Angie's List Urges DC Residents to Protect Their Homes From Advancing Hurricane

Tuesday's earthquake and the potential blow from Hurricane Irene are good reminders that you can never be too prepared for an emergency. By taking a few precautionary measures, you can rest assured that you're protecting your home, family and pets during the next round of severe storms.

Taking these steps will prepare your home for challenging storms. Angie's List is the nation's premier provider of consumer reviews on home repair and health care services. Visit Angie's List to find highly rated service providers in the Washington, D.C. area.Power outages are also likely in extreme weather conditions, so an alternate source of power can really come in handy. Investigate buying a generator for backup power, or test your existing generator to ensure it will work when you really need it. Also, make sure to check smoke-detectors.Reading by candlelight may be fun, but remember, candles remain one of the most common sources of residential fires. Instead, buy each family member his or her own flashlight. Store extra batteries in a designated "emergency supply" area, such as a linen closet, or consider purchasing a hand-cranked flashlight.Media contact: Cheryl Reed cherylr@angieslist.com 317-396-9134 Angie's List 1030 E. Washington Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202In heavy downpours, water can be your home's worst enemy. Inspect window casings for signs of cracks where water could come in. And if you have a basement or crawlspace, make sure your sump pump is in working order. It's a good idea to have a back-up just in case. Store any belongings on risers or in plastic containers to protect them in the event your basement becomes flooded.

Media contact: Cheryl Reed cherylr@angieslist.com 317-396-9134 Angie's List 1030 E. Washington Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46202

Oil conditioning unit optimizes lubrication performance

The SKF oil conditioning unit optimizes lubrication performance by serving as a low-pressure pump filtration device that circulates the oil in a system. The unit removes contaminants from the oil supply and can enable the desired temperature range to be maintained consistently. The unit connects directly to sumps, bearing housings, gearboxes, compressors and other machines. It has been introduced in two versions (filtration only or filtration with an air or water cooler to lower the oil temperature). Both remove oil from the bottom of the oil reservoir and return it filtered to the top of the reservoir. Units can perform continuously without constant maintenance; only periodic filter changes are required, the company says.

www.skfusa.com

ANTIQUE BROWN EMBOSSED CASCADE SOLAR WATER FEATURE

Just pounds 84.99 PLUS P&P (RRP pounds 99.9 5)

It requires no wiring or connection to a water supply as it features a solar powered pump. The separate solar panel (supplied) can be staked or wall mounted.SpecificationNo wiring, simply install and enjoy.Allow up to 14 days for delivery Offer subject to availability, pounds 295 UK Mainland p&p only (some exclusions may apply). Please call for a postage quotation outside of UK Mainland p&p. If not satisfied return within 7 days for a full refund or replacement. This product is sold and supplied by JEM Marketing Ltd. with whom you contract when you accept this offer.0844 811 6719 Quoting SMG15786www.MirrorReaderOffers.co.uk/786IncludesSmart Solar Brown Scroll cascade water feature.SAVE pounds 15!Low voltage pump with filter.Key FeaturesLow voltage solar powered pump with filter.34cm (width max) x 52cm (height).This attractive brown glazed ceramic with scroll pattern cascade water feature consists of a jug, three small bowls and a larger bowl that doubles as the water sump, all with an attractive brown glaze and scroll pattern band.

Allow up to 14 days for delivery Offer subject to availability, pounds 295 UK Mainland p&p only (some exclusions may apply). Please call for a postage quotation outside of UK Mainland p&p. If not satisfied return within 7 days for a full refund or replacement. This product is sold and supplied by JEM Marketing Ltd. with whom you contract when you accept this offer.

Author: Anonymous

Met-Pro Corporation's Global Pump Solutions Business Unit Receives International Equipment Order Totaling Approximately $800,000

HARLEYSVILLE, Pa., June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Raymond J. De Hont, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Met-Pro Corporation (NYSE: MPR), announced today that the Company's Global Pump Solutions business unit has received an order to supply a total of six (6) large Fybroc brand vertical sump pumps to be installed at a mining location outside of the United States. This order is expected to ship in the third quarter of the Company's current fiscal year.

Still, a few things - the spirit of the Law and its philosophy are common to all the versions. Arguably, the most famous procedure is named after the chapter in the law in which it is described, Chapter 11. Following is a small discussion of chapter 11 intended to demonstrate this spirit and this philosophy.In the Czech Republic- the insolvency law comprises special cases (over indebtedness, for instance …). It delineates two rescue programs:

The Interim Trustee is empowered to do the following:
Well, the pioneers had a great thing going, but they made a fatal mistake, they started shouting "gold" and "jackpot"! Soon the rush was on. It is called competition and it came from every angle, manufacturer, supplier, retailer, wholesaler and especially installers.An incredible 60% of homeowners say they are dissatisfied with the way their waterfall turned out upon completion of the project."This order reinforces the Fybroc brand's reputation as the world leader in corrosion resistant fiberglass pumps," stated De Hont. "It demonstrates Met-Pro Global Pump Solutions' ability to work closely with engineers, contractors and end customers to provide the best solution to meet their needs including quality, delivery, service, and energy efficiency. This order, together with more than $1.7 million of international orders for our Strobic Air subsidiary announced earlier this month, is another example of Met-Pro's broad international reach and allows us to remain optimistic that circumstances are indeed improving for the release of other large projects we are pursuing."

To obtain an Annual Report or additional information on the Company, please call 215-723-6751 and ask for the Investor Relations Department, or visit the Company's website at www.met-pro.com.

Going Bankrupt in the World

It all starts by defaulting on an obligation: Money owed to creditors or to suppliers is not paid on time, interest payments due on bank loans or on corporate bonds issued to the public are withheld. It may be a temporary problem - or a permanent one.

5. Simple to operate;A District court appoints an "interim trustee" with broad powers. Such a trustee can also be appointed at the request of the creditors and by them.Chapter 11 - reorganizationIs sort of a legal hybrid, the offspring of chapters 7 and 11:By filing a bond, the debtor (really, the owners of the debtor) is able to regain possession of the business from the trustee.They face a tough decision: should they liquidate the company? In other words, should they terminate its business life by (among other things) selling its assets?Examples of such new claims: owners of debentures of the firm can receive, instead, new, long term bonds (known as reorganization bonds, whose interest is payable only from profits).

arrange unsecured financing for the firm

operate the debtor business to prevent further losses About Met-Pro35% of liner ponds and waterfalls are leaking water within nine months of completion for one of several reasons.3. they will last for decades;

Sale of the corporate liabilities in auctionsMaybe the biggest legal revolution embedded in chapter 11 is the relaxation of the ages old ABSOLUTE PRIORITY rule, that says that the claims of creditors have categorical precedence over ownership claims. From now on, the interests of the creditors have to be balanced with the interests of the owners and even with the larger good of the community and society at large.Poland is a special case, always pitting horses against tanks, always losing the war, as a result. The pre-war (1934) law declares bankruptcy when confronted with a state of lasting illiquidity and excessive indebtedness. Each creditor can apply to declare a company bankrupt. An insolvent company is obliged to file a maximum of 2 weeks following cessation of debt payment. There is, indeed, a separate liquidation law which Allows for voluntary procedures.1. secure & stationary;Met-Pro common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, symbol MPR.The pump in the reinforced concrete pondless waterfall produces 5,900 gallons per hour with a draw of only 350 watts (retail $430). A sump pump is supplied with the liner pondless waterfall kit (they advertise as the "premier" pump on the market ). However it produces 5,600 gal/hour (102 gal. less) at a whopping 912 watts power draw (50% more than an above-ground pump). It costs a whopping $530 more per year to operate (at $.13/kwh). The sump pump costing $600 retail, $175 more than a centrifugal pump. Many liner installers refer to it as "the best warranty in the industry" and it is only for 2 years, as compared to a centrifugal's 3 year warranty!

Classic bankruptcy (happens in 23% of the cases of insolvency). The concrete pondless waterfall can utilize the large, open basin to install an Aquafill automatic water leveling device. In addition, the basin can be made smaller because the space for water is not taken up by rocks as it is in the liner pondless waterfall basin. The only rock that exists is on top of the galvanized or plastic plank cover.As would be expected, this get-rich-quick fever turned into an epidemic, forcing up the price of pond liner kits to equal the cost of professional concrete construction. Since this craze started, proponents of liners maligned concrete construction, professing liner superiority over concrete construction. Making false statements about the integrity of reinforced concrete, they have attempted to elevate the benefits of rubber liners.Before wasting your hard earned money, do your research and use your own God-given common sense. Begin with the internet by searching "pond liners vs. concrete.More than 40% of all waterfalls will have serious structural damage within the first 3 years of construction.To obtain an Annual Report or additional information on the Company, please call 215-723-6751 and ask for the Investor Relations Department, or visit the Company's website at www.met-pro.com.And only if there is any money left after all these payments, it will be proportionally doled out to the unsecured creditors.Enter the court. It is only one player (albeit, the most important one) in this unfolding, complex drama. The court does not participate directly in the script. To say its lines - court officials are appointed. They work hand in hand with the representatives of the creditors (mostly lawyers) and with the management and the owners of the defunct company.What chapter 11 teaches us is that:There is not one decisive answer. In most cases, there is strong reliance on the figures in the balance sheet.The rocks of a reinforced concrete pondless waterfall are all securely mortared in place (covering the concrete shell). Consequently anyone, especially kids, may climb on the rocks without them shifting, possibly causing serious injury. Rocks will move and shift in the liner pondless waterfalls and in just a few months, the unsightly liner is exposed in the falls and the perimeter of the pond.In Hungary - Bankruptcy is automatically triggered. It is not allowed to swap debt for equity. Moreover, the law provides for a very short time to reach agreement with creditors about reorganization of the debtor. These features led to 4000 bankruptcies in the wake of the new law - a number which mushroomed to 30,000 by 5/97.Economies in transition were in transition not only economically - but also legally. Thus, each one adopted its own version of the bankruptcy laws.6. Simple to clean;Met-Pro Corporation, with headquarters at 160 Cassell Road, Harleysville, Pennsylvania, is a leading niche-oriented global provider of product recovery, pollution control, fluid handling and filtration solutions. The Company's diverse and synergistic solutions and products address the world's growing need to meet more stringent emission regulations, reduce energy consumption and employ green technology. Through its global sales organization, internationally recognized brands, and operations in the United States, Canada, South America, Europe and The People's Republic of China, Met-Pro's solutions, products and systems are sold to a well-diversified cross-section of customers and markets around the world. For more information, please visit www.met-pro.com.Bad debts are transferred to base portfolios and have one of three fates:

But the law itself is toothless and lackadaisically applied by the incestuous web of institutions in the country. Between 3/93 - 9/93 there were 1000 filings for insolvency, which resulted in only 30 commenced bankruptcy procedures. There hasn’t been a single major bankruptcy in the Czech Republic since then - and not for lack of candidates.
• make management changesNo one is certain what is the best model. The reason is that someone has yet to come with answers to the questions: are the rights of the creditors superior to the rights of the owners? Is it better to rehabilitate than to liquidate?A more in-depth study of the bankruptcy laws shows that they allow for three ways to tackle a state of malignant insolvency which threatens the well being and the continued functioning of the firm:Wow! Check this out... reinforced concrete waterfalls are
• liquidate property and make distribution of liquidating dividends to creditors9. More natural in appearance and less liability. Lemons or apples? You decide!In England, for instance, the court appoints an official "receiver" to manage the business and to realize the debtor’s assets on behalf of the creditors (and also of the owners). His main task is to maximize the proceeds of the liquidation and he continues to function until a court settlement is decreed (or a creditor settlement is reached, prior to adjudication). When this happens, the receivership ends and the receiver loses his status.Unless the court rules otherwise, the debtor remains in possession and in control of the business and the debtor and the creditors allowed to work together flexibly. They are encouraged to reach a settlement by compromise and agreement rather than by court adjudication.Despite its clarity and business orientation, many countries found it difficult to adopt to the pragmatic, no sentiments approach which led to the virtual elimination of the absolute priority rule.8. Three-year pump warranty; andReinforced concrete pondless waterfalls use high-efficiency, above-ground pumps that are easy to service (3-year warranties).The priority creditors include administrative debts, unpaid wages (up to a given limit per worker), uninsured pension claims, taxes, rents, etc.
• To provide a fair and equitable treatment to the holders of various classes of securities of the firm (shares of different kinds and bonds of different types)It allows for reorganization under court appointed independent manager (trustee) who is responsible mainly for the filing of reorganization plans with the court - and for verifying strict adherence to them by both debtor and creditors.Each state has modified the Federal Law to fit its special, local conditions.This chapter allows for a mechanism called "reorganization". It must be approved by two thirds of all classes of creditors and then, again, it could be voluntary (initiated by the company) or involuntary (initiated by one to three of its creditors).If the company is traded in a stock exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of the USA advises the court as to the best procedure to adopt in case of reorganization.The 1/3 HP pump is low profile, extremely quiet, and easily hidden with plants next to the falls, or the pumps can be placed in another part of the yard by extending the flexible PVC suction and return lines. The liner pondless waterfall uses a sump pump that is placed in the basin, and then buried with hundreds of pounds of gravel. In order to service this pump (only a 2 year warranty), all the stinky, slimy, rocks need to be first removed from the basin.The American legislator set the following goals, in writing the bankruptcy laws:
  Chapter 10These statistics are from the pond liner industry itself. I can confirm and attest to these numbers myself. I have built over 1,900 reinforced concrete waterfalls and ponds over the past 26 years and have ripped out and replaced scores of defective liner ponds and replaced them with concrete ones with lifetime warranties. Just prior to retiring, in August in 2007 I replaced a $276,000 liner pond and waterfall in Rancho Santa Fe, CA with reinforced 3500 psi concrete due to gopher damage! Pond liner installers provide no warranty against damage from rats, mice, ground squirrels, gophers, tree roots and sharp objects and this one refused to do anything to correct the problem.
  • Reorganization, debt-consolidation (a reduction of the debts, new terms, debt for equity swaps) and a program of rehabilitation.

    Until such time as these questions are answered and as long as the microeconomic debt crisis deepens -we will witness a flowering of versions of bankruptcy laws all over the world.

    
    
    
    Author: Sam Vaknin, Ph.D.
    
    
    

Pondless Waterfall - The History

In the early 1990s, a rubber sheet material, manufactured by Firestone and Goodyear, became a popular construction material used in building ponds and waterfalls. One innovative entrepreneur in Chicago began pre-cutting various configurations of rubber and packaging it with a skimmer, filter, sump pump and tubing, creating a do-it-yourself kit.

4. Cost less to build;The receiver takes possession (but not title) of the assets and the affairs of a business in receivership. He collects rents and other income on behalf of the firm.And so, chapter 11 allows the debtor and creditors to be in direct touch, to negotiate payment schedules, the restructuring of old debts, even the granting of new loans by the same disaffected creditors to the same irresponsible debtor.

To make sure that new claims received by the creditors (instead of the old, discredited, ones) equal, at least, to what they would have received in liquidation. The liner revolution is fading fast, the truth of their limitations are coming to light and their track record is badly tarnished. Leaky liner customers are fighting back with litigation nationwide and are winning because they were not told the whole truth in the beginning.2. permanent;Fybroc brand non-metallic fiberglass reinforced plastic centrifugal pumps were selected for this mining water application based on their ability to safely and efficiently handle corrosive liquids in difficult service applications.The American Law leans in favour of maintaining the company as a going concern. A whole is larger than the sum of its parts - and a living business is worth more than the sum of its assets, sold separately.The USA had many versions of its bankruptcy laws. There was the 1938 Bankruptcy Act, which was followed by amended versions in 1978, 1984 and, lately, in 1994.7. Virtually maintenance-free;So, British Law is much more in favour of the creditors. It recognizes the supremacy of their claims over the property claims of the owners. Honouring obligations - in the eyes of the British legislator and their courts - is the cornerstone of efficient, thriving markets. The courts are entrusted with the protection of this moral pillar of the economy.65% of "do-it-yourselfers" say they wished they were informed of the pros and cons of liners from the beginning or that they had hired a professional.In searching for the facts about concrete ponds and waterfalls from reading the literature of the greed-driven liner pond industry, it cannot be found. You ask why? Because if the facts were known, who in their right mind would invest in a pond liner unless they were going to use it for a limited period of time.It was not long before the word got out on how profitable pond construction was and even professionals were becoming "pond experts". Why not, if in one day you can dig a hole, pile dirt at one end, cover it with a rubber sheet, cover the sheet with rocks, fill it with water, drop in a sump pump, hook up a tube, and presto change-o, $6000 profit in 6 to 8 hours?

The Consolidation Bank (founded by the State) can buy a firm’s obligations if it went bankrupt at 60% of par. Until such time as these questions are answered and as long as the microeconomic debt crisis deepens -we will witness a flowering of versions of bankruptcy laws all over the world.Once the assets of the company are sold, the first to be fully paid off will be the secured creditors. Only then will the priority creditors be paid (wholly or partially).The company can, thus, go into "straight bankruptcy". The secured creditors will receive the value of the property which was used to secure their debt (the "collateral", or the "mortgage, lien"). Sometimes, they will receive the property itself - if it not easy to liquidate (=sell) it.But this is not the only way that a company can be rendered insolvent. It could also run liabilities which will outweigh its assets. This is bankruptcy insolvency. True, there is a debate raging as to what is the best method to appraise the assets and the liabilities. Should these appraisals be based on market prices - or on book value?The track record for pond liners speaks for itself:Owners of subordinated debentures will, probably, become stockholders and stockholders in the insolvent firm will receive no new claims.Chapter 7 (1978 Act) - liquidationDuring construction of the concrete pondless waterfall, many design liberties can be taken, such as altering the length, width or shape of the water feature as the project progresses. Unlike a liner pondless waterfall, the parameters have already been established by the manufacturer of the pond kit.

A Debt to Equity Swap (an alternative to bankruptcy) supervised by the Ministry of Privatization.Reinforced concrete pondless waterfalls have a lifetime warranty. Liner pondless waterfalls have only a one year warranty on labor, and a 20-30 year warranty against factory defects. But it has no warranty against damage caused by, mice, rats, gophers, tree roots, ground squirrels, sharp objects, etc.The proceeds of the sale of the assets is divided (as "bankruptcy dividend") among the creditors. It makes sense to choose this route only if the (money) value generated by liquidation exceeds the (money) the company as a going concern, as a living, functioning, entity.If the negotiations with the creditors of the company (as to how to settle the dispute arising from the company’s default) fails, the company itself can file (=ask the court) for bankruptcy in a "voluntary bankruptcy filing".

To eliminate burdensome debt obligations, which obstruct the proper functioning of the firm and hinder its chances to recover and ever repay its debts to its creditors.As time goes by, the creditors gear up and litigate in a court of law or in a court of arbitration. This is a technical or equity insolvency status.

"A man with experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument."

Author: Douglas Hoover

Keep Basement Exercise Equipment From Floating Away

The most common response to the possibility of basement flooding is to install a sump pump. While a quality sump pump is an important investment in flood prone areas, it should be the last line of defense instead of the first. To keep your proposed basement weight and exercise room from floating away, measures need to be taken to prevent the sump pump from being needed. The first step in protecting your basement from water damage is in the grading of the home site.

The grading of the trench is of primary importance. It should have a 1 or 2 percent grade. Add gravel up to within 5 or 6 inches of the surface. Top the gravel with a 3 or 4 inch layer of coarse sand and cover with a layer of sod or soil and grass seed. Some experts also recommend using a perforated drain pipe in the trench to carry overflow more easily.They were simple to install; andThese easy-to-install, easy-to-make-a-killing liners that come with a 20-50 year warranty (against factory defects only) are actually a meal down the road to a burrowing gopher, rat, mouse, ground squirrel, chipmunk or muskrat.This pump requires electrical power, the same as your washer and dryer, so it's important you take the time to make it is connected to an electrical outlet. To test the pump, pour buckets of water or running water from your laundry tub faucet into the hole at least once a year. If you don't do this annual testing, the consequences can be disastrous. If your pump does not turn on and begin pumping out the water you pour down that hole, call a plumber immediately.An interior drainage system can be used to channel leakage to the outside. This method involves breaking up the floor along the base of the basement walls, digging a trench, and installing drain tiles to carry the water to a sump pump or discharge point. This method does no damage to the room. The trench is then filled with coarse gravel and the floor replaced over the top.

Just as settling or erosion can cause foundation cracks, they can lead to cracks in basement walls. If this is the source of basement flooding, the only solution is to repair the cracks. Use a good quality caulking material. This should be followed by the application of waterproofing materials that seal the wall surface.

Author: Nick Messe

The Basement

The basement is often the most abused room in a house but it is the most important room, and here's why.

It was a challenge in the seventies, when I was trying to convince people that they should buy the Mitsubishi compact fluorescent bulb to save energy. This was the first of its kind and it retailed for $12 to $14. Its lumen or light output was equal to a 60-watt incandescent bulb, which sold for $ .60 in most stores. I needed to convince the engineer at Betty Ford Hospital that a $12, 12-watt bulb would save the facility $35,000 a year in electrical costs. I did so, and it did!How do I know? I replace liners with concrete and rebar for a living and I ask if the customer if the liner salesman told them the pros and cons about the liner. (Most cons don't!)If there are problems in your basement, there will be problems everywhere else. Basements are well known for one problem in particular - water. If you are having water issues, i.e. water seepage from your walls, you can be sure all other areas will be affected.An average 2000 square foot roof produces close to 1200 gallons of water with for every inch of rain. Clogged gutters or downspouts without sufficient tiling to drain water away from the foundation can cause severe dampness of basement walls. During severe or prolonged rainfall, it can even result in flooding. One solution to poor grading or roof drainage problems is a dry well.

If your sump pump is seized when water comes into the sump hole, it will not remove the incoming water and your basement will flood, and you could end up with thousands and thousands of dollars of damage, not to mention many personal belongings near and dear to your heart. Insurance claims will cover most of the damages, but they simply cannot replace the lost memories. DON'T wait for this to happen. Check your sump pump and service it TODAY.

Author: Harry Magill

Kooi Pond - Which Pump to Use

When I started in the waterfall and pond design & construction business in January of 1982, I was asking the same question. I had a slight advantage over most when it came to answering the question, "Which pump do I use?"

Water Garden News is a trade magazine that is for manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers in the water garden industry. This information was not meant for the consumers' eyes. Until now!Just as settling or erosion can cause foundation cracks, they can lead to cracks in basement walls. If this is the source of basement flooding, the only solution is to repair the cracks. Use a good quality caulking material. This should be followed by the application of waterproofing materials that seal the wall surface.Sump pumps were cheap to buy because they were built cheaply. It did not matter that they consumed more energy than the more expensive centrifugal pump, since they only came on occasionally.The soil must slope away from the basement walls at least six inches in the first 100 feet. If an existing house has slope problems correcting the grade may require a major project, but the resulting improvement of basement dryness will be worth the effort. A less obvious basement water problem comes from the roof. If gutters and downspouts are not kept in good repair or are improperly installed they can allow water from the roof to seep into the soil along the foundation and leak into the basement.A lot of the time, the more energy efficient the [sump] pump, the less solids and debris it can handle. So often the consumer is excited the pump will only cost them $10 a month to run, but what they did not know is that they are going to have to be out there 3 times a week, cleaning the intake of the [sump] pump to keep it going.Sump pumps were designed to be submerged underwater and pump that water to a different location. Their most common uses are in basements, bunkers, bilges, and that sort of thing. These pumps would only come on by demand, when a float control indicated a high water level.In the industry magazine, Water Garden News, the vice president of product management for the Aquascape Company stated,The difference in the cost of energy consumption between a 5700 gallon per hour sump pump and a 5800 gallon per hour high-efficiency centrifugal pump is staggering. The sump pump uses twice as much energy, costs $171 more to purchase, and its warranty is 6 months less! Look before you leap and research before you weep.One major drawback of sump pumps that the liner pond industry does not share with their clients is that they are literally energy sponges. But then, that is not the only thing they forget to mention to their usually innocent and unsuspecting clients.Read my article entitled Pondless Waterfall: Concrete vs. Pond Liner ; EzineArticles.com. I cover the subject in depth, and expose the truth about pond liner promoters. All of the costs involved in building a pondless waterfall are analyzed by comparing the two techniques: using concrete & rebar or a rubber liner.If your sump pump is seized when water comes into the sump hole, it will not remove the incoming water and your basement will flood, and you could end up with thousands and thousands of dollars of damage, not to mention many personal belongings near and dear to your heart. Insurance claims will cover most of the damages, but they simply cannot replace the lost memories. DON'T wait for this to happen. Check your sump pump and service it TODAY.They were easy to hide.A dry well chamber surrounded by gravel gives downspout and sump pump water a place to go into the ground away from the foundations of the house. This can be a simple alternative to tearing up existing landscaping and re-grading the whole lot. Another method of handling poor drainage is a French drain. A traditional French drain is a simple gravel and sand filled trench that leads water away from low-lying areas.Pumps are no different when it comes to performance vs. energy consumption. The rule of thumb is: If an electrical appliance was engineered to be used only occasionally, as opposed to continually, rest assured, it is not engineered or built with the highest industry standards in mind.Besides a sump pump costing twice as much to operate than a high efficiency, centrifugal pump, they plug up easily. (By the way, the liner guys changed the name to a "submersible pump" and they are now using the term "waterfall pump.") Concrete and rebar constructed ponds with bottom anti-vortex drains seldom, if ever, plug up.The water flows from the weepers into the sump hole. When the water reaches a certain level in the sump hole, allowing the flotation balls attached to the pump to float, the pump automatically kicks on and the water is pumped up the plastic piping to the outside, and away from your home.Two very critical items for the running of your home are situated in your basement; your furnace and your sump pump. You may not think the sump pump is important, but do you service your sump pump? Do you know how? Most people don't, and if asked, they have no idea what to do to service one. Your sump pump is usually located near the interior concrete wall, in a hole in your basement floor, approximately the size of a small garbage can with a 1/2 horsepower pump to remove the water from the hole. The water comes from weeping tile around your house, which is plastic piping at the base of your exterior basement walls.They were cheap to buy, as were the liners;

Happy koi, peace and joy.

Author: Douglas Hoover

SUNRISE: Monument woman faces sentencing in death of 7-year-old

A former Monument woman is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday for her role in the death of a 7-year-old girl whose body was found in a crawlspace.

Small plane crashes near suburb, kills 1 person- "Road Trip USA" children's program, 10:30 a.m., East Library, 5550 N. Union Blvd., free;.Starting Thursday, Boulder County is banning all open burning and fireworks in the mountains. Stoves that use liquid or gas fuel and fires in most developed campgrounds will be allowed.It is during a severe storm when flooding tends to happen. The backup power comes from a car battery or a deep cycle boat battery. Most of the systems are constantly charging the battery while the power is on, making sure the battery is fully charged in the event of a power outage. Wouldn't it be nice to have the peace of mind of a hard working sump pump complete with battery backup?Prosecutors say Toleafoa left her apartment to pick up cigarettes and chicken wings while the boys were in the tub. Her husband, Fort Carson Spc. Erich Tyler, learned of his son's death while serving in Afghanistan.ARTICLE REPRINT PERMISSION- "Palmer Lake Knitting Group," 10 a.m.-noon, Palmer Lake Library Branch, 66 Lower Glenway, Palmer Lake, free.(AP) - The University of Colorado's vice chancellor for administration is leaving to take a job at Western Disposal Inc.The pension programs covers more than 400,000 public employees.Winds with gusts of at least 30 mph and hot, dry conditions have the National Weather Service calling for extreme fire danger Thursday for the entire Pikes Peak region.The National Weather Service has issued a red-flag warning signaling high fire danger for much of southern Colorado, including Las Animas, Huerfano, Teller and El Paso counties.Choose a pump with a reliable switch. The switch is very important because it tells the pump when to turn on and when to turn off. There are several types of switches available on pumps. Some of the different types of switches you will find are called; �2 pole switch�, �mercury switch� and �diaphragm switch�. I only buy pumps that have a 2 pole switch. They have proven to be the most reliable over time. After all, what good is a sump pump if it won�t turn on?His new job will be as vice president of administration for the 40-year-old waste management company. The university hasn't named a replacement for Bruno.- "Ticket to Australia" for ages 7 and older, 2 p.m., Ruth Holley Library Branch, 685 N. Murray Blvd., free.Wyatt ruled the retirees have a contractual right to their pension, but not to a specific formula for cost-of-living raises.CU-Boulder vice chancellor leaving in AugustPlug your sump pump directly into a grounded electrical outlet. Don�t use an extension cord because it will shorten the life of your pump. The electrical outlet should be on a breaker which is the proper size for your pump. Your electrical outlet should also be on it�s own dedicated circuit breaker to prevent other electrical connections from overloading your breaker.- "Managing Stress," 10-11:30 a.m., Pikes Peak Workforce Center, 2306 E. Pikes Peak Ave., free.There are also manual pumps which you can turn on yourself when needed. The manual pumps are definitely not as popular because it is much more convenient not to have to worry about monitoring the situation constantly. The sump pumps use electricity to work.Therefore it is an extremely good idea to get one with a backup installed in case you lose electricity during a storm.What To BuySump Wells- Author visit with Lisa Tawn Bergren, teen Program, 3 p.m., Briargate Branch Library, 9475 Briar Village Point, free; 260-6882.Installation- "African Beat - Drummer Bob Hall" children's program, 10:30 a.m., Cheyenne Mountain Branch Library, 1785 S. 8th St., free.(AP) - Authorities say a single-engine plane crashed near the north-Denver suburb of Thornton, killing the only person on board.Fire danger douses holiday fireworks, campfiresHer son, Erich Tyler Jr., died of drowning and hot water burns in the March 8 incident. The other boy was uninjured.Most pumps come with a 1 ��threaded connection for PVC pipe. Get an adapter that converts it to 1 �� schedule 40 pipe. 1 �� schedule 40 pipe is more universal and a lot easier to find fittings for. Next, you�ll want to attach a check valve to your piping. The check valve prevents water already pumped up through the plumbing from draining back down into the sump well when the pump shuts off. These are easily attached with a rubber boots and a screw driver.Installation of a sump pump can be a pretty easy do-it-yourself project with some great benefits. By doing it yourself, you can save a lot of money and provide some great protection for your basement and its contents.The Denver Post reports that District Judge Robert Hyatt tossed the lawsuit Wednesday before it could go to trial. He disagreed with the argument that a law cutting the increases nullifies the contract with the Colorado Public Employees Retirement Association.(AP) - National forests and counties along Colorado's Front Range and eastern plains are banning outside fires and fireworks as hot, dry weather keeps the fire danger high.Wildfires are burning on 60 acres northwest of Boulder and on 7 square miles in southern Colorado.Bruno is credited with coordinating the university's Ten Year Capital Facilities Master Plan; overseeing $500 million in capital construction projects.- "Stories, Cuentos, Cha-Cha-Cha" children's program, 10:30 a.m., Westside Community Center, 1628 W. Bijou St., free.Thursday's highs are expected to be above 90 degrees again in the city with showers and thunderstorms possible after noon. Winds will continue to be strong overnight as temperatures fall to about 55 degrees.- "Aloha" children's program, 10:30 a.m., High Prairie Library, 7035 Old Meridian Road, Falcon, free.Judge throws out suit over state pension changes- "Teen Movie Night," 6:30-8:30 p.m., Old Colorado City Library Branch, 2418 W. Pikes Peak Ave., free.Sump pumps are generally sold according to the horsepower rating of the pump motor. You will see � horsepower, 1/3 horsepower and � horsepower pumps available. Although the horsepower of the pump is a good �yardstick� to use in judging which size pump to buy, a more accurate way is to look at the GPH or, Gallons Per Hour that the unit is capable of pumping. For instance, you will find � horsepower sump pumps that can pump 3,000 gallons per hour and you will also see other � horsepower pumps that are capable of pumping over 7,500 gallons per hour. As you can see, horsepower ratings are not very accurate in judging which size pump to buy. Generally, I like to buy a larger pump than necessary because it will usually last a lot longer because it doesn�t have to work so hard.- Farmers market, 7 a.m.-1 p.m., Memorial Park, 1605 E. Pikes Peak Ave.- Farmers market, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., First and Main Town Center, 3305 Cinema Point.Workers were digging a sump pump when they found Genesis Sims's plastic-wrapped body in May 2010, more than a year after her family left town. An autopsy couldn't determine how Genesis died but found that it was the result of a homicide.WEATHERHere's how a sump pump works. The pit hole with the pump in it has a gravel base which is about 2 feet deep and 18 inches wide. When the pit fills with water, the pump automatically goes on. It pushes the liquid out of the pit through pipes that drain away from your home to an area where the water can drain away from your foundation. The pipe usually has a one-way valve, called a check valve, at the end of the pump to keep the water from flowing back into the pit.Sump pumps are usually installed in an area called a sump pit, constructed for just that purpose. Most reputable plumbing contractors can do this work for you. Water flows into the sump pit either through drains or naturally via water movement through the soil. The sump pump's job is to pump the water out of the pit and away from the building so the basement or crawlspace stays dry.- "East Teen Center Summer Movies - Easy A," 7 p.m., East Library, East Teen Center, 5550 N. Union Blvd., free. Seating limited.(AP) - A Denver judge has thrown out a lawsuit challenging a law that lowers cost-of-living increases in pensions for state retirees.Fireworks are banned throughout Fremont County, including on public and private land. A ban on all campfires in the Pike and San Isabel national forests kicks in Thursday. Read more about the fire ban and about campsite availability at OutThereColorado.com.- "Paint the Town Blue Series" with Big Jim Adam and John Stilwagen, 5:30-7:30 p.m., 2408 W. Colorado Ave.Most sump pumps have a pressure valve or float activator. When water puts more pressure on the pressure valve than the air does, the pump goes on. It works in a similar way to the float in your toilet tank, using centrifugal force to move the water out. An automatic pump, goes on when the valve senses water without you having to do anything.

- "East Teen Center Summer Movies - Easy A," 7 p.m., East Library, East Teen Center, 5550 N. Union Blvd., free. Seating limited.

Author: MATT STEINER

Sump Pump Installation for Do-It-Yourselfers

According to recent surveys, over 85% of all homes with basements will experience some form of wet basement problems in their lifetime. Installing a sump pump in the basement can be a great benefit, even if it�s only to keep the water from getting deep or to act as a floor drain.

You may reprint the above article in your electronic or print newsletter; however, please include my byline and bio and keep the article intact. I retain all copyrights.Make sure to use pipe cleaner before gluing your pipe fittings together. The pipe cleaner actually softens the plastic and allows the pipe glue to bond better. Check with the instructions on the glue can about how long to wait before pumping water through the newly glued connections.You will need to rent an electric jackhammer to break a hole in your basement concrete floor. Ask for a shovel bit when you rent the jackhammer. The shovel bit will make quick work of digging out the hole in which you will install your sump well. The lip of the well that holds the sump well lid should be installed slightly lower than the basement floor surface. This will allow your sump well and pump to act as a very good floor drain in case of a broken water pipe, leaky hot water tank, etc. You will need to buy a bag of sand mix cement to re-cement the floor area around the sump well and the broken concrete.The weather service has issued a red-flag warning for El Paso County, Teller County and the rest of Colorado east and south of Colorado Springs.A sump well is the container below floor level in which the pump is installed. You will be able to buy a 20 gallon to 30 gallon sump well at you local home improvement store, in the plumbing section. Many people opt for a smaller 5 gallon bucket; don�t do it! Your pump will burn out very quickly because it is turning on and off too much, because it can only pump out small quantities of water each time it runs.HAPPENINGSEstella Toleafoa, 23, is expected to enter a plea before 4th Judicial District Judge G. David Miller.Lynch and Sims have accused each other of attacking the girl.North Metro Fire Rescue spokeswoman Wendy Forbes said witnesses reported seeing the plane on fire before it crashed in a field between two subdivisions.In exchange for her plea, prosecutors dropped a first-degree murder charge against Lynch, and she agreed to testify against the child's father. Hanif Sims, Lynch's former boyfriend, is scheduled for an October jury trial for first-degree murder.A Colorado Springs woman is due to be arraigned Thursday on first- degree murder charges in the scalding death of an 8-month-old boy who was left unattended in a bathtub with his 2-year-old brother.The National Transportation Safety Board and FAA are investigating. Strong winds in the area temporarily grounded planes at Denver International Airport in the afternoon.The Daily Camera reports that Frank Bruno plans to leave his job at CU Aug. 1. He became vice chancellor for administration in June 2008. Before that, he was Boulder's city manager for five years.Last year, the Legislature passed a bill aimed at ensuring the pension fund's long-term solvency by reducing the increases, expected to be 3.5 percent last year. Budget officials had warned that without changes, the plan would go broke in 20 years.

You may reprint the above article in your electronic or print newsletter; however, please include my byline and bio and keep the article intact. I retain all copyrights.

Author: Robert Clarke

A Sump Pump Works Hard To Keep Your Basement Dry

A sump pump, such as one supplied by your plumbing contractor, is a small pump installed in the lowest part of a basement or crawlspace. A professional will tell you that the purpose of a sump pump is to keep the area under the building dry and to prevent it from flood�ing. When the water table around a home rises, flooding occurs. The upper surface of ground water is called the water table.

--Monique Lynch faces 10 to 32 years in prison in the death of Genesis Sims after pleading guilty in May to child abuse causing death.Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer said the Cessna 182 crashed at about 3:25 p.m. Wednesday. The pilot was on a local flight from the Front Range Airport east of Denver.SummaryBelow this water surface, all the cracks and sediment are saturated with water. These saturated layers are where ground water is. If your basement is built below the water table line, water can get find its way in. If you discover your recreation room furniture submerged one day, you'll need to call on a plumbing contractor to determine the leakage source.

It is during a severe storm when flooding tends to happen. The backup power comes from a car battery or a deep cycle boat battery. Most of the systems are constantly charging the battery while the power is on, making sure the battery is fully charged in the event of a power outage. Wouldn't it be nice to have the peace of mind of a hard working sump pump complete with battery backup?

Author: Nick Messe

Pump/skimmer removes dye penetrant from rinse water

Keller Product's pump/skimmer removes dye penetrant from rinse water. Similar in operation to conventional tramp oil pump/skimmers, the TKO-10-DP pulls the penetrant from the surface of the tank through a floating inlet device using an air-operated pump. It then separates the penetrant from the rinse water with a permanent separator element and returns water continuously to the rinse tank at a high flow rate.

Keller Products, Inc., call 800-352-8422, or search minsonline.com/suppliers

Keller Products, Inc., call 800-352-8422, or search minsonline.com/suppliers

Maintenance is Every Sump Pump Owner�s Responsibility

A sump pump plays a pivotal role in your home�s drainage system. In fact, the effectiveness of your drainage system is wholly dependent on the smooth operation of the pump. At times, sump pump failure does happen, leaving your basement area vulnerable to costly damage. The best way to avoid this potential damage is to closely follow the guidelines laid out in the owner�s manual which provides the necessary instructions for proper pump maintenance and operation.

Sump pumps are electrical appliances. Loss of power during a severe thunderstorm is the perfect recipe for a flooded basement. And many insurance companies will not cover flood damage that occurs due to sump pump failure unless there is a special rider on the policy. When you have the battery backup, you won't have to worry about your basement flooding the next time the lights go out. When you choose a reputable, knowledgeable contractor to install your sump pump, you won't have to worry about losing the pool table.Pedestal pumps have the motor raised on a pedestal, so the motor cannot get wet. Submersible pumps are designed with sealed motors so that the entire unit can be under water. Most plumbers familiar with the water table challenges in your area will recommend submersible sump pumps. Pumps will also move the water out at different rates depending on the horsepower that they offer.

The owner�s manual accompanying your sump pump will clearly tell you that your pump will not work effectively unless you perform proper sump pump maintenance. Your sump pump plays an important role in your home, so take the time to read the manual carefully and know how to keep it in good working order.

Author: Herb Mansfield

Eliminate Worry With A Good Sump Pump

No one gives much thought to their sump pump, until it breaks. Then, one day they are standing on the basement steps, looking across a field of water and wondering if there's any hope of saving the pool table. While the sump pump is not something that your friends will ever see, and you hope that you never have to see it either, it is a vital piece of equipment. It is important that you use the highest quality pump you can and give yourself the additional protection of a battery operated backup.

The troubleshooting part of your owner�s manual will give you information on what to do in a situation where your pump is not responding as it should. If you have performed the advised cleaning process and your pump still fails to work, you need to check the electrical system. If your pump is plugged into an outlet much like any other appliance outlet, unplug your pump and try plugging in a clock or lamp that you know works. Also check that the breaker is on. If your pump still fails to start, a manual will instruct you to do the following: reset the switch on the motor, check to see that the switch activated by the float is operational, verify that the motor is not burned out from being overused while in the clogged state. As a last resort, your manual will instruct you to check the float switch by moving it up and down. This will have the effect of cleaning dirty switch contacts and operation should resume immediately. Note that the switch should be replaced frequently, and if the switch can be removed, you may want to try and repair the damaged part yourself.Regardless of what model of sump pump you have, problems associated with pump failure are universal. For this reason, virtually every sump pump owner�s manual offers the same tips for pump failure prevention. Although any number of problems may arise with your pump, including a jammed or broken control switch or a burned out motor, the first rule of prevention is to keep your pump clean. Clogging is a major issue in sump pump maintenance. Dirt, debris and a variety of other foreign objects can build up causing a blockage in the inlet screen. The screen's function is to remove small particles of waste along with the water, but it can only handle so much. To properly clean your sump pump, use a pair of rubber gloves to collect all debris. Next, take a garden hose and fill the pump with water. As you fill the pump with water, the float will rise causing the pump to activate again. If your float rises but does not start the system, it is time to consult the troubleshooting section in your manual.Experienced plumbers are accustomed to calls from panicked customers who need their basements pumped out, and the sump pump replaced or fixed. When basements are constructed in an area with a high water table, this is bound to happen. The water table is the point in the ground at which lower levels of ground are saturated with water. Think of it this way, how deep do you have to dig in your yard before the hole fills with water?Water can be combated by recognizing that you will never beat it, but you can redirect it because water will take the easiest route. This is where sump pumps come in. Homes in areas that are prone to flooding, or have high water tables, are constructed so that the water is directed to a certain spot. There it can collect and then be pumped out via the sump pump.Now, imagine for a moment what happens if that sump pump should fail. The water that is collecting has nowhere to go and will simply continue to increase until it equalizes with the water pressure outside. Essentially, the water level inside your basement will increase until it is at the same point as the water outside your basement. This is why it's vital that you choose the proper pump.When that hole fills with water, you've found your water table. In some areas you don't have to dig very deep to find it. When you put part of a home below that water table, it is inevitable that water will find its way in to those lower areas. It can seep in through cinder block walls as well as up through the basement floors.

Sump pumps are electrical appliances. Loss of power during a severe thunderstorm is the perfect recipe for a flooded basement. And many insurance companies will not cover flood damage that occurs due to sump pump failure unless there is a special rider on the policy. When you have the battery backup, you won't have to worry about your basement flooding the next time the lights go out. When you choose a reputable, knowledgeable contractor to install your sump pump, you won't have to worry about losing the pool table.

Author: Nick Messe