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tip 1 Bulletin boards
tip 2 Hot Water Heater elements
tip 3 Hot water line connections – plastic tape
tip 4 Plastic water lines connected to metal

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TIP 1 SO YOU WANT TO MAKE AN INEXPENSIVE LARGE CLASS ROOM BULLETIN BOARD EH?

SUGGESTIONS: Did you know that you can use 4 x 8 sheets of black board or brown board as used on the outside of houses as a bulletin board? I would suggest painting and sealing it on both sides in order to seal some of the odor that the black tar on black board seems to have. In fact even after painting it there may be some odor for a few weeks but soon it will go away. Hang it on the wall whole or cut it to whatever sizes you want. Some take 1x4 lumber and build wooden frames around the outside edge but once you put paper on it and a paper border like you get at a supply store, it looks great without the wood trim. It makes an inexpensive bulletin board for hallways or classrooms. -- Great idea!
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TIP 2 SO YOU WANT TO FIX YOUR WATER HEATER EH?

SUGGESTIONS: I just completed a small project on a water heater. We have one of those small electric heaters under the sink in our fellowship room. Rather than replacing the entire unit when it goes out, you may need to just replace the heater element. A 110 V 1500 W element cost from $4 to $8 dollars (depending on where you live and where you buy it). Be sure to save the “rubber gasket” off the old element or make sure the new one has one. There is a special tool (a large socket) that cost about $5 that can be used to loosen or retighten the element. This tool is worth every penny. (Caution: Be sure to turn off power and drain the tank first.) I decided to redo the lines going to the heater so I could turn the tank around where there would be easy access to replace the element when it went out again. Lowes and other hardware stores sell a copper tube that is flexible with ľ” connections on each end with gaskets. (Ask someone where they sell Hot water heaters.) Note: You may wish to put a ľ” galvanized 90 degree el on the tank with a ľ” male nipple to connect the flexible pipe to. This makes it easier and takes less room. (See other suggestions below)

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TIP 3 SO YOU CAN'T STOP THE HOT WATER FROM LEAKING AT THE NEW JOINTS EH?

SUGGESTIONS: I learned from experience that hot water will melt the plumber's dope that you put on the hot water line connections. Plumbers plastic tape works.

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TIP 4 YOUR NOT SURE ABOUT THOSE PLASTIC WATER CONNECTIONS EH?

SUGGESTIONS: Never use a female plastic connection to a male metal nipple. Especially on hot water lines. The plastic female connection will eventually crack and you may have serious water damage in your building. However, if for example you are going to connect a plastic line to a brass cut off valve, you can use a male plastic nipple connection to connect to the metal (brass or galvanized) female connection without worry.

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We will try to add more as we get more info - stay
in "ouch" - I mean in "touch!"

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