What to do When You Hit a Sewer Line while Digging
Hitting an unexpected pipe or line when digging can be a minor nuisance or a major disaster. The best approach is to avoid the problem in the first place with some safety pre-planning. Use one of your local “call before you dig” services to help you get a handle on the lines that may be under your property.
For a more complete picture, you can also hire a utility mapping service that will come and actually take a direct look (usually with ground penetrating radar technology) and see what is under the surface. This can be a safer route because there can be things underground that the utility companies don’t know about.
If you haven’t taken these steps, or if the information you get from the utility company is off, there is a chance you could hit and damage utility lines. So what do you do if you hit something like a sewer pipe line while digging?
Identify the Line
All pipes can look the same to the average homeowner, so if you hit something while excavating, it may not be immediately obvious what it is. Water coming into the property is under pressure and will gush when the pipe is cracked. On the other hand sewage drains are not. When cracked or broken, there shouldn’t be a fountain or spray. There will be a strong unpleasant smell though. That’s the best way to tell that it’s a sewer pipe.
If you have come across the pipe but not damaged it, it may not be easy to identify. Over the decades, plumbing trends have led to sewage pipes being made from clay, concrete, iron, and plastic PVC. The material of the pipe may not help you. It may not matter anyway, since you are going to have to adjust your digging plans no matter what sort of pipe it is.
Handling Damage
If the sewer line is actually damaged, you should clear out the work site and call the appropriate utility company. Pipes on your property are most likely going to be your responsibility to repair, unless they gave you explicit locations for their pipes that ended up being incorrect.
At any rate, let the utility company know that damage has occurred. They will be able to give you some instructions on what to do, which will probably involve getting a plumber out to your home. While you are waiting, don’t run any water or flush the toilets in the house to reduce any flow or leakage through the broken pipe.
Also avoid any open flames. It’s definitely not as hazardous as a gas line, but there can be methane within a sewer pipe that can ignite.
Keep these steps in mind for any unexpected sewer line problems, but remember that digging safely in the first place is the best approach. No matter what kind of utility line you hit, always call a professional and stay clear of the damage.
Universal Programmable Thermostats for Boats & Yachts
Sea people and boat owners know that the standard mechanical thermostats supplied with most boat refrigerators work fine for a very short time or 2 years at the most. Moreover, the likelihood that this type of mechanical thermostat will fail when you are at sea and your freezer or refrigerator is full of perishables is pretty high merely by probability!
We all know that when we are out at sea we want things to work smoothly without any surprises and unforeseen issues. One thing high on the list is a refrigerator in the best condition, because when it stops working you know all your food and produce will go to waste. One key to efficiency in any refrigeration system is a strong and accurate thermostat!
Mechanical thermostats are well known for their simplicity, but a digital thermostats outperforms mechanical thermostat when it comes to maximizing performance and reliability which is absolutely basic when you’re out there on your yacht.
When shopping around for a programmable thermostat for boats and yachts, the AKO digital thermostat is the name to remember! It is a professional European made thermostat made for any refrigeration and freezer system with no limit of equipment size. This digital thermostat is universally suitable for all boat refrigeration systems. Whether it’s a large fishermen boats freezer for storing catch or keeping frozen bait fresh, a built in icebox typical of most weekend boaters, or any larger boats refrigerators system for extended cruising range.
Installation is straightforward.
• Remove the existing thermostat, and unplug the wires from the old thermostat to the compressor/condenser unit.
• Mount the digital thermostat outside of the cooled space where the temperature display can be easily seen.
• Mount the temperature sensor in free air space near the evaporator, but not touching the evaporator wall as was the old sensing tubing. It is very important to route the sensing wire where it will not be easily damaged. Keep it clear of main power wiring.
• Precise desired operating temperatures can be obtained, and there are several other parameters that can be adjusted.
• AKO thermostats can be configured to display degrees in Fahrenheit or Celsius.
Power availability varies depending on your boat type. The most common options are 12V/24V, 120V 230V.
For programing and setting the temperature read the directions carefully. It may seem difficult at first read, but it`s really a very user friendly digital thermostat in comparison to other programmable thermostats for boats.
AKO Universal Digital Thermoset Review
I’m a Refrigerator Repair Technician and have been doing many refrigeration and freezers thermostat replacements. I have a very positive experience with the AKO digital controller. The AKO Universal Digital Thermostat is by far one of the best digital thermostats I came across in recent years. It’s made in Europe so very professional and reliable…Much more then ones made in China. And is also easy to program! I now buy this thermostats for special wholesale price for technicians directly from the distributor in the US.
The Advantages of Secondary Glazing
Secondary glazing isn’t only an option for people who don’t want to replace their home’s original windows and window frames; it is actually one of the most effective ways of reducing noise too. There are many advantages to secondary glazing, but here are some of the best reasons that you might want to consider secondary glazing.
- Noise Reduction
Secondary glazing has been shown to be the most effective method of reducing noise pollution. When you compare it with single and double glazing methods, secondary glazing reduces noise by between up to 70% and 80%. The reason that secondary glazing is so effective at reducing noise is the distance between the two panes of glass.
Double glazing uses two panes of glass that are 24mm to 28mm apart and have gas sealed between the two layers; secondary glazing uses two pieces of glass that are a minimum of 100mm away from each other. The type of glass that is used in secondary glazing is also one of the reasons that it is so effective at reducing noise. 6.4mm laminated glass is normally used in secondary glazing that reduces noise by roughly 40 decibels.
- Cost
When it comes to any form of renovations to your home, cost is always a factor. Secondary glazing is much cheaper than replacing your original windows. If you were considering replacing your single glazed windows with double glazing, you will need to pay for new units to be installed, the gap between the new glazing panels to be seal and filled with inert gas, whereas secondary glazing simply adding a second set of window panes to supplement your existing ones.
For a free quote on how much our secondary glazing units cost, please contact Boxsash
- Thermal Efficient
With the rising price of fuel, reducing heat loss and your energy bills are two areas where secondary glazing truly excels. Most people consider replacing single glazed windows because they aren’t very good at preventing heat loss. Secondary glazing is something of a wonder when it comes to reducing heat loss though.
As the secondary panes of glass are completely airtight, and the thickness of the panes is at least 4mm thick, you can almost complete eliminate heat loss through your windows by having secondary glazing fitted. You can then easily keep your home warm during the winter months and reduce your energy bills at the same time.
There is also the advantage that making your windows more thermal efficient, can add value to your home as well, making it an ideal solution if you are thinking of selling your home.
- Security
One benefit that never occurs to many people is how secondary glazing can help to improve the security of your home. Secondary windows are extremely difficult to open from the outside and can also be fitted with laminated or toughened glass so that they are difficult to break too. If a thief is bargaining on a quick and quiet entry into your property, seeing that a property has secondary glazing can often deter thieves as it is harder to break in through two sets of windows than through single or double glazed units.
- Building Regulations
Because you aren’t replacing your windows when you have secondary glazing fitted, you aren’t subject to the UK building regulations. This is incredibly useful if you happen to have a home that is listed as you don’t have to go through the approval process in order to get secondary glazing units fitted.
- Eco-friendly
Secondary glazing is also environmentally friendly. Not only does it reduce the amount of heat loss and therefore also reduces the amount of energy that you use, the uPVC that is used in secondary glazing is usually made from aluminium. Aluminium uses less fossil fuels than other uPVC materials when it is produced. You also reduce the amount of waste you create when you have secondary glazing fitted as your original windows are not being removed and thrown into a landfill.
- Condensation
Condensation is one problem that goes hand-in-hand with windows, and one thing that most UK homeowners would rather do without. Secondary glazing can help reduce condensation problems dramatically. During the winter months, when the temperature inside your home is much greater than that of the outside, you will find that condensation forms on the inside of your windows, something that can lead to mould growth, but it also isn’t very pleasant to have to live with either.
Because secondary glazing creates an extra barrier between the heat in your home and the cooler air outside, you reduce the condensation problem without having to do anything else.
- Internal Environment
The final reason you might want to consider secondary glazing is how they can improve the internal environment in your home. If you have hay fever, you may find that your single glazing allows in pollen that aggravates your condition. If you have a dust allergy, you may find that your single glazed units prove ineffective at keeping dust out. Single glazing isn’t very effective when it comes to preventing cold draughts, pollen, pollutants and dust from entering your home. They are also subject to rattling and vibrating in the frames that can be extremely annoying if you live in an area where there is heavy traffic.
Secondary glazing gives you a sealed second barrier around your windows helping to reduce and prevent draughts, stop the ingress of dust, pollen and pollutants and reduce the irritation that is caused by the noise of vibrating and rattling windows.
Our Secondary Glazing
Our secondary glazing products perfectly fit sash windows, casement windows and doors. We have a range of different secondary glazing options available that include lightweight secondary glazing and an economy version. Our secondary glazing is discrete and can be removed and easily stored during the summer months if you wish to take it out. For more about our secondary glazing products or for a free quote please contact out helpful team on 01753 858 196 or email info@boxsash.com, who will be more than happy to answer any questions you have.
Tips To Make Your Rooftop Last For Years
Just have bought a new home and want to maintain its new look for all the time? Well, you’re not alone there as it’s a kind of wish everyone cares about. Bearing this in mind, we are up with a blog post featuring some handy tips to make your rooftop last for decades. Since roof is one of the main components of a home, it should be well treated to ensure the longevity of your property.
Maintenance is important
Get into the habit of maintaining your roof. You could do it yourself or avail roof cleaning services from a professional cleaning service provider. If you haven’t availed any cleaning services yet and don’t know how you can find the right people, browsing with following search queries might help you – roof cleaning Houston, roof cleaners in Houston or Houston roof cleaning service providers (we used Houston just to give you an example how one can find the right roof cleaning services while targeting specific area). The professional cleaners are equipped with special tools necessary to carry out such cleaning jobs and know exactly how it’s done.
Catch cracks early
That’s the most important maintenance tip that costs no money at all. All you need is to be a little conscious about catching problems. If you catch a bug early, you could get it fixed easily without making it severe. This behavior will help you detect problems early so that you can better handle them by fixing small repairs rather than carrying out expensive renovations.
You may also like: 3 Effective Tips Increasing Your Home Value
Below are some of the alarming things you should keep an eye out for:
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Missing, cracked, or torn shingles
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Obvious cracks and patches
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Appearance of leaning or sagging
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Visible shingle granules
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Detached downspouts and gutters
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Algae growth
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Wet spots
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Any loose material around vents, chimneys, and pipes
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Debris accumulation
How to Move House on a Budget
Moving house is one of the most stressful and expensive things you will ever do. Leave aside for a moment the humungous cost of buying a new home in the first place; moving your possessions from the old place to the new can involve unforeseen expenses. Consider your moving day budget carefully.
Moving house on a budget isn’t easy, especially when you’ve accumulated a ton of items in your current home that need to be transported, but there are ways you can save money when you move house that you might never have considered. Read on to find some great money saving tips for moving house.
Improvise with Packing
Buying or hiring storage and removal boxes can be expensive so use whatever you have to hand – old suitcases for example. Approach your local shops and supermarkets for strong boxes too; just make sure they are really strong.
Pack and Move in Stages
Depending on where you live now and how far you are moving it can be cheaper to move in stages. If you would require a professional removal van for more than one day because of the distances involved it will be very expensive. Instead compare self storage deals and rent a self storage unit for a short period and move stuff there gradually, especially the items you don’t need on a regular basis.
Using Professional Removal Firms
Moving house can be a bit of an upheaval for most of us. Packing up all our possessions, trying to remember which box contains which stuff, putting the pets in kennels, there is so much to think about. It is not surprising therefore that many of us prefer to turn the whole stressful caboodle over to the professionals. The problem is that professionals tend to charge quite a lot of money and you should always compare quotes to get the best price. If you have maxed out the bank account buying the house and paying all the associated fees there may not be enough left in the pot to pay for a removals firm. Think about other ways then to move house on a budget.
Throw a Moving Day Party!
Not literally of course, the last thing you need is a hoard of drunken revellers getting in the way when you’re in the process of moving house. But if you can get together a group of willing helpers, preferably those with cars or vans, the whole thing can be done fairly cheaply.
As with most things though, the key here is organisation. You need to have a plan. Divide your helpers into groups. One group will be responsible for helping with the packing and moving boxes into a position which is convenient for moving on the day. Another group can help with the actual transport of your stuff. Another group could be at the new house ready to unload boxes and take them to the appropriate rooms ready for unpacking. Those with the smallest vehicles should be in charge of all your smallest boxes while any helper who (hopefully) is the owner of a large vehicle can take heavier boxes.
The best thing about enlisting family and friends to help out on moving day is the fact that they rarely ask to be paid! But of course, you should keep them copiously fed and watered with an adequate supply of food and drink.
Man with a Van
Hiring a ‘man with a van’ can work out cheaper and easier, especially for larger items and furniture.
Move on a Weekend
This makes sense when you consider that taking time off work in midweek could cost you lost wages or lost holiday days. It will be easier too for friends and family to help and for the same reasons.
Remember – allow enough time, get organised and stay calm.
