It is very unlikely that you will be able to live in a house for more than a year or so without a drain somewhere becoming blocked. It could be the kitchen sink, or the bathroom sink or toilet, and it will most likely happen in the bathroom due to hair loss when taking a shower. Wherever it happens, it is important that you deal with the problem immediately so as to avoid the problem becoming bigger and requiring a plumber to visit when you can easily enough fix it yourself if it is a small blockage.
Wherever you have a blockage, if it applies to only one fixture, then your first line of attack is a plunger or hand auger, especially if you have spotted the problem early. Your difficulty will be solved by this the majority of the time. The exception is the shower, where hopefully you will have some sort of device which is capturing the hair and soap scum before it enters the drain. Yes, in this case, it is going to be a little unpleasant, but you’re going to have to clean it out before the shower blocks totally and water is up around your ankles and not draining away. So lift up the cover and remove whatever is sitting there, using gloves if that makes it easier for you. There is a benefit to doing this routinely to reduce the chance of a major block.
If the plunger or hand auger doesn’t work for the other drains, then use one cup of baking soda and three cups of boiling water, or a combination of Baking Soda And Vinegar to break down the blockage. This is a simple alternative to the highly toxic chemical cleaners that are available at your supermarket. Although they do the job, these chemicals are very dangerous to have around the house, particularly if you have children. They are also dangerous to the environment as there is the chance that due to flooding or a split drain, they could be dispersed into the storm water system and end up in the sea or rivers where they are a hazard to people and the environment.
If you have more than one drain blocked, there is a possibility that you have either multiple blocked drains, or there is a blockage in a main line. This may be brought about by myriad factors, including pipe wear and tear or inappropriate materials put in the pipes. In this case it is best to call a plumber who will be able to locate the problem and fix it.
If the odor of waste product is present in the home, make sure to get in touch with a plumbing contractor immediately. Make sure to inquiry what made the block occur, so that you can avoid the cause in the future.
Step by Step Copper Foil Stained Glass Instructions
Copper foiled stained glass is a very versatile form of construction for making stained glass. Panels can be made with very intricate designs and detail. The possibilities are almost endless. In addition to stained glass panels, other options include boxes, picture frames, fireplace screens, mirrors, doors, sidelights, transoms, cabinet inserts and sun catchers just to name a few.
Before you begin your first stained glass project, here are some essential tools and supplies you will need.
• glass cutter
• breaking pliers
• running pliers
• glass grinder
• soldering iron
• temperature controller
• various stained glass for design
• copper foil
• solder
• flux
• finishing compound
Steps for Making Stained Glass
1. Pick a project – This is only limited by your imagination
2. Choose or make a pattern – Ready made patterns can be found in books, magazines and on the internet
3. Select glass – The choices are almost endless. Check out your local stained glass retail store to view their selection
4. Make paper templates and trace pattern pieces onto the glass
5. Use a glass cutter to score the glass to fit the pattern pieces – Hold the cutter as you would a pen or pencil. Do not press too hard, this will cause a bad break. You should hear a soft scratching sound as you score the glass.
6. Use running pliers and breaking pliers to break apart the score lines – If cutting a straight line, you can snap the glass with your hands.
7. With the glass grinder, smooth and shape the glass for a final fit to the pattern
8. Wrap each glass piece with copper foil – This allows the solder to adhere to the glass
9. Assemble the pieces according to the pattern
10. Apply flux to foiled pieces and solder seams – This step will take time and practice. Don’t give up. With time and practice you will achieve the solder seams you want.
11. Attach zinc frame – This provides stability to your stained glass piece. Measure the width and height, then cut the zinc to fit your piece. Solder the corners, then solder adjacent solder seams to the zinc frame
12. Remove flux residue – use commercial flux remover or a combination of dish soap and baking soda
13. Apply patina – Patina is used to draw focus to the glass and design rather than the solder seams.
14. Clean and polish – This last step will give your project the shine and brilliance you are looking for.
Now all you have to do is enjoy your work!
If you would like more information regarding stained glass or the instruction thereof,
to pick from a huge selection of free patterns, all listed by category, or to sign up for my free newsletter, then please visit:
http://www.creativity-in-glass.com
About the Author
Amazing wealth of information on Stained Glass and how to make it right the First Time!
Keep your leftovers chilled or frozen in these durable glass containers with plastic lids. The clear glass lets you see at a glance what’s inside, and the stackability factor helps you neatly store dried pasta, cereal, and other items on your shelf. When you’re ready to reheat those leftovers, bring to room temperature then warm in the oven or microwave. Pyrex glass is nonporous, so it won’t stain…
With all the high-tech equipment in the marketplace these days, it’s easy to overlook something that’s been around for decades (actually since 1919)–Pyrex. Originally called ???fire glass??? because it could withstand heat, Pyrex has proven to be an excellent material for bakeware–especially for fruit desserts like cobblers and crisps, quick breads and bar cookies. This 3-quart oblong pan measur…
Fragrance Oils and Essential Oils – What’s the Difference?
Have you noticed lately that many household cleaning products and deodorizers are scented with “aromatherapy essentials” or with “Jasmine” or some other exotic fragrance like “Calming”? Do they really add essential oils to dishwashing detergent in quantities significant enough to be of any value and are they therapeutic grade? Well, of course not but with a growing popular interest in health and wellness, essential oils and aromatherapy make great marketing even when products only have artificially produced scents “inspired” by aromatherapy plant essences.
Most consumer products use fragrance oils to achieve their scent and although some mimic the scent of well known essential oils they are quite different.
Essential oils are natural and fragrance oils are synthetic
Essential oils are the natural aromatic oils that are extracted from plants. Technically they are not oils at all but complex mixtures of organic compounds that exist within the cells of the plant. Each essential oil is derived from a single plant source and depending on the species is extracted from the flower petals, leaves, stems, roots, rind of the fruit, seeds, or even the wood of trees. It is likely these compounds have evolved over time to aid the plants in survival by providing resistance to disease or by attracting pollinating insects with their fragrance.
Fragrance oils are man-made organic mixtures that are engineered by chemists to produce an attractive scent. This can be anything from “Lilacs” to “New Car” scent. Although fragrance oils may contain essential oils as ingredients they will also contain animal and synthetic fixatives, and synthetic compounds derived from petroleum.
Essential oils are therapeutic and fragrance oils are not
Essential oils are not only fragrant but they are also therapeutic and have been used for centuries, medicinally and cosmetically to improve physical and psychological health and well being. Specific pharmacological effects are produced by essential oils through skin absorption and inhalation, which is the very basis of Aromatherapy, a widely used form of natural alternative medicine.
Fragrance oils are used to scent hundreds of consumer products and their sole purpose is to improve the smell of the product. Although fragrance oils may contain many ingredients, they are biologically less complex than essential oils and provide no therapeutic benefits.
Why do most commercial products use fragrance oils?
With such a profound difference, why do most commercial products use fragrance oils and not essential oils? The main reason is cost but there are issues with supply and the range of scent as well.
The harvesting of plant materials and the production of essential oils can be very costly. Some plants such as lavender are grown on commercial farms and are harvested mechanically. But many are hand picked and in some cases from plants that grow in wild habitat. The yield of oil from the plant material is very small and can range from as much as 10% to as little at 0.02% by weight. The highly prized rose and jasmine essential oils are both derived from hand picked blossoms that yield only 0.02% oil by weight of fresh blossoms. Fragrance oils on the other hand, can be mass produced from relatively inexpensive organic chemicals.
Being crop-based, the supply of plant material and yield of oil will vary from year to year and some plant species have limited habitat. The supply of many essential oils is too limited and unreliable to economically serve the needs of large scale commercial production.
The essential oil industry is analogous to the wine industry. The quality of the final product will vary according to the plant subspecies, the growing conditions and the manufacturing. This variability is not suited to the mass production market.
Only a very tiny percentage of plant species can economically yield usable essential oils and although the range of scent is tremendous, all essential oils have a “natural” fragrance. So if you want to produce the scent of “fresh baked bread” or for that matter “Lily of the Valley”, you have to use fragrance oil.
Are there products available that use essential oils?
Yes. Essential oils are the perfect choice for adding fragrance to skin care and bath and body products that are made with natural ingredients. By selecting the right combination of oils, it is possible to achieve a wonderful scent and also enjoy the therapeutic benefits of the oils. The essential oils complement these products. They treat many skin conditions, contribute to healthier skin, relieve aches and pains and have a balancing effect on your mood and sense of well being.
Natural perfumes made exclusively from essential oils can also have a positive effect on your mood. They can reduce anxiety and stress, combat fatigue or be invigorating and stimulating. They tend to be softer than most commercial perfumes produced with fragrance oils. Essential oil based fragrances are not overpowering, and are less likely to irritate you and the people around you than commercial, synthetic scents.
If you enjoy fragrance, but are sensitive to certain synthetics and chemicals, essential oil fragranced products are a good alternative.
It’s your choice
Knowing the difference between fragrance oils and essential oils is an important first step in deciding which products are most suited to your needs. Mass produced low cost consumer products will use fragrance oils to produce an attractive scent. This is perfectly acceptable for dishwashing detergent but shouldn’t your face cream use pure essential oils? Don’t be fooled by the marketing. Read the labels carefully and make your choice.
A fresh, pure and natural toothpaste! 100% of its total ingredients are natural and organic. Certified by the strict regulations of Eco-cert of Europe’s Kontrollierte Naturkosmetik. A clean, fresh, bright smile is made possible by organic farmed ingredients and essential oils. A fresh Aloe Vera taste! SLS free. Not tested on animals. Made in Denmark. 75 Ml….
Adults will appreciate this toothpaste, which was developed by Weleda in cooperation with European dentists long before baking soda toothpastes became trendy….
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I have baking soda that I used in my fridge. What can I use it for? Cleaning? I don’t want to just throw it away.
I would pour it down the bathroom drain and then follow that with some vinegar. It will foam and bubble and clean the drain (safer than using Drano or another toxic product). Make sure to wait 15 minutes, then run hot water for a minute or 2.
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