Do it yourself. A generational catch phrase born from the crop of reality-based television programming that has captured an audience with extravagant remodels accomplished over a weekend and elaborate decorating on a budget. Do it yourself – or DIY – always existed as concept – budget-conscious homeowners pulling up their sleeves to tackle a project armed with tools and the ability to think on their feet. But the phrase do it yourself has produced a whole new harvest of weekend warriors filled with newfound confidence and eager to experience the self-satisfaction of a job well done.
Nothing seems to urge on do-it-yourselfers like a DIY bathroom plumbing project. The evidence lays in the community of homeowners who have dug in their heels, refusing to shell out hard earned dollars to a plumber simply to rectify a leaky faucet. The DIY bathroom plumbing project runs the gamut from drippy faucets and running commodes to noisy nozzles and flooding floors. But even more diverse are the extended projects that result from this initial foray into DIY-land. Suddenly, a DIY bathroom plumbing project becomes a full-blown remodel – vanities replaced; showers re-tiled; original floors swapped for their newer counterparts.
For those who have strapped on their tool belt and begun their journey into their DIY bathroom plumbing project, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, it is imperative that before beginning any repairs of sinks, toilets, and showers to turn off the water to that location. Nothing ends a DIY bathroom plumbing project quicker than a surprise flood. Further, any project involving electricity should be handled with extreme caution. Just as you turned off the water – turn off the electric power in the bathroom before tackling any projects.
Secondly, be sure that you have the appropriate parts to complete the DIY bathroom plumbing project. Parts that don’t fit will elongate the project and can easily end with disastrous results.
Finally, do your homework. Be sure to research the DIY bathroom plumbing project prior to starting. The Internet can be an enormous source of information as can your local home improvement store. And remember, you may be doing it yourself, but that doesn’t mean you can’t call in a professional if you get in over your head. Sometimes a pro can actually wind up saving you money in the end.
If you are well-researched, organized, and on your toes, your DIY bathroom plumbing project can pay dividends. Not only will you have the bathroom you want, but you’ll have the unrivalled satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself.
Archive for June, 2009
You Can Do It Yourself! Tackling Diy Bathroom Plumbing
Tuesday, June 30th, 2009Gardening and Caring for Your Rose Types
Monday, June 29th, 2009Gardening and caring for the different rose types
WATERING
Roses are deep rooted and once they are well established are more capable than most plants of surviving mild drought spells. The first spring and summer directly after planting your rose is very important. During this period if the soil around your rose seems to be drying out give your roses a good soaking. Each rose could get about 2 gallons of water. In following years you will only need to water them if drought seems iminent.
FEEDING YOUR ROSES
As with all plants that provide us with beautiful blooms they need plenty of the correct nutrients. Give roses a good helping of blood, bone and fishmeal in early April, about two handfuls to each rose. In June a handful of specially prepared rose fertilizer will give your roses a huge lift. The magnesium and potash gives the rose a great kick. Just work the fertilizer in gently around the soil at the base of the plant.
MULCHING YOUR ROSES.
Mulching is a very simple task with great benefits. Mulching retains moisture, smothers weeds and generally boosts the health of your roses. Well rotted manure is best but garden compost or bark mulch can also be used.
DEADHEADING YOUR ROSES.
Deadheading spent blooms not only tidys up the rose but actually saves the plants energy and thereby encourages more bloom flushes. A light pruning of hybrid teas will encourage a second flush.
WATCH OUT FOR ROSE SUCKERS.
Shoots that emerge from rootstocks are known as suckers. These will be different in coloring and often by the amount of leaves, than what grows from the stems over ground. Gently scrape away the soil until you can see where the sucker is growing from the rootstock, tear the sucker away cleanly.
CONTROL OF WEEDS.
Mulching is the most effective method of controlling weeds and also the less back breaking.
Hoeing is not as effective and you must take care not to damage the stems.
Sowing other plants underneath the rose is also an option. The least favored option is the application of a rose-bed weedkiller. This will eventually damage the soil and thus your rose.
ROSE DISEASES AND PESTS.
This is an area that turns people off growing roses and really it shouldn’t. Roses have diseases and pests particular to them and as such regular treatment is very effective. The main problems are greenfly, mildew and blackspot.
There are plenty of products that treat these main three problems in one treatment. Performing a regular maintenance schedule starting in April will leave you with very few problems. Do make sure to follow exactly the manufacturers recommendations.
Your roses will respond brilliantly to a little regular maintenance and once you have started your routine there will be very little work attached. Issues will only arise once you neglect your routine and this is what often deters people from growing roses.