Pipe or Stud??

     When drilling or nailing into your walls it is essential to know what is behind the hole you are creating. This image is an example of what can happen if you aren’t certain it is a stud you are hitting. Behind your walls are items such as pipes for plumbing and/or natural gas and wires for your electricity. It is very important to know you are not hitting and damaging those items when drilling or nailing into your walls. The best way to find the studs in your wall is to use a stud finder that differentiates the studs from pipes, there is also usually a separate indicator light for the presence of electrical wiring. Even after you feel certain you have found the stud drive a panel pin through the wall, if you feel the resistance of the wood you will know it is the stud. Creating a hole in the wall blindly can cause major problems. In this case the pipe was thought to be a stud and several holes were drilled into it creating a water leak. The pipe was replaced but is a great example to all of us what can easily happen.

		
     Many garbage disposal problems can be avoided altogether with the proper care and maintenance. When using your disposal start by letting cold water run through it for 15 seconds before turning it on. Allow the water to continue running and begin to slowly feed the food into the disposal until the grinding stops. Turn off the disposal and allow the water to continue to run through the disposal for about 30 seconds to make sure the disposal is clear.
      This is a prime example of how brass plumbing fittings can corrode from well water. This one was discovered by the homeowner after the corrosion caused a leak. Corrosion is caused by the minerals and chemicals from the water. If you suspect your water is corrosive you should have it tested.