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Since the 1940s, people have extracted geothermal energy from deep in the earth to heat homes and businesses. Open-loop geothermal systems draw water from underground sources using a water well and pump it to the surface in order to extract free, renewable heat. These systems not only offer superior energy efficiency compared to traditional furnaces, but can significantly reduce home heating costs over time compared to gas or electric heating.
Succulents are a prominent class of plants in arid areas with limited water use, and make beautiful additions to many types of gardens, from knot gardens to desert landscaping. Many people also grow succulents indoors in pots, on windowsills and in greenhouses. Although they are relatively easy to grow, they need special attention to make sure they do not wilt and die.
Installing a basement toilet is also going to require you to incorporate that toilet into an existing or new septic system. Install a basement toilet with help from a Foreman for Lighty Contractors in this free video clip.
The presence of oil in a water well can ruin otherwise potable well water. Even if the oil in the well is only on the surface, it will still contaminate your drinking water when poured out of the tap. A small belt-fed oil skimmer can quickly resolve the situation, drawing the oil up out of the well and into a container to be discarded. Once you've removed the oil, your well will be ready for operation once again.
Many rural homes depend on a well pump for all of their water. The failure of this pump means no water to the house, garden, barn or other locations. When a well pump is beginning to fail there may be signs, but in many cases you may not know it until the pump has completely burned up. Pulling a pump from a well can be hard work, especially if the well is deep. If the pump is burned up, however, it will need to be done. Check everything possible before pulling the pump.
A sewage ejector pump's motor and discharge fitting remain submerged in the waste water and solids that collect at the bottom of the pump's basin. The constant exposure to the waste causes rust to form on the bolts that lock the discharge fitting against the pump housing. Over time, the rusted bolts lose their strength. Rusted bolt heads often strip while removing the sewage ejector pump's discharge fitting. Replacement sewage ejector pumps come from the manufacturer with new bolts.
Sewer pipes and drain lines are typically made out of PVC. This plastic pipe is connected using primer and cement that chemically bonds the material together permanently. It's possible to add drain lines to an existing sewer pipe by cutting out a small section of the sewer pipe, installing a Y-fitting and connecting the new drain. This process requires an intermediate knowledge about residential plumbing and possibly a permit from your municipality.
Well pumps rely on mechanical pistons to create a vacuum that draws water upward through a pipe. This simple process occurs each time you raise and lower the pump handle, which is connected to the rest of the mechanism by a series of levers and pins. However, pump handles, like other parts, can cease to work properly over time. Fixing a broken well-pump handle involves first isolating the problem, then adjusting the handle. In cases of severe breaks, the handle may need to be replaced for proper operation of the pump.
If you have property in the state of Louisiana that is far away from a water supply, such as a river, a reservoir or municipal underground water pipes, you likely need to install a water well to have an active source of water for your home. A water well enables you to access water from the naturally occurring underground aquifer. To install a well and be in compliance with Louisiana state law, you must register the well and you must hire a licensed well contractor to do the actual work.
The sewer pipe that runs through your basement on its way to the main sewer drain plays a vital role in ridding your home of waste. In some instances this length of pipe may become damaged and need replacement. Though this is a challenging task, the use of PVC pipe makes it less arduous than dealing with the cast iron pipes frequently seen in older plumbing. Check your local building department before attempting this type of job to get a permit and determine the various code requirements.
The term "hand well" typically refers to a well that has been dug by hand. These wells traditionally use a winch to raise and lower a bucket to draw water from the well. This system can be converted into something that many people find easier to use by way of a hand pump installed inside your home. This pump requires no electricity and instead uses muscle power to work the handle up and down, which pumps the water up and out of the well.
Peerless manufactures boilers for both residential and commercial use. The majority of these appliances burn either gas or oil to heat water inside a boiler. This hot water is then circulated through a network of pipes to warm the area. The water is provided to the boiler through a municipal water system or well. Adjusting the water pressure on a Peerless boiler is simply a matter of locating the water-pressure valve and opening or closing it until it falls within the Peerless guidelines.
A water well booster pump system provides you with an increase in the water pressure from your well. This increased pressure allows for smoother water flow at the tap, increasing the pressure of the water throughout your house. There are two types of pumps available for use, depending on the depth of your well. The installation process is the same for each, but an additional pipe is necessary for deeper wells to help drive additional pressure through the system for dragging the water further upward.
Several varieties of crabapple (Malus spp) are routinely used as rootstock to enhance both apple trees and other crapapple cultivars. Since crabapple rootstocks like M. sylvestris can increase resistance to apple diseases, such as crown gall and hairy root, they are often used when propagating apple trees. Crabapple rootstock is also used to dwarf both apples and ornamental crabapples. When working with young rootstocks, it is generally best to perform a whip graft with scions of a similar size.
As with most home improvement projects, new bath installations tend to be easier than replacing old units. The components and methodology are largely the same, but access to preexisting drain runs can be challenging. That said, the project should be well within the capacities of most do-it-yourself enthusiasts.
Aided by gravity, house drains all slope downward, eventually joining the main sewer line and exiting the house. The lower the level of the main sewer line, the more options the homeowner has for installing plumbing fixtures, such as basement bathrooms or wet bars. Unfortunately, when a buried sewer line must be replaced, which can happen if it has an inadequate slope or if it breaks due to soil shifting, it's a major project. Replacing the line isn’t complicated, but removing the concrete and the old pipe is messy and labor intensive.
Floor drains are common fixtures in basements for easy draining of water. It's possible to connect one of these floor drains to a plumbing system such as a septic tank. Septic systems are most common in rural areas or other locations that aren't served by a municipal water supply. Although the procedure can be challenging, installing one of these sewer lines yourself can save you quite a bit of money.
A water system tank is usually a tank with a bladder bag inside to help control water pressure. The bladder bag uses air to compress the water in the tank. When installing the water system tank, it is necessary to pre-charge the tank before turning on the water pump and filling the tank with water. Pre-charging is a matter of putting air into the bladder bag. Pre-charging and adjusting the bladder bag in a water system tank is similar to inflating or deflating an automobile tire.
In many rural locations, septic tanks are used to store residential sewage. Inside the tank, the sewage is broken down by bacteria before the liquid is dispersed into the surrounding ground. Sewer lines connect septic tanks to the interior plumbing points in your house, such as commodes. PVC is an easy and durable material to use when installing sewer lines. When undertaking this project, it's important to have the appropriate amount of slope in the sewer line; otherwise, the sewage inside the pipe won't flow properly.
Well pressure switches are essential to the operation of residential wells. These wells are designed is such a way that they "sense" the existing water pressure within and cycle off and on as necessary to adjust the pressure accordingly. A well pressure switch may, from time to time, turn off and on erratically. This constant opening and closing of the well pressure switch can cause constant drops in pressure, making it hard to use your water supply.
Septic tanks are used by rural and country homes to collect sewage underground. Bacteria inside the tank breaks down the sewage into a black tar substance known as biomat. When biomat breaks down at a regular rate, the system drains properly and will remain viable for many years without any maintenance. If the bacteria is too sparse, the sewage will not break down fast enough. The system fill with raw sewage and fail to drain. You can check the bacteria by removing a small amount of biomat from the tank and testing it.
Residential sewage lift pump systems are designed to force the sewage up onto higher ground instead of pulling the sewage down into lower levels. The lift pump system is connected to an underground hole where the sewage enters from the residential pipe, and the pump is activated once the sewage hits a pre-determined level in the hole. Sewage then moves through the sewer force main pipes and into a gravity manhole before being transferred to a water treatment facility. Troubleshooting common problems with a residential sewage lift pump system can often help owners fix the problem prior to calling for…
A sewage pump, or sewage ejector pump, is required to move sewage when a fixture is located below sewer level. The waste and water from the fixture -- say, a toilet -- flow into a pit or other receptacle, where the sewage pump lifts it into the sewer line and moves it into a municipal line or home septic system. Although certain pumps may require unique installation steps as recommended by the specific manufacturer, most sewage pump installation techniques are the same regardless of make.
Buried sewer lines can go bad for many reasons. Whether your sewer line's problems are the result of antiquated cast iron or clay line, substandard pipe width, inadequate pipe slope, tree root damage or other causes, in most cases you'll have to replace the line or portions of it. Replacing a buried sewer line is a messy and expensive project. When the line runs next to the driveway, you must make provisions to protect the compaction of the soil beneath the drive to prevent the concrete from settling and cracking.
Draining the water from your washer into a dry well is one way to recycle greywater into your landscape. If you have a septic system, using a dry well is a win-win, eliminating extra water in your septic tank and adding water to the ground near your trees and deep-rooted shrubs. However, avoid using bleach and fabric softeners so you don't damage your landscaping plants' delicate roots.
Septic lines, or waste drainage lines, are an integral part of the home’s plumbing system, which consists of water supply lines, ventilation pipes and drainpipes. Adding an upstairs bathroom usually increases the value and marketability of a house. Plumbing the septic line in a new bathroom is a matter of tying in to the main vent-and-soil stack, directly or indirectly. Consult your local building authority before starting to ensure that it’s permissible for you to plumb the new bathroom.
Myers, part of the Pentair Water company, makes a variety of pumps for commercial and residential needs. Myers submersible well pumps, such as the Predator, are known for reliability and performance. Some submersible pumps also have high-thrust motors, which increase the pumps' efficiency. Increased efficiency can lead to a pump lasting longer, since it doesn't have to work as hard to move as much water as a less efficient one. Myers submersible well pumps are designed for placement in the well itself and at least 5 feet above the well bottom.
PowerShell is a Microsoft Windows program that allows you to access computers from an administration command line. Use PowerShell to command your computer to load files from other computers that are connected through a remote connection. Telling PowerShell how to load the files does not require much time.
Well pressure tanks are part of your well pump system that brings water from your well into your home. Standard tanks typically come with a galvanized elbow welded into the bottom of the tank that readily connects to a PVC male adapter or a galvanized nipple to make installation into your well system fast and relatively simple. Setting the pressure is also something you can do yourself, but this should be done before you install the tank.
Pressure switches help monitor the water pressure coming from your well to ensure that the pressure isn't too low or too high. Low pressure causes problems because you don't receive enough water, and high pressure can damage your system. If your pressure switch isn't operating correctly in the winter, the cold weather may be to blame. Troubleshooting the water well pressure switch helps you decide on the next course of action to get your water pressure working properly again.
Sand is a common problem in dug water wells. The inside of the well sometimes develops a breach in it that allows sand to seep in. Sand may also fall into the well from higher up because of wind or weather conditions that cause soil corrosion. Sand leads to significant bacterial contamination if it isn't removed, so your well needs regular checking to ensure that it isn't suffering from sand buildup at the bottom. If you discover sand, remove it as soon as possible to keep your well healthy.
Anytime you want to install a plumbing fixture below the level of the house’s main sewer drain, you must make provisions to pump the wastewater up and into the main drain. In new residential construction, local building codes often require either a buried sewer line and plumbing “stubs” for installing a future basement bathroom or a sunken sewer pit. In some older homes, however, it’s necessary to dig a pit to install a sewage ejector pump that grinds solid and liquid waste and transfers it to the main sewer.
Grinder pumps are used to remove gray water and other household waste from the home. They are comprised of a pump and a holding tank. The holding tank fills with household waste until a certain level is reached. Once that level is reached, the pump itself grinds the waste and pumps it into the septic system or municipal sewer. A grinder pump can be installed at ground level, but its holding tank must be below the frost line in order to prevent freezing.
The sewage lines underneath your home form a lengthy network of pipes that can suffer damage from a variety of sources. Leaking sewage pipes can allow toxic gases to enter your home or prevent your plumbing fixtures from functioning properly. Performing a water test on your sewage system will determine if there are any significant leaks.
Air locks in plumbing can render the pipes useless until the problem is fixed. Air locks can occur anywhere, and if all of your waste water flows into the sewer line, the problem may be in the sewer. The first thing you need to determine is where the airlock is. You may need to start with the sink, toilet or sump pump before going directly to the sewer line. Often an air lock is just in the hot water line. It is best to rule out possible locations before opening the sewer trap to clear an air lock in the…
Amtrol X-Trol well tanks are pre-pressured with a sealed air charge and are made out of high-strength steel. The pressurized tanks have a 150-pound per square inch pressure rating and an agitator that moves the water to prevent the buildup of sediment. Over time, however, the water tank might need to be flushed to remove debris. Only adults should flush the Xtrol water well tank and only if they are confident of their ability to do so safely.
Sewer lines aren’t always straight, so when you attempt to use a rooter to remove a blockage from the line, it could get stuck in the bends of the line or where the line splits. Some sewer line blockages could be caused by tree roots invading the line, requiring you to install an arrowhead on the tip of your rooter line to cut through the roots. The roots can catch the rooter line and become stuck. You can take steps to remove the stuck rooter from your sewer line without causing damage to your home or yard.
If your home uses radiators or hot-water baseboard heat, then your central heating system uses a boiler to produce the hot water that flows through the metal pipes to warm your home. A kettling noise in your boiler should be investigated right away.
Not every building site has access to public utilities. If you live in a more remote location you may need to use a septic tank as a waste disposal system. After the sewer line is installed, it must be connected properly to the septic tank. Connect a drain line to a septic tank yourself without the help of a contractor or professional plumber using only a couple of basic tools to complete the job.
Mounting the sewer pipe to the wood floor will help sturdy the pipe running along the floor while keeping the vibrations of the pipe to a minimum. In addition, mounting the pipe will help prevent accidental damage to the sewer pipe if it is kicked or abruptly moved. You can mount a PVC pipe to the floor in the same manner as mounting a pipe to a wall or ceiling using inexpensive pipe mounts.
Many laws and ordinances exist in most municipalities governing the establishment of new wells, as it is critical to protect the water supply for all. Shallow wells, defined as those wells tapping an aquifer or ground water less than 50 feet deep, are usually drilled and constructed by licensed professionals. Check your local rules and laws regarding attempting to do this work yourself. It involves sinking a well point, also called a drive point, usually 2 inches in diameter, into the ground to tap the water reserve. The process is not exactly drilling so much as driving.
Cast-iron sewer pipes are among the most common types of plumbing materials found in older homes. Most newer homes use PVC for the sewer pipes, as it's cheaper and durable, and it resists corrosion well. It's possible to replace a cast-iron sewer pipe with a PVC pipe by cutting out the old pipe and connecting the PVC using a flange. Replacement of a sewer pipe may require special permits. Check your local plumbing codes before proceeding.
Vitreous clay tile pipes transferred water across a continent for the Roman Empire and made up municipal and home sanitary sewers until the advent of polyvinyl chloride sewer pipe in the 1980s. It follows that a pipe would occasionally succumb to pressure from earthquakes, tree roots or pressure from surrounding ground or overhead heavy traffic. Although the process for replacing broken pipe with PVC pipe is similar, small repairs with VCT pipe are made easier by the wide fitting at the end of each piece called a bell.
The drain field in a septic system disposes of the liquid waste from the septic tank. Pipes buried underneath the ground carry the waste from the septic tank and disperse the material into the soil. Relocating the drain field of a septic system isn't difficult, but it does require a good deal of manual labor to uncover the old pipes and then dig trenches for the new system. Enlist the help of some friends or rent trenching equipment from your nearest building supply store to make this job easier.
Household drainage pipes, or sewer pipes, are typically made from polyvinyl chloride, a type of plastic known commonly as PVC. These pipes open into a main sewer line, which in turn runs into a septic tank or a municipal sewer. The individual lines are attached to the main sewer line with a connecting coupling that is primed and cemented. You may find yourself in need of new sewer piping if you're installing a new toilet, washing machine, shower or any other water fixture.
Septic systems collect, treat and dispose of sewage waste products. Systems are composed of septic tanks, lines and drainfields. Septic tanks retain sewage solids and expel effluent, or liquid waste. Drainfields, also called leachfields, treat septic tank effluent through biological action of soil microbes. The King County, Washington website lists four types of septic drainfields: gravity, pressure distribution, sand filter and mound systems.
A well pump lifts water from a well and stores it in a pressurized tank. As water is used from the tank, the water pressure falls. When the pressure reaches a predetermined level, the pressure switch turns the pump on, which adds water to the tank and increases the pressure. When the tank pressure reaches the maximum level, the pressure switch turns the pump off. A Gould pressure switch requires adjustment for both the cut-in and cut-out settings.
Pipes that run beneath or through pavement floors are permanently encased in concrete, so you only have one shot to correctly mark their locations. The pavement floor's concrete forms or existing foundation wall offer a precise frame of reference for placing drain lines. Plastic sewer pipes require a protective sleeve where they protrude through the slab. Without this sleeve, the concrete's natural movement damages the pipes and leads to expensive under-slab repairs.
A well can provide drinkable water from the ground, provided the water can be removed in an efficient and safe manner. Make a hand pump that can be used to draw water from out of the well. Your do-it-yourself hand pump will require hardware supplies and the use of tools from around the home.
Sewage ejector pumps play an important role in keeping the sewage system clean in homes that use septic systems. The dirty water and sewage is pumped either to the septic tank or to some other type of outside waste receptacle. The wear and tear from pumping sewage can wear these pumps out on a fairly regular basis.
