The first step is to check to see what the problem is. If you turn on the disposal and it makes a noise, then most likely it is just jammed. If it doesn’t make a noise, then there is a possibility that the circuit breaker has been tripped. Check your electrical panel, and reset the circuit breaker. Now look under the unit, and you’ll see a small red reset switch. Press this button or flick the switch and it will turn the unit back on. Turn on the disposal again and it should either hum to designate that it is jammed or it should work properly. If it still doesn’t turn on, then you have a much bigger issue and should contact a professional in order to remedy the issue.

The first step when doing anything with the disposal is to ensure that the power is shutoff to this area of the house. This means that you are going to wait to turn off the circuit breaker, located in the electrical control panel. Once this is in the off position, flip your disposal to on to release any remaining power in the line. You’ll hear you disposal slightly engage, hum, then nothing. This is a sign that it is completely off and that all the power is purged from the line.

After doing this, I generally turn off the water as well. You really don’t need to do this, but as a common practice, I have just gotten used to doing it. This prevents you from accidentally turning on the water in the process and creating a mess to go with your problem.

After you have done both of these steps, take a long handle, like a broom handle or something similar and place into the disposal. NEVER USE YOUR HANDS! While placing it in there, gently try to rotate the blades. If you can easily rotate the blades and don’t feel anything in the way, there is something bigger wrong with your disposal and you should call a professional. If you notice blockage, then you have an obviously jammed disposal.

To clear the jam, take an allen wrench and attempt to clear the jam manually by inserting it into the bottom of the disposal spinning the blades until they come free and can rotate completely. Now again take the broomstick handle and jab at the jam downwards to make sure you clear it from the blades. After you have done this, you can reach down inside the disposal with a set of long nose pliers and pull out whatever is causing the blockage. I generally wear nose plugs because I often get sick by the smell and sight of what comes out. It can be pretty disgusting at times.

Now, turn the water back on and turn on the cold water. By doing this, you will harden any grease inside the disposal, which will allow the disposal to break it up, which it can’t do when the grease is loose and warm.

Turn on the electric, test it out and it should work. If it doesn’t work, then repeat the process ensuring that you have indeed removed all of the blockage. If the problem persists it is a sign of a much bigger issue and will require a professional for assistance.

WARNING : Never use chemicals to clean out your disposal, this could cause a variety of issue within the system.

For more articles by this author, go to Helium.

1) Meconopsis- I love these because of the vibrant color they add to any garden design. They are nearly all blue but what a blue! In shades from blue of bright blue skies down to azures and china blues, there is no dull plant among them. The Himalayan poppy as it is otherwise known comes in many varieties and the flowers last days ,unlike other floppy flowered species. In Scotland one soul has carpeted an entire hillside in the plants creating a dazzling effect. So vibrant is their blue that you can use them as focal , punctuation or color block plants.

2) Carnations – standards of form, consistent and neat, carnations add to and enhance any color scheme. From low growers to tall, robust stands, these flowers offer no-nonsense growth and color. Easy to grow and propagate from pipe cuttings, they grow in most sites and soils.

3) Davidii involucre – the Handkerchief tree with its huge white flower bracts making it look like doves or paper hankies are in the branches, what attracts me about this tree is not only its compact and neat form but the story behind its discovery which adds an air of mysticism. David, after whom it was named, searched for the plant. Every time he came to where it was last reported, the last stand had ‘just been cut’ so he ventured deeper and deeper into the hills to obtain his specimen, which he did finally and brought it back to Europe. His adventures are mind-blowing and his discovery all the more interesting for them.

4) Lavender – versatile, fragrant, attractive to insects, this plant can be grown tall, clipped, in hedges or as a focal plant. Lavenders add to any planting design and can offer features for those with visual impairments as the scent and feel make it a very individual plant. Silvery leaves and vivid blue flowers make an attractive combination and lavender can be used in any garden and most soils.

5) Gunnera manicata – large, hand like leaves atop tall spiked stems make this the most magnificent bog side plant. Huge and invasive though it can be, it can change the atmosphere of a garden and create deep green depths of plantings. Slightly menacing and simply enormous, the palm like leaves enfold you almost in their hugeness. Awe inspiring in its growth and sheer volume of plant. You can get dwarf gunnera too but the full size one, if it can fit, is truly magnificent.

6) Crab apple – a truly useful tree all year round, the blossom comes in February followed by leaves in march, then fruit which start orange and swell to deep red. The fruit feed birds through the winter and will last until the final one is eaten- around January, just before the blossom starts again. Bark can be attractive with green and red tones so this tree is useful and hard working in any garden. Dwarf varieties make it suitable for most sites.

7) Eryngium – the truly architectural medium sized plant – this adds form and texture to any garden plan. Sensuous, spiked and with wonderful seed heads which look fantastic as they trap frost on cold mornings, a true masterpiece of form all year round.

Camellia japonica- with varieties of white, pink or red shades, this is the show off heralding the start of spring. One of the earliest to flower, this showy, blowzy shrub needs acidic soil but in the right place will blossom for years and create a truly heart stopping display. The deep green of the leaves only serve to set the colors of the flowers off. Like a shy bride, this shrub suddenly bursts into flower overnight almost- a real stunner.

9) Rosa ‘Peace’ the wonderfully formed, almost perfect flower of the Peace rose with hints of apricot, pink, orange and gold, this is the true stunner of roses.

10) Chrysanthemums so many flower forms, so many plant forms, this is a true versatile, clown prince of display. From dwarf to tall, reticulate to double pom poms or spooned flowers, the range of colors, size and form is incredible. Often bred but with older varieties still around, this attracts insects, create cut flowers and blooms late in the year – what more could you want?

This is my top ten at the moment but I also adore digitalis, with their amazing self seeding, glorious flowers with their bee paths to direct the insects to their nectaries, the climbing roses, the honeysuckle, Campsis (trumpet creeper), Tulips, apricot trees in blossom and so many other wonderful plants to choose from. This is why my top ten changes and plants slip in and out of it. No doubt it will change again as I find even more plants. Plants never cease to provide an endless source of amazement and variety.

For more articles by this author, go to Helium.

The back wall needs to be relatively square at the corner. This is more true if you intend to put cabinets around the corner. A corner that is not square can create real problems for the do-it-yourself project. As long is it is not off more than about an inch over a distance of about 10 feet, you will probably be able to hide it with trim, spacers, and caulk. For amounts more than that, you may want to call in a professional for advice.

Any appliances that will be installed along with the cabinets need to be taken into consideration while planning the project. Will the stove be a full size, drop-in, or range top? This will change your requirements. For a regular stove, just stop the cabinets about 1/4 to 1/2 inch on either side. With a drop-in, the cabinets need to come right up to the edge so that the top of the stove can meet the counter. For a range top, the cabinets will run right on through the area. However, you will need to plan for the electric in all three cases.

The placement of a sink will be critical. It will have to be plumbed. If a dishwasher is being installed, the slot to the left or right of the sink is the idea place for it. This will make it easy to run the supply and drain lines. Do not forget that the counter has to be cut for the sink.

Normally, the cabinets will sit on the floor. Measure the height of the cabinets and mark a line along the wall. This will give you a guide for keeping the tops of the cabinets level. Once all of the cabinets are placed and fit properly, screw them to the wall and to each other. Be careful not to leave any screw points sticking out where they can cut a hand or arm reaching into the cabinet.

When the cabinets are solidly attached, bring in the counter top. Put it in place. Do whatever adjustments are necessary to make the corner joint fit right. This is where spacers come in. When you have the counter top placed, screw it down from underneath. Use silicone or caulk along the back. With a little care, you will be able to hide any extra gaps with this caulk.

After the cabinets are installed, attach any hardware like door handles that you need. Install the sink and stove. Check for leaks and that the stove works properly, and the job is complete.

For more articles by this author, go to Helium.

swimming pool

Follow these steps to ensure proper pool maintenance and an enjoyable summer.

1. Remove, clean and store pool cover with cover cleaner deodorizer and perform housekeeping chores such as brushing, vacuuming. The Pool Buster is a easy way to start the vacuuming & cleaning process. Empty the skimmer baskets of dirt and debris.

2. Water level should always be approximately half way up the skimmer opening. If you need to add water use a Hayward Bobby Disposable Filter for fill hose to take out any metal in the water.

3. Prepare equipment, following manufacturer’s recommendations.

4. Balance water by taking 1 quart of pool water to your professional swimming pool water-testing dealer for a complete water analysis. Make sure to have the CHLORINE STABILIZER checked. Follow the dealer’s instructions for balancing the water.

5. Remove organic waste with 1 lb. of shock per 10,000 gallons. Note: shock should be pre-dissolved in a clean plastic bottle of water at a ratio of no more than 1 lb. per 1 gallon of water. Slowly pour into pool around edges.

6. Prevent algae by adding an initial dose of Algae preventative, 1 quart per 25,000 gallons

7. Continuous disinfection. Regular sanitation consists of using Chlorinating 1″ or 3″ tablets in your automatic chlorinator. AT ALL TIMES, maintain a free chlorine level of at least 1.0 ppm, to continuously kill bacteria.

Use Software
An original vision can look different – sometimes unsightly – once it’s finally finished. That’s where landscape design software comes in. This lets users upload photos or build virtual replicas of their house and yard, then create a preview of the changes soon to take place outside. These programs save homeowners and professionals alike from disaster.

Be Picky about Plants
Choose items that have already proven useful and gorgeous. Certain staples have become popular over the years. Of course, trees and shrubs are two of them. Planting coniferous trees and shrubs will guarantee year-round beauty. The inclusion of deciduous trees will spice things up by adding color and diversity. To help sunlight reach every plant, the tallest should be planted northernmost, and the shortest should be planted southernmost.

Shop at Nurseries
Quality trees and plants can be purchased at nurseries, and though they cost less elsewhere, the savings are not worth the trouble. Annuals and perennials can also be found at nurseries, and if a flowerbed is part of the landscape plan, having both is crucial for continuity and extra color. Having an equal amount of rows throughout the entire landscape will create unity.

Invest in Hardscape
Hardscape items create beauty in winter, when so many other additions have already withered away. An elegant landscape lighting design will help add security and property value to a home. A low-voltage landscape lighting design (12 volts) seems to be the most obvious choice. Other options include waterfalls and fountains, which can be especially costly, but their soothing sounds and aesthetic appeal are worth the going rate. For a finishing touch, a fence gives most landscapes a completed look.

Choose the Worker Bee
Do-it-yourself landscape design works for those willing to spend ample time learning and laboring. It’s also much more cost-efficient than employing an expert. Anyone interested can join a landscape design program at certain schools or online, but those who don’t have the necessary patience or stamina for this kind of project should forgo the training and hire a professional.

For more articles by this author, go to Helium.

In a common electrical daisy chain all of the wires color codes are matching throughout the chain. The daisy chain scheme permits assignment of device priorities based on electrical position of the device in the order of the chain. Common uses for daisy chained electrical is for power distribution, analogy signals, digital data and a combination of these components.

There are several benefits to using a daisy chain in electrical sequencing. The first is that electrical wire is saved. Added to this advantage is the fact that less wire means less storage space needed to hide wires from view. Another advantage is that only one power supply is needed to supply power for the entire chain of electrical devices.

In areas such as a tradeshows daisy-chained electrical is a big time and cost saver. With an exhibit that has daisy chained electrical one would only need a single electrical source with the required amperage / wattage for the equipment. This would mean that only one cut would have to be made in the carpet to fish the electrical line though the carpeting as opposed to several cuts that would have to be made to supply each item individually. This saves the life and look of the exhibitors carpeting. Also, each additional line of electrical power comes at a cost, so having fewer power supplies is a much more cost effective method of powering the exhibit area.

The downside of daisy-chained electrical is that if one device fails all of the downstream devices will fail. An example of this failure is seen when Christmas tree strung lights fail. When one of the strung lights fail then all the lights following it fail. Not until a replacement light is completed will the rest of the string of lights become illuminated. If this happens with electrical components that burn out or blow fuses then the component would have to be replaced to get the other components down the line to work properly.

Sometimes daisy chains just refer to the physical connections formed when using devices such as multi-outlet strips. In this reference the power is distributed by the chain. One must remember when using this method of power distribution that each item connected in the power strip is pulling a certain amount of wattage. Once the wattage is maximized then the power line is in danger of failing. This can result in causing the fuse in the multi-outlet strip to blow, or can result in a fire starting. It is best to use only one or two power strips to distribute power if absolutely necessary to try to avoid a potentially dangerous situation.

For more articles by this author, go to Helium.

“A professional remodeler knows how to translate a home owner’s dreams and budget into a beautiful reality,” said Donna Shirey, CGR, CAPS, CGP, President of Shirey Contracting in Issaquah, Wash. and 2010 chairman of NAHB Remodelers. “They have the expertise and skills to satisfy a customer while keeping the budget in check.”

Here are five tips for planning a successful home remodel that you can enjoy for many years to come.

1. Compile a list of home remodeling ideas and draft a budget for the work.

You likely have some projects in mind, such as modernizing the bathroom, renovating the kitchen, replacing windows or repairing the roof. Prioritize your wish list: Maybe you don’t have the budget for your dream remodel, but professional remodelers can maximize your dollars by doing the work in phases, suggesting budget-friendly products and materials, and implementing creative design solutions.

2. Look for a professional remodeler to help plan the project.

Start by searching NAHB’s Directory of Professional Remodelers at nahb.org/remodel. You’ll get a list of nearby remodelers to contact. Asking friends and neighbors for names of qualified remodelers will also help you find a match for your project.

3. Check the references and background of the remodeler.

After you start speaking with remodelers and find one or two who match your project’s needs, be sure to conduct some background research by checking with the Better Business Bureau, talking to their references, and asking if they are a trade association member (such as NAHB Remodelers). Remodelers with these qualities tend to be more reliable, better educated, and more likely to stay on top of construction and design trends.

4. Agree on a contract.

Talk over the details of the home remodeling project and begin reviewing the contract. You’ll want to check the remodelers’ insurance coverage, ask about any warranties on their work, know who is responsible for obtaining any building permits, and understand the process for making any change orders after the contract is signed. Make sure that you and your remodeler see eye to eye before you sign on the dotted line.

5. Take advantage of the energy efficiency tax credits.

If your remodel includes replacing windows or doors, adding insulation, installing new roofing, upgrading heating or air-conditioning units, updating the water heater, or installing energy generating products (such as solar panels, heat pumps, or wind turbines) then you can take advantage of federal energy efficiency tax credits through 2010 that will help defray costs and maximize your remodeling budget while reducing home energy bills.

Written by Realty Times Staff as found in Craig Lilly’s Newsletter.

Written by Realty Times Staff

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