HALLOWEEN DIY DECORATIONS

Are you looking to spruce up your house, inside and outside, but can’t afford to spend much money on decorations? Luckily for you, fall and Halloween decorations don’t have to cost much if you’re creative! There are so many ways you can take leftovers from previous projects you’ve done or things lying around the house and make good use out of them for super cute decorations around your house.

Look at this super cute jack o’lantern with mums sprouting out of the top. This is a super cute decoration that can be done easily by going to a local dollar store and buying the trick or treat baskets and planting your own mums or buying some locally at a farm, pumpkin patch, grocery store, or anywhere else that sells mums!

Another cheap but cute little project! Take any bottle that you have laying around your house, could be filled or empty, and buy little googly eyes. Those can also be purchased at a local dollar store and usually come in many different shapes and sizes. This would be a good DIY to make when you’re having friends over, and confuse them when you go to drink out of it!

Fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas? Jack Skellington is super popular around this time of the year into the end of the year, it’s a classic! You can find this specific light again, at a dollar store and you can take a permanent black marker and draw his face on the light yourself! You can buy a couple and make him have multiple facial expressions!

This DIY is easy for everybody to do since it includes everyday necessities. Do not throw away all of your toilet paper or napkins to get to the roll (those things were once scarce because of covid!), instead just wait until it goes empty. You might be able to make a couple of these little cute rolls out of one napkin roll since they’re longer.

This is the perfect DIY if you have pool noodles from owning a pool! Most noodles get gross over the winter, so what better way to make use out of them before tossing! Don’t worry, you can still find these at a dollar store if you don’t own a pool.

Such a cute decoration that can be placed inside or outside! Easy to do, and can be substituted with other materials to make this project work. All you need is some paint and patience to make this cute halloween craft!

Have left over materials from other projects you’ve done? These creepy cool hands can be made out of almost any materials. Wood, cardboard, plastic. If you use wood or cardboard, remember to weather-proof it!

This is so adorable!! This one can be done with fresh sunflowers or fake ones, but just remember the real ones can’t be reused, so fake is probably the best bet! You can find the skulls and fake flowers at a dollar store, and can use hot glue to glue the faces into the center! Perfect for those who love skulls and sunflowers, and can even be used year round.

Halloween is one of the best times of the year, and decorating your house with spooky decorations can make the spooky spirit even better. Most things can be found at your local dollar store, and if not there are always alternatives to materials. Get creative and stay spooky!!!

Guest Contributor: Tiffany Powell

LOUSY SHOWER HABITS THAT RUIN YOUR PLUMBING

Having daily showers is part of most people’s routine. A good shower can do wonders for your mind and body. Cold showers can increase alertness, help with muscle recovery, and even improve our immune system, while hot showers can aid in detoxing your body, repair cells, and ease anxiety.

The typical shower habits that cause damage to our plumbing are probably not the first thing that comes to your mind when you turn the knob to get the water going. Still, the way we get ready every morning can significantly affect our plumbing system. These ordinary shower routines might be beneficial, but they might also affect your plumbing. Here are some of the lousy shower habits that you should avoid.

Ignoring Small Plumbing Issues

Many plumbing problems come with different warning signs before accurate disaster strikes. It is especially the case in the bathroom, where your shower is likely to give you a fair bit of prior warning if all is not well. The constantly dripping faucets or showers may not seem like a significant problem, but it could be a hint that you need to adjust water pressure before you ruin the plumbing.

Similarly, hot water not lasting as long as you hoped is not only annoying, but it may also be a sign of a severe problem with your water heater. It’s always better to call a plumber as soon as you notice the minor problems than to ignore and risk them escalating. You can consider installing louvered access doors and panels for you to have easy access to your plumbings during minor check-ups.

2. Leaving Puddles on the Bathroom Floor

We might often forget to drain up small water puddles in our bathroom, especially if we’re in a rush. Leaving water on the floor of your bathroom is a recipe for disaster. That water could cause mold growth, ruin your base, and can potentially cause much more widespread problems. Investing in a bath mat and cleaning up water spills after a shower will help to prevent severe water damage.

3. Not Removing Falling Hairs From The Drain

Obstruction in your pipes is one of the most dangerous things for your plumbing system. As time goes by, hair that accumulates in your drain can slow and eventually block the drain completely. Use a drain cover or another hair-catching device like filters, then remove the hair after every shower, so it doesn’t create potential problems in the future.

4. Not Removing Calcium Deposits

You might not notice it, but it can leave deposits overtime when hard water dries, blocking the showerhead nozzle and reducing water flow. But you don’t have to worry; this common issue has a straightforward solution! You can add a little white vinegar, and it can easily remove calcium deposits, improving the function and appearance of your shower head in less than minutes.

5. Staying in the Shower for Too Long

If you enjoy taking long showers, you might want to rethink that habit because it is one of the main reasons your bathroom may be a perfect place for mold growth. The steam that builds up in your bathroom during long showers can result in mold, which is unsuitable for your family’s health. Mold can quickly spread to every edge of your bathroom if good ventilation is not present. Shower curtains and loofahs are also breeding grounds for mold and bacteria and may need regular cleaning if you’ve noticed signs of decay.

One way to eliminate mold growth is by reducing the temperature and length of your shower. You can also increase ventilation and reduce mold by opening a window or installing an exhaust fan.

6. Using Chemical Drain Cleaners

If you’ve noticed a clog in your drain, whether from hair or other debris, using a chemical cleaner is the worst thing you could do for your health and your bathroom. Chemical cleaners may eliminate the clog, but they could leave you with a more severe problem. Not only are chemical cleaners bad for the environment, but they’re also harmful to your plumbing. These harsh chemicals can corrode your pipes, which can cost more than cleaning a simple clog.

These bathroom habits may be simple, but you sure don’t want to ignore them, for it can open to more severe issues that can cause you a lot more repairs. Always remember to have your plumbings regularly checked by trained professionals.

Guest Contributor: Chris Jackson

HOW TO SAFEGUARD YOUR PLUMBING FROM TREE ROOTS

Split drainage pipe caused by ingress of tree roots

The purpose of tree roots is to absorb and transport water and minerals from the soil to the rest of the tree. Therefore it is only natural that roots from trees and shrubs grow toward sewer lines. These pipes hold the water source that the plant needs, as well as oxygen and nutrients. Roots that find a way into a tube through a leak will grow fast and cause blockages resulting in damaged pipes. This instance is one of the reasons why regular plumbing inspections and maintenance are necessary.

Sewage leaks are unhygienic and lead to health problems, and repairing the damage caused by the roots can be very costly. Prevent costly repair bills by taking a few precautionary measures when planting trees and maintaining pipes.

But first, you must be aware of the signs that the tree roots are the primary culprit in causing damages to your pipes. Here are the symptoms:

Bad Odor
Sewer Flies
Toilet Drainage
Water Backups/ Overflow

If you ever noticed these signs, it’s time to get your pipes checked and take precautionary measures to prevent this instance from happening again.

Locate the Sewage Lines in Your Area

It is essential to know and locate where your underground pipes, lines, and cables run as an establishment owner. This information will help you in future potential planting or landscaping projects in your area. It is also best to limit the amount of plant present next to your sewer line to avoid problems with your pipes.

2. Have Regular Maintenance and Inspection

When clog drains frequently occur, this can be difficult to clean and emit gurgling noises. Call a plumber to inspect the drain and sewer lines if you notice the signs. With the help of surface mount access panels, a plumber will have easy access to your drainpipes and can use a camera by running it through the pipes to locate injured areas. After the inspection is complete, the plumber will make the necessary recommendations. For regions with significant tree-root damage, you must replace the lines.

In addition, you can also clean sewer lines regularly and inspect the structure of the pipes to avoid significant sewer repairs. Regular maintenance and clearing the lines prevent root growth inside the pipes. Sewer-line care involves threading a cable through the sewer pipe that cuts through tree roots or clogs and cleans the sewer pipe to the inner walls.

3. Safeguard Your Sewer Lines

One of the most helpful methods to keep pesky tree roots out of your sewer pipes is to build a barrier between the trees and the sewer lines. There are various options available for you to create a practical hurdle. One of the common examples is by purchasing slow-release chemical solutions designed for residential properties. These chemicals help stop the growth of roots within the sewer line area, minimizing the probability of tree roots uncovering their way into the water pipes through breaks or cracks.

You can also use metal barriers and wood by burying them about 6 inches to a foot deeper than your pipes and running them vertically along the sewer line to prevent the roots from getting into the sewer pipes.

4. Plant Wisely

Planning your landscaping project smartly and thoroughly is the best way to avoid problems that can lead to expensive repair bills. To prevent this instance, you can limit the number of plants you place close to sewer lines. Plant more giant trees far enough away from sewer lines, so the roots are not within reach of the pipes. If you do plant near sewer lines, select slow-growing trees with a small root ball.

Your plumbing pipes are the nutrient source for tree roots. It is why it is vital to be aware of the signs and symptoms if your pipes are damaged from tree roots, for it can impose some potential health risks for your occupants. Be sure to seek help from your local plumbers if ever you notice any damages.

Guest Contributor: Chris Jackson