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When Its Time to Call a Plumber


One of the most important lessons in owning a home is learning when to throw in the towelor the plunger and call for professional help. It does not mean you are stupid or ignorant. It just means you know when to give up. It is a smart person that knows when to give up and stop killing yourself over trying to do it yourself. For most people it is a last resort and many times it should be. Plumbers are generally overpriced and you pay for travel time and several other hidden fees. Please be sure that you absolutely have to call a plumber before you do. If you have to call a plumber to take on a project there are a few things you can do to keep some of your money.

COMPARE PLUMBERS:

The first thing most people do is call the plumber with the lowest rates. This sounds like the logical thing to do, however it is not always the wisest course of action. This is because hourly rates are hard to compare. Some plumbers charge mileage. Some plumbers start charging as soon as they start the car on the way to your house. Some charge by the minute. Some charge by the quarter hour. Some charge by the half hour.

The best way to choose the best plumber is choose a plumber with a good reputation for customer satisfaction. When you call, see if they have any references. Ask your friends and family if they know of anyone and if they were satisfied. Satisfaction is important. You may spend more at first, but you will only pay for one visit as opposed to several.

MINIMIZE YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS:

The best way to avoid spending too much money on a plumber is to avoid having to call one. The main reason most people call a plumber is drain backups and other drain problems. These can usually be fixed much cheaper than calling a plumber.

Grease clogs are the most common drain problem. This can be fixed by experimenting with several things around the house to see what works best to keep your drain clean. What works for most people is pouring some hot water and vinegar down the drain daily. If your drain is clogged from grease, pouring some hot vinegar down the drain and letting it set for about 20 minutes and then follow that with some boiling water will usually clear it up. Pour the water and vinegar slowly so that it has a better effect on the clog.

The other main clog problem is hair clogs. Usually a mesh catch will remedy this problem. If the drain is clogged, then a drain cleaner from your local grocery store or department store, will fix this problem. You will need to let this sit for fifteen to twenty minutes. Just follow the directions on the package.

BUY YOUR OWN FIXTURES:

Anything that you are going to need to install, such as toilets and sinks, can be bought in advance. Plumbers will try to sell you what they have. They usually mark up the price, so it is way over priced. Buying these in advance will save you a lot of money. However you may want to check with the plumber in advance to see what brands are the best to minimize any confusion later. Some products are made cheaply and many plumbers will not use them or work with them. Discussing this with your plumber in advance will ensure you buy the best item.

REDUCE YOUR NEED:

One of the most overlooked ways to save money on a plumber is to simply check all your fixtures and make sure everything is tightened and attached properly. Sometimes simply checking these things yourself will save you from having to call out a plumber. If there are any leaks or clogs that need to be fixed, make a list of all of them. When the plumber arrives give him the list. Tell him this is exactly what needs to be done. He will get right on it, rather than trying to access the problem. He will be in your home for less time, hence saving you very valuable, hard earned money.

Look for an inspector who looks at the big picture, every home, new or old, has some minor repair issues.

Hammer It Home: Different Types of Hammers and What Jobs They Perform


Although the hammer is one of the simplest toolsconsisting of a handle and a headthere is nonetheless a great variety of sizes, styles, and functionalities. For basic home repairs, which ones should you have handy? Read on to find out!

Knock these off the list
In general, there are some tools that fall into the hammer category that are only used for more specialized tasks. These include: mallets and mauls, which are woodworking tools; ball-peen hammers, used for metalwork; and more heavy duty options such as the roofers hammer or sledgehammer. Assuming you are just looking for something that drives nails and occasionally breaks things apart, well disregard the options below and discuss the more common varieties.

Whats it made of?
Hammer heads, which have the striking surface, are typically made of metal.
The handle allows a good grip, extends the arc of your swing thereby increasing speed and velocity of the strike, andin modern timesserves as a shock absorber. The most common and inexpensive handles are made of wood, just as they have been since the hammer was first invented. Although wood handles have okay shock absorption, keep in mind that they will probably need to be replaced at some point. Another problem unique to wooden handles is that over-striking and hitting the handle against the piece youre working on will cause a wooden handle more damage than it would to a metal or fiberglass one.

Also around for hundreds of years, metal hammer handles are extremely durable and resist damage from over-striking. The weakness of a metal hammer is its lack of shock absorption. To combat this, most metal hammers also have a well-cushioned grip.

Finally, the new kid on the block in hammer handle materials is fiberglass. Fiberglass handles have the best of both worldsthey absorb shock as well as or better than a wooden handle (with the addition of a rubbery grip), and they are nearly as rigid or durable as metal handles. Fiberglass hammers can also be used by electricians.

Weigh your options
The most popular hammer weights are between 455 and 680g (16 to 24 oz). The state hammer weight consists of the weight of the head onlynot the handle. A 12-oz hammer is known as a tack hammer and can be used for driving small nails, brads, and tacks. While 20 oz hammers drive larger nails efficiently, the middle size of 16 oz hammers is the most popular and versatile.

Choose a head, any head
Most general work hammers have a flat striking face on one end and a peen on the other, with the balance in the head. Peens vary in design; the most common hammer is the claw hammer, in which the peen is shaped like a two-prong, curved fork. This claw design is most useful for pulling nails. Similarly, a rip hammer has a two-prong, straight fork. The rip hammer is designed to pry apart two joined pieces of wood.
The deciding factor
Although the purpose of the hammer is the most important factor in your decision, you should also consider how an individual hammer feels to you. When you have narrowed down your choices based on weight, type of materials, and style, pick up your finalists and swing them. If possible and safe, hit something with it. Consider how the hammer feels in your hand, whether the shock level is acceptable, and if you have a good grip and a good amount of swinging power for the project at hand.

Handle your hammer like a pro
Now that youve bought your hammer, learn what to do with it! A few basic hammer use pointers are addressed below.
To make a job easier and avoid damage to either your tools or the project, always choose the appropriate hammer for each individual job.
If you notice a hammer slipping off nails, use medium sand paper to roughen the face.
Never use the side of a hammer head to make contact, because the metal at this point is not hardened like the striking face and could incur damage.
Check on a regular basis to ensure the steel wedges holding the hammer handle in the hammer head are tight. Wood can shrink in dry conditions. If a wood handle does become loose, submerse the head in water overnight. This will rehydrate the wood, causing it to expand and tighten up again.
A piece of scrap wood inserted between the work piece and hammer will prevent damage to the work piece when crafting delicate projects.
Another way to prevent damage to the work piece is to use a nail punch to sink nails into the timber.