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How To Change Your Watch Battery Yourself

Michael Klements
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14
How To Change Your Watch Battery Yourself

Taking your watch to the store to get the battery changed might not be an expensive trip but they usually charge you five to ten times more than what the battery itself costs, for a five minute job. Next time your watch dies, try changing the battery yourself, you’ll save money and learn a new trick while you’re busy, it really is a quick and simple job.

NB – If your watch is still under warranty then please check with your supplier whether they allow you to do your own work on it. Some manufacturers will not honour the warranty if the watch has been opened by others.

What You Will Need To Change Your Watch Battery

  • A Blunt Knife or Small Flat Screwdriver
  • Replacement Battery (Get this using the old one as a sample, details in steps below)
  • A Magazine or Newspaper

Changing the Watch Battery

Start off by placing your watch face down on a magazine or newspaper, the paper will prevent the screen from getting scratched while you work on it.

watch-back

The images here are shown with the newspaper removed as the print distracts from the detail of the image.

Watches typically have one of three types of covers, covers secured with screws, a screw on cover (the whole back cover turns into place) or a snap on cover. Snap on covers are by far the most popular covers on modern watches as they’re generally cheaper for the manufacturer to produce, followed by screw on covers.

You can tell the difference by looking at the back cover of the watch. Covers secured with screws will obviously have a number of screws around the perimeter. Screw on covers usually have a pattern of notches (typically 6-8) equally spaced around the outer perimeter of the cover which allows a tool to grab the cover and turn it. Snap on covers have a small overlap or lip somewhere around the perimeter under which a tool is used to lift the cover off.

This tutorial will focus on snap on covers since these are the most common. To remove a cover with screws, use a small screw driver to remove all of the screws and the cover should come free. To remove a screw off cover, a long nosed pliers can usually be used, put the two tips of the pliers into opposite notches and press the watch down to grip the cover and then turn the cover off. With the correct technique, it is also quite easy to remove these covers.

For a snap on cover, you’ll first you need to locate the lip on the back cover. Now use a very small flat screwdriver or a blunt knife and wedge the tip or blade underneath the cover and push down, as a lever, to snap it up.

watch-back-cover-removed

You will now see a plastic spacer/protection cover which is used to absorb shock and prevent the mechanism from moving around within the case. This cover fits snugly over the mechanism and can be pulled off using the tip of a knife, screwdriver or tweezers, being careful not to touch any part of the mechanism or you may damage it. Pick the cover up near the edges and be careful not to break any portion of the mechanism when you lift it up.

watch-plastic-cover-and-back-removed-battery-indicated

The battery should now be clearly visible. It will be held in place with two metal clips overlapping its edges. One of these clips is part of the mechanism cover and is fixed and the other will be able to move away from the battery in order for it to pop out. Again, with the tip of a knife or tweezers, pull the clip away from the battery so that it pops free and then pull it out of the mechanism. The arrow in the picture below shows the moving catch.

battery-catch-removal

Take the battery with you to your nearest hardware store or often a pharmacist to get a replacement. Alternatively write the number on the top of the battery down and they should be able to identify it from that, for example 377 etc. The number is usually the biggest number stamped onto the top (flat) face of the battery.

Once you have a replacement battery, pull the battery clip back again and insert the battery into the mechanism. The watch should now be ticking again. If it is not ticking then the battery is either installed incorrectly (possibly upside down) or the mechanism is broken. Make sure that you battery is installed in the same orientation it was before you took it out, typically with the flat side or side with the + on it facing outwards towards the back cover.

Now replace the plastic insert, check that the slot in the insert aligns with the adjustment screw. Be gentle when replacing it to ensure that you don’t damage any part of the mechanism.

Finally you need to replace the back cover. The cover just needs to be seated correctly and then snapped into place. With some watches, this can simply be done by pressing it in with your thumbs while others will require more force. If you can’t push it together with your fingers then lie the watch face down on newspaper, place the flat part of a rubberised spanner arm over the back cover and press down slowly with your body weight until you hear it pop into place. Make sure that the cover is in the correct position before applying pressure onto it otherwise it might get bent or permanently damage the lip of the cover.

Reset the time and your watch is ready now to wear again.

Was this guide helpful? Do you have any tips and tricks which we haven’t included? Let us know in the comments section below and we’ll include them.

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How to Make Zucchini Noodles – Zoodles

Michael Klements
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0
How to Make Zucchini Noodles – Zoodles

There’s been a growing trend towards eating a more carb-conscious or low carb diet and a number of stores and restaurants have climbed onto the band wagon offering everything from low carb pizza bases to mashes to pastas. Zucchini noodles or zoodles as some call them are an easy way to produce a low carb pasta which can be topped off with almost any sauce which works well with traditional pasta, think tomato and basil, bolognaise or gorgonzola. Its quick and easy to do with a manual or automatic spiraliser.

What You Will Need

Makes 3-4 Servings, Preparation Time 15 minutes, Cooking Time 2-3 Minutes

  • 6-8 Medium to Large Zucchini
  • Manual or Automatic Spiraliser (Kitchen Aid Make an Attachment)
  • 1/2 Tsp Salt
  • Pot of Boiling Water

Making the Zucchini Noodles/Zoodles

Place a bowl underneath your spiraliser attachment or device, insert a zucchini and let the machine do the rest, unless of course you have a manual one, then it will require some cranking.

You can spiralise the entire zucchini, skin and all. The skin adds some crunch and texture to the final pasta, if you don’t enjoy this then peel the zucchini first.

Take the zucchini spirals out of the bowl and lay them out on a piece of paper towel to dry. These veggies hold quite a lot of water which you want to try and dry off otherwise you’ll land up with soggy pasta. Lightly sprinkle the laid out zucchini spirals with salt.

Now its time to cook your zucchini and its important that you don’t overcook them. There are three methods you can use for this. The method I have used here is to blanch them quickly (1 or 2 mins) in a pot of boiling water, then drain them off and serve. You could also steam them in a covered bowl in the microwave for 2 minutes or lightly pan fry them for about 3 minutes until they are soft.

Once they have been drained, you can serve them up with your favorite sauce.

If you enjoyed making these noodles then try making your own gnocchi, you’ll love them!

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Have you tried making your own zoodles? What has worked best for you? Let us know in the comments section below.

Cover Image: ZucNoodles by Kristin. Share image: ZucNoodles by Wellness Wildflower. All images are used and modified under CC BY 2.0.

10 Weekend Projects to Seriously Add Value to your Home

Michael Klements
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0
10 Weekend Projects to Seriously Add Value to your Home

Do you have some free time on the weekends when you’re left wondering what to do? Here some quick and easy weekend projects that almost anyone can do to give your home a face lift and seriously add value.

Swap Out your Fireplace

replaced gas fireplace

Gas Fireplace by Vicon Eco Systems Global

Does your lounge or living area have an existing built in coal or wood burning fireplace? Chances are you don’t use it as much as you should as fires are a pain to start, clean up after and buy fuel for. Consider swapping it out for a gas fireplace, they are much more economical, safer and cheap to run. All you need to do is pull out the old steel work and install the new built in gas unit. The chimney doesn’t even need to be unblocked. Remember to call in an expert when it comes to connecting up the gas as there are bound to be gas regulations in your area.

Add Some Lights This Weekend

modern lighting

Downlight, Coffee by Chad Kainz

Lighting is one of the first things people notice when they walk into your home. Add some ambient lighting to your home to really give it a warm and homely feel. Consider installing down lights, strip lights or a simply replace a light fitting with a new chandelier.

Switch to LED Lighting

led light bulb

LED Light Bulb by Mike Mozart

There is an increasing trend to get your home more eco-friendly and efficient. It may be a bit late to get ahead of the game but switching your lighting to LED lighting will definitely increase its appeal and save you money. Whats even better is that most of the new LED bulbs are made to simply replace the CFL or incandescent bulbs.

Give your Entrance a Fresh Look

Front Door

Front Door by Heather Elias

Up your homes curb appeal this weekend by giving your entrance and front door a fresh look. Its as easy as a coat of paint to your windows and doors and some new plants for your pathway. Your can even go the extra mile and replace the doorknobs and light fittings. If you’re on a budget, add faux paneling to your door to still get that expensive look.

Put a Side Table by your Entrance

entrance table

Old French Table by French Finds

Get a nice modern side table or refurbish and old piece to add a stylish storage space to your homes entrance. The table top is the perfect place for a large vase or ornament and the drawers can be used as functional drop areas for keys, wallets and other items on the go.

Install Moulding

crown molding

Crown Molding by Brian Moloney

Crown moulding and base boards tend not to be the focal point of a room but make quite a big difference when they are missing. Modern crown moulding is really easy to cut and install and is a cheap weekend project.

Get Organised

organised home

Organised Home by jinkazamah

Do you have stuff lying around on all of your shelves and counter tops? Get your home in order by making a place in a cupboard for everything causing clutter. You can also make it easier to reduce clutter up by following these tips and tricks for keeping a clutter free home.

Swap Out A Tap or Faucet

modern faucet

Modern Faucet by Madgerly

Taps and fittings are usually one of the first things to date in a bathroom or kitchen. The good thing is that they are also really easy to change. They usually just have a flexible connection to a hot and cold water supply and a nut or two holding them on. Swap them out for some modern stainless steel mixers, bring the old ones along to ensure that they will fit in the existing holes.

Replace the Shower Head

shower head

Shower Head by Steven Depolo

Over time, shower heads become blocked up with mineral deposits and generally start to look outdated. Clean up your shower head or replace it with a new and more modern one to match your new faucets. You can even get a low flow eco-friendly shower head to save water.

Fix any Holes in your Walls

patching drywall

Patching Drywall by Ken Dyck

A hole in the wall may seem like a pain to get fixed but it really reduces your homes value. It’s actually quite easy to patch drywall yourself and if you are not up to the challenge then a handyman will do it for you in less than a day.

Cover Image: Home Living Room by CileMontgomery. All Images in this post are used under CC BY 2.0

5 DIY Hair Tricks which Actually Work

Michael Klements
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0
5 DIY Hair Tricks which Actually Work

Here are five DIY home remedies for your hair which actually work.

Remove Product Build Up

If your hair is left permanently greasy due to a build up of hair product which wont come out with normal shampoo, try washing it with dish-washing liquid. The strong de-greasers in the dish-washing liquid will strip all of the excess product. Don’t do this too often though as the liquid will also remove the natural oils from your hair.

Homemade Dry Shampoo

Do you have darker hair in which the white residue left over from traditional dry shampoos shows up in? Try making your own, suitable for brown and red. Mix up a batch with 2tbsp corn starch, 2 tbsp cocoa powder and a half teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply and shake through for an instant cleanse.

Get Rid of Dandruff

Do you have any expiring ibuprofen (Nurofen) lying around? Crush it up and put it into your normal shampoo for an easy anti dandruff shampoo. The jagged edges in the crushed tablets will assist in improving dandruff removal according to InStyle

Natural Highlights

This is an age old trick, but it still works well and is a lot cheaper than a trip to the salon. Squeeze out the juice of a lemon into a cup and use a toothbrush to apply it to the strips you want highlighted. Now go and sit in the sun for a while (with sunscreen), around twenty to thirty minutes usually works best. Do this for a few days and lightened streaks are as easy as that. To lighten your whole head, pour some of the juice through all of your hair before sitting in the sun.

Remove Hair Extension Glue

Are you stuck with trying to remove the glue left behind after taking out extensions? Try soaking the gluey bits in olive oil for around 15 minutes. The oil will help to soften the glue and allow it to come out easily.

Do you have any more tips and tricks for your hair? Let us know in the comments section below and we’ll add them onto our list.

Cover Image: Washing my hair by the Italian voice used under CC BY 2.0

Carving A Pumpkin for Halloween, Get It Right First Time

Michael Klements
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0
Carving A Pumpkin for Halloween, Get It Right First Time

Let’s be honest, your Halloween decorations aren’t complete without a carved pumpkin. Carving a basic face into a pumpkin is actually quite easy and doesn’t take more than half an hour to do. They key is to get it right the first time and this is made easy by using a marker to draw on the pumpkin before you start cutting. So grab a pumpkin, a marker and a knife and lets get started.

What You Will To Carve Your Pumpkin

  • A Pumpkin (Obviously), Bigger Is Better
  • A Marker Pen
  • A Small Sharp Knife
  • Two or Three Tealight Candles

Carving Your Pumpkin

draw your design onto the pumpkin

Firstly you need to draw on your design, there are literally hundreds of ideas on sites like Flickr and Pinterest, a quick search and you’ll have an idea of what you want to carve. Now you need a bit of an artistic touch, draw an outline of the design you wish to carve onto your pumpkin, the nice thing about this method is you can wipe it off and make any changes quickly and easily without messing up your pumpkin. It also doesn’t matter if you have a few sketch lines or crossed out lines as we’ll wipe them off afterwards anyway.

Once you have your design drawn on, grab a knife, we need to cut the lid and hollow out the pumpkin. Begin by cutting a circle around the stem of the pumpkin (you can also draw on a circle to guide you) about 10cm (4″) in diameter is fine. Cut lightly at first to mark out your circle and then cut deeply towards the centre of the pumpkin going around the stem. Eventually, if you have cut deep enough all the way around, you’ll be able to pull the “lid” off. Cut the bottom of the lid square and put it aside.

The inside of the pumpkin should already be mostly hollow but it will be stringy and full of pips. Using your hand, pull all of the stringy bits and pips out. You can also use a spoon to really clean up the sides and the bottom well. Scrap as much as you can off without digging into the meat of the pumpkin.

carving-the-pumpkin

Now its time to get carving. Using your sharp knife, carefully cut along your marked lines. Make shallow cuts initially and slowly get deeper and deeper to ensure that you don’t slip and cut yourself or the wrong part of your pumpkin. Once you have cut a shape along all of its sides, it should be relatively easy to push into or pull out of the pumpkin depending on the angle you held your knife. Wiggle the bits around to see where more cutting is required.

the carved pumpkin

Once you have rough carved your pumpkin, do the finer details and clean up any rough or unclean edges. Once you are happy with your design, it is time to wipe off the marker. The marker should come off with a bit of soap and a cloth but if it is a bit more permanent then you may have to use some nail polish remover and cotton wool to wipe it off.

pumpkin-outside

Your pumpkin is now ready to put on display. Just before it gets dark, place two or three tea light candles into the centre and light them. Put the lid back on and your pumpkin is ready to use. The glowing grimace of a jack o lantern is sure to attract attention on your doorstep or down the driveway!

pumpkin-at-night

Have you carved a pumpkin his Halloween? Send us your pictures using the mail link above and we’ll add them to our page or let us know your tips and tricks in the comments section below.

There’s nothing like carving a pumpkin to get you craving a home baked pumpkin pie, try this great recipe to fill your home with the fresh pumpkin spice fragrance.

 

Easy Pumpkin Pie

Michael Klements
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0
Easy Pumpkin Pie

With Halloween almost upon us and Thanksgiving around the corner, it is almost time for pumpkin pie! Fill your home with that warm nutmeg and cinnamon fall scents with this amazingly good recipe which isn’t too difficult to make.

Makes 1 Pie, Preparation Time 35mins, Cooking Time 1hr 30mins

Ingredients For Pumpkin Pie

  • 750g (1.65 lbs) Pumpkin (Peeled, seeded and cut up into chunks)
  • 1 Roll of Shortcut or Puff Pastry (Depending on your preference)
  • 2 Eggs
  • 2 Tbsp Butter
  • 3/4 Cup of Milk
  • 1/2 Cup of Castor Sugar
  • 1 Tsp Icing Sugar
  • 1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/2 Tsp Ground Nutmeg
  • Pinch of Salt

Making The Pumpkin Pie

First you need to cook the pumpkin, boil it in a large pot. Cover the pumpkin chunks with water, bring to the boil and then allow to simmer for 15 minutes until it  is soft. Drain the water off and allow the pumpkin to cool off.

Now heat the oven to 180°C (360°F). Unroll the pastry and press it into the bottom of a tart tin or dish, trim off the edges for a neat finish. If you have pastry beads then place them in the bed of the pastry before baking to prevent it from coming off the bottom of the dish. Bake the pastry in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Remove the dish from the oven and allow it to cool.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs and then add the pumpkin, nutmeg, half of the cinnamon, salt, sugar, butter and milk. Beat until a smooth puree is formed, use a food processor if necessary.

Pour the mixture into the pastry shell and smooth it out. Now bake it in the pre-heated oven for 45-50 minutes until the filling has set.

Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool. Dust the remaining cinnamon and icing sugar over the top to finish it off. Serve chilled with whipped cream.

If you love baking then you’ll love our copycat Cinnabon recipe, you’ll also make the neighbours jealous with the delicious baked cinnamon fragrance.

fresh pie pumpkins

PiePumpkins by Lori L. Stalteri
Cover Image: PumpkinPie by browniesfordinner. All images in this post are used under CC BY 2.0

How To Attract Butterflies To Your Garden

Michael Klements
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0
How To Attract Butterflies To Your Garden

Turn your garden into a paradise for butterflies with these simple steps. Try to focus on attracting some of the native ones to your area, they will be easier to attract and will likely live longer than any exotic species in the wrong environment.

Feed The Caterpillars

Caterpillars are the first stage of a butterflies life so in order to create a home for butterflies, you need to create a home for and feed the caterpillars. Most people don’t want caterpillars in their garden as they eat up the leaves of plants and flowers. Plant some thick greens like milkweed to provide food for the caterpillars and they will leave the other plants and flowers alone.

feed the caterpillars

Caterpillar by coniferconifer

Feed The Butterflies

Butterflies eat nectar from flowers, plant lots of nectar producing flowers in sunny locations around your garden. They especially love bright colours like red, orange, yellow and purple. Try to stagger the planting of your flowers or choose a wide variety of flowers so that there is at least one bed of flowers in bloom at all times. Follow this link to find out what plants are best for which butterflies.

They also love fruit. Put out peels, cores and slices of fruit in an open location for them to feed on.

Avoid Pesticides

This may be an obvious one but you should avoid pesticides and insecticides as far as possible. They are usually not selective and kill off a broad range of insects and their young. If you are trying to get rid of a particular pest, try to research natural methods.

Create A Puddling Area

Butterflies love a puddling area in order to congregate. This only needs to be a shallow pan with some course sand which is kept moist. Butterflies will congregate in this area on the sand.

Do you have any tips and tricks for attracting them to your garden? Let us know in the comments section below.

Cover Image: Butterfly by Bill Staney. All images in this post are used under CC BY 2.0

How Often To Clean Things At Home

Michael Klements
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0
How Often To Clean Things At Home

Everyone knows that they should be cleaning things around their home but how often? Some things get used more than others, some don’t seem to get dirty and some are always dirty. Here is a useful guide and pinup on when to clean what around your home:

Clean Every Day

  • Make the Bed
  • Put Dishwasher On
  • Wipe Kitchen Counters
  • Wipe Bathroom Counters

If you’re particular about cleaning, then have a look at these 9 things to do daily to keep a clean home for some additional daily cleaning advice.

Twice A Week

  • Do the Laundry
  • Mop Tiled Floors
  • Vacuum Floors & Furniture
  • Wipe Out TheMicrowave

Every Week

  • Wipe Down Bath & Shower
  • Shine Glass Mirrors
  • Change Bedding
  • Throw Out Expired Food

Every Month

  • Dust Blinds
  • Clean Out Dishwasher & Washing Machine
  • Dust Light Fittings
  • Wipe The Inside of the Oven

Twice A Year

  • Clean Out the Fridge
  • Defrost & Clean Out the Freezer
  • Descale Tea & Coffee Makers
  • Vacuum the Mattresses

Every Year

  • Sweep or Brush Out the Fire Place
  • Deep Clean Carpets & Upholstery
  • Wash Drapes & Curtains
  • Dust Out Vents

This list is obviously quite generic, if there are only two of your living in your home then you won’t need to run the dishwasher every day and perhaps twice a week is fine. Feel free to adapt it as you see fit in order to accommodate your families routines.

If you think that you can only use the dishwasher for cutlery and crockery, pots and pans, think again. Here’s a list of seven uncommon household items which you can put into the dishwasher. You’ll save yourself loads of time and the dishwasher will probably do a better job at sterilising them than you would have done.

What should we add to this list? Do you have any items which you regularly clean which we have missed? Let us know in the comments section below and we will add them on.

Save and share this list or print it and pin it up in a cupboard:

how-often-to-clean-things-around-the-house

Cover Image: SpringCleaning by storebukkebruse used under CC BY 2.0

The Reasons Why The Galaxy Note 7 Is Exploding

Michael Klements
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0
The Reasons Why The Galaxy Note 7 Is Exploding

The Galaxy Note 7 is one of Samsung’s flagship phones, pitched as a competitor to the newly released iPhone 7 plus, however, it has since been discontinued and recalled globally amid numerous reports of the phones melting down and catching fire while charging. This is likely to be one of the disappointments of the decade and one of the most publicised global recalls we have seen so we have to ask the question, how did this happen? Especially coming from one of the market leaders in smartphone design and manufacturing.

The Battery Doesn’t Quite Fit

The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) which had a major role in the US recall announced one of the primary reasons as being the battery size. The battery used in the Note 7 was found to be slightly too large for the space allowed for in the phone. This means that as the phone is assembled, the corners of the battery pack are slightly crimped or squashed which leads to a short circuit within the battery, causing it to overheat and in extreme cases catch fire or explode.

Samsung then replaced the battery packs after the recall using a different manufacturer, however, according to Bloomberg, even these new batteries had a manufacturing problem which lead to further fires and explosions.

galaxy-note-7-explosion-in-jeep

Screenshot From The News, Fox 13: New At 10.

Speedy Charging

Everyone wants their smartphone battery to last longer and charge faster, so Samsung made a number of tweaks to the way in which their processors control battery charging to allow the Note 7 to charge faster. Faster charging means that the process is more volatile and leads to more heat being generated within the battery which, coupled with the battery issues, may have contributed to the batteries catching fire.

Waterproof Slim Design

Another driving factor in smartphone design is the size, all manufacturers are trying to make their phones as slim and light as possible. The downside is that there is little space left for cooling and thousands of components are stacked on top of each other and crammed into a small space. In order to make phones water and dust proof, they have to achieve a certain IP rating and for this to happen, the phone needs to have as few holes, gaps and splits as possible as each of these are a potential entry point for water and dust. Unfortunately, these holes and splits are useful for cooling so removing them leads to further heat problems.

If you managed to avoid buying a Galaxy Note 7 and still have a usable smartphone, here is how you should be charging your smartphone in order to get the most life out of the battery.

Do you have or know someone who has had their Galaxy Note 7 recalled? What was your experience with the phone? Let us know in the comments section below.

Cover Image: WMBF News screens

Add A Diverter To Your Drain To Save Water

Michael Klements
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1
Add A Diverter To Your Drain To Save Water

Every time you pull the plug on your sink or bath or you take a shower, the water running down the drain goes to waste. Most of the time, that water isn’t really that dirty and can be put to good use in the garden to water the plants and grass or it can be used to clean your car or the porch etc. Adding a simple diverter valve onto your existing drain pipe near your bath or sink can save this water so that you can use it straight away or store it for use at a later stage.

What You Will Need To Add A Diverter Valve

  • Hacksaw (To Cut Existing Drain)
  • 50mm (2″) PVC Pipe T Piece
  • 50mm (2″) Shutoff Valve
  • 50mm (2″) Reducer To The Size Of Your Pipe To Tank Or Garden
  • PVC Cement/Glue

How To Install The Diverter Valve

The first step in this conversion is to find a suitable drain pipe, chances are that your drains do not all go to one place, there are numerous drains around your house for different purposes. Find one of the drains which are fed by your bath tub, shower and your bathroom sink as this is usually where the most usable water is lost. Other alternatives are the kitchen sink or washing machine drain, the toilet drain is off limits obviously but these are usually much larger 100mm (4″) drain pipes so they are easily recognisable.

Once you have decided on a drain, you need to cut a small section off a little higher than the ground level where the valve and T piece will be inserted. About 30cm (1′) from the drain cover is ideal. Cut into the drain with the hack saw trying to make a clean and square cut.

You need to cut two straight sections from the off cut to be used as the joiners between the T and valve and the T and the reducer. These should also be cut clean and square, 6cm (2.5″) long will be ideal.

Use the PVC glue/cement as directed on the packaging, all that is usually required is to coat the outside of the smaller surface and insert it into the larger one. Make sure that you have coated it the whole way around so that there are no leaks. Glue the pieces together as shown in the picture. Start by assembling the valve, T piece and reducer with the joining pieces. Once you have done this then glue the whole assembly onto the drain pipe so that you give yourself place to work.

The PVC glue/cement usually takes a couple of hours to cure properly so avoid using the associated drains for a while after installing the valve.

The reducer can not be connected to your pipe for the garden. You can either connect it straight up for watering the garden each time you drain the tub or sink or you can further pipe that water into a collection barrel or storage tank to be used at a later stage. Just make sure that the tank is lower than the bath/sink or the water will not drain into the tank. Also make sure that you use quite large piping as there is no water pressure on the drain line to force the water through.

You can now start using your diverter valve to reuse the water in your garden. Simply turn the valve in one direction to allow the water directly into the drain or turn it the other direction (close it off) to divert the water to use in the garden.

divert-water-for-use-in-the-garden

Have you done something similar on your home to save water? Let us know in the comments section below, we would love to hear your ideas.

 

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