Small Appliances

PEX not PECS! Types of Home Plumbing Materials

OK, let's learn about a type of home plumbing material that is becoming more commonly used called PEX (not "pecs" like on display in the weight lifting photo).

PEX stands for cross-linked high density polyethylene and although the material has been in use since the 1970's, it is now fast becoming the piping material of choice in new home construction and even home remodeling projects.

Although you may find PEX in newer homes, there are many more common types of piping material found in homes depending on their age. For example galvanized pipe is commonly found in older homes and copper pipe is found in homes of all ages and of course still in common use today.

But there are different types of piping used for waste lines, water supply and gas supply. It is important to know which piping material is which and how to identify them so you use the correct material in your home repair projects! I'll also explain what they are used for and how to cut and fasten them together

In the tutorial Types of Home Piping Materials, I will cover the most commonly found piping found in the home such as:

So take a read and learn what type of piping you have in your home.

PEX not PECS! Types of Home Plumbing Materials originally appeared on About.com Home Repair on Sunday, September 5th, 2010 at 11:28:33.

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Planting Trees for Fall Foliage

Fall is a visually stunning season and considering the bleakness of winter that follows, there's every reason to make the most of fall color. About's Landscaping Guide, David Beaulieu, gives us an overview of the best trees to plant for fall color, from the sturdiest to the quintessential to the underrated. Fall's color temperatures and frequent rain fall make it the perfect season for planting trees. And many nurseries are slashing prices to move their inventory. So take a look around and if your yard could use a striking accent tree this season, make a choice from David's list. There's a tree for every need.

Photo: © Marie Iannotti

Planting Trees for Fall Foliage originally appeared on About.com Gardening on Thursday, September 9th, 2010 at 01:01:23.

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High on Jacob's Ladder

I like Jacob's ladder plant most for its foliage. I like to juxtapose it with plants whose leaves have a coarser texture, to achieve contrast. It also doesn't hurt that the most common types of Jacob's ladder have blue flowers, blue being a highly valued color amongst gardeners.

The common name derives from the appearance of Jacob's ladder's leaves: They are compound, composed of numerous opposite, small, narrow leaflets -- like the rungs on a ladder. But "ladder plant" was, presumably, dismissed in favor of a more colorful name. Instead, the most famous ladder in literature was evoked: Jacob's ladder, a vision Jacob saw in a dream as related in Genesis 12-19: "And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven...."

Read article: Jacob's Ladder

High on Jacob's Ladder originally appeared on About.com Landscaping on Thursday, September 9th, 2010 at 07:27:04.

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Magic Stud Finder Compact: Half the Size, All the Fun

Who needs complicated electronics, beeps, and flashing lights when all you need are a handful of rare earth magnets?

That's the premise of the Magic Stud Finder, reviewed here in the past.  These super-strong magnets find and stick to the metal drywall screws or nails embedded below the wall surface.

Drywall is anchored to studs.  Find the anchor, find the stud.  That's the simple idea.

Magic Stud Finder also has a compact version, holding one magnet at a time instead of two.

Magic Stud Finder Compact

Magic Stud Finder Compact: Half the Size, All the Fun originally appeared on About.com Home Renovations on Thursday, September 9th, 2010 at 11:47:48.

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