Rotting Rubber? What's up with the water?

This has got to be one of the weirdest  cases of rotting rubber I've encountered. This device is a water valve from a toilet. The odd-shaped black thing (see close up photo, circle) is a seal that prevents water in the toilet tank from leaking around the base of the valve. Rubber is not supposed to do this.

I have heard the water in Victoria might be problematic, especially for hot water tanks. I don't claim to know if this is an actual issue but it does leave one to wonder: HOW SAFE IS YOUR WATER?

Check your toilets' water tank yearly. Look for odd residue or stains in the bottom of the tank. Feel the rubber seals and if your finger is soiled with black, that's an indication the rubber is rotting and should be replaced.

Also, when going away for extended periods, turn off the main water shutoff (usually located in the basement on the street-side of the house) for peace of mind. This practice helps keep the valve moving smoothly too, which is important should you have to shut off the water for service to the plumbing system.

Hot water tanks have an average life of 10 years so make sure you consider replacing it when it's older. This could save thousands in insurance/flood claims.

Always consult a professional to take care of your home's mechanical issues.

Tour of granite counter top factory

This is an excellent  video on how granite countertops are made

www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwduxdBsvLA

CAR RUNNING ROUGH? CHECK THE AIR INPUT TUBE

Rough running cars could be simply due to a cracked air input tube.

The flexible rubber air intake tube provides filtered air to your engine. More importantly, the air entering the tube is measured with an electronic sensor which tells the car's computer how to mix enough fuel and air to run properly. If there is a leak in the tube, this will affect the air/fuel ratio and cause rough running. 

Check this by simply feeling the accordion-like section with your fingers while trying to separate the folds. Also, check for cracking in the rubber, a sign the part is about to fail.

Let's hope electric cars gain popularity; ICE cars are too complicated, have too many interrelated parts to run properly  and just are inefficient!

WARNING Your car's tires may be unsafe

I am a car guy. I have known about this issue for a while but just found this MUST VIEW video for you and anyone you know who has a car or is shopping for a car.

PLEASE SHARE

Car tires have a "shelf life" of about 5 years. The rubber compound will degrade with time and even though the tread looks good, the tire may be unsafe to use.

All tires have a MANUFACTURE DATE CODE, usually 3 or four digits  inside an oval box on the tire's sidewall. The first two digits are the week code (week of the year) and the third or fourth digits indicate the year made.  0211 would be the second week of 2011 for example

When buying new or used tires, make sure they are within five years old. If you depend on your car for long distance and want reliability and safety, ALWAYS REPLACE THE TIRES WHEN THEY ARE 5-6 YEARS OLD.

When buying new tires insist on FRESH stock. Get that in writing too!

Please watch the Youtube video on this topic.

Looking out for you and yours, Bennett

www.youtube.com/watch?v=32nJyLVo6O0