waste

information provided by What's A Homeowner To Do? by Stephen Fanuka & Edward Lewine

Now that we have gone over how water gets in your house, it circulates throughout, and is warmed, its time to discuss how it leaves your home. This will be the last weekly recurring post of this series, however, I will continue to do posts about other plumbing related issues such as how to fix a toilet that constantly is running or how to unclog a sink. 

What leaves your home is referred to as waste or the waste system and it has two parts: the pipes that take the fluids away from your house and the vent system that removes the associated odors as well as provides air flow that enables the pipes to function properly. Every plumbing fixture in your home has a drain. These drains are attached to a stack, which is a pipe that carries the used water down to the basement, and a vent that allows air to flow up and out through the roof. Once fluid is used, say from a shower, it travels down the stack to the basement and out the main sewer line. The main sewer line runs at a pitch towards the street where it meets the municipal sewer line or a private septic system. The slope of the main sewer line is very important as you want dirty liquid to travel away from your house rather than towards it (roughly a 1/4 slope down for every foot of sewer line). Somewhere before the main sewer line hits the municipal line, there exists a trap, which is a U-shaped pipe. It is often a good idea to install a check valve on your house's side of the trap. This check valve stops a clog and subsequent back up in the municipal line from entering into your main sewer line/basement. 

To properly maintain your waste system, once a month pour a cup of regular bleach down each sink and tub drain. This will break down much of the built up debris. Also run your dishwasher once a month empty. The hot water will flush out the pipes both within the dishwasher and those that lead from the dishwasher to the stack. Finally, if you are really hard on your pipes (flush things that shouldn't be flushed, clog sinks regularly, put grease down the disposable etc.) you can have your waste pipes water jetted. Essentially, a company will come and insert a pipe into your waste line and flush the system with high pressure water.  

I hope you have enjoyed this first Know How series! 

Resource Review: Remodelista and Gardenista

images via REMODELISTA and GARDENISTA

Two of my favorite blogs are REMODELISTA and GARDENISTA. They are run by the same group of women who describe themselves as "a group of friends who share eerily similar design sensibilities; a collective design DNA". Their style is "minimalist but not monastic" as well as having an international viewpoint (one of the editors is based in London). The blog is both a sourcebook (current issues not to missed entitled Summerhouse and Summer Gardens) as well as a provider of daily design inspiration. The content of REMODELISTA is focused on interiors and covers everything from "10 Easy Pieces" - a recurring series on well designed objects - to "Restaurant Visits". GARDENISTA has a similarly large breath of content with the outdoors being of main interest. 

What I really enjoy about these blogs is that the readership is aimed at both designers and consumers. The content is intelligent, clear and useful while the design and visuals are easy to navigate and beautiful to look at. Also with the just the shear amount of information available there is something for everyone to appreciate. At the root of it, these two blogs' focus is always good design - featuring it, appreciating it, making it attainable. So make sure to check them out!

vacuums

Booker, our dog, sheds a lot - like an obscene amount. Sometimes, I literally feel like I live with six dogs instead of just one and while he does have any amazingly soft coat that is very un-smelly, I really wish he would just shed less. However, I realize this is a dream that is not going to come true and that I must just learn to manage it - bath and brush him regularly and vacuum more often. 

 Our vacuum works ok but not great. Probably replacing the filter would do wonders but it is also just old so we decided we would register for a new one. I did a quick google search for "best vacuum for pet hair" and found a few contenders. 

1. Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Pet UH30310
Recommended by Consumer Reports, this model is one of the two pet specific vacuum cleaners to receive high marks. However, in reading the user reviews opinions are very mixed which is a bit concerning. Also it is not bag-less which I am pretty sure we want. 

2. Miele S 7260 Cat & Dog
Consumer Reports' pet model number two, this model is almost five times more expensive than the Hoover WindTunnel which puts it out of the running. 

3. Hoover Windtunnel T-Series Pet Rewind UH70210
I am not sure where I got directed to this one but its is bag-less and got good reviews. I did read about some issues with the belt needing replacement so that makes me a bit worried however it is covered by warranty.

4. Dirt Devil UD70095 Power Reach Cyclonic Pet Bagless Upright
This is one of the more economical models and got really good reviews. A lot of users seem to compare this model to the Dyson Animal (one the most well-known pet vacuum but also probably the most expensive)  stating that it performed just as well if not better for a quarter of the price. 

I also think it might be super convenient to have a battery operated, handheld vacuum to use in between weekly full vacuums. Two models that came up repeatedly are:

1. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser, Refined Bronze/Magenta, 94VFA
This model is economical and got a mix of reviews. My main issue is really how ugly it is...not that vacuums are attractive but the pink and bronze might be more than I can take.

2.  Hoover Platinum Linx Pet Cordless Hand Vacuum, BH50030
This make got very good reviews however it costs almost as much as some of the uprights so I am not sure it is worth it.

Any readers out there really love their vacuum? Or know of other models we should consider?