Who knew what 2023 would bring??? We surely didn’t plan on the unexpected… loss of dear friends… a beloved staff member and friends who shopped with us/visited us weekly. 2023 brought challenges…dealing with continued short-term shortages, a slimmer bottom line, and renewed focus on key product lines that our customers love…our essentials in 2023.
2023 was the year of the Milwaukee marker… if you have used one… then you just know it’s the best thing ever!2023… was all about KEYS!!!! We make keys all day long, here’s a link to a blog from January 2023 which reveals a little bit more about what we do…. https://hardwarelifewife.com/2023/01/11/more-than-nuts-and-bolts/
In 2023, we experienced loss and grief multiple times. Losing dear friends like Monty and Tracy is difficult. Tracy was a regular customer, stopping by often for a chat after work or coming by to pick up essentials. Other dear customers losing battles with cancer, or experiencing other serious health issues makes the daily routine a bit different from 2022 without them in our midst. We loved Monty dearly and his loss was hard to bear as 2023 began.
Our staff becomes an integral part of our daily lives. As our younger staff members prepare to leave us and have grown into stronger members of our community, we wish them well, especially as they leave us behind for other opportunities… whether they are heading off to college, or seeking jobs that connect to their future career paths. Richard and I still connect with them as much as we can. They are our family, never forgotten… it’s not bittersweet event as they depart… just sweet souls who are moving forward with their lives, creating beautiful lives and light .
https://hardwarelifewife.com/2023/02/01/dark-skies-and-beautiful-light/Wilkes County Hardware launched a kids scavenger hunt in 2023… have you brought your kids or grandkids in yet to check this out ??? In the quiet months of February and March of 2023, we were busy resetting the lawn and garden section and moved it up front and center The locally sourced section also got a major reset this year on the back ladder wallNew products are always a welcome addition to our store: in 2023 Blue Door Houses by Kim Reid These beautiful flowers were painted on our store front windows this spring by Andrea BaldwinAnother yummy treat we added into our snack line in 2023!!! You can’t beat sunglasses at $3.99!!! Welcome back to North Wilkesboro Speedway!!! We got you back! Thanks for stopping by y’all and shopping locally. New shirt in 2023! Short sleeve and long sleeve Plumbing reset complete in 2023
In case you missed this blog post earlier this year… this one is a must read!!! 8 Things Your Plumber Wish You Knew… link below in picture caption….
The back area has been reset with stove pipe, kerosene replacement wicks, chain, and tubing cut to length. Handmade pottery keeps customers coming back to Wilkes County Hardware find the perfect present! Before… Andrea Baldwin made our dream come true in 2023, a mural on the front side of the building! Gorgeous!!! Why the chicken logo??? You can read a bit more of our history in this blog link https://hardwarelifewife.com/2022/11/21/mr-ee-eller-chickens-and-turkeys-nothing-but-clucking-gobbling-and-plucking-out-the-truth/Hannah Crow Photography stopped by to do a quick photo shoot. Thanks for the amazing photos and capturing a bit of what we do everyday! Tool handle repair… Pipe cutting and threading Friday mornings.. a gathering of friends and local business leaders – morning coffee In 2023, we welcomed Tim Billings to our staff. His skills as a glass cutter has been invaluable. Stop by to see Tim soon! He can help you with any hardware question you may have. New local artist in 2023… stained glass by Badger GlassKeegan has had a fantastic year in 2023!!! Did you see his award winning stool at Wilkes County Hardware on Apple Festival Saturday???? Keegan announced his big win in the Made in NC Awards in October. Looking forward to seeing him in the February edition of Our State Magazine! Congratulations Keegan!!! Simply brilliant and beautiful! Charcuterie boards or serving boards New in 2023! Rolling pins selling out quickly each time they arrive!!! Our bolts, screws, and all sorts of fasteners are frequently visited each and every day inside our hardware store. Yes, you can purchase pieces individually and not have to pay that bulk price like you would at the “box” store 🙄Fall arrived and so did Wally!!! He was a huge hit with our customers and made everyone smile a bit wider when they see him on our front door. 2023 Fall t-shirts were a huge hit! Thanks for wearing our logo gear y’all New rubs made their debut inside Wilkes County Hardware… have you tried these yet???Ok, let’s talk about this BBQ sauce! It’s a staff favorite hands down!!! Thanks Keegan for making this one happen!!! A new Pepsi cooler arrived keeping everyone on 10th Street caffeine filled and ready to meet the day! Thanks to our neighbors and customers for purchasing drinks all year long! First wood stove fire of the season on October 16, 2023 So glad to be a small part of this event! We enjoyed y’all! Thanks for coming out in 2023 and making year 2 of Spooktacular bigger and better than year 1!!! Watch out 2024!!! Toys for Tots drop off site for the second year… a HUGE thank you to all who donated toys this holiday season!!! When a big rig pulls up outside our hardware store… you make them keys that work.. Thanks to Richard! Wayne checking out the Big Rig 🚛! Wally got a winter makeover to bring in the winter weather season in 2023. A huge thanks again to Andrea Baldwin for the winter windows!!! Santa dropped in during Light Up Downtown Holiday cookies, granola bars, gift sets, handmade soaps, almanacs and calendars all sold out during the Christmas shopping season!!! Thanks to all who read the blog mini series…A Sprinkling of Christmas Memories… here’s the link to the last one in case you missed it https://hardwarelifewife.com/2023/12/18/a-sprinkle-of-christmas-memories-christmas-eve/These beautiful trees sold out during Christmas shopping season!!! Watercolor artist Tom Carnes stopped by to do a few Christmas themed drawings a few days before Christmas!!! Thanks Tom!!! These were amazing! New sweatshirt crew to bring in 2024!!! Wishing you a very happy 2024 and a HUGE thank to all who shopped with and supported us in 2023!
In my closing reflections of 2023 I would like to say that the challenges are ongoing each year… the list might be endless for a local business owner… increased costs of doing business, dealing with shortages, managing and maintaining staff, or even a slight downturn the economy means less money circulating into small businesses in our community. In that case, folks tend to hold back on spending… that is understandable. But the impact of those choices creates a ripple effect for many businesses. I’m encouraging everyone to make a conscious effort to shop locally. ThinkLocal!
With one click, you can shop online and have it delivered to your door. It’s so easy to do!!! Right??? What about the quality??? Will that product last??? What kind of customer service are you going to receive as a result of a product failure??? Worried about price??? Quality products outlives the cheapest product every single time. We need quality businesses in our local community and they will not be there if we don’t make the continued effort to show up and shop there. So that’s my call to action for you in 2024, Shop Local, Eat Local, Play Local. Our community needs you in 2024.
You have a few days left remaining on the holiday punchcard! Thanks for the memories in 2023
The opening paragraphs are the same if you read the first blog in this series… but just wanted to share the beginning again with those who may have missed the first blog post A Sprinkling of Christmas Memories
When my son was much younger, he loved sprinkles. We literally put sprinkles on everything… cookies, ice cream, cupcakes… anything he deemed sprinkle worthy. I had a specific kitchen cabinet where the bounty of sprinkles were stashed away, ready for a quick, special treat. We had multiple flavors and colors to select from and it was such a joyful experience for him.
Christmas memories are very much the same way, a sprinkle of sweetness in our hearts and minds of a very special Christmas moment. These moments can be recreated by establishing traditions that are repeated year after year during the Christmas season… like the sprinkles of sweetness on top of a very special treat.
A very happy Cowboy… a sprinkle of sweetness from a Christmas past
Sometimes as I am working inside our hardware store, I often see glimpses of these special Christmas memories from interactions with our customers, or stocking the shelves with products, and yes, even the endless search for new product offerings to bring to you, can create a sense of nostalgia of Christmas past. So here’s a small sprinkling of Christmas memories through my eyes as I wander through the hardware store… I hope you will enjoy this mini series of blog posts centered around on of the most wonderful times of the year, Christmas.
Wilkes County Hardware has been featuring unique hardware store Stocking Stuffers each day leading up to Christmas Eve! Head over to our Instagram and Facebook stories each day to find some great ideas for everyone on your gift list!
The Stockings
“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be there…” Clement Clark Moore
This classic Christmas story written so many years ago and is and read aloud to children across the globe
Stockings are treasured memories of Christmases past. I can’t imagine a Christmas without Christmas stockings and a tree… or having to choose between one or the other. Yes, I have read that the Christmas tree did try to replace the tradition of the Christmas stocking, but luckily it didn’t come to fruition… both remain as solidified Christmas traditions that should continue on for many more generations to come!
Our Christmas tree is full of family ornaments, a sprinkling of sweet memories of Christmases past.
The history of the Christmas stocking is centuries older than the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree! Christmas stockings date back to the origins of Saint Nicholas … Christmas trees, well, a much younger history, Victorian times.
Christmas stockings take center stage this year in our family room… family favorites are on display
My Granny used to tell me about the Christmases from her childhood when a great Christmas meant that candy(like hard peppermint sticks) and oranges were in found in the toe of her Christmas stocking.
Granny would have loved these 💕… memories of family can be found everywhere even in the smallest things.
Did you ever wonder why an orange in the stocking??? The tradition of stashing an orange into a stocking reveals a legend of a very poor man who had three daughters who were unable to wed without a decent dowry. On Christmas Eve, St. Nicholas, placed three golden balls inside their home. The three young ladies were overjoyed with the gift. Over time, the golden balls were replaced with oranges as the legend reveals.
I may begin to stash a few oranges in our stockings each year… a great way to carry out a sprinkling of a Christmas memory of my Granny, and a bit of history of Christmas all wrapped up into one stocking.
The photo I provided for you today is a cherished Christmas treasure that is always found at our house each year, my Christmas stocking.
This is definitely a sprinkle of sweetness of Christmas memories from my childhood, Mom and Dad have shared several Christmas pieces with my sister and I so that we can each have a sprinkle of sweet memories of our Christmas times together even when we can’t celebrate Christmas Day together.
My mom made this Christmas stocking when I was kid… my sister also has a matching one with her name as well. Mom is an amazing seamstress, she could make anything she wants to make. Presents didn’t usually go in these beautiful stockings, but they were always hung up each Christmas. For some, I would venture to guess, that this might be the purpose of Christmas stockings, as a treat to the eye, hanging by the mantle as a symbol of each family member at Christmas time.
Yes, our pups even have their own stockings too! These pups are worn out Christmas Day after opening up their Christmas stockings gifts! Snacks, toys, treats!!! What a great day! Stop by Wilkes County Hardware for dog toys, and treats for Christmas!
After I married, Christmas Stocking gifts were always a big tradition at the Searcy house. Christmas stockings were always completed FIRST before opening presents under the tree. Each one of us would begin to dig into the Christmas stocking gifts, eventually each family member revealing the carefully curated collection of small gifts from “the stash” tucked inside the stocking.
Martha’s Christmas stocking… a sweet sprinkle of Christmas past memories
Everyone had their own special Christmas stocking. Martha, Richard’s mom, made sure that each individual stocking was unique to each person within the family. None of the Searcy family Christmas stockings were alike, and that tradition still lives on in our house as well.
Our stockings are hung, and now we wait! Notice, mine aren’t hung over the mantle.
Christmas stocking gifts don’t have to be expensive or “only Christmasy” type gifts. The great thing about Christmas stocking gifts is that you can target the gifts to suit each individual person and what they need or use regularly. Christmas stocking gifts are much more intimate gifts… indicating to the recipient that you know them well enough to know what they need and love.
Teenagers, or young kids who have electronic toys, batteries are an IDEAL stocking gift of choice!
No matter how big or small your Christmas celebration might be this year, remember that making Christmas memories is the best way to celebrate the season.
As I conclude this blog post, I have decided to definitely stash a few oranges in our stockings each year. A new tradition to carry out a sprinkling of a Christmas memory of my Granny, and also a bit of celebration of Christmas history all wrapped up into one stocking. Merry Christmas Y’all!
Merry Christmas 🎄 from our family and staff to yours this holiday season!
When people walk into our hardware store, they often say y’all have just a little bit of everything here don’t you!!! As we have entered into year number 8 of business, we have slowly expanded and refined our offerings to our customers. Here’s a sampling of our product offerings via ABC’s of Wilkes County Hardware.
Top down view overlooking the back corner of Wilkes County Hardware
Let’s begin by diving into the Amazing finds from All Around the Hardware Store! Sometimes our building might be considered an “Antique” due to its advanced age…1905 is A long time AGO!
A- Almanac, acetone, axe, American Flags, animal repellents
Deer repellent, snake and more!
B- bird feeder & seed, BBQ sauce, brooms, bi-fold door hardware, bungee cords, batteries, black iron fittings and pipe cut to size, bolts
C- Customers! We can’t do this without you!!!Thank you for shopping with local with us! It’s soooo easy to forget about local businesses when you’re busy running errands or just headed to that “box store” for something on your to do list. Keep the CASH in our community!
Thanks for shopping local and keeping the CASH in our community!
Sometimes all you need it just one bolt or fastener… that’s ok with us, no need to buy a whole box. This area of our store is often full of customers all day long.
G- Gardening tools, garden seeds, grass seed, gloves, glues, grilling accessories, Greased Lightning, gas cans, galvanized fittings and pipe cut to size, window glass cut to size
Lawn and Garden area has been moved towards the front of the hardware store. We are excited to offer new products in this busy area for our customers.
H- hammers, hooks, hinges, hand tools, hose barb, Howard wood cleaning products, honey(it’s local y’all!)
Only local honey sold at Wilkes County Hardware!!
I-I didn’t know you had this! I should have come here first… we have heard this a few times over the last 8 years when folks find what they need and more as they shop.
I- Iron Out, ice melt
J- Juxtaposition of old school hardware store with excellent customer service found in 2023 versus “the box store experience”in 2023, no self service checkout here.
J-Japanese beetle traps, joint compound
K-keys duplicated with ease, knives, kerosene heaters & replacement wicks
Wayne has been a fixture inside Wilkes County Hardware for over 20 years. He just celebrated his 85th birthday!!! I bet Wayne has made a key or two for you.
L- Ladder wall, this wall showcases some of our amazing local artisans work.
Our local artisans are prominently featured along the back ladder wall.
M- Mural.. have y’all noticed the new mural on the front side of the building? Why the chicken??? Our building was a poultry processing plant in its early years.
N-nails … we don’t sell these by the pound anymore but we have small size packs available for purchase as well as larger sizes, National Hardware what an amazing selection of all things related to home hardware and more!
O- Order it for me please! Yes, we special order items for our customers each and every week
O- O-rings of all shapes and sizes!
P- Pool supplies, paper towels, PVC fittings, PB Blaster, Pex fittings, plungers, plumbing supplies galore! PVC pipe, padlocks, potting soils, polyurethane and and plethora of so much more!
Our plumbing section has been recently updated
Q- Quite a step back into time.. our building dates back to 1905, they don’t build them like this anymore. You can quickly find what you need and save TIME by not driving to a box store fighting the traffic or the crowd… and if you need our help we are here to answer any questions you may have about your project.
Q- Quick knife/scissors sharpening done in a matter of a few minutes, Quartz piston clock… locally made
R- Repairs made to lamps, kerosene heaters, re-screening windows, and tool handle replacement
Fall and winter season is a busy time for Kerosene heater repairs
R- Ready Seal, rodent control products, Rid-X , rope cut to size or just buy it by the package.
Rocking chair… we brought this chair from our house once we bought the hardware store. I rocked my son as a baby in this rocking chair. It was a sweet reminder of home. Harry loved this chair as well.
S-Staff… we are blessed with an amazing team!
Richard & Coby … these two can fix just about anything! Wayne … the key master! Tim … expert in glass Lisa .. we can’t live without her! She is a gemAngie… I’m not sure what to say 😂😂😂Lastly, Carter Call … I don’t seem to have a good photo of him but he has been a star pool guy all summer long! Look for him at the hardware store in the afternoons and Saturdays to come!
S-snow shovels and sleds, locally made soaps, suet, screws ( sheet metal, lag, stainless, self tapping, wood, deck), spray paint, Shark Bite, sandpaper, stove pipe, screwdrivers and much more!
T- Take a few minutes to wander from the front of the store to the back of the store.. you never know what you might find!
We keep a variety of pellets in stock for our established Traeger customers.
U- U-bolts and unique gifts from locally sourced artisans
V- Don’t be vexed by our selection of furnace filters, we have so many different sizes in stock!
Furnace filters of all sizes!
V- Vulcan 55 gallon drum liners for your trash can
W- Wood stove… warm by the fire on those cold days
It won’t be long until this stove will be back in action again!
W- wheelbarrow, WD-40, window glazing, water hoses, locally made wooden bowls and boards, weed eater trimmer line, wing nuts, wrench
X- Xacto blades, Xtreme contractor trash bags
Y-y’all are always welcome
Our doors are normally open for most of the warmer months, and conversations are usually flowing most of the day… near the old wood stove.
Y- Yellow Quell- did you know that we sell pool supplies and test pool water???
Pool season runs from May to September for most of our pool customers. Thanks for shopping locally with us!
Z- Zep products, Zip ties(cable ties) , Zero-G lightweight hose
The best water hose for watering plants
That’s just a glimpse of some of the familiar hardware products that we have inside Wilkes County Hardware. Richard and I are proud to continue into year 8 with new products to be added into the hardware store lineup as the next year progresses. Thank you for your business and continued support.
Did you know that Sirius XM radio name originated from the star Sirius, also known as “ The Dog Star”???
Y’all know when The Dog Days of Summer time of year has come, the weather can be intense. Once these days arrive, they can be long and sweltering. Dog Days can be an unbelievably unpleasant portion of the humid Southern summer season… akin to a dog’s wet tongue wagging endlessly to cool down or the literal feeling of being slapped in the face with a wet washcloth when walking outside.
During the Dog Days of Summer, the temperature can climb well into the 90’s with high levels of humidity too! Ugh! WCH Recommends: A good working thermometer will help you know what to expect during the hottest days of summer.
“Sirius” Facts: Things You Should Know About Dog Days of Summer
1. The Dog Days of Summer begins each year on July 3rd and extends until August 11th.
2. The Dog Days of Summer lasts for 40 days, and it can be some of the hottest days of the summer season.
3. The name, The Dog Days of Summer, refers to the time shortly after the summer solstice and the appearance of the “Dog Star”, Sirius, rising in the summer sky.
No, the name “Dog Days” truly has nothing to do with your cute little dog. It’s all about what’s happening in the morning sky. Times have changed from the perspective of the Greeks and Romans, thoughts about Dog Days but the name has lingered. Here’s my cute little dog, JoyAnd cutie pie, Cookie
“Sirius Superstitions”: Dog Days of Summer
1. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed that Dog Days were a time of bad luck, and drought. The long, hot days of summer could drive men and dogs “mad”… Here are a few superstitions that I found interesting while researching The Dog Days of Summer.
2. Snakes will strike at anything during DogDays for they are blinded. Be wary as you trek outdoors during these 40 days!
3. If it rains on July 3rd, on the first Dog Day, then more rain will follow.
4. Dogs are likely to go mad during Dog Days.
5. Wounds will not heal properly during DogDays, the old wives tale suggests that one should put off surgeries until after Dog Days have passed.
6. People are more prone to drowning during Dog Days.
Pool swimming safety is always important all summer long. Swim safely by keeping your pool water clean and sanitized, and never swim alone.
Now that the calendar has hit July 3rd, and The Dog Days of Summer have arrived, how can we all stay in “cool” state of mind all summer long??? Check out the next few sections of the blog for some helpful tips.
AC Cooling Tips: Dog Days of Summer
1. Keep your furnace filters clean! Remember to change your furnace filters once a month!
Wilkes County Hardware has a vast selection of many sizes of filters! Ask us to find your size for you.
2. Try not to place your furniture on your vents, reduced air flow will make your unit work harder. Close blinds or curtains during the day to keep the excess summer heat out.
3. Remember to keep your vents open to allow good airflow throughout your 🏡 home. This helps your AC unit to work properly.
4. Stop by into Wilkes County Hardware and buy a whole box 📦 of filters at once! Plan ahead, saving time and another trip to town🚗. If you don’t see your exact size?? Ask us to order your size!
5. Changing out your furnace filters regularly may save you a bundle in the long run… Spend the money on a filter each month to keep your unit working effectively and stay cool all summer long.
Hydrate!!! Watering tips for your flower garden: Dog Days of Summer
1. Water in early morning or evening. Rain water is ideal, but not always going to happen everyday.
2. For your beautiful container plants, watering daily might be necessary!
WCH Recommends: Zero G! This is a lightweight water hose that makes watering an easy chore in the summer.
3. New additions to your garden will need extra TLC. Be ready to monitor them closely and anticipate watering these new plants more frequently than established plants in your garden.
WCH Recommends: A good watering can goes a long way during The Dog Days of Summer
4. Water any plant thoroughly if signs of wilt begins. The plant will be under great stress and needs an immediate boost.
5. Water plants and flowers from the base not from the top. Use a watering wand, watering can, or a sprayer that can help you achieve success.
WCH Recommends: Watering wands extend the length of your hose and allows for less bending in the garden.
6. If you are using a heavier water hose to water your summer blooms, move your hose in place before turning on the water flow to make it easier to maneuver.
WCH Recommends: These hoses are heavy duty and ready to go the distance you need.
Pool Splashing Fun: Dog Days of Summer
Pools are a great way to cool off in the hot, sultry, humid Dog Days of Summer.
1. Pool maintenance is an ongoing process all summer long, even on the hottest days of summer. Chemical reagents that you use to check chlorine & PH need to be replaced each year! If your pool water seems a little bit off and you can’t seem to get a good balance of chlorine & PH, check your reagents!
WCH Recommends: Replace your test kit each year to allow for accurate testing results. WCH Recommends: Pool owners should be well stocked on various chemicals needed in order to swim safely all summer long. Stop by WCH to stock back up.
2. Your pool will take some abuse during the Dog Days of Summer with the intense summer heat and pop-up afternoon thunderstorms. PH and chlorine levels can dive down into dangerous levels if left unchecked. Stop in with a water sample for a FREE water analysis and pick up the chemicals you might need in order to keep swimming safely all summer long!
WCH tests pool water all summer long!
Tips on Beating the Heat During Dog Days of Summer… Just for Fun 😎
1. Make homemade ice cream during Dog Days. Find the link below for Homemade Ice Cream.
2. Create a Summer Playlist full of your summer favorite songs.
3. Watch your Summer Favorite Movies 🍿 or head to our local Liberty movie theater to enjoy one of the Free Movies each week. I’m definitely going to check out this movie by Al Pacino, Dog Day Afternoon that a friend just told me about.
4. Get outside and put your shades on!!! Enjoy some summer sunshine!
WCH Recommends: You can’t beat $3.99 for a pair of shades! Make sure you have bug spray and sunscreen too!
5. Take the kids or grandkids and go pick some summer fruit… blueberries, blackberries, or peaches!
6. Make a Sonker with your fruit picking finds. Find the link below for recipe for Summer Sonker.
7. Stop by and visit us at Wilkes County Hardware of course! Our doors are always open in the summer, take a seat in a rocking chair, and enjoy the breeze. We keep our drink coolers well stocked with Gatorade and bottled water as well as other drinks. Hydrate and simply relax!
Celebrating the End Of Dog Days of Summer
August 11th marks the official end of the Dog Days of Summer. Celebrate the end of the hottest days of summer! This year, I’ll play the song, The Dog Days Are Over by Florence and the Machine on August 11th, will you join me?
April 25th is National Hug your Plumber Day. When you need a plumber, you usually need one ASAP!! I would say that a good chunk of our customers that walk into our hardware store are seeking help with some type current plumbing issue or seeking a replacement plumbing fitting. That being said, this might be a “fitting” blog post to “plunge” into today.
The plumbing aisle is usually a busy place on most days of the week inside our hardware store. Plumbing issues can become time consuming and can be expensive, especially if you lack the equipment and expertise that a plumber has.
As we all know, Home maintenance is ongoing, and can get expensive. Being proactive with your maintenance tasks, can give you an opportunity to move forward with other projects.
No worries y’all, just following these tips could add to your existing knowledge base about plumbing 🪠 so let’s plunge into the tips!
WCH Recommends … every home should have a plunger. Now, Let’s “plunge” into these great tips!
1. Know where your main water shutoff is located. Enough said! If you don’t know where your water shutoff is located, then make it your mission to find out ASAP! A water issue can be controlled much easier when you know where the main shutoff is found. Instead of a looming disaster with water everywhere inside your home, you can divert the danger by immediately turning the water off.
A very kind plumber who came to our home several years ago on a small plumbing project took the time to show me where our main shutoff is located. I value and appreciate his expertise and friendship .
2. Don’t use bleach to clean with regularly if you are on a septic tank system(Think about the toilet bowl drop ins and cleaning chemicals you are using the most often.) . The bleach can kill off the good bacteria in your system. When the good bacteria are destroyed, your tank won’t be able to break down waste effectively, meaning a clogged septic tank could be inevitable. 😳
Always available at Wilkes County Hardware!
3. What goes in must come out… and everything is not flushable! Yes, to most folks this is common sense. But everyone doesn’t know that baby wipes, Q-tips, grease, feminine hygiene products, diapers, paper towels, tissues are not flushable or acceptable for drains! Yes, even coffee grounds can clump up as well as cat litter and can lead to a clog. All of these items can reek havoc on your pipes/toilets and cost you a small fortune in order to get rid of a massive clog!
This 🧻 Decomposing at a faster rate! A camping & boating essential! Now available at WCH!!
4. When you do have a clog, deal with IT effectively. Using a Plunger or a snake is your first line of attack against a clog.Powerful Chemicals are secondary… especially if your plumbing lines are older. The harsh chemicals can break down your current, older plumbing lines even more quickly. 😳 AND if you have to use a chemical agent, read the directions and use it as directed!!! Be safe!
WCH Recommended item: if you need to deal with a clog, this is a good, safe option and eco friendly.
5. Check out your Insulation around water lines in basements and crawl space. If you don’t like what see, it is a good idea, especially during the extremely cold months to add insulation. Don’t forget to also check your Well pumps and pressure tanks, they should also have insulation around them too.
We stock essential homeowner necessities for plumbing….Glues, tape, fittings, insulation wrap, CPVC, and more!
6. Disconnect your water hose at the end of the growing season and cover your outdoor faucets. Outdoor faucets will freeze and create greater problems for you!
WCH Recommended item: These are great to have in hand before the first frost hits at the end of the long hot summer.
7. Do a bit of Reconnaissance work as a homeowner… a visual inspection of your plumbing . It is necessary as a homeowner- check your whole house water filters, look for any leaky hoses, or visible water around base of toilet( this can become a costly repair) are your toilets flushing properly, do you see leaks around hot water heater, visible water under your sink??? The small cost of a roll of plumbers tape is definitely worth the investment to add to your home toolbox. Lastly, Some leaks are not visible… pay close attention to your water bill each month to examine any spikes in your monthly costs. If you see a noticeable increase, definitely get this checked out!
WCH Recommends: A roll of plumbers tape is good to keep on hand at home for quick fixes.
8. Know when to call in an expert. Even the best DIY homeowners often know their limits and will call in the professionals when necessary.
That’s all folks! These tips are based on my own personal experience. Your experiences are uniquely relevant as well. I hope that you find this information helpful and useful as a homeowner.
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The Hardware Life - A wife's journey into the hardware business 