If your home has a septic tank system on the property, then you should be sure to have the tank pumped and cleaned every few years. Doing so will help to prolong its life and avoid premature repairs. At the same time, you don't want to hire just any septic tank company for the job; specifically, there are a few questions you'll want to ask before you sign any kind of contract.

Trash happens. Unless you opt for a radical waste-free lifestyle, that is. But if you value other commitments over the waste-free lifestyle, you'll occasionally find yourself with an item that can't be re-used, recycled, upcycled, donated, composted, or woven into a floor rug. Here are three tips for greening your trash disposal habits to minimize the environmental impact of these forays into the world of landfill use. 1. Use green bags

At one time wooden windows were the norm, but with the development of many other types of windows in recent years, wooden windows have become somewhat rare. Still, for certain homeowners wooden windows are the perfect option, because they're eco-friendly, long-lasting and aesthetically flexible. The more you know about wooden windows, the easier it will be to decide whether or not wooden windows are the right choice for your upcoming window installation.

If you are tired of the cost to heat your home, there are ways to make your heating oil last a bit longer that may also help to maintain a cleaner heating system this winter. Talk with heating professionals about possible ways that you can enhance and optimize the performance of your boiler, as well as about potential savings or programs that could curb home heating costs. Four ways that you can make your heating oil last longer and burn cleaner include:

Whether you rely on the city for your water supply, or get your water from a well on your property, frequently testing your water yourself can give you a greater insight to what it contains. Even though not all kinds of bacteria in water require city-wide boil orders, it is still nice to know what you have in your water and what you can do about it. Why Test the Water

If you are in the process of upgrading and remodeling your kitchen, it helps to really understand how the entire process of upgrading your kitchen will work. Here is a quick guide to all the steps involved in having a granite countertop installed in your kitchen. Choosing The Granite Tile The first step in getting new granite countertops installed in your kitchen involves you choosing the granite that you want to use in your kitchen.

Grabbing a wrench, some plumber's tape and a how-to manual can help you get through a number of basic plumbing-related tasks around your home, from solving a toilet that fills noisily to fixing a sink that doesn't drain quickly enough. While the right tools and some step-by-step tips can prove valuable, there are times that you'll face a task that you definitely don't want to get wrong. Facing one of these jobs means that it's time to call a licensed plumber who has the skill to complete the job safely, up to code and in a timely manner.

Heat pumps are efficient wonders. They heat and cool your home and aren't given much thought until something goes wrong. One way to help improve the efficiency and longevity of the heat pump is a regular cleaning schedule. A heat pump that is cleaned in the spring and fall will save you money on your utility bills, provide year-round comfort, and last for years to come. Safety First Before you begin the process of cleaning your heat pump coils, you will want to think about safety.

Dealing with clogged drains can be a real pain that can end up costing you a lot of time and money. Poking around in your plumbing by yourself can leave you frustrated and even more confused than you started. Hiring a plumber often isn't any better and you can end up with a big bill for a procedure that you could've easily done yourself. To make your life easier, here are some troubleshooting ideas to combat this common plumbing problem.

Having an attractive storefront for your business is important because it sends a message to the customer; nice window decor, catchy signs, and manicured landscaping are all ways to increase the attractiveness of your storefront. One part of a business' exterior that often gets neglected, however, is the parking lot. Whether it's in the front or the back of the store, it's easy to forget that the parking lot sends a message about your business just as much as the actual storefront does.