Archive for January, 2007
Add manure, compost now while plants are dormant
It seems that a lot of garden enthusiasts are really beginning to think about spring, judging by the volume of e-mailed questions arriving every day. whether you have a question or a comment, drop me a line at steve@landsteward.org I’ll do my best to reply quickly with a personal reply, and some o…
How to Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can be set to not heat or cool as much when you’re not home to enjoy it, thus saving you hundreds of dollars a year. Not too shabby for a $30 investment! that may seem like a daunting task at first, but its really very simple: 1. Turn off capability at HVAC unit and tri…
How To construct Your Home More Energy Efficient
I recently read an editorial about a science teacher who wanted to see how low he could cut his potential bill. His success was so remarkable, that the potential company took notice and suspected him of tampering with his meter. Many of the things he did were simple things that any of us could do …
How To Install Laminate Flooring
Laminate wood flooring is an excellent alternative to natural wood flooring with a few key benefits:1. Price - As more manufacturers get into the market, the quality of the products available goes up and the prices come down.2. Ease of Installation - Installing laminate flooring is incredibly ea…
How to Fix Popped Nails in Drywall
Often we’ll see popped nails in our homes. These usually look like nickel sized bubbles in the drywall, or sometimes the nail head will pop through the drywall altogether. Fortunately, these are really easy to fix with common household tools. Here’s what you do:1. First, produce certain theres a…
How to Fix Common Toilet Problems
Problem: Water runs constantly1. Adjust lift chain (or lift wire) so that flapper (or tank ball) seats securely in valve seat.2. Clean valve seat and flapper or tank ball.3. Check overflow pipe: whether corroded, remove (unscrew) and replace.Problem: Water overflows into overflow tube1. Bend …
Losing Water Pressure? Getting Blasts of Air From Your Faucets? Check Your Pressure Tank!
Your pressure tank lies within your well pump and the rest of your homes plumbing. Its generally less than half the size of your hot water heater. It’s purpose is to act as a pressure switch to your well pump. The tank fills with water pushing the trapped air to the top of the tank. When the air…
