MTips

How to Clean a Leslie Steam Hot Water Generator
By James Clark
Leslie steam hot water generators boil water under pressure for residential heating applications, such as in radiators. With normal usage, the generator will need minimal maintenance and only exterior cleaning, according to the operator’s manual. However, there is a specific shutdown procedure to follow for safe maintenance of your Leslie steam hot water generator. Relieving pressure in the tank safely is crucial before undertaking any maintenance of the exterior unit.

Topic To Clean a Leslie Steam Hot Water Generator:

• Safety Valve
• Relief Valve

To Clean a Leslie Steam Hot Water Generator Difficulty:

• Moderately Easy

To Clean a Leslie Steam Hot Water Generator You’ll Need:

• Work gloves
• Bucket
• Liquid dish soap
• Old towels

To Clean a Leslie Steam Hot Water Generator Instructions:

• Turn the power switch on the pump control to the “Off” position.
• Close the valves for the steam inlet/high temperature pipes by turning each valve knob clockwise.
• Place a bucket below the pressure relief valve on the side of the generator. Put on work gloves then open the valve slowly to let the water drain out.
• Wait until the tank is cool to the touch. Close the three remaining valves in this order: the hot water outlet, the cold water inlet then the condensate return line. Each valve knob twists clockwise, and all are labeled on the generator unit.
• Place the bucket under the drain valve. Open the drain valve then slowly open the pressure relief valve as far as the knob will turn. This prevents an air vacuum from building in the tank.
• Clean the tank exterior and the heat exchanger with a solution of liquid soap and water then wipe the unit down with old towels. Allow the tank to air-dry.
• Start the steam generator by closing the drain and pressure valves then opening the water valves in the reverse order that they were shut down. Switch on the power once the valves are open.

How to Clean a Bowflex
By Casandra Maier
How to Clean a Bowflexthumbnail Use towels or rags in lieu of paper towels to reduce waste when cleaning your Bowflex.

The Bowflex is a home exercise machine that provides a full body workout through strength training. The Bowflex operates without the need for electricity and it is the only single piece of home exercise equipment that works the entire body through resistance training. It is important to maintain and clean your Bowflex following your workouts to keep the machine in proper working order. Cleaning also keeps the Bowflex sanitary and looking new by preventing the build-up of sweat, dust and grime.
Topic To Clean a Bowflex:

• House Clean
• Clean Laundry

To Clean a Bowflex Difficulty:

• Easy

To Clean a Bowflex You’ll Need:

• Small plastic spray bottle
• Non-abrasive all-purpose cleaner
• Soft cloth or hand towel

To Clean a Bowflex Instructions:
Cleaning the Bench

• Fill a small plastic spray bottle half-way with a non-abrasive all-purpose cleaner. Store this bottle in the same room, within reach of your Bowflex. Having a bottle of cleaner on hand at all times ensures that you can easily clean your Bowflex workout bench after each use.
• Spray a small amount of cleaner onto the Bowflex workout bench after each use. Use a soft cloth or hand towel to gently wipe the entire surface of the bench. Allow the surface to fully air dry before sitting on the bench again.
• Launder the hand towels and cloths regularly to ensure that they are fresh and clean for your Bowflex. How often you need to wash the towels depends on how often you work out. If you work out every day, wash your cleaning cloths once a week.

Removing Dust and Build-up

• Remove dust and build-up once a month to keep the Bowflex looking new. This is a part of regular maintenance for your machine. Use a clean hand towel or cloth to clean the machine.
• Disconnect the cables from the power rods. Spritz a small amount of all-purpose cleaner onto a soft cloth or towel. Carefully wipe down each power rod before binding them together with the rod binding strap.
• Wipe down all surfaces on the home workout machine. Continually shift your cloth or towel, and spritz on fresh cleaner, to ensure that you are working with a clean section of the fabric. Grab a clean cloth or towel if the one you are working with gets too dirty.

• Use a green, or environmentally friendly, non-abrasive cleaner. Non-abrasive soaps diluted with water can also work to clean your Bowflex.

• Never use cleaners that are designed to clean automotive interiors to clean your Bowflex. These cleaners have properties that make the bench of the machine slippery, which can be dangerous while you are trying to work out.

How to Split Succulents
By M.H. Dyer
How to Split Succulentsthumbnail Succulents require plenty of sunshine and well-drained soil.

Succulents have thick, fleshy leaves that store water, allowing the plants to thrive in rugged conditions where most plants have little chance of survival. Versatile, low-maintenance plants, succulents are available in a range of shapes and colors. Succulents benefit from division when the plants become crowded or outgrow their boundaries, and the divisions are used to propagate a new plant. For best results, divide succulents in spring or early summer.
Topic To Split Succulents:

• Planting Vegetables
• Planting Seed

To Split Succulents Difficulty:

• Moderate

To Split Succulents You’ll Need:

• Clean, sharp knife (optional)
• Potting mix
• Container with drainage hole

To Split Succulents Instructions:

• Lay the container on its side and slide the succulent carefully from the container. If the plant is stubborn, loosen the roots by thumping the side of the pot firmly but lightly with the heel of your hand.
• Pull the plant apart at its natural divisions — where the plant has grown offshoots, or “pups.” Be sure the offshoots have at least three or four healthy roots. If the plant is difficult to divide, use a clean, sharp knife to cut the offshoots from the main plant.
• Fill a container with a well-draining potting mix of approximately 20 percent commercial potting soil or compost and 80 percent pumice, perlite or coarse sand. You can also use a commercial mix for cactus and succulents. Set the container aside.
• Replant the parent plant in the original container. Place the offshoots in a well-ventilated spot for for two to three days, or until the cut area creates a callus.
• Plant the divided succulents in the container of prepared potting mix. Plant the succulent only deep enough to keep it upright, as planting too deep causes rot.
• Place the newly divided succulents in bright, indirect light.
• Water the succulents two days after planting. Water lightly so the potting mix is slightly moist. Water again when the soil is dry, which may be once a week or once a month, depending on the time of year, room temperature and the amount of sunlight available.

• In-ground succulents are divided according to the same principle — carefully dig up the plant, and then remove the offshoots. Replant the parent plant and set the offshoots aside to calllus. Plant them in a sunny, well-drained location. Alternatively, plant the divisions in a pot, and then move them to a permanent location after a few weeks, when the succulents show healthy new growth.

• Always use containers with drainage holes, as succulents rot quickly in soggy soil.

How to Clear a Flooded Cellar
By Daria Kelly Uhlig
How to Clear a Flooded Cellarthumbnail Floodwater can be as dangerous to your health as it is to your home.

Floodwater is destructive for many reasons, some of which homeowners often don’t consider. In addition to the obvious damage to flooring, wall materials, furniture and other possessions, the pressure exerted by exterior floodwater and the saturated ground that surrounds your cellar has the potential to cause serious structural damage. Therefore, it’s important to clear your flooded cellar using a procedure that protects the integrity of your home.

Topic To Clear a Flooded Cellar:

• Sewage Water
• Well Pump

To Clear a Flooded Cellar Difficulty:

• Moderate

To Clear a Flooded Cellar You’ll Need:

• Submersible pump
• Extension cord or car battery for pump
• Garden hose
• Measuring tape
• Waders
• Waterproof gloves
• Safety goggles
• Particle mask
• Shovel
• Wet/dry vac
• Mop
• Towels

To Clear a Flooded Cellar Instructions:

• Turn off the power if you can reach the circuit box safely without entering the water. Contact a licensed electrician to shut the power off for you if you’re unable to do it safely.
• Turn off the gas, if a gas line runs to your home, and contact the gas company immediately.
• Wait for the outdoor water to recede before you pump your cellar. Begin pumping when the outside water level is equal to or less than the level of water in the cellar.
• Rent or purchase a submersible pump if your cellar doesn’t have a sump pump or if your pump is nonfunctional or inaccessible. Run power from a neighbor’s house, if necessary, if the pump is electric-powered. Alternately, use a 12-volt car battery to power a battery-operated pump.
• Dress in protective gear before you enter the cellar. Wear waders, waterproof gloves, goggles and a particle mask to protect yourself against toxins that might be present in the air and water.
• Inspect as much of the cellar’s structure as you’re able to. Look for signs of structural damage that might make it unsafe for you enter. Do not enter the cellar if it appears unsafe.
• Follow the manufacturer’s or rental center’s instructions for the specific operating procedure for your pump. The instructions include placing the submersible pump in the cellar, attaching a garden hose to it and siphoning water through the hose to the outdoors.
• Pump until the water level is reduced by 1 to 2 feet, or by whatever amount you can pump out while maintaining opposing force against exterior water and saturated ground. Measure the exterior water or ground level, if necessary, and use the measurement as a guide to help you determine how much water you can safely pump.
• Wait 24 hours before pumping again. Pump an additional amount of water to bring the cellar water level to the same level as the flood water outside. Pump 1 to 2 additional feet of water each day if the outdoor water has receded. Continue pumping 1 to 2 feet of water daily until nearly all the water has been removed.
• Suction as much remaining water as possible with a wet/dry vac if there’s no mud or silt in the cellar. Otherwise, shovel the mud out immediately.
• Clean up remaining soil and water with mops and towels.

• Once you’ve cleared the water and mud and removed the contents of the cellar, as well as floor and wall materials that are damaged beyond repair, wash the remaining hard wall and floor surfaces with a disinfectant bleach solution. Rinse the surfaces thoroughly using a hose, then pump out and clean up the rinse water.
• Ventilate the basement well after you’ve cleaned it thoroughly. Open doors and windows. Place fans and space heaters on the floor.

• You must turn the power off even if you have no service because of a widespread outage. If power is restored while you’re standing in water, you could be electrocuted.
• Everything that comes in contact with floodwater and mud — including furniture, clothing and other belongings — must be disinfected before they’re safe for use. Floodwater and silt may contain bacteria, mold spores and other dangerous toxins. If in doubt, throw it out.

How to Determine the Toxicity Level of Lemongrass
By Meredith Jameson
How to Determine the Toxicity Level of Lemongrassthumbnail Lemongrass is widely available in a pressed, oil format.

Lemongrass is a type of grass that originates in the C. flexuous and the C. citrates family and is commonly used to add scent or flavoring to a variety of foods. It is most commonly available as an oil. In addition, lemongrass is used in many alternative medicine treatments as an antifungal or anti-carcinogenic agent and can also be an effective non-chemical insecticide. While lemongrass is generally considered safe, lemongrass might be toxic in large quantities, so following recommended quantity guidelines is recommended.

Topic To Determine the Toxicity Level of Lemongrass:

• None

To Determine the Toxicity Level of Lemongrass Difficulty:

• Moderately Easy

To Determine the Toxicity Level of Lemongrass You’ll Need:

• None

To Determine the Toxicity Level of Lemongrass Instructions:

• Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of lemongrass to 6 ounces of boiling water, if using lemongrass as a tea.
• Cut and powder 2 grams of lemongrass herb and add to 1 cup boiling water as another safe formulation for tea.
• Do not ingest more than 140 milligrams of lemongrass oil in capsule form once per day if taking lemongrass for treatment of high cholesterol. Stop taking the lemongrass capsules after 90 days, unless otherwise recommended by a physician.
• Ingest no more than 0.7 milligrams per day of lemongrass essential oil to maintain non-toxic levels.

• Consult a health professional with any questions regarding the ingestion of lemongrass or lemongrass oil.

• Children and pregnant or nursing mothers should not ingest lemongrass, as safe levels for these groups has not been established. Consult your physician for more information.

How to Clear Snow From Storm Drains
By Valencia Higuera
How to Clear Snow From Storm Drainsthumbnail Clear storm drains while shoveling your property.

A heavy snow storm might give you an excuse to remain indoors for a couple of days. The snow might barricade your car in the driveway and completely cover your sidewalk and porch. Your city’s Department of Transportation is responsible for clearing snow and ice from the roadways. But if heavy snow completely covers the opening of the storm drains in front of your house, you can assist the city by clearing snow from the drains. Keeping drain openings clear reduces the chances of flooding once the snow starts to melt.
Topic To Clear Snow From Storm Drains:

• Roof Snow Ice
• Ice Melt

To Clear Snow From Storm Drains Difficulty:

• Moderately Easy

To Clear Snow From Storm Drains You’ll Need:

• Shovel
• Broom
• Salt

To Clear Snow From Storm Drains Instructions:

• Remove impacted snow from storm drain openings. Rather than push impacted snow down the storm drain, attempt to scoop the snow onto the pavement with a small hand shovel.
• Check your property for a place to unload shoveled snow. Do not shovel snow from around storm drains into the street. This might create a driving hazard. Choose a location like the driveway or yard.
• Clear the path around the storm drain with a long-handled shovel. Unload shoveled snow into the designated area.
• Brush the shoveled area around the storm drain and surrounding pavement with a broom or snow duster to remove any traces of snow.
• Apply salt to the area around the storm drain. Snow remnants can freeze as the temperature drops and create a slick surface around the storm drain. Applying salt reduces freezing and lowers the risk of injury.

• Do not open steel grates covering storm drains and do not enter storm drains.
• Do not pour hot water to areas around the storm drain. The water will freeze and create a slippery surface.

How to Fit a Multi-Fuel Stove
By Carly Fiske
How to Fit a Multi-Fuel Stovethumbnail When fitting a stove in a fireplace, you don’t have to worry about chimney pipes.

Installing a multi-fuel stove adds efficient heating to your home. If you have an available masonry fireplace and chimney, installation is easy. You can use the fireplace as a hearth and extend the piping far enough up the chimney to safely vent gas and debris. However, you must first take a few important steps. The chimney must be lined or re-lined to retrofit it for the stove, and you must seal the entrance to the chimney. Every multi-fuel stove is different, so review the manufacturer’s specific requirements before you begin.
Topic To Fit a Multi-Fuel Stove:

• Fireplace Installation
• Fireplace Flue

To Fit a Multi-Fuel Stove Difficulty:

• Moderate

To Fit a Multi-Fuel Stove You’ll Need:

• Measuring tape
• 24- or 26-gauge sheet metal
• Hammer
• Wood block
• Drill
• Hole-cutting drill attachment
• Stove cement
• Stainless steel flex piping
• Silicone sealant

To Fit a Multi-Fuel Stove Instructions:

• Inspect your chimney for cracks and make sure it is compatible with the multi-fuel stove. You may need to reline your chimney with an Underwriter’s Laboratory-approved liner to retrofit it for the new application.
• Remove the fireplace damper by removing the cotter pin that holds it in place.
• Measure the dimensions of the chimney opening so you can construct a damper seal. This will create a barrier between the chimney and your home. Measure the front end of the flue opening at 2 inches above the fireplace. Then, measure the back end of the opening at the same height. Measure from back to front at the center of these edges, which is your width measurement.
• Cut 24- or 26-gauge sheet metal to these dimensions, adding 1 inch to each side. Use a hammer and block to bend a 90-degree, 1-inch flange around the edges.
• Set the stove into the fireplace and position the flue collar so it is within easy reach of the chimney flue. If you are installing a fireplace stove insert, set the insert as directed by the manufacturer. Adjust the top and side plates to seal the fireplace opening around the insert.
• Insert the damper seal up in the chimney. Mark where the chimney pipe penetrates and cut it out with a hole-cutting drill attachment.
• Set the damper seal in place and extend the chimney piping through the hole. Apply stove cement where the metal and pipe meet each other.
• Attach flexible, stainless steel vent piping from the flue collar of the stove up through the damper seal. Extend this piping to at least the first flue tile.
• Apply silicone sealant around the seam where the pipe and damper seal meet each other.

How to Choose Berry Bushes for a Privacy Hedge
By Cindy Quarters
How to Choose Berry Bushes for a Privacy Hedgethumbnail Berry bushes can make a dual-purpose hedge.

A privacy hedge is a natural way of protecting your home from prying eyes, adding beauty to your yard while performing an important service. Using berry bushes adds interest to the hedge as well as providing food and shelter for birds and small mammals. While some berry bushes don’t have berries that are much good for humans, if you choose the right ones you can enjoy the bounty right along with the wildlife.

Topic To Choose Berry Bushes for a Privacy Hedge:

• Hedge Shrubs
• Bushes Flowers

To Choose Berry Bushes for a Privacy Hedge Difficulty:

• Easy

To Choose Berry Bushes for a Privacy Hedge You’ll Need:

• None

To Choose Berry Bushes for a Privacy Hedge Instructions:

• Decide how tall you want your privacy hedge to be. This is an important factor in choosing the right bushes. Northern bayberry can be an appropriate choice if you want a lot of height, because this variety grows up to 12 feet tall, though 9 feet is more common. It can grow in poor soil, which is an added bonus in many areas, but the berries are usually used for their fragrant wax and not for eating. For a shorter plant, select one of the compact types of cranberry, such as the compact American cranberry bush that grows about 4 to 5 feet in height. This plant also has edible berries and is suited for moist locations.
• Determine if your hedge must to discourage people and animals. If so, you should choose one that grows into a thick, brambly mass with a lot of thorns. Both blackberries and red raspberries fit this requirement, though you may find that in some areas they need quite a bit of pruning to keep them from taking over. Once they are established, both of these plants can produce all the fruit that you could want and still leave plenty for the wildlife.
• Feed both yourself and the wildlife with plants that offer a mix of plant sizes with edible fruits. According to the Humane Society of the United States, your best choices in this category include plants such as mulberry, serviceberry and blueberry. These attract both mammals and birds, as well as producing fruit that you can enjoy.
• Check any plants you are considering to make sure it can grow in your area. Some plants may require a lot of moisture while others will thrive in drier areas. If you are able to water your plants you will be able to grow more kinds, but often it is not practical to water a privacy hedge, due to the overall size. Check the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone you live in against the plants you are considering to see if they are a good fit. If you have questions about the climate or any special concerns, ask your local county extension office for help.

• If there are any berries you want for yourself, cover that section of the hedge with bird netting to minimize how many of them the wildlife eat before you can harvest them.

• Some berry bushes require two plants in order for pollination to occur. Be sure to check to see if any of the plants you have chosen can require more than one for success — include that fact in your planning.

How to Overcome Constant Snacking
By Jason Cooley
How to Overcome Constant Snackingthumbnail The snacking habit can be broken.

A solid diet and exercise routine can be defeated by over-snacking. While it can take an hour to burn off 500 calories, you can easily consume those 500 calories from one 10-minute snack. The urge to snack is usually something that is unplanned and can suddenly put you over your daily calorie intake. Not only does snack food taste good, but because it’s cheap and easy to prepare, it’s more likely to be available. Every successful diet needs to have a solid anti-snacking plan in effect to keep you on track and away from temptation.
Topic To Overcome Constant Snacking:

• Healthy Snack
• Protein Diet

To Overcome Constant Snacking Difficulty:

• Moderate

To Overcome Constant Snacking You’ll Need:

• None

To Overcome Constant Snacking Instructions:

• Don’t purchase snack foods. They are already prepared and easy to take along, making them readily available in a moment of weakness. You are much less likely to snack on food that you have to cook.
• Eat well-balanced meals consisting of a serving of carbohydrates, a serving of protein and a vegetable. Carbohydrates digest quickly and give your body quick energy for the day. Neglecting to eat carbohydrates creates energy deficits. Your body fights these deficits by making you feel hungry, causing you to seek more food for energy. Protein takes longer to digest than carbohydrates, so it makes you feel full longer. Vegetables contain fiber that expands in your stomach to make you feel full.
• Eat at least three well-balanced meals a day on a consistent daily schedule. This gets your body into a rhythm. It “knows” when you will receive nourishment again, so it doesn’t panic and send food cravings to your stomach that cause you to feel the need to snack. Eating six small meals a day is ideal because it keeps your metabolism going and gives you a steady flow of nutrients. For many, though, this may be impractical.
• Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day. Many foods contain water, so your appetite is often a sign that your body is trying to get water through your diet. Water is also essential for fiber to make you feel full. When the fiber you eat has enough water to accommodate it, the fiber expands and takes up more room in your stomach.
• Chew sugar-free gum when you get a craving. The constant chewing satisfies your urge to eat without having to consume any food.
• Brush your teeth when you feel like snacking. A minty, fresh mouth doesn’t combine well with most snack foods. The snack will not taste good, which makes it easy to put the food down and walk away.

How to Keep Basil From Getting Burned in the Sun
By Kathryn Rateliff Barr
How to Keep Basil From Getting Burned in the Sunthumbnail Bruise a fresh basil leaf, and the aroma reminds you of lasagna.

The smell of basil brings to mind the flavors found in many Italian foods and egg and meat dishes. Some cooks prefer fresh basil to the dried herb found in most grocery stories. This mint cousin thrives in temperate climates and loves six to eight hours of full sun each day. In the hottest part of the summer, there are various ways to protect this hardy herb from heat damage.
Topic To Keep Basil From Getting Burned in the Sun:

• Plant Tree
• Basil

To Keep Basil From Getting Burned in the Sun Difficulty:

• Moderate

To Keep Basil From Getting Burned in the Sun You’ll Need:

• None

To Keep Basil From Getting Burned in the Sun Instructions:

• Good Preparation – Protect your plant by preparing the herb garden before you plant the basil. A week before transplanting, turn the soil well and mix in plenty of nutritious compost. On the day of planting, sprinkle a moisture-retaining polymer soil additive into the planting hole before inserting the plant roots and covering the plant base with topsoil. The polymer reduces the amount of water you need to keep your herbs from burning in the sun. Pack compost and mulch around the plant to keep the roots moist, allowing the plant to continue to thrive in the heat.
• Thirsty Plants – Think ahead to the hot summer months when you lay out your garden to protect your plants from burning. Snake a flat soaker hose through the area around your newly planted basil plants. Cover the hose and the dirt around each plant with shredded newspaper, and water the entire area until the newspaper is soaked. Keep water trickling through the hose when daytime temperatures remain in the mid-90s or higher. The newspaper reduces the evaporation rate and deters weeds in addition to keeping the plants from burning in the sun.
• Container Gardening – One way to keep your basil from burning under the sun is to plant it in a movable container. Set your plants out in a box or pot with at least 6 inches of soil and compost mix. When temperatures spike, put the container in an area that receives shade for part of the day. Remember to water the container every other day because potted plant roots have no access to groundwater. Once the daytime temperatures drop below 95 degrees, move the container back into full sun.
• Window Gardening – Keep your basil plants in pots that can be moved into the house when the summer temperatures and sun bake your plants. Place the plants in a window where they continue to get plenty of sun but suffer less from the drying heat. When returning the plants to the outdoors, make the move gradual by placing them in partial shade where they will stay cooler. Change their location once each week, placing them closer to full sun with each move. Keep the soil moist with daily watering to reduce the shock from warmer and dryer conditions.