areas, re-brushing or re-rolling partially dried painted areas.

Solution
Use high quality paints to prevent this problem from occurring. Quality paints contain ingredients that enhance paint flow and form a smooth film. When using a roller, be sure to use a cover with the recommended nap length for the type of paint being used. Use a high quality brush, a poor brush can result in poor flow and leveling.

About the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute
The Paint Quality Institute(SM) was formed by Rohm and Haas Company in 1989 to educate people on the advantages of using quality interior and exterior paints and coatings. The Paint Quality Institute's goal is to provide information on the virtues of quality paint as well as color trends and decorating with paint through a variety of vehicles, including television appearances, newspaper and magazine articles, and instructional literature. Be sure to visit the Paint Quality Institute at www.paintquality.com.

www.thediypal.com

Winter Tree Care Tips for Homeowners

Winter brings frigid temperatures, icy winds, and plenty of snow. Just as people battle Mother Nature at this time of the year, so do trees, with one major exception: trees can't avoid exposure to the elements.

"While your trees seem to be in a state of hibernation in the winter, exposure to the tough conditions can cause them major stress," said Jim Skiera, Executive Director of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). "Minimize that stress by helping your trees through the cold months, a little at a time. If you take care of your trees in the winter, you'll be rewarded in the spring."

1. Put composted organic mulch under your tree in the fall or early winter to help retain water and reduce temperature extremes. A thin layer of mulch will act like a blanket and give the tree's roots a little extra winter protection.

2. Give your trees a drink. Winter droughts require watering as much as summer droughts. If temperatures permit, an occasional watering during the winter on young trees can be a life saver. But be sure to water only when soil and trees are cool but not frozen.

3. Prune your trees. Winter is actually one of the best times to prune because it is easier to see the structure of trees without their leaves. But limit pruning to deadwood and poorly placed branches in order to save as many living branches as possible.

4. Prevent mechanical injuries. Branch breakage or splitting can be caused by ice and snow accumulation, or chewing and rubbing by animals. Prevent problems from occurring on young trees by wrapping the base of trees in a hard, plastic guard or a metal hardware cloth. Wrapping trees with burlap or plastic cloth also can prevent temperature damage. Just remember to remove the wraps and guards in the spring to prevent damage when the tree begins to grow.

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is a nonprofit organization supporting tree care research around the world. Headquartered in Champaign, Ill., ISA is dedicated to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees. For more information, contact a local ISA Certified Arborist or visit www.isa-arbor.com.

www.thediypal.com

New Welding Helmets from Lincoln Electric

Lincoln Electric expanded it's Vista line of auto-darkening welding helmets and upgraded the entire line's headgear, making them more ergonomic and comfortable for use. Newly redesigned headgear features improved ventilation along with fore and aft adjustments for a more individualized fit.

Red Rod™, the first new design, features hot rod flame graphics over candy-apple red metalflake paint, to appeal to the classic car enthusiast. The new retro-inspired SurfRod® helmets, pay tribute to the pinstripes and matte black finish used by street rodders of the 1950s and today. Additionally, Lincoln now offers an all black helmet, ideal for factory orders and individuals who prefer a more traditional look.

The Vista line also features:

• Solar powered auto-darkening, eliminating operator error and alkaline corrosion
• Grind and TIG modes, as well as variable delay settings for greater operator control
• Four independent arc sensors to ensure reliability
• Different view sizes, for every budget and preference, including the 3000series, with one of the largest views in the industry

Other styles available in the Vista® line include Heavy Metal™, Patriot, and NASCAR®.

For more information visit their website at www.lincolnelectric.com

www.thediypal.com

Tenon and Mortise Joinery the Easy Way

If you are looking for a fast, easy and revolutionary way of doing mortise and tenon look no further.
Festool has a revolutionary tool called Domino Joining System. The system consist of the Domino joiner and prefabricated tenons in various sizes. It offers a far more stronger joints that of biscuit or dowel joinery and has more area for gluing surface. Festool offers the tools in two models the Festool Domino DF 500 E (574258) or the Domino DF 500 E Set (574283) with additional accessories.

For more information on the Domino joining systems visit www.festoolusa.com


www.thediypal.com

Enjoy Your Fireplace And Woods Stoves Safely

The high cost of energy are driving consumers to find alternative ways to reduce their home heating costs, they are rediscovering their fireplaces and wood stoves and using them more often to heat their homes. Although these are attractive alternatives there are many inherent dangers associated with using them.

Many times these fireplaces and wood stoves has not been used for a long time and may require some careful attention and inspections. It is recommended to contact a professional to inspect your fireplace, wood stoves and chimneys to make sure they are properly working and are safe to use. Careful attention to safety can also minimize their fire hazard.

Here are some safety tips you can follow before using your fireplace or wood stoves.

• Be sure the fireplace or stove is installed properly. Wood stoves should have adequate clearance (36”) from combustible surfaces and proper floor support and protection.

• Wood stoves should be of good quality, solid construction and design, and should be laboratory tested.

• Fireplaces, wood stoves and chimneys should be inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time to ensure that they are in proper operating condition, (i.e., no cracks in fireplace masonry or wood stove linings).

• Keep children and pets away from fireplaces and wood stoves. They can be burned badly by touching such hot surfaces as fireplace screens or the exterior of a stove.

• Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.

• Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening, to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out, unwanted material from going in, and help prevent the possibility of burns to occupants.

• The stove should be burned hot twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote buildup.

• Try to keep the fire at a moderate level. Continuous burning of wood at a low-fire level may contribute to creosote build-up, increasing the potential for chimney fires and the corrosion of metal parts. Inspect the chimney and chimney connector on wood stoves at least twice monthly and clean if necessary. Avoid over-firing the stove, since overheating may damage the stove and chimney connector or cause a fire in adjacent structures.

• Don’t use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by overbuilding the fire.

• Use only the proper fuel. Don't use charcoal in a fireplace or stove that is designed only for wood fires, burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.

• Keep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel. A spark from the fireplace could easily ignite theses materials.

• Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. NEVER close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.

• If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package. NEVER break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.

Photograph is licensed under GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2
Courtesy of Thomaswm

www.thediypal.com