Archive for January, 2010

Finally Got My New House Lights Up

January 26th, 2010

Well it only took a month, but i finally got my new yard lights up that were given to me at Christmas.  Over the past few years my landscape lights have been slowly falling apart so I knew it was time to replace them.  Previously we had been using a set of black metal tier lights from Brinkmann that we have really liked, but I thought I would like something a little different this time.  I searched many websites looking for landscape lights and also looked at some houses in my neighborhood and I settled on coach style lights with the integration of spotlights.

Again, Brinkmann was the brand I got which was fine as the last we had worked great.  So finally last weekend I got out there and pulled up the others and layed out how far apart I wanted each coach light and then where I wanted the spotlights to shine.  After settling on the postion I staked them into the ground and plugged in the transformer and in just an hour or so I had transformed the appearance of our front yard.  It is amazing how something so simple can make such an impact.

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January 14th, 2010

(Vocus/PRWEB ) January 13, 2010 — Buildings are not immune from Minnesota’s frigid temperatures. Troy Norberg, General Manager for Tru-Serve, a Twin Cities facilities maintenance services company, says calls to fix frozen pipes go up when the thermometer mercury falls.

Frozen pipes can break, causing major damage and expense. If water from a faucet isn’t working, first check all faucets to isolate where the frozen pipe may be. If none of the faucets work, the problem may be with your meter rather than a frozen pipe. The frozen section of a pipe may be frosted or have ice on it; a bulging pipe is close to breaking and should be taken care of immediately.

Treating Frozen Pipes
According to Norberg there are some basic steps to take to treat frozen pipes including:

  • Turn off the main water valve to help relieve pressure when the pipe thaws
  • Open faucets so steam can escape during thawing
  • Use a hairdryer on the frozen area of pipe until full water pressure is restored
  • Be patient!

Preventing Frozen Pipes
Norberg recommends prevention before the cold weather hits but doing what you can now, will help. Here are key tips to prevent frozen pipes:

  • Insulate outer walls and pipes
  • Eliminate drafts – close windows, close storm windows, repair broken or cracked windows
  • Open cabinet doors (under the sink) to allow warmth from room to reach pipes
  • Check that your finance/boiler are working properly
  • Check that outside water is turned off

If frozen pipes can’t be accessed, it’s time to bring in a professional. And, if you continue to have frozen pipes, you may need to take additional measures to insure that pipes are kept warm.

Jan 10, 2010 WCCO-TV News Segment

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