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Installing a professional composting toilet system may seem like a daunting task, but for most homeowners with basic tools and skills, it can easily be accomplished as a DIY project. In this article, we’ll cover five important things you should know, or at least take into consideration, before you begin installing a composting toilet in your home.Always begin by reading the instructions. This may seem pretty obvious, but it is amazing how many people will begin a project of this magnitude without having even opened the instruction manual. Don’t make this mistake; take the time to thoroughly read the instructions before you begin.Check with your local officials about building codes. The purpose of this step is to make sure your composting toilet will meet local building regulations. If you live in a city or county that hasn’t yet added composting toilets to its list of approved fixtures, don’t worry. It’s usually fairly easy to get them approved. Take copies of the product instruction manual and all testing information and product certifications to your local building department. They’ll usually require a few weeks to review the information, and then you should have your approval.All composting toilets will require some type of venting system to operate without odor. Installing the vent stack usually means that you’ll have to run some lengths of PVC pipe up and out of the roofline of your house. (Important note: If you have purchased a unit that does not have any type of vent, I would strongly encourage you to contact the manufacturer and inquire how the unit maintains odorless operation. I have yet to encounter a vent-free composting toilet that doesn’t smell.)Depending on the type of system you have, you may need to provide some water hookup to the toilet. If this is the case, and you are installing in a building that does not have access to running water, you may be able to use gravity fed water from a roof tank, or possibly even a bucket of water in the wintertime when the roof tank freezes. This is another important topic you should explore with the manufacturer prior to installation.Many composting toilet systems also require some type of drain hookup. The reason for this is because the evaporating capacity of the toilet can vary. For example, if you have purchased an electric unit, it probably relies of some type of heater and/or fan to evaporate excess liquid. If the electricity goes out for any extended period of time, you would have a problem if your safety drain were not hooked up. If you have access to a city sewer, this is usually the easiest and best option for the drain. Alternatively, you could use an old septic tank, leach field, or holding tank. Whatever you choose, just make sure that your drain hookup is in compliance with your local building codes and regulations.Once you’ve taken these five steps into consideration, you will be far more knowledgeable and better prepared to begin installation. Remember, a smooth and easy installation always depends on good preparation and proper planning. And if you encounter problems during installation, don’t hesitate to call the manufacturer or retailer who sold you the system; as they have trained professionals who are ready to assist you with any questions or troubleshooting. With a little time and patience, you’ll be well on your way to having your new composting toilet installed.
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Manage Your Plumbing Problems With These Tips (4)
Manage Your Plumbing Problems With These Tips
As you probably already know, getting your plumbing repaired can be expensive. If you would like to avoid this costly service in the future, it might be worthwhile to learn to solve plumbing problems yourself. Read on if you would like to become a plumbing expert and save money.
Are you looking for a simple tip to determine if your toilet has a hidden leak? Here is one that is not only simple, it also will not make a big dent in your wallet. Simply add six drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. If your toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.
Prevention will save you money in plumbing bills. The repairs that plumbers perform the most are for drains that are clogged. One major thing that causes clots is grease. It builds up over and time. You can help prevent grease build up by looking for a product on the market that will clean the grease out.
There are simple ways to check your toilet for leaks that can ultimately lead to great cost savings in the long run. The easiest way to do this is to pour a small amount of food dye into the holding tank of your toilet overnight. In the morning, if you have any color in the basin then you know you have a leak that needs some attention.
Teach kids how to shut off the toilet’s water supply. Kids are notorious for putting large wads of toilet paper and other things into the toilet, which inevitably leads to the toilet overflowing. Especially if your bathroom has carpet, show kids how to turn the water valve off if the toilet water keeps rising, to prevent the mess of an overflow.
If your sewer and main lines keep clogging up, then it is very possible that you have a tree root blockage problem. There are over the counter products you can buy to attempt to get rid of this problem. This is very effective, yet the problem is usually very extensive. Therefore, it may require a professional to come out and solve the problem completely.
Plumbing is one of those jobs that you should not do your self. If it is something easy like a toilet repair or changing out a faucet, go ahead and give it a try. If it is a major repair, then you are better off hiring a contractor and it may be required to have a licensed plumbing contractor do the work for you.
Is your shower pressure weak due to clogging of the openings in your shower head? Here is a simple and cost-effective tip to take care of that problem. Pour a cup of vinegar into a plastic bag, place it over the shower head, and twist tie it into place so it can soak overnight. In the morning, remove the plastic bag and use an old toothbrush to scrub off the mineral deposits which are clogging the openings. This will help to restore water flow and increase shower pressure.
Knowing how to solve your own plumbing problems is important. You’ll be able to respond to problems quickly, and avoid having to pay an expensive plumbing service to fix what you could have done yourself. Try applying these tips next time there’s a problem, and see if you can fix your own plumbing.