How to Drive Safely During the Holidays

Sewer line replacement is something that no homeowner ever wants to go through because it usually means that something took place that prompted the replacement in the first place. It could be something as simple and mundane as a number of drains either draining slowly or being blocked up at the same time. It could also be something as serious as sewage backing up into the home.

Either way,sewer line replacement is not the type of thing that anyone wants to deal with,but when you start seeing the signs,you have to get with it & start making the right moves. Now,this may seem as though you’re shopping around for the better bargain & bang for your buck,but in reality,you are & that’s a good thing.

If you do a general search online for the cost you may incur when replacing your home’s sewer line,you will find dollar figures all over the map. Granted,most of them are in the four-figure range,but where in that range varies quite a bit. It’s bad enough that you have to deal with problems in your home’s plumbing,but the last thing you want to find out is that you paid too much for services rendered.

It may be good to know that when you’re “in the market” for this type of work,you might want to think about the various ways the process can take place:

Traditional Digging– This is the “old-school” method,and while it’s effective,it can really do a number on your yard & landscaping.

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Trenchless Replacement– This serves as a bit of an umbrella term describing the process by which you can replace a sewer line without the traditional use of a backhoe for digging.

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“Pipe within a Pipe”– Sometimes a resin can be introduced into your current sewer line,and when it hardens,a “pipe” is created that provides a new line. This does require you to have an intact pipe in the first place (trenchless).

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Pipe Bursting– If your sewer line has damage,the pipe bursting method may work best. This process allows a new line to be pulled through,breaking up & displacing the old pipe while it simultaneously sets the new line in (trenchless).

Each of these replacement methods serve as an option that may work for your home,but you won’t know that for sure unless you have someone take a look at your current state. A local,dependable plumber will be able to inspect your current sewer line with a fiber optic camera. This way,they can give you a pretty detailed look at where things stand with your sewer line & can advise you as to the best option for your home.

Sewer line replacement is the pits,but it’s good to know you have some options. Sure,the expense is something you can’t quite prepare yourself for,but knowing that a trusted local plumber with years of experience can bring you some peace of mind along the way is nice.

Myth One

Myth:Wall decals are stickers

Reality:No. A “true” wall decal is cut from vinyl. Vinyl is a synthetic material that appears like a thin plastic,but it is not plastic. A decal will have a backing paper and a low tack application tape on the front. It will be very thin so it appears hand painted.

Vinyls are self adhesive,much thinner than a sticker,and are able to withstand heat which can be used to ensure it sticks properly to the surface. A sticker would just bubble,but vinyl likes the heat and will contour to the surface.

Stickers are on a sheet,and you peel up the corner of the design and pull it off the backing paper and then stick onto another surface. Basically a sticker is a print onto paper which has adhesive. Sometimes this paper is glossy,sometimes it is plastic coated etc. They can be made of vinyl,but are much thicker and don’t look like they are hand painted. Generally stickers look cheaper and more temporary than a true decal.

Myth Two

Myth:Decals are only for walls

Reality:No. In fact,decals are best applied to the hardest,flattest surface possible. They love drywall,glass,formica,painted wood,steel,plastic. Can be applied to painted plaster,(might require heat to assist in application),and absolutely does not work with stucco and brick surfaces.

In reality,decals and surface graphics can be applied to any surfaces that you imagine as long as they fit with the above. Try applying decals to a ceiling! A floor! A fridge! A filing cabinet! A reception desk! Decals and surface graphics work on many surfaces.

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Myth Three

Myth:Wall decals and surface graphics are as easy as PEEL AND STICK.

Reality:No. This is not true. Wall decals come with a backing paper and a low tack application tape. These are used to assist in applying the pre-spaced letters and designs to the surface. You need to follow the instructions,work slowly and often require two sets of hands to complete the application. However,once applied they are absolutely worth the effort!!!!

Myth Four

Myth:Surface graphics ruin the paint.

Reality:Mmmmm. Always a hard one when it comes to paint. If your paint is poorly applied or old,anything will ruin it,not just decals. Bubbling paint will lift simply by running your hand over it,so never mind having something stuck to it.

We always recommend using heat to remove the decals or surface graphics. Heat will loosen the adhesive and make removing the vinyl a simpler task. If you paint was good to start with,it will survive having a surface graphic placed on it.

Myth Five

Myth:Decals can only be used inside.

Reality:Decals and surface graphics can be used inside and outside. The rule is that decals won’t stick to rough surfaces,so if you are trying to apply to a rough surface outside,no,it probably won’t stick. But,if you are sticking the decal to the outside of a garden shed,or applying the decal to an outdoor patio as a feature,then absolutely it work. Exposure to UV,rain and other environmental elements will be okay for the vinyl for up to 7 years (depending on the level of exposure).

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Myth Six

Myth:Wall decals are reposition-able.

Reality:No. They are not. Many companies claim they are,but the fine print is they accept no responsibility if they don’t. Very convenient for those companies. You have already paid your money for something you think will restick and then it doesn’t.

Decals are made of self adhesive vinyl. Good decals are made of ultra thin vinyl. So if you can imagine lifting a very thin sticker off a hard surface,it will most certainly be damaged where a) you have picked at the corner to lift it and b) where it stretches as it is lifted away from the hard surface. Plus,some of the adhesive is left on the surface,so the next time you apply the stretched,damaged decal,it won’t stick for very long.

The team at Cool Art Vinyl know their stuff. When purchasing wall decals or surface graphics,think of it as a single application purchase and you won’t be disappointed.

Myth Seven

Myth:Decals look like hand painted murals and designs on the surface.

Reality:Right On! Well-made,good quality decals are absolutely fantastic as a decorating item. Generally they are low cost and beat the price of someone hand painting or doing calligraphy on the wall. We regularly do comparison quotes against painters and our prices are a third if not a half of the competition.-

The confusion of home plumbing can easily be avoided if homeowners take certain precautions and perform proper maintenance. Prevent a visit from a costly plumbing repair service and show your home plumbing system a little love over this Valentine’s Day by partaking in these easy tasks suggested by residential plumbers:

1. Check for leaks.

Even the smallest leak in your faucets and pipes can lead to unmanageable flooding if not noticed or taken care of immediately. The resulting damage can require substantial home and plumbing repair which can be quite costly. Therefore,it is important to check all exterior walls,unheated basements,garages and crawl spaces,especially those areas that lack insulation. Little to no insulation leaves pipes more vulnerable to the elements and therefore they are more likely to crack and leak. Getting in contact with a residential plumber can also be useful as they can help you scope out trouble areas and can give you an overview of how to prepare and maintain your plumbing over the winter months.

2. Drain and insulate.

Draining and insulating all outdoor faucets and pipes in your home plumbing system before the winter sets in is a must as any water that gets trapped in those pipes can freeze,expand,and then crack,break,or burst the pipes. Securing these exterior pipes can help you avoid dealing with property damages and unpleasant plumbing repair.

Here are some ways to prepare your exterior pipes for the winter:

– Drain and disconnect all garden hoses and use a hose bib or faucet cover to insulate your outdoor faucets from freezing temperatures.

– For irrigation systems,shut off the water flow into the system and drain all water from the pipes.

For further assistance in preventing costly plumbing repairs,most residential plumbers can help you with the draining and insulating process for your home plumbing.

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3. Weatherproof trouble areas.

The next step is to look out for areas containing exposed plumbing. Doorways,windows,and vent fans should be checked to make sure their seals remain tight. If a seal is loose,it can be fixed up with caulking to avert your home plumbing from freezing. Also make sure to repair and cracked windows as they can lead to freezing temperatures coming in contact with your plumbing and will result in expensive plumbing repair costs.

4. Insulate exposed pipes.

Instead of sealing off all airflow in your home,which can potentially lead to mold growth,you should make sure your pipes are properly insulated so that they can stand up against cold winter air. As an easy and inexpensive procedure,insulating your home plumbing is the way to go. It can be as easy as installing foam tubing or towels around your pipes and can help your water heater retain heat (and therefore lower those pricey energy bills). Vulnerable pipes near electrical sources should be insulated with electrical heating tape. Heat tape,which can be wrapped around the pipes,is a great tool for providing just enough heat to keep your pipes from freezing.

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5. Keep indoor pipes warm.

Though many of the wintertime home plumbing issues are due to outdoor pipes,you mustn’t forget about your indoor plumbing. Indoor pipes can also freeze in cold weather,so doing things such as opening cabinet doors to expose your pipes to your home’s heat can help prevent internal home plumbing issues. For when you plan on being away from home for an extended period of time,make sure to set your interior thermostat to a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Letting your indoor faucets drip steadily when the temperature outside drops below 30 degrees Fahrenheit can help prevent pipes from bursting and causing serious damages.

6. Sign up for a home plumbing maintenance program.

As residential plumbers recommend,keeping a close eye on and maintaining your home plumbing system regularly can save you from spending lots of time and money on damages and repairs. You can also consider signing up for a plumbing maintenance program so that you will know what to do in case of a plumbing problem. These programs can help extend the life of your appliances and ensure your plumbing warranties stay up-to-date. Partaking in a plumbing maintenance program will set your mind at ease as your home plumbing will be in capable hands.

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