Plumber's Christmas Song

The 12 things for Christmas the Tenants at Twilight Court left for me...
12 Trips to my truck
11 Hair weave clogs
10 Drains are dripping
  9 Calls from the landlord
  8 Lame excuses
  7 Roaches killed
  6 Missing handles
  5 Flights of stairs
  4 Toilets looked at
  3 Broken Flappers
  2 Supply tubes installed
 And a toilet full of feces and wee wee

Merry Christmas!!

How to Fix Slippery Bathroom Floors

Slippery bathroom floors can cause major problems for many people especially elderly men and women. When a bathroom floor is slippery, a person can fall and hurt themselves severely. The elderly or even a child can fall and hit their heads or break a hip bone if the fall is severe enough. Preventing slippery bathroom floors is essential in protecting your loved ones from becoming injured due to a fall. And since the costs of fixing a slippery bathroom is minimal, there should be little reason to delay.

Bathroom Shower Mats

There are equipment and supplies that one can purchase to help prevent things like this from happening. Shower mats are a great accessory to add to your bathroom. When exiting from the bathtub, you will be able to dry off on the shower mat. Keep any dripping water there instead of getting it on your floors and creating a slippery situation. There are even some shower mats that can be placed in the bathtub to prevent slippery situations while showering. These shower mats don’t cost much. Most range in price from five dollars to twenty five dollars depending on size and shape of the mat itself.

What can cause a bathroom accident?

After someone showers or takes a bath, it is inevitable for some water droplets or puddles to form. This can occur when wiping down the excess water on your body or during the the cleaning. In addition, bathroom tiles are smooth surfaces and when combined with water, shampoos, soaps, or even baby powder, they become extra slippery. The problem with slippery floors is if someone becomes injured it could take a long time to heal or worse could even cause death if the fall is severe. There are many things in a bathroom someone could hit their head on if they fall. A bathroom cabinet, bathtub, bathroom sink, toilet and even the floor can cause major problems for someone who falls on a slippery floor.

By taking simple preventive measures like buying shower mats, safety treads or grab bars, this will ensure your bathroom stay safe and secure so that no one becomes injured from wet floors. It’s better to spend a little extra money then to lose or have an injured loved one from a fall that could be prevented from the start. Remember, bathrooms are one of the places that most injuries occur.

Bathtub Safety Treads and Bathtub Mats

Bathtub Safety Treads

Stick-on treads provide traction to prevent slipping in the bathtub or shower. Nowadays, safety treads are available in many colors and styles to complement your bathroom decor. Place the treads on the bottom of your dry bathtub easily and within minutes. They can be applied like bathtub stickers or decals. Self adhesive safety treads are ideal for barefoot areas. Slippery areas such as bathtub, shower, spa, whirlpool, swimming and exercise areas, pool ladders and bathtub steps are perfect places for the safety treads.  Make sure you use clean you tub with rubbing alcohol and let dry before applying safety treads.

Bathtub Mats

Bathtub mats are another inexpensive way to make your bathtub and shower safer. When there is an excessive accumulation of soaps and shampoos on the floor, this can result in a slip and fall. Bathtub mats can add more footing and give your feet some extra grip in an wet environment. This is also a bathroom product available in a variety of colors and styles so that they match the rest of your bathroom.

Grab bars, handicap handrails, safety treads, and mats may be purchased at any major department store and come in a wide range of prices. Most large bathroom retailers also sell these important home safety products. Be preventive in bathroom safety by making sure you have these features in your household.

Bathtub Safety Bars and Handrails

Do not wait for an injury to install bathtub safety bars or handrails in your shower and bathtub. Even if you do not have an immediate use for these, handrails may be of benefit to a toddler, child, or older house guest. Handrails and bathtub grab bars can help you safely enter and exit the bathtub, and have been found to reduce accidents in the bathroom. Install the bars yourself, or have someone install them for you to make sure they are securely placed for optimum safety.

Bathtub grab bars are seen in many places such as nursing homes, hospitals and public rest rooms. People today have installed them at home for elderly people. This is so helpful when you need extra assistance for getting up and down from the tub or the toilet. These grab bars will provide the support you need everyday. It is convenient and safe for the children to use as well. We all know how energetic children can be. They are beneficial for the whole family. This will help you hold on while in the tub and keep you from falling.

Bathtub grab bars are necessary items to have if you routinely have trouble supporting yourself in and around the tub. If you are sore and hurting, this will also help you immensely. People who have has mild strokes will benefit from this as well. An elderly parent that lives with you will benefit by using this item. Elderly people are just not as stable as they once were. Having safety grab bars in the bathroom is great for them and will provide you with a peace of mind.

There are portable grab bars called suction grab bars that can be used all over the house. Using the grab bars will improve one’s quality of life so they can feel like they can do what they were previously able to. Shower grab bars are another good item for your bathroom.

Handicap Shower Grab Bars

You want at least one grab bar in your handicap shower. I would recommend at least 2 grab bars locations, one near the entrance of the handicapped shower for wheelchair transfer and another inside the shower, to keep oneself stabilized. Where you position the shower grab bars is crucial to the utility of this equipment. Everything should be accessible within range of your reach and installed correctly so it can properly support one’s weight. If you are a tall person and require the grab bar higher, then I suggest an angled grab bar that starts off horizontally but breaks off at an angle vertically. Right angles and 120 degree angles are perfect for most needs. Just by having one handicap shower bar, your bathroom and shower life will change dramatically.

• Flip Out Horizontal Grab Bars – Place this horizontal grab bar next to your walls. Flip out the safety rail or grab bar when you need it and lock it against the wall when your done. This is a very sturdy grab bar that can support heavier weights.

Shower handrails that are parallel to the walls are also useful as transfer devices but I find grab bars with a fold out option, to be the best. Fold out grab bars can do what their name says, fold out. Once you are done with the grab bars, simply put it back into the upward or wall position. They are capable of supporting 100 to 150 lbs of force. Bariatric grab bars which are heavy duty can support upwards of 250 to 300lbs+.

• Grab Bars That Folds Out From Wall – Whether you are exiting from the shower or standing up from the toilet, these fold out grab bars can be a sturdy support and be easily tucked away when done.
• Plastic Grab Bars with Grip Handles – These plastic grab bars can provide a grip even when wet because of the grooved surfaces.

Costs of Shower Grab Bars

Grab bars can range in price from $20 to $60. The more features and weight a grab bar can support, the more it will cost. If you prefer long angled grab bar designs or grab bars made out of nickel or brass, expect to pay more. However, all are capable of doing their intended jobs, that is, to provide a safety support in a wet shower environment.

Where To Buy Bathtub Grab Bars?

There are many places to buy these items such as Walmart, Walgreens, Target, Lowes and medical supply stores. It is good to compare prices first. There are also online stores that sell these products and you can order right from your home. Some of these places give free shipping and good deals like buy one and get one free. These are not expensive either. Suction bars can start at $14.95. Some that are larger are $39.95 and up. It really depends on what you choose. Some of the permanent ones can start at $39.95 on up to $263.64. Here is a list of affordable and recommended grab bars.

Bathroom Safety

For most people bathtub safety does not become an issue until they are older, injured or disabled. Households with toddlers and young children need to be aware of, and implement, bathtub safety as well. But even an able-bodied, younger person might benefit from some precautionary bathtub safety equipment. The bathroom is one of the most dangerous rooms in the home in terms of household safety, and thousands of slippery bathroom floors and bathtub accidents occur each year in the United States. It is easy and relatively inexpensive to install a few products that make your bathroom more safe and sound, for you and your house guests.
Home Depot carries various products made by Safety First, which are an inexpensive way of making your bathroom Safe. In the following weeks I will be discussing the various safety products you can use to make sure your bathroom is safe for your loved ones.

Drain & Sewer Pipes

Every home or business has drains and sewer pipes. Most drains lead to the sewer pipe which takes the waste material away from the home or business.

One of the most common plumbing issues is a clogged drain or sewer pipe. Clogging is caused by a number of reasons including:

• Waste Food
• Paint
• Fats, Oils and Greases
• Disposable Nappies and Wipes
• Condoms
• Sanitary Products
• Bandages and Dressings

• Animal Waste
• Cotton, Wool and Cotton Buds
• Razor Blades
• Soap Scum
• Health and Beauty Products
• Hard Water Deposits

Another major factor in drainage and sewer pipes are roots from trees. As trees grow larger, the roots reach out farther sometimes coming into contact with sewer pipes and penetrating them.

The professional drain cleaner, Handyman Gene LLC, is extremely skilled with all issues related to drains and sewer pipes.  He will provide your home or business the best in drain clearing in the Anne Arundel County, Md area.

Fishermen and Boaters

Drill a hole through a large cork and fasten your key chain through it. Keys will float if dropped overboard.

Closet Smells

Fill an old nylon stocking with cedar chips for a sweet-smelling closet. This also will serve as a moth repellant.

Closet Dampness

If you have a problem with dampness in closets, fill a coffee can with charcoal briquettes. Place container on floor, punch holes in the cover. For larger closets use 2 or 3 one-pound cans. Chalk will also help cut down on dampness. Tie 12 pieces together and hang in closet.

Household Tips

Ring around the collar

Dirty neck rings around shirt or blouse collars can be removed by putting shampoo on them. Rub the shampoo in like you were washing your hair. Shampoo is specifically made to remove body oils. A cheap bottle of shampoo kept by the washing machine is handy for all kinds of stains in clothing. Don't forget this trick when you are traveling.

Cleaning Scuff Marks
Use 3 tbsp. Of TSP (trisodium phosphate) to a gallon of water to clean scuff marks or crayon marks off walls. TSP can be found in the paint department of a hardware store. Wear gloves and do not use on semi-gloss or gloss paint or wood surfaces.

Removing Blood from Furniture

Use hydrogen peroxide to remove blood from clothing or furniture. Rub gently.

Dusting Tip

Use paint brushes to dust cracks and hard to reach places in telephones, stereos, etc.

Removing Candle Wax from Walls

Candle wax can be removed from walls or other surfaces with an iron and facial tissue. Set the tissue over the wax and gently iron. When the wax seeps through or the tissue begins to brown, apply a new tissue.

Cleaning Chrome

Club soda or seltzer water will clean chrome.

Removing Blood Stains

Corn starch can remove blood stains. Rinse the stain in cold water, then rub in moistened cornstarch. Place the item in the sun.

Removing Gum

Gum can be removed using ice to harden and a dull knife to remove.

Removing Magic Marker Ink

Hair spray will remove magic-marker ink from surfaces.

Cleaning Window Screens

Nylon covered sponges are great for cleaning window screens.

Removing Smoke Odor

Place a bowl of vinegar out to absorb smoke odor.

Unstick That Door

Car wax applied to a sticking door will ease opening and closing.

Repairing Cigarette Burns in Carpets

Cigarette burns in carpeting can be repaired by cutting the blackened fibers from the hole. Squeeze liquid glue into the hole and fill with fibers trimmed from carpet remnants.

Repairing Small Holes in Window Screens

Clear nail polish will repair small holes in window screens.

Killing Flies

Hair spray will kill flies.

Window Painting Tip

Newspaper strips when wetted can be used around windows when painting, in place of masking tape. Remove strips before they dry out.

Drying Out Wet Magazines or Books

Place paper towels on both sides of a wet page to absorb the moisture and prevent wrinkling.

Sink Sprays and Diverters

A kitchen sink spray has a spray head attached to a hose, which is connected to a diverter valve in the faucet body. When you squeeze the spray head handle, the diverter valve reroutes water from the faucet to the spray head hose.

• If the flow is sluggish, make sure the hose isn't kinked.
• Clean the aerator in the spray nozzle.
• Continued sluggishness may indicate diverter valve problems.
• Clean the valve or replace it.
• If the spray head leaks, remove it from the hose and replace the washer.
• For a leak at the faucet end of the hose, tighten the hose coupling.
• If the hose itself leaks, it's probably cracked. Replace it.

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Tub Faucets

Like sink faucets, tub faucets can be compression style or washerless. To take apart any style tub faucet, pry off the cap, unscrew the handle, and remove the escutcheon. In a compression faucet, you'll see the stem and packing nut. You may need to use a deep-socket wrench to grip and loosen a recessed packing nut. To repair a washerless tub faucet, remove the stop tube and draw out the retainer clip to get at the cartridge.

Happy Easter

Pipes Making Noise?

Noisy Pipes

Pipe noises range from loud hammering sounds to high-pitched squeaks. The causes may be loose pipes, water logged air chambers, or water pressure that's too high. Anchoring exposed pipes is a simple solution; other remedies such as anchoring pipes concealed inside walls, floors or ceilings, may call for a professional.

Banging

Pipes are usually anchored with pipe straps every 6 to 8 feet for horizontal runs, 8 to 10 feet for vertical.

• If your pipes bang when you turn on the water, you may need to add straps, cushion the pipes with a rubber blanket, or both.
• When you anchor a pipe-especially a plastic one-leave room for expansion.
• Don't use galvanized straps on copper pipes.

Squeaking

Only hot water pipes squeak. As the pipe expands, it moves in its strap, and friction causes the squeak.

• Solution: Cushion it as you would a banging pipe.

Water Hammer

This noise occurs when you turn off the water at a faucet or an appliance quickly. The water flowing through the pipes slams to a stop, causing a hammering noise.
Check for:

• Loose Pipes

Remedy:

• Anchor the pipes.

Check for:

• Faulty air chambers. These lengths of pipe, installed behind fixtures and appliances, hold air that cushions the shock when flowing water is shut off. They can get filled with water and lose their effectiveness.

Remedy:

• To restore air to the chambers, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve. Open all the faucets to drain the system. Close the faucets and turn the water on again. The air chambers should fill with air.

Check for:

• Water pressure that's above 80 psi (pounds per square inch).

Remedy:

• To lower the pressure, install a pressure-reducing valve (you can call in a plumber to do the work if this is a job you don't want to do yourself).

IT'S OFFICAL

We are pleased to announce that Hanydman Gene is NOW Handyman Gene LLC.  Congradulations Gene, good job!!