How to Reduce Hazardous Waste at Home

How to Reduce Hazardous Waste at Home

Products that we use daily in our homes can be harmful to both our health and the environment. Direct contact with some of these chemicals can cause irritation of the eyes, skin, throat, or nasal channels. Some of them may even cause headaches and nausea. On the other hand, some household chemicals can impact the natural environment unless properly disposed of as hazardous waste. Dumped into kitchen or bathroom drains, they can pollute water supplies and harm marine ecosystems. Here are some ways of dealing with hazardous waste in your home.

Reduce the use of cleaners

Many drain cleaner formulas contain sulphuric acid, while oven cleaners are known to contain potassium hydroxide. Both chemicals are highly corrosive and cause irritation of eyes and mucoid membranes. Cleaners that contain grease-removing chemicals such as petroleum distillates can damage lungs if inhaled. To reduce your exposure to these chemicals, use products made of natural ingredients whenever possible. For example, a mixture of baking soda can be used for cleaning drains, while lemon and vinegar are great from removing limescale.

Avoid pesticides

Pesticides are formulated to be deadly to insects, rodents, weed, and fungus, but some of them are potent enough to be harmful to other living organisms, such as pets and their owners. Instead of spraying pesticides, try to find alternative ways of pest control, such as using natural grade diatomaceousearth for getting rid of bugs, pulling weeds by hand, or using mulch, and using covers to keep flying insects at bay. Recently, the use of beneficial nematodes, microscopic parasites, has been reported highly successful in garden bug control.

Remove contaminants professionally

Building sites, repurposed lots, and heavily cultivated soil sometimes contain contaminants that seem impossible to remove by their owners. Derelict homes are especially challenging as contaminants, such as asbestos, are often difficult to isolate from demolition debris and recyclable waste. Before you give up on the location, give these experienced demolition contractors a call. With more than 20 years of experience in providing remedial services, they can make your site clean and legally compliant again.

Check the laundry detergents

Many household laundry detergents contain ingredients that have nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) as by-products.These organic compounds are identified as one of the major threats to marine life. NPEs have been discovered to mimic hormone strings and disrupt the endocrine system in sea organism. They don’t decompose naturally, and in reaction with sewage bacteria, become even more toxic. Fortunately, companies such as Cintas and P&G offer many NPE-free detergent brands.

Be careful with motor oil

Almost all car fluids, from antifreeze and AC coolant fluid to motor oil and petrol, can be extremely dangerous if disposed of irresponsibly. Motor oil and antifreeze contain heavy metals such as lead and cadmium that can be potentially very hazardous, contaminating water supplies and poisoning aquatic organisms. Instead of contributing to the pollution, contact your local environmental agency or sanitation department and inquire about available disposal and recycling procedures for automotive liquids.

Recycle power-saving bulbs

Although LED bulbs have become a standard for energy-efficient lighting, there are still many compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) being sold and installed. Although the amounts of mercury used in those bulbs have been reduced due to more stringent laws, more than 670 million mercury-vapour light bulbs are thrown out only in the US every year. Most of them end up in a landfill or being incinerated, despite environmental expert’s warnings that recycling is the only sustainable way of disposing of mercury products.

Our homes often contain corrosive, flammable, chemically unstable, or toxic chemicals. Found in cleaning products, automotive fluids, and even the light bulbs, these materials shouldn't be disposed of with regular waste. Apart from recycling and using local safe disposal programmes, the only way to limit exposure and adverse environmental impact of those chemicals is to reduce their use to a minimum.

Guest Contributors, Lillian Connors

Decorating with Rugs: the Essentials

Decorating with Rugs: the Essentials

When a room starts to appear dull and boring, replacing a rug might solve the problem. Even though most people see it just as an accessory, the right rug can change the entire feel of the room and set the foundation of the entire design. By playing with its colour, pattern, shape and size, you can add more interest and vibrancy to your space and use the rug to visually tie together various elements, give it a stronger definition and add more warmth and style. Here are several different ways to decorate a room with rugs.

Make Sure to Get the Right Size

It might be tricky to determine the right rug size for your room since in this case, bigger isn’t necessarily better. A rug that is too big can swallow the room and take away from the beauty of your hardwood flooring, and a tiny rug can chop up a room and make it seem disconnected.

The general tip is to pick a rug that is 3 feet smaller in length and width than your room. These bare edges will make the room seem bigger. Dining room rugs should be at least 24 inches wider than the edge of your dining table so the back legs of chairs can stay on the rug even when pulled out to allow your guest to sit. As for runners, they should be about 4 inches narrower and 18 to 24 inches shorter than your hallway, but large enough to have both of your feet on the rug as you pass through.

Use Rugs to Define Areas

Rugs can be a very effective tool in defining spaces, both small studio apartments and large rooms equally well. In smaller spaces, leave a narrow strip of the floor visible to make the room appear bigger and brighter, and in larger rooms, experts’ advice is to have the front legs of your furniture on the rug and the back legs off. It unifies the area without cutting it off form the rest of the room.

You can also use the rug as a focal point and make a strong impact. The trick is to create a contrast by painting your walls in one of the rug accent colours. And, don't think that a rug has to be a rectangle. Sometimes a square, round or oval shape can complement your furniture arrangement better than a classic rectangular one.

Set up a colour scheme

Your rug of choice can be used to set the basis of your colour scheme, or if you introduce it later, it can emphasise and tie in your existing colour scheme. You can use a rug can visually soften the room or add more accent. Bear in mind that achieving balance is the point of good design, so don’t overdo it. If your walls are soft and neutral, go with a bold coloured rug, and vice versa.

Choosing among so many different colours and patterns can be overwhelming, so you might decide to buy your rugs onlinesince there you will usually have a much bigger choice of rugs and more affordable prices. 

Achieve harmony and variety

Rugs add a touch of playfulness and variety to a room, but you need to be careful how you size and position them. If you’re planning on using two rugs, variety will be achieved with different sized rugs. Otherwise, the room will be visually cutin two.

Make sure the two rugs complement each other in style or the final result will be awkward and unpleasant. Too many different styles and patterns will disrupt the harmony. 

Use rugs as decorative tools

Rugs can be great decorative tools if used correctly. For instance, by changing both your pillows and rugs with the changing of seasons, you'll easily transform the room and make it appear trendy and fresh. And if you hang your rug on the wall, you'll have an original focal point.

The bottom line is that anything can work, it all depends on what you find most appealing and what can create the best effect in your home.

Guest Contributor, Lillian Connors

All You Need to Know About an Expert Plumber Service

All You Need to Know About an Expert PlumberService

Call for an expert plumber service is never pre-defined. Plumbing emergencies can happen at any point of time. A good plumber comes into picture when a person finds himself in a pinch of plumbing problems. Numerous advertisements are out there in the market of people claiming to be an excellent plumbing service. Sometimes, those may prove to be misleading ones. Clinging on to a professional plumber requires a bit of research as fixing plumbing complications is tedious. A licensed plumber is the one who possesses sound technical skills as well as knowledge to serve his or her clients efficiently. 

Tips for Choosing the Expert Plumber Service:

License and Legal Documentation:

Every expert plumber service provider must possess an official permit for running his plumbing business. For those who seek a plumber’s assistance should ask for relevant and valid working license conferred by the State Government. No matter whether it is a residential or a commercial plumbing emergency, hiring a professional plumber without a valid working permit should never be entertained. License assures for the compliance of the service being provided by the plumber to be in accordance with the state regulations. 

Experience Accounts for The First Priority:

Out of all the governing factors, experience of the plumber is must. Thus, when a person is in search of an expert plumber, it is important to track for how long the plumber is functional in the market. New plumbing professionals may or may not be able to meet all your plumbing requirements.

On the other hand, an experienced plumber shall evaluate the plumbing requirements of any commercial or residential set-up and customize solutions accordingly. This helps their customers to save on their time and money investment. Warranty of the plumbing service is not an issue whenexperienced personnel is hired. 

Cling More on Recommendations:

While connecting with an expert plumber service provider, it is better to look on for suggestions. Recommendations or referrals give an insight into the best and worst plumbing service providers available near you. Ask family and friends about their recent experience with a professional plumber. Also, jot down all the plumbing issues they faced and the solutions provided by their plumber. Some professional plumber service providers have their Google listings wherein a customer can cross-verify about the past customer feedback and experience. 

24/7 Customer Support Facility:

While choosing an expert plumbing solution service provider, it is essential to check for their 24/7 customer service availability. Water is a crucial resource, and no one can afford wasting water due to erroneous plumbing issues. Plumbing emergencies can arise at any point of time, and hence, a professional plumber should be reachable quickly. Ensure for their quick reachability through text messages, calls or even through their website. Customer service and satisfaction should top their priority list. Finally, they a professional plumbing solution provider should stand high with a technical troubleshooting ability.

Affordability Matters:

There are heaps of expert plumber service providers claiming themselves as highly experienced with a wide array of services. However, it is the customer’s responsibility to take a dig at the pricing of their service of interest. An excellent and professional plumber shall never overcharge for the service above the market price. A professional plumber is the one dedicated towards a quality intact servicing at highly affordable pricing. This benefit in two-ways- the plumbing service provider has an excellent customer retention ratio, and the customers invest low on their money. 

Thus, choosing an expert plumber service provider requires a bit of thorough research on experience, service quality, and affordability. Reliability and trustworthiness of a plumbing solution provider go hand-in-hand with these three characteristics.

 Guest Contributor, Nivi Watson

5 Ways to Choose the Best Plumbing Company If You Have Blocked Drains

5 Ways to Choose the Best Plumbing Company If You Have Blocked Drains

Blocked drains are one of the biggest problems with any household. Drainage system faltering can get messy and cause huge problems. Having the drain cleaned once in a while is a good option but it gets hard to figure out when exactly the drain might get damaged. For times like these, one needs a good idea about how this entire mess works. Therefore, needs a good plumbing company to sort the mess. There are a lot of plumbing companies out there and it can get a little too tough to choose but here are some ways which can be followed while choosing a plumbing company if one has blocked the drains.  

1. Look for Certifications: To get the best out of the lot one needs to check for quality certification. The certification of the plumbing company is important since it measures the quality of the work of the plumber they will send. Having this part sorted can guarantee a good service since qualified workers delivers quality work. Therefore, looking for certifications is an important job. 

2. Reputation Research: Reputation of any worker is worth of gold so is the case for a plumber or a plumbing company. A researchregarding the reputation of the company will provide a good deal of information and an insight of things. Customer reviews, asking around, ratings on customer services can be a good way of testing the reputation of the company. Better the reputation, better the work on the blocked drains.

3. Look for Specialities: All plumbing companies have a special set of specialities. For example, some of the plumbing companies are commercial and the plumbers work in the generic old-fashioned manner. On the other hand, there are companies that provide high tech work or even eco-friendly work. Once one looks into the specialities of the different companies, it will be easier to select the perfect company as per the need.

4. Warranties and Repair Plans: Warranties and repair plans are important to look for when it comes to any repairing work even for blocked drains. It is clever to look up the companies’ terms and conditions when it comes to repair and warranty because this might come handy later. This can turn out to be cost effective and beneficiary for the future. Having purchased a good plumbing plan can not only help with blocked drains but also with the broken pipes, pump failures, and all other plumbing problems.

5. Do Cost Estimates: After an extensive research, one must look for the perfect plan and plumbing company keeping in mind the cost estimate. Doing the cost estimate will provide the perfect company which one can afford. This factor is important and can plan the perfect budget for the services and make it cost effective with the quality of the service. For the best results out of this plan one should consult at least four to five different plumbing companies before narrowing it down to one. 

Choosing a plumbing company can be a headache at times since there are too many things to look into but if these simple steps and ways are looked into, the work becomes much easier. These ways not only guarantee the solution to the problem of blocked drain also provides the solution with the quality services. The services that the plumbing company will provide will be cost effective. Therefore, the matter to be solved can come with a solution which guarantees warranty, quality, and less of a mess.    

Therefore, opt for the best solution for the blocked drain in case you are looking for the plumber or a plumbing company.

Guest Contributor, Lara Buck 

Important Plumbing Tips In The Winter

Important Plumbing Tips in the Winter

With winter just around the corner you are probably starting to think of some of the serious plumbing issues that you will likely have to deal with in due time. Snow will start to pile up near your home and the roads will become icier. Of course, the weather will also become much colder as temperatures drop well below freezing. The good news is you can plan ahead by being proactive. In other words, you can nip the problem in the bud by following some of the important plumbing tips in the winter that we’ve provided below. By planning ahead you will save yourself hundreds, if not thousands of dollars over the winter season, and save yourself a lot of stress while you’re at it.

Common Plumbing Problems

Frozen pipes are a big issue that many Canadians will have to deal with now that winter is around the corner. To prevent your pipes from freezing in the first place there are a few things you can do. For instance, you can leave a steady drip of water running before you head out. Furthermore, your pipes can take advantage of heat ventilation by keeping your cabinet doors open. Your outdoor irrigation systems should also be sheathed with insulated coverings and you should also unhook your water hoses during the winter. Your plumbing also be at risk when the temperature drops to below zero on a consistent basis. Now, you may be asking what you can do in the event that your pipes have already frozen over.

If they have already frozen over then turn off your main water supply as soon as possible. By doing so the pressure on the pipes will be significantly lowered, which will reduce the risk of the pipe bursting. However, the chance of serious internal damage to your pipes is very high after the pipes have frozen, so you will likely need professional plumbing maintenance services in Toronto.

Poor heating is another issue that you may have to deal with during the winter. Furnaces are prone to breakdowns during the winter as they are usually kept inactive all summer long. Then, when winter hits they are set into overdrive, which puts a great strain on them. If your home still feels cold after you turn the thermostat all the way up then check your furnace to make sure it is providing adequate heat. If it is not working properly then it is time to call a skilled plumber or technician.

The Dos and Don’ts of Plumbing

To prevent damage turn the heat up. While it may be tempting to lower the heat and wear a sweater to reduce costs, insufficient heat will lead to problems down the line that will actually increase costs in the form of repairs. Also, make sure that your pipes are properly insulated. Insulated pipes will prevent water from freezing when the temperature drops markedly. Insulated pipes will also reduce heat loss.

You should also keep your cabinet doors as well as your bathroom doors open. This will allow heat to get in. That is, if your home has rooms where the pipes are placed in the cold zones-such as on the outside walls-then keeping doors open around the house will allow heat to enter. You should also not keep your water running. Imagine you leave your water running and then fall asleep. Then, the drain could backup for some unforeseen reason, causing your sink to overflow. You may then wake up to an icy cold flood and severe damage to your floor and appliances.

Winterizing Tips

The winter season is often filled with parties and holidays, which can place great pressure on your drains. The extra wear and tear will quickly clog your pipes will all sort of substances that you definitely don’t want clogging up your pipes. A BioSmart drain cleaner, however, can take care of an icky situation licekty split. The reason why we would recommend this product is because it is not harsh and dangerous like many of the abrasive chemical cleaners being sold today. It should be a part of your plumbing maintenance routine, as it is not only environmentally friendly but also very effective at unclogging drains quickly.

You should also check your sump pump as often as possible. Your sump pump is actually your primary defense against costly damage and a very soggy basement.  As flooding is a serious issue that affects hundreds of thousands of Canadians, such as the flood that hit Calgary in 2013, the spring in particular is a susceptible season to flooding. As such the winter is the ideal time to clean up your sump pump kit so that it is working as it should. Also, keep a lookout for any ice pieces that may block the discharge pipe.

In sum, with winter around the corner it is very important to ensure that your home is secure from potential winter issues that can quickly become a nightmare if left untreated. At the very least, you should call a licensed and bonded plumbing expert to perform a thorough inspection of your home before winter hits.

Guest Contributor, Rebecca Hill

About: Rebecca Hill was community manager at HMS Plumbing and Mechanical, who provide wide range of services including repairs, installations, leak management, and replacements for both residential and commercial customers.