Author: Hailey Black

The Basics of Plumbing and How to Maintain a Plumbing System

- Hailey Black

The basic necessity of any home or business is plumbing. It is essential that you do not overlook it when building a new home or business. The plumbing system is a series of pipes and fixtures that transport water and other fluids to different locations. It also has the function of heating or cooling fluid. This article will explore the basics of plumbing and how to maintain a plumbing system. Continue reading for some tips on plumbing maintenance. Getting the best quality plumbing for your house or office.

The most common plumbing problem is a clogged drain. Hair, grease, and soap residue can clog the pipes. Keeping plugs clean will help you avoid clogs. Another major problem in a drain-water system is leaking drain piping. If you notice a leaking sink or toilet, you must act quickly. This leak can cause structural damage. Luckily, plumbing repairs are relatively cheap. However, if you have a clogged drain, you should call a professional plumber.

Tackling a plumbing repair

Before tackling a plumbing repair, turn off the water in the building. Using a shutoff valve will help you avoid accidental damage to neighboring units. In addition, certified plumbers are usually more affordable and will custom-tailor a plan to meet your specific needs. In general, plumbing repair jobs should be completed in one to two days. But if you’re trying to save money, you should contact a plumber as early as possible. You’ll be glad you did.

When plumbing repairs are needed, you should consider the material used to make the pipes. Some of the materials are made from durable plastics. For example, PEX (cross-formulated polyethylene) is highly flexible and can be installed with fewer fittings than traditional plumbing systems. For a new home or repiping, PEX works well. It is also highly resistant to corrosive water and will stretch to accommodate expansion when it freezes.

Importance of a good plumbing system

The plumbing system in a home is very important to the health of your home. If you have a leaky pipe, it will soak into the material of your cabinet and cause the cabinet to rot. This can be very dangerous, as it will lead to unhealthy mold spores growing in the area. The size of the drain should be the same as that of the pipes in a bathroom.

Traps are important components in your plumbing system. They are the pipes under your sink. They are also the conduits that carry water from your faucets to the drains. The traps prevent sewer gas from backing up into your home. The traps in the bathroom are self-regulating and are easy to repair. The plumber will install a cap on the drain to prevent the problem from recurring. During this process, you will find that the water in the toilet can leak through the walls and ceiling, so make sure to check that the holes are sealed. To get the help of a professional plumber, contact Pierpoint Plumbing, LLC today!

What are the benefits of organic foods?

- Hailey Black
What are the benefits of organic foods

People have become more concerned about the food they eat and how it impacts their overall health.  The result of that is the increase in demand for organically grown foods.  It wasn’t too long ago that you would only find organically grown food in a health food store and it was fairly expensive to buy.  Things have gotten a little easier with stores like Whole Foods and even the regular supermarket carries a large selection of organic foods.

What exactly is “organic?”

The term “organic” describes food that have been raised or grown according to strict regulations that have been outlined by the USDA.  The food must be grown without the use of chemical pesticides, herbicides or fungicides.  There are no genetically modified seeds and food must be grown using farming techniques that have been certified organic.  In the case of livestock there can be no use of hormones or antibiotics.

What are the benefits of organic foods?

Health Benefits – Pesticides, herbicides and fungicides along with various fertilizers are all known carcinogens.  In the case of fruits and vegetables, the chemicals are applied liberally to the crops and can leave behind a residue that you end up ingesting.  Washing your food does not remove all of the chemicals left behind.  Organic, on the other hand doesn’t use any of these chemicals.  There is no run off leaching into the water tables and farm workers aren’t continually exposed to harmful chemicals.  When it comes to livestock, they aren’t raised in a cage but are allowed to graze freely in fields.  They aren’t being fed a diet filled with antibiotics, steroids or artificial hormones.

Taste – Fruit and vegetables that are grown organically are more flavorful, because they are grown in richer soils.  Most of the time your organic produce is grown nearby and spends less time being transported to you.  You will also notice imperfections or smaller pieces of fruit, since this is the way they are supposed to look.

Regulation – Organic meat and produce is very heavily regulated.  A farmer must demonstrate that they are adhering to the guidelines set out by the USDA and the farms are inspected regularly.  You can be comfortable buying food that has been labeled “Certified Organic”.  Here is a video explaining some of the regulations.

Saving the Environment – Industrial farming methods have been taking their toll on the environment for years now.  Commercial farming has been responsible for soil erosion and the toxic run off from the fertilizers and pesticides have harmed our water systems all over the country.  Organic farming uses different methods such as crop rotation and compost, there are no chemicals used and therefore nothing to get into the water tables.

Yes, buying organic as often as you can will probably cost you a bit more at the grocery store, but the health benefits far outweigh the costs.  Not only are you making sure that your family stays healthier but you’re keeping the environment healthier too.

Organic Gardening for Beginners

- Hailey Black
Organic gardening for beginners

Would you be excited by the whole concept of starting your own organic garden but aren’t quite sure on what to do first? If that sounds familiar then you are in the right place.

Are you a seasoned gardener ready to revert to organics? Then this is perfect for you as well.  We read a lot of information on organic farming, some very technical and others really interesting but gives little practical useful tips.

Here are some beginners tips that will help you avoid mistakes.  I have to say that they are by no means exhaustive but will give you a great start.

Tip 1: There is absolutely no magic bullets

Organic garden is a blend of :

(a)Fertile agricultural soil
(b)Non GMO seeds
(c)Good supply of fresh water
(d)Enough sunlight

In the event that there is something out of balance you are bound to have a problem.  Keep in mind that there is no specific method that is a cure for everything.

Tip 2: Begin small, go slow

It is always recommended that anyone who is starting to grow an organic garden to begin on a tiny sizeable piece of land.  Probably a raised bed 2 by 4 feet is a perfect way to get your feet dirty with several heirloom tomato plants.  Starting small and learning as time goes will fend of the disappointment if you have a minor setback. Important Note: If you’re going to dig a hole more than 2 feet deep you will want to contact an electrician to double check that you’re not going to hit a wire!

Tip 3: Different plants have different developing requirements

It is essential to know prior to planting what conditions will be required by your plants to really thrive.This is a rather basic principle but often overlooked.  Therefore,before you select what you are going to buy give a careful thought to the local climate you are in and check the plant suitability to that zone.  It is even recommended that you plant native species in your area.

Its much easier to develop nutritious tomato plants or garlic species after you have discovered what soil requirements they need.  Much better than repurchasing seedlings because your first try didn’t grow.

Tip 4: No short cuts

You may be tempted to think you can include chemical fertilizer to make your plants grow rapidly or taller.  The very use of chemicals is a complete opposite of organic.  Adding chemicals to induce color or artificial growth can destroy fertility necessary for your plants to grow.  Use good compost which is often rich and dark with an earthly odor.

You may need to make your own compost to add to the supplements your crops need.  You really need to consider starting a bokashi bucket.  Bokashi is a method for fermenting kitchen waste and turning it into a valuable gardening soil for your plants.

Tip 5: Avoid putting a twenty dollar plant in a fifty cent hole

A rule of thumb is to dig a pit big deep enough so that the top basic ball is over the soil.  You should make the hole twice as large as the circumference of the root ball.This allows the root to disseminate as it grows.  Congratulations,you are well set on your way!