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Sunday, December 2, 2012

The Basics of a Sump Pump and Backup System

A sump pump is designed to drain groundwater that has collected in the sump pit or basement of your home. This type of pump is designed for properties located in low-lying areas, most specifically those prone to flooding. When installed properly, this water-pump system can protect your basement and your home from flooding and from moisture that has accumulated over time. Here are a few basics on buying one for your home and the various types available in the market.

Main types

A sump pump generally comes in two types, which include the pedestal and submersible varieties.

The pedestal pump is characterized mainly by its motor located on the exterior of the sump basin. It comes in a vertical float design which is ideal for sump pits which are smaller. Pedestal pumps are highly economical and will normally last anywhere from five years to fifteen.

The submersible pump is designed to be installed below water level, with the motor located within the sump and sealed for protection. One of the biggest advantages of this kind of basement pump is its quiet operation. If maintained regularly, a submersible pump may last more than 25 years.

The Components of the System

The sump pump system is made up of several primary components. These include the groundwater collection, sump basin, primary pump, discharge hose, check valve, and the backup sump pump.

The groundwater collection component drains groundwater into the sump pit, while the sump pit or sum basin accumulates the water before removing it. The primary pump can be of the submersible or pedestal type. The discharge hose routes water away from the basement or the home, while the check valve takes care of any backflow problems. Finally, the backup pump system, which can be optional, provides added support to ensure a continuous system especially in times of failed power.

The backup system moreover comes in two types. These systems may be powered by battery or through municipal water pressure. Your primary pump is normally connected to the main power, which ensures its permanent operation. Should the main power fail, the backup system will turn on and carry on with the entire process.

The pre-assembled sump pump and backup system by Wayne Water Systems features a high flow, reliable system with a battery-powered backup pump. A pump with a reliable battery backup ensures a continuously working system, so you can flood-proof your home or your basement without trouble year after year.

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How To Efficiently Get Rid Of Moles In Your Yard

Furry and small rodents which can infest people's yards, moles are considered as pests by many people because these can dig up tunnels and kill or damage plants. Because these rodents can reproduce and then produce more of them, it is vital to get rid of them fast especially if they are annoying. Below are some things that are centered on how to get rid of moles.

Prior to evicting these critters from the yard, the concerned homeowner must detect them first. These moles should be searched for thoroughly since they build tunnels which can conceal their whereabouts. And as soon as a tunnel is discovered, it can be known whether it is active or not by thrusting a stick inside it. When it is indeed an active tunnel, there are a few manners in which the pests inside it can be gotten rid of. In this regard, a manner in eliminating moles is putting up a certain pit trap that can be built utilizing at least one big jar or can of coffee, to be placed in the tunnel. Then, this trap or these traps must be monitored once or twice per day. In the event that a mole, or more, is found trapped, its release should be done far away.

On the other hand, an involved individual can also get rid of moles by flooding these out using running water to be poured into their tunnel. After doing so, any mole that tries to escape can be caught. All in all, setting a trap and flooding is a couple of available options to eliminate such moles and not to kill them. However, in case anybody wants to kill them, a fatal victor or a nash trap can be considered. Any of these two will impale or choke any mole.

Getting rid of moles can be a frustrating ordeal for many homeowners. They can wreak havoc on a lawn and will continue to come back in most cases. For those who are against killing moles or live in a state where killing or trapping is not allowed, attrition may be an option. Attrition is where you simply keep mashing down the mole tunnels (sometimes several times a day). This may force the mole to dig deeper and eventually not be noticeable from the surface. Although this doesn't get rid of the moles entirely, it does make the damage they cause a little more manageable.

Choosing The Right Lawn Roller

A lawn roller is designed to flatten and even out grass to lay new sod or grass seeds. If you want a lawn that looks professionally maintained it is important to invest in a quality garden lawn roller that will give you a uniform garden that looks even and attractive. When you are comparing lawn rollers on the market you will come across several different types of applications. The size of the lawn you are tending and how you will be using the tool will steer you in the right direction when you are making your purchase. Understand what types of garden rolling lawn tools are available and make an investment suitable for your needs.

Most rollers are similar in function and appearance. Each roller will have a hollow cylinder responsible for flattening everything in its path. This cylinder can be made from concrete, polyethylene, or steel. The steel lawn roller is the most common type of construction used for smaller personal units. When you are comparing rollers, you will find that cylinders will have different sized diameters depending on the size of the lawn you are tending. Smaller applications will measure 18-inches while larger applications will measure up to 24-inches. The larger the diameter of the cylinder the larger the area covered. Smaller personal lawns may only require a small unit.

Once you have found the right size you will need to determine whether you want a manual roller or a pull model. Pull rollers can be attached to a tractor or a vehicle and are generally needed for larger areas. While manual models are more affordable, they are not sufficient for big areas of grass. Compare pricing and features and choose the right lawn roller for your needs. With several models available, online it has never been easier to find the right roller at the right price.

Whether renting or owning, if you have a large yard or do quite a bit of yard work, you're surely to find many uses for your roller. They can come in quite handy for things like seeding or overseeding. For overseeding, you can use the roller to pad the grass down and then rake through it with a garden rake to remove all the dead grass. For initial seeding, you'll want to take care of a few other things before using your roller. For instance removing any large rocks or sticks, making sure your PH has a nice balance or is around 6 to 7.5. After your soil is ready, the roller makes it nice to roll out large dirt clods and smoothing out the surface and ready for seeding.

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How To Get a Bargain in the End of Season Snow Blower Sales

My friend Jeannie buys her Christmas decorations in the New Year sales. She also buys her Easter Eggs after Easter and a whole lot of summer clothes in Autumn.

If you are anything like Jeannie, then this article is not for you. You already understand the power of seasonal spending. The rest of us, however, can learn a thing or two from Jeannie's approach.

Jeannie simply relies upon the fact that some products are subject to seasonal or event-specific peaks and troughs in demand. When there is high demand for a product, retailers can sell at the highest prices. When demand is low, prices fall.

Thus, if you can get one, you wouldn't have to pay too much for a Christmas tree in January. In December, however, it's a different story.

Outdoor tools and equipment are seasonal products, almost by definition, and perhaps the most seasonal of all are snow blowers and snow throwers.

In September and October, the new snow clearing stock comes into the stores, maybe including new models or upgraded versions of old models. Snow blower ads start appearing in the gardening magazines and in the press and people start thinking about the amount of snow there was last winter and how it might now be the time to get that new snow blower or power shovel in preparation for this years storms.

So, in September and October, demand is up and prices generally stay high.

But what happens towards the end of winter or in spring? Now, the dealers want to promote the summer equipment. They want to roll out the lawn tractors and fill the racks with hedge trimmers, chain saws, leaf blowers and pole saws. Those snow blowers are getting in the way. Nobody is thinking about clearing snow now. Or are they?

If Jeannie had a yard, she would be. And if you do, you should be. Because now is the time to pick up the best snow blower bargains. It is in late winter and spring that the snow blower sales are on.

If you think ahead and plan for the following winter, you can save yourself a small fortune, especially if you are in the market for a powerful two-stage gas-powered snow blower that could have a price tag of in the $1,000 - $3,000 range. The other way you can benefit from late seasons special offers is by being able to get a higher spec model at the price that a lower spec model normal sells for.

You might be able to drive a good bargain by visiting your local dealer. Alternatively, check out the online offerings - you might find that that's where the best bargains can be found given the lower overheads of the online retailers.

Tools for Gardening - Power Tools

Hedge trimmers should have reciprocating blades - two blades that move at the same time. Those which have just one vibrate uncomfortably. Machines can also be divided into those that have teeth on both sides of the blades and those with teeth along just one edge - the latter is not as versatile.

Generally the closer the teeth the cleaner the finish. Close teeth are fine for maintaining Lawson cypress hedges, but wider gapped teeth are more suitable if you want to prune woody stems and branches.

Power hedge trimmers are the source of many accidents so safety is vital. Machines fitted with lock-off switches have a two-step starting procedure which prevents the machine being activated accidentally. Make sure the machine will also turn itself off when you relieve pressure on the on-button.

Nylon-line trimmers are popular with gardeners, not least because they perform several tasks. The machines are ideal for cutting grass where lawnmowers can't reach, such as the corners and edges of lawns. The machine will also edge a lawn, though not as neatly as some edging tools.

Some trimmers are equipped with devices to feed the nylon line. As the line may snap during use, a feeding mechanism avoids interruption. Chainsaws of professional specification are best left to the professionals. Smaller, electric models are useful for removing small to medium-sized branches and help fell small-stemmed or young trees.

Choose the machine according to the guidelines for safety described above for hedge trimmers.

Power weeders are designed to eliminate the chore of bending and pulling weeds. The prongs dig and cut out small weeds with shallow roots easily but are not so effective for deep-rooting weeds.

Power shredders help recycle your garden refuse - woody tree and shrub prunings, for instance - by reducing it into shredded matter ready for the compost heap. Electric and petrol models are expensive but do help provide high grade compost.

Pole trimmers are one of the easiest means of trimming lawn edges and they give a very clean cut. They can be fitted with an extension rod to prevent you having to stoop. A straight pruning saw is ideal for cutting branches 2.5-13cm (1-5in) thick. The teeth cut on the backward stroke -the strongest stroke when you are working at shoulder height. This saw has an interchangeable long or short handle.

Being battery powered, they require regular recharging - you could run out of power in the middle of a task. They are not suitable for lawns of more than 30 sq m/yd.

Snowblower Parts

Snowblowers are the most effective way to remove snow. They quickly and efficiently suck up snow and ice and blow it out in a way that you can point in a desired direction. If you own or operate a snowblower, you need snowblower parts and tools on hand to fix and repair your machine. Many parts of the country, including southern states, have received record snowfall in recent years. If you have been in a snowstorm, you could have benefitted by having a snowblower.

There are a variety of snowblower parts needed to maintain and properly operate a snowblower. They include scraper bars, tires chains, belts, paddles, chutes, and engine parts. Nuts, screws, bearings, and pins are also needed for your machine. At a minmum, you need to know the make, model, and year for your machine to get the proper parts.

Some of the largest snowblower part manufacturers are Ariens, Bolens, Gilson, Honda, Husqvarna, Jacobsen, John Deere, Lawn Boy, MTD, Murray, Noma/Sears, Sears Craftsman, Simplicity, Snapper, Tecumseh, and Toro. Be sure the part you need fits the specification of your mahcine. Also, having a snowblower cover can really protect your machine and the internal parts and preserve their life.

Snowblower parts at major retail stores such as Sears, Ace Hardware, Lowe's, or Home Depot, depending on where you live. If you reside in a snowy climate, parts are likely more plentiful. Parts can also be purchased from online retailers such as Amazon.com and eBay. Be sure to carefully review your snowblowers' owner's manual and product specifications to ensure that you get the parts that fit your machine.