Step 1 - Turn the water valves off from below the sink so there won’t be any water blasts.
Step 2 - If the base of the faucet is leaking, it is probably the O-ring. Unscrew the base of the faucet and remove the spigot. Replace the 0-ring with a new one.
If the leak is coming from the valves, then remove the metal or plastic plate around the valve and clean the screw and any rust or debris around the area with steel wool pad.
CLEANING GUTTERS
1. Prepare a bucket with a handle to hold all of your tools, such as a garden trowel, a whisk broom and a rag. Fasten the bucket to your ladder with a wire hook. Be sure that your ladder is sturdy and safe.
2. Cleaning your gutters in the spring and the fall is an ideal time for maintenance.
3. Use a handheld blower to remove twigs and leaves and, of course, the old fashioned method of hand-picking to remove debris works as well.
4. Remove any stubborn or buildup debris with a water hose. The hose will also spot any areas that are not draining or are holding still water. Do not be tempted to use any water pressure system that would only clog up the downspouts.
5. Be sure to inspect your gutters as you clean. Check for holes, leaks, corrosion, leaking joints, and bent hangers.
6. If your gutters are not properly draining, repositioning the gutters for a proper drain slope may be what is needed. Gutters should slope downward at least ¼” for every 5”-10” of gutter. If necessary, raise a gutter by bending its hangers.
TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR HOT WATER HEATER PROBLEMS
What should you be checking when you are having issues with your water heating system? Well that depends on what the issues you are facing. Let's take a look at the three most common problems with traditional electric water heaters and the likely cause of each. No hot water at all
If you are experiencing no hot water at all, you need to check that you have not tripped the breaker to the hot water heater. If you have not labeled your breaker panel, now would be a good time to do so. However, it is easy to see if any breakers are tripped at all. If there are any tripped, that is likely to be your culprit. If not, then you need to take a look at your water heater thermostat located inside your water heater's access panel. About all you can do here is press the reset button and see if your hot water heater begins to function correctly.
You have hot water for a short amount of time and then only cold water
If your hot water supply is too short, and you are sure that your water heating unit is properly sized for your dwelling, then the likely cause of your problem is the lower heating element. A defective lower heating element will prevent your heater from properly heating a full tank of water and cause this type of symptom due to the flow of water out of the heating unit.
Plenty of warm water but it just doesn't get hot enough
When plumbers encounter this symptom, the most likely culprit is the hot water heater's upper heating element. The lower heating element is able to provide some heating of the water as it leaves the unit, but not enough to provide the hot water that you need due to the upper heating element not doing its job.
If you are handy with a wrench, these parts can be replaced with a little bit of effort. The actual replacement of these parts is beyond the scope of this article but there are plenty of guides on how to perform these repairs on the internet.
WET ROT PREVENTION
Ensure that all external wood are adequately painted to protect the wood from frontal ingress of water.
Be aware of any damp walls and address the problem, it could be a missing/damaged damp proof course (dpc), a bridged dpc or a bridged cavity. If necessary seek expert advice as the symptom may be just a sign of a bigger problem.
Make sure that any soil and other debris is cleared away from around the bottom of wood frames.
Check the space for the ingress of water, you may not see daylight through a hole in the wood, the water could be running downward and inside of the wood frame.
Other favoured places for wet rot are under the kitchen sink, bath, shower, washing basins, toilet and behind the washing machine etc.; all areas where a small leak from either a water supply or drain could go unnoticed for a long time but where wood could become saturated with water.
MAINTAINING YOUR HARDWOOD FLOORS
Did you know that your hardwood floor could last forever with the right preventive maintenance techniques. Your hardwood floor can look as good as the first day you installed it.
If you have ever visited homes with the original hardwood flooring and wondered how did these floors stand the test of time. It’s easy to see that the best hardwood flooring can remain intact for centuries with proper care.
So, if you want to enjoy the beauty and functional benefits of your hardwood floor, then knowing how to properly care for it, is essential. Hardwood flooring is organic and can potentially decay, that is why regular cleaning is necessary.
Try using the following techniques. If the floor is old and dry and has not been properly cared over a long period of time, do not use a wet rag to wipe it, because the moisture may cause damage to the finish. However, if the floor has been recently waxed and coated with a finish, then a damp cloth would be fine to use. Use soft dry rags to polish it.
Sweep your floor with exploding bristles because they are more effective in removing dust and grime. Using a straw broom may be harmful because it may cause accumulated dirt in the wrong places. Use cleaning fluids that have been recommended for your floor…if it is new flooring.
Floors that have lots of scratches and burns will require a light sanding and then reapplying a coat of finish to bring back the luster and sheen. Sticky chewing gum will require cold ice for removal until the gum has become hardened and crumbles for extraction. Applying a hardwood floor cleaner will also work when it has been allowed to set for awhile.
If your floors have a squeak, applying baby powder between the slats/grooves will work efficiently.
You will find that hardwood floors can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. In fact, most hardwood floors have withstood the test of time.