Now, with the timber in place, the dog will no longer be able to claw dirt out from under the gate. Watch How to Keep Dogs from Digging Under a Fence Gate for more information.
Leveling Slopes — Here’s how to use a level to establish the proper slope or pitch of a drainpipe, porch floor, rain gutter, or anything else that must be angled down slightly to drain away water.
First, determine the desired pitch, then tape a woodblock to one end of the level to represent the desired amount of pitch.
For example, let’s say you’re using a 4-foot level to install a drainpipe that must slope ¼ inch per foot. Tape to the level a 1-inch-thick woodblock, which represents ¼-inch of slope per foot over 4 feet.
Set the level on the pipe with the taped-wood block end on the low side of the pipe. Now, adjust the pipe until the level reads level, resulting in a pipe that slopes ¼ inch per foot.
Question of the Week
Q: We bought a new front-loading washing machine last year, and about four months ago it developed a strong moldy odor. I’ve scrubbed the tub with bleach, but that only helps for a short while. Any idea how to get rid of the smell?
A: A common suggestion is to leave the door cracked so mold and mildew won’t build up inside a front-loading washing machine. But if you do that, bugs, pets and small children can easily enter the machine, and you don’t want that.
A door plunge latch is a better option. It keeps the door open just an inch or two so the machine can air out, but prevents pets and children from entering the machine.
In addition, open the door and regularly clean the gasket. Use hot soapy water diluted with some vinegar. Or you can use a special cleaning agent like Affresh, or a mold and mildew cleaner from the home center.
Finally, if you have a laundry room, and you have small children, lock that door to keep the kids out!
That way, you can protect them from harmful chemicals and possible entry into the machines.
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