Harvesting Bamboo for a Potential Dome

How to Harvest Bamboo for a Potential Dome

 

Harvesting Bamboo
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I have long been interested in geodesic domes and owner built homes – read “I don’t have a lot of money but I have lots of ideas”.  For the last couple years I have been looking for bamboo groves to try to build with.

I even tried buying seed (but as of now none have germinated).  Luckily through craigslist I found a place to start harvesting bamboo for free.  A lady has over an acre of thick bamboo.  Her bamboo is tall enough and thick enough I can get some use from.

Bamboo Dome Idea

My idea is to use bamboo to build a dome, then cover it in wire for strength.  Once it is wired, I will use a tarp to protect the bamboo, then more wire.  Then I intend to cement it.  My plan is to use either latex cement, or aircrete.  It really depends on how my aircrete machine experiments work.

By using the tarp and wire I can make the bamboo frame removable.  I can then remove the bamboo form after the cement cures so that I can build more than one dome.

I found several online sources of bamboo dome techniques, but the one I think I will try is from desert domes.

If I use this technique and the plastic rope machine, I can make a frame for almost nothing – well except time, labor, and gasoline.

In less than 3 hours (including an hour of driving) I harvested 45 10 foot tall shoots.  This is about half of what it takes to build a single dome with a radius of 11 feet.

I will need more Bamboo

One is not enough, I am not done harvesting bamboo.  I want to get all I can from this spot, and when I go back I want to take my weedeater with the sawblade attachment, but I also need to let the shoots I have collected dry under the carport for a couple months.

Right now I have the shoots standing up in my carport, I have to trim them a little and make a stand – like stickering lumber – basically some cinder blocks and a frame so they can lay off the ground and relatively flat.

HVAC Failure: Smells and Sounds to Watch out for

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HVAC failure is not only annoying because you lose your climate-controlled environment but it can also be costly to fix or replace the system. It’s a good idea to know the warning signs so you don’t lose money by not getting the repairs done.

Grinding Sound

A grinding sound is never good when it comes to your HVAC system. If you hear a grinding noise when it starts, when it’s running or when you turn it off, it might be time to check with a professional.

Humming or Buzzing When the System Turns On

Many people think a humming or buzzing noise is normal when their air conditioner is running. The professionals at Master Service Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration see this a lot, but it’s actually not a noise that’s supposed to happen. If you have humming or buzzing in your system, you might have a problem.

Hot Smell When Your Heat Is On

If it smells hot when you turn your heat on, you could have a problem Your heating system should not smell hot when you turn it on. If it has a hot smell to it, then it could be burning up energy and could be causing problems for your system. It could also make it harder for your system to work which could cost you money.

Popping or Hissing Coming from Your Vents

It might be time to upgrade your HVAC if you hear a popping or hissing sound coming from your system. The HVAC system shouldn’t really make much noise while it’s running even if your air conditioner is working hard to cool off your home.

Gear Noise When You Turn the Air Off

Once you turn the air off, all noises should stop. If there’s something in the air conditioner making a noise like a gear going, you might need to replace your system. The gear noise is usually just the system doing what it needs to power down, but it can indicate a problem if it’s not something that normally happens.

 

When you know what to look for, you can better prepare to make sure your system is working the way it should. It’s always a great idea to check and make sure you don’t have any leaks or other problems with your HVAC system when you hear one of these noises or smell something off with your heating and cooling system.

Plumbing Problems: 4 Ways to Safely Solve a Septic Problem

Plumbing Problems: 4 Ways to Safely Solve a Septic Problem

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A septic tank is so often overlooked until it starts to backup all over your lawn. There are some measures that you can take to ensure that your septic tank is functioning for years to come. If it’s too late for preventative measures, there are solutions so that you can safely resolve the issues. Here are some of the things that you can try to get your septic tank back in working order.

Add Biologically Active Ingredients

Your septic tank is just a holding place for the waste. The normal process is that the bacteria in the system break down the waste and keep it under control. You can try adding more active biological material that will aid to dispel the waste in the tank. There are commercial products that you can purchase that will help you with this type of situation. This may be more of a preventative measure than a corrective measure depending on the state of your septic tank.

Check Your Power Source

Many septic tanks rely on a power source to help them function in removing the waste safely. If you notice a problem, make sure that your power source isn’t interrupted. Check your breakers and ensure that there isn’t a break in the electrical wiring as much as you are able. This can often cause you to experience septic tank failure. You may need to consult an electrical expert if this is the case for your situation.

Inspect Your Septic System

Perform an inspection of your septic system to the best of your abilities. You may notice cracking or clogged piping. This could be the problem that is causing your tank to give you trouble. Another common problem is that the drain pipe will become clogged. This can result in your septic tank backing up into inappropriate areas.

Seek Professional Assistance

There may be instances in which the septic problem is more than you can handle. Consider seeking out professional assistance. They have the necessary experience to get the job done quickly and safely. See this site if you’d like more information about this route. If possible, get several quotes so that you can get the best deal.

You have to handle your septic tank in a safe manner. Remember that you’re dealing with human waste. This presents a number of hazards when it comes to your health and safety. Consider getting professional help if you’re unsure about how to proceed with fixing your septic tank.

6 Signs Your Home’s Water Line Needs Repairing

6 Signs Your Home’s Water Line Needs Repairing

6 Signs Your Home’s Water Line Needs Repairing
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Your pipes are your lifeline for the water in your home.  Look out for these 6 signs that your water line needs repairing.

Lack of Pressure

Low water pressure can be caused by a variety of things. Your water heater may be the source of your woes. Aging pipes can corrode, thereby constricting the water flow. If the problem is great enough, you may to see the corrosion on the outside of the pipes.

Sounds of Running Water

You shouldn’t hear running water in your home if no one is using it. This means that you have a leak somewhere. Call a pipe repair services immediately. You’ve already sprung a leak and it could be damaging other parts of your home.

Mysterious Wet Spot

A mysterious wet spot in your yard could indicate that your main water line has sprung a leak. During the summer, a slow leak is almost undetectable. A large soaking area definitely means that you have a problem.

Chunks Exiting Your Pipes

Water should not be chunky. The chunks are the inside of your pipes starting to flake away from the rest of the pipe. This is more common in homes with galvanized plumbing.

Huge Water Bill

Your water bill likely increases over the summer months due to the need to water your yard. A sudden spike in your water bill for no discernible reason can mean that you have a water leak. Have your pipes looked at before it ends up costing you even more money.

Terrible Odor

A horrible smell coming from your faucets could be caused by a broken vent or sewer pipe underneath your home. If you ignore this symptom, you could be undermining the foundation of your home. Bacteria in your water heater or pipes produce the sulfur smell. If you detect a smell, ensure your water supply isn’t contaminated.

Watching for these signs and others will protect your home from a more a costly repair bill. Don’t delay in discovering the problem. The resulting water damage to your home can make it uninhabitable.

Everything You Need to Know about a Multimeter

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When I start thinking about what device is the most useful to have for electrical needs around the house, a multimeter definitely is one of the most versatile. You can use it both in your home and on your vehicle to determine different electronic components.

If you’re trying to determine if a fuse is blown, a multimeter can do that. If you want to determine if a battery (car battery, 9V, AA, etc) has any charge left in it, a multimeter can do that too. In your home wiring you can determine if an outlet or wire has an electrical charge by connecting a multimeter to it. These all help you to save time and money by testing things at home by yourself.

Let’s review many of the important things you need to know about a multimeter.

What kind of multimeter should you buy?

When you decide what kind of multimeter to buy you should use the same logic you would with anything else like a car, house or computer. Go with those that meet your needs.

If you need a multimeter for professional use and need something high quality then go for the best Fluke type multimeters as that brand is top of the line. The Fluke 87-V digital multimeter is a great choice for this.

If you’re just starting out and want to play around with it before you spend a lot of money then just buy one of the digital multimeters around $20 USD. The Innova 3320 digital multimeter is a great choice as a starter device for you.

What not to buy?

If you see the old-school multimeters with the needle that moves across a scale, that is not a good multimeter. To say the least, it would be a huge waste of money considering you can get a digital multimeter that is extremely more accurate for the same price if not cheaper. Get the one with a digital screen that displays numeric values which is called a digital multimeter.

What measurements are important to you?

There are different types of multimeters and different measurements it can do so it’s important to understand the basics of it’s measurement capabilities. Lets understand each of these below:

Ranging

When selecting a multimeter, you have to decide whether you want a manual or auto ranging device. Since there are many different measurements you can make knowing what the range of those measurements are is tricky.

If you’re a new user then I’d suggest you pick a multimeter with an auto-ranging capability. For auto-ranging multimeters it will assess the electrical current and then determine what range to use automatically. This often takes some time to complete so for those experienced users they often prefer a manual ranging so they can control it.

Pick one based on your preference, although, in my experience most people choose one based on their patience if they don’t want to wait

Each multimeter should say if it’s manual or auto ranging but if it doesn’t you can always look at the dial on the device. If you see numbers around it then it’s a manual ranging. If you only see symbols/letters then it’s auto-ranging.

Values

While you may not know what the different symbols and letters mean right away you should be somewhat familiar with the important terms:

  • DC/AC: Direct Current and Alternating current. You can change this by simply pushing a button or selector on your multimeter. The difference in these two currents is simple in that with DC the flow of electricity is only going one way where as in AC the current can flow in one direction and then change to the other direction.
    Most electrical outlets are AC which is easy as they usually have a large grid to work on and can transfer power back and forth to eliminate waste. Most electronic devices and household appliances work on DC as they only require the power source to go one way to the device.
  • Continuity: This allows you to test if there are breaks in an electrical circuit like a faulty/cut wire etc. It sends electricity into one end and checks if it has a response on the other end.
  • Voltage: This measures how strong electricity is being pushed through a specific circuit. The higher the voltage the stronger the force. This is measured in Volts (V).
  • Current: This measures the amount of electricity going through a circuit and is measured in amperes (A).
  • Resistance: This measures the difficulty of a current of electricity to flow through an object. The higher the resistance means it’s more difficult for energy to flow through it. This is measured in ohms (Ω).

There are many other values including frequency, capacitance, transistor, temperature, etc, but those are useful to specific situations and may not be needed if you are an average at-home user. If you want something that can test everything, then for a little bit more money you can invest in a good quality one that has more options.

How to set up your Multimeter

First thing to do is to give it power. Most multimeters use a 9V battery although some still use AA batteries. Check which one yours needs and if it comes with one or not before you head home with it.

Black and red leads will also come with your multimeter and most of these will need to be plugged into it in order to use it. Simply plug the black lead into the one that says COM and the red one into the one for Volts (labeled with V). You may need to change the red one for different measurements but the black one always remains constant.

Plugging these in wont hurt you to start but it’s best to only ever touch the colored rubber part of the leads and never touch the metal parts if you want to avoid getting shocked (which can be dangerous).

 

From here you can start to learn the different ways of measuring objects, devices, outlets, fuses and different car parts.