While the comfort of a modern furnace should never go unappreciated, many people utilize fireplaces during colder months to provide economical heating solutions or to make for cozier holiday gatherings. Whatever the reason, keep these eight tips in mind before your fireplace makes its seasonal debut.

CALL A CHIMNEY SWEEP.

A chimney sweep will provide a visual inspection of your fireplace and chimney, looking for evidence of creosote, a tar-like build-up, and blockages. If ignored, creosote can lead to chimney fires. An annual inspection prior to your first fire of the season is good fireplace hygiene.

LEAVE A LITTLE ASH.

Although it’s recommended you clean the firebox (where the logs burn) once a month during fire-burning season, it’s a good idea to leave an inch or so of ash left over. This way, the coals from fresh fires will retain heat more easily. When you scoop up the rest, be very careful to set them outside: ashes can remain surprisingly hot long after a fire has gone out.

KEEP THE AREA CLEAR.

Furniture should be set a minimum of 36 inches away from the fireplace to avoid sparks igniting upholstery. This is true even if you use a fireplace screen to catch sparks. (Which you definitely should.)

CLOSE THE DAMPER.

A damper is a hinged flap just above the fireplace that controls the amount of air allowed to pass through the chimney. It’s good to have it open during a fire, but you should remember to close it when the flame is out to prevent heat loss and cold air exchanges.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CHIMNEY CAP.

If the idea of an open portal on the roof of your house sounds like an opportunity for trouble, it is. Chimney caps can partially close the opening to prevent animals from climbing in, building nests, and keeping smoke from leaving the fireplace.

ONLY USE SEASONED WOOD.

To stoke a hot fire, make sure you supply it only with seasoned wood—logs that have been dried out for at least one year. Wet wood that’s been exposed to the elements makes poor fuel and promotes smoky fires. When building your fire, you also want to make sure you’re placing logs in close proximity to one another; a large grate that allows for spaced-out arrangements will be a poor source of heat.

DON’T HANG STOCKINGS.

It’s a holiday tradition, but objects on or near the fireplace or mantel can quickly become fire hazards when targeted by flying sparks. And while we’re on the subject: Never toss wrapping paper in a fire. The finishing materials used on the paper could cause a flash fire that can easily spin out of control.

CONSIDER A FIREPLACE INSERT.

Ask a local chimney expert if your fireplace is suitable for an insert—a steel or cast-iron box with a glass front that traps gas or wood-ignited heat and radiates it like a space heater into your home. It’s a perfect blend of cozy and cost-effective.

Plumbers choose tools according to the location and severity of the obstruction of the drain cleaning. Instead of using chemical drain cleaners that offer a temporary solution, professionals uncover drains with rooting tools, submerging tools, tools and tools to remove drainage washing. Because clogged drains are such a common problem, drain cleaning tools and equipment are widely available for purchase and rent at home improvement stores and hardware stores.

Rooting tools

Rooting tools, also called augers or “snakes,” fall into two general categories: manually operated snakes and motorized snakes.  The main component of both types of drainage drills is a flexible metal coil with a corkscrew tip. A hand operated crank rotates the coil of the manual drain auger and an electric motor or gasoline turns power drill coil. To use a drain auger, the plumber inserts the tip of the coil into the drain pipe and pushes the coil until its tip meets the obstruction. Grab the tip of the corkscrew-like blockage and the plumber pulls the entire coil out of the drain pipe.

Sinking tools

Generally associated with toilet repairs, sinking tools are also used on common plunger drain pipes in sinks. The standard, home plunger consists of an inverted, rubberized glass attached to a straight handle. To use a plunger, the plumber places the cup over the drain opening of the clogged area and pushes down the plunger handle. The sudden push forces an air blast or stream of water into the obstructed drain pipe, often strong enough to dislodge the obstruction in a drain pipe.

Flushing Tools

Flushing tools use directed, strong water streams to dislodge and dissolve drainage obstructions. The most basic washing tool is a garden hose, but there are various garden hose accessories available on the market concentrate and strengthen the hose current for the specific purpose of unclogging drains. Unscrew fittings typically at the end of the hose. If you use a standard attachment or hose, the entry point into the drainage system is usually through a ventilation tube in the roof of the structure. To eliminate a drain, the plumber finds it nearer to obstruct the drain vent and feeds the hose into the drain system. The plumber becomes the water and allows the powerful current to dislodge debris.

Drain Removal and Tool Repair

In many cases, the most effective method of clearing a drain is to dismantle the drain and remove debris by hand. If an obstruction exists between threaded portions of drainage pipes, a plumber can remove pipes with standard wrenches. If pipe cutting is necessary, the plumber uses a metal saw or alternative saw. Cast iron pipes most connect with semi flexible rubber linings. Screw clamps drive cast iron accessories to loosen with screwdrivers and nut-drivers.

Painting wood to look like metal may sound complicated, but you can easily create a metallic look using metal finish spray. These paintings recreate the color, and the brightness of the metal on almost any surface, including wood. You should add a transparent layer to ensure that the metallic paint adheres properly and lasts for years.

Instructions

1. Sand the wood with sandpaper with a thickness of 220 to prepare the surface for the base. Clean the dust produced by sanding using a dry cloth.
2. With a brush, apply a layer of alcohol based wood paint. These bases are sometimes called “shellac” bases. Do not worry about using a coloredbase to match your painting; a white base will work perfectly.
3. Shake your can of spray paint.
4. Apply the paint on the wood, starting from the top and using horizontal and constant movements to apply a thin coat of paint. Continue to apply thin layers until the wood surface is completely covered. Let the paint dry.
5. Paint over the dry metallic paint with a layer of transparent polyurethane-based latex with high gloss finish to protect and give shine to the metal paint.

Tips & Warnings

• As you paint, spray the paint in constant motion or too much could be applied in an area, causing the paint to run and ruin the metallic look you’re going for.

A door garage gaunt or faded, whether it is built of wood or metal, can have a negative aspect in the appearance of the outside of your house. The door is worn a lot with daily use and being constantly exposed to the weather. Painting your garage door is not complicated, but it needs to be done properly. Some advice for painting doors garage can help.

Clean the door

The garage door is outside in the elements collecting dust and dirt during the seasons. Before painting, wash the entire surface of the garage door. Metal or wooden doors are prepared in the same way. Start by spraying it with a garden hose. Scrub all over with trisodium phosphate and a scrub brush. Trisodium phosphate can be purchased at most hardware stores. Rinse the door and let it dry.

Sand the door

For both types of wood or metal doors, you must sand the entire door. If you avoid sanding, the paint will not stick to the door. Sand each panel surface individually with a medium-grain sandpaper. If the metal door shows signs of rust, use heavy grade sandpaper. Do not use steel fiber. If you accidentally removed the enamel during sanding or if there is rust on the metal door, you must prepare the garage door before painting. Apply a zinc base, then wait at least 16 hours to paint the door.

Select painting

Oil-based paints do not work as well on garage doors, whether metal or wood, because they show many flaws and imperfections. It is best to use a latex exterior coating and wood door trim and a Rustoleum metal paint for doors of this type. While you are buying the paint also pick up a roller, paint tray, a standard size brush and a brush for contours.

Paint the door

Distribute the paint over the wooden or metal door. Paint from top to bottom, all over the door. Overlap each section by a few inches to ensure the entire garage door is covered. Use the standard brush to soften the fingerprints of the roller and touch up corners and edges. After the first coat of paint has dried, apply a second coat in the same manner. Do not use the garage door for a day while the paint dries.

A master plumber is an expert in piping systems. Plumbing can be like working a puzzle, which helps you enjoy solving problems. A plumber is physically strong, detail oriented and good with practical work. A master plumber can also be known simply as a plumber.

Plumbers install, maintain and repair pipe systems, for various reasons, according to the Occupational Information Network. Plumbers work within the specifications of the plumbing codes. Plumbers work with specific tools, such as drainage or pipe cleaning equipment, pipe or pipe cutters, pipe wrenches, pressure gauges and special keys. Workers can spend hours in uncomfortable and narrow spaces. The work may require local travel.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), plumbers can repair and maintain water systems and septic tanks. Plumbers work in residential and commercial environments. Plumbers often work more than 40 hours a week and can be on call for emergencies during nights and weekends.

According to the College Board, a non-profit organization that connects students with educational experiences, plumbers start as apprentices, combining classroom studies with on-the-job pay. A learning program lasts four to five years and includes 144 hours a year in the classroom. The formal education of a plumber includes chemistry, physics and mathematics. Students also study plumbing-specific topics, such as bacteriology and sanitation.

The BLS compiles data on plumbers with the entire group of plumbers, plumbing installers and steamfitters. Plumbers, pipe fitters and steamfitters earned a median national hourly wage of $ 23.97 and an average annual national salary of $ 56,330 as of 2020, according to the BLS.

According to the US National Employment Matrix Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for plumbers, pipe fitters and steamfitters are expected to increase at a rate of 5 percent from 2020 to 2030. The demand for plumbers will come from construction and renovation of buildings. In addition, the maintenance and repair of existing systems will keep employed workers.