It's a homeowner's worst nightmare: walking down your basement steps to find a sewage backup. Not only can the odor be nauseating, but the potential damage to your home and personal belongings can be devastating as well. By knowing what steps to take in those crucial moments after you make the discovery (in addition to which mistakes to avoid), you'll be able to handle a sewage backup in your home.
DO Shut Off HVAC System
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Approximately 25% of all U.S. households rely on independently owned septic tanks for the removal of waste. Septic tanks are efficient and effective; however, they do not need to be maintained properly in order to have a long lifespan. Most experts recommend pumping or cleaning septic tanks at least once every three years. When cleaning the septic tanks, you are essentially disrupting the small ecosystem of anaerobic bacteria that are residing within the tanks and responsible for degrading all organic compounds.
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If you've just moved into an older home with hot water baseboard radiators, you probably love the quiet heat these contraptions put out. However, many of these older baseboard heaters become rusty and dirty over time. With a certain amount of determined patience and few supplies, you can make them look brand new again. This guide explains how.
Step 1: Gather Your Tools and Supplies
To get started in making your baseboard heaters looking great again, turn off the heat and clear everything away from the area.
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You've been thinking of getting a wood stove to cut down on heating bills, but recently you heard about an appliance you never knew about before -- an add-on wood furnace that is set up with your gas furnace. These appliances require a certain amount of work, just as wood stoves do, but the savings on natural gas or propane bills is well worth it.
About Add-On Wood Furnaces
An add-on wood furnace can be connected to the furnace you already have, or a technician can install one when you buy a new gas furnace.
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Storm doors have several different quality levels. The most basic door protects your exit door, but will not last for more than a couple of years. The most advanced screen door is guaranteed to last indefinitely, and often comes with a lengthy warranty. Here is why you would want to pay more for your storm door than the usual $100–$300.
Low Quality Storm Doors
Sure, they are cheap and you are working on a tight budget.
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