Total chlorine is the sum of the two. Understanding the different levels is crucial to keeping yourwater cleanand you and your family safe. Chlorine in pool and spa water takes care of a host of problems. MMassel / Getty Images It kills pathogens such as algae and mold spores, as well as some parasites and bacteria. Chlorine is the additive to water that kills algae and other harmful organisms. What Is Free Chlorine?...

In some cases, you may need to calculate voltage levels. The good news is that this is easy for most homeowners to do on their own. In fact, testing an electric outlet can be as simple or as complicated as you like. Claire Cohen Safety Considerations Shutting off a circuit breaker is no guarantee that you will not receive a shock. Circuit breakers are frequently mislabelled. Or two circuits may be wired together to feed one unit....

When the pH is off balance, a plant may not be able to absorb nutrients correctly. You won’t know if your soil pH is too low or too high unless you test it. The lab will give you the most accurate results and usually includes a report with lots of soil details. The Spruce / Almar Creative However, some trees, shrubs, and flowerssuch aslilacsandlavenderprefer a more alkaline soil. The depth varies depending on the meter manufacturer....

Regularly testing the pressure can help catch any regulator problems before excessively high pressure damages your plumbing. What Is the Ideal Water Pressure? The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd Water pressure is measured in psi, or pounds per square inch. The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd Most building codes consider anything over 80 psi too high. Look out for a hose fed by a large pipe, about 1/2 inch to 1 inch in diameter....

Texture applied to walls and ceilings creates small shadows due to the texture’s peaks and valleys. This darkening effect hides surface imperfections such as visible seams, bulges, or depressions. Comb Texture Getty Images/sallies Comb texture is just what it sounds like! The Spruce / Jason Donnelly A comb tool is used to create waves, lines, and swirls in wet paint. The result is half circles that add movement to the wall....

The Spruce / Tessa Cooper Frozen water pipes are a serious risk during very cold winter weather. That’s enough to rupture almost any pipe, since there’s nowhere for the ice to expand. There are a few thawing techniques to try, depending on where the frozen pipe is located. The Spruce / Tessa Cooper Turn Up the Heat Turn up the heat in the house and wait. This allows water to flow out as the ice melts....

However, over time, older paint may lose water content due to evaporation and become thick or clumpy. Gloves, long sleeves and pants, safety goggles, and a mask are always a good idea. Oil-based paints should be thinned or cleaned up only with petroleum or mineral-based products. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald In contrast, latex paint is water-based and should be cleaned up and thinned only with water. Water is the carrier of solid products in latex paint....

Loose doorknobsare a common problem on frequently used doors around the home. Sometimes, the doorknob or lever loosens, so it spins on its spindle. Look around the collar on the doorknob, and identify the set screw that is threaded into the collar. The Spruce / Adrienne Legault This screw may be aflathead screw, a Phillips-head screw, or sometimes a recessed hex-head screw. Use whicheverscrewdriveror wrench is appropriate to tighten this screw and firm up the doorknob’s grip on the spindle....

A toilet seat that’s loose slides around and is uncomfortable. Read on to learn how to tighten a toilet seat. No matter how much you tighten them, they will quickly loosen. The Spruce / Kevin Norris Tighten the Bolts Do not over-tighten the bolts or you could potentially crack the toilet. From under the bowl, turn the toilet seat nuts clockwise until they are tight. A small specialty wrench that will fit most mounting nuts is also included....

The results are gorgeous with superior performance for years to come. With these aids, most do-it-yourselfers should be able to tile a bathroom floor. Check with your localpermit office for information. Jacek Kadaj / Getty Images When in doubt, consult or hire a professional. Always install tile before installing the toilet. Hardwood floors can be tricky. Original wood floor boards may have warped over time, and tile requires a level surface....

Tiling is a highly satisfying DIY project that rewards patience and attention to detail. Read on to see step-by-stepinstructions for how to tile a shower. For the floor, the tile should provide enough grip to stand on when showering. Dan Reynolds Photography / Getty Images Wall Tile Porcelain tilecan be used for shower walls. Porcelain tile has a water absorption rate of 0.5 percent or loweressentially, it is waterproof. Most glazed ceramic tile can be used on shower walls....

The Spruce / Meg MacDonald The walls in your home see their fair share of abuse. If your wall could use a facelift, read on to learn the correct way totouch up paint. Ideally, you will have some leftover paint and applicators from when the wall was first painted. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald If not, you will have tofind a matching paintwith the same color and sheen. Smaller rollers are usually recommended since they offer the highest level of control and precision....

As a result, climbing roses quickly wind up with long, gangly-looking canes and few blooms. Training your climbing roseto produce more blooms is possible, but it takes some work. Two training methods work best: Train your climbing rose against a trellis or self-peg its long canes. The Spruce / Jayme Burrows Place the Trellis Attach the rose trellis at least 3 inches away from an outer wall. Choose a sunny location with proper drainage....