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Carpet is one of the most popular flooring materials out there. While it’s not really designed to be used all throughout the house, it can be used in some rooms where it will provide you with a lot of benefits. We’ll talk more about those benefits later on. You’re reading this article because you want... Read More
July 22, 2019
How to Find an Underground Water Leak Outside Your Home
So, you suspect that there’s an underground water leak from outside your home… What now? That’s every homeowner’s typical response. First off, we’re talking about an underground leak here—literally a place where the sun doesn’t shine. Where do you even begin? Should you dig into the ground yourself to find the source of the leak?... Read More
July 13, 2019
Sewage Water Coming Up through the Bathtub/Shower Drain
We take a bath or a shower because we want to feel squeaky clean. Now tell me. How are we supposed to feel that way if we see, smell and feel sewage water coming up through the bathtub/shower drain? I’ll tell you how. We don’t. The feeling of relaxation of a warm bath or shower... Read More
July 1, 2019
Why Your Bathroom or Kitchen Sink Is Backing up into the Tub & How to Fix It
Getting into the bathtub for a good soak is like claiming a piece of heaven right in your own home. But when dirty water starts backing up into the tub, well, let’s just say it can be a hellish experience. It becomes even worse when you realize that all that dirty water came from the... Read More
June 30, 2019
Heat Pump vs Central Air Conditioner: Differences, Costs & More
At first glance, you may think that a heat pump is a world of difference when compared to a central air conditioner. You’re probably thinking that a heat pump heats a home while a central air conditioner cools it. Well, a lot of homeowners find out the confusing way that they have a lot of... Read More
June 16, 2019
Ceramic Toxic Materials
Use of this page and the Glaze Pages are subject to the Terms of Use and Disclaimer. Due to the need for a comprehensive listing of toxic ceramic materials on the Net, I have put together information on this subject. Below you will find a listing of 35 common and not so common ceramic ingredients — the stuff... Read More
June 12, 2019
Thomas Toft
17th C English Slipware Maker Staffordshire, in particular Burslem, was a center for earthenware slipware manufacture between 1670 and 1730. It was here that Thomas Toft is said to have made his slipware dishes, of which about 30 are still known to exist. Another famous slipware maker of the ‘Toft’ family, was Ralph Toft, possibly... Read More
June 12, 2019
How to Throw a Large Pot
Images by Edouard Bastarache, text by Steven Goldate The clay has been wedged. Patting the clay into a round form, ready for centering. The clay on the wheel, ready for centering. Centering the clay. Bringing the clay roughly into the initial shape. Making the initial depression in the clay. Starting to form... Read More
June 12, 2019
How to do a TePee Firing
as demonstrated by Judy Armstrong and Jan Barnes This type of firing was originally a Native American technique, although many other cultures have used similar techniques, where greenware or bisque ware is placed in a shallow pit and covered with twigs and branches, then lit and allowed to burn down. Such a firing can reach temperatures... Read More
June 12, 2019
Surface Tension and Glazing
by Smart.Conseil Translated from French by Edouard Bastarache. Gibbs’ Theorem: According to the principles of thermodynamics, the elements which make up the surface layer of a solution and those of its mass are different. Surface Tension: It is a force resulting from cohesiveness, which lowers to a minimum the number of molecules on the surface of... Read More
June 12, 2019