All posts by Jannaire Faulkner

8 of the Strangest Things Discovered in Sewers

News, Plumbing & Drainage, ,

Whether your child has thrown the keys to your brand new car down the drain, or your wedding ring has fallen down the sink whilst doing the dishes; many unfortunate events can cause an array of miscellaneous items to be found in sewers, some of which you may not even think possible. We have listed below the top 8 things that have been found in sewers across the globe.

1. The London Fatberg

Essentially a 15 ton blob of fat mixed with baby wipes was found blocking a sewer under London Road in Kingston upon Thames. It has even been quintessentially likened to the size of a double decker bus, taking Thames Water over three weeks and thousands of pounds to remove.

2. Las Vegas Tunnel Dwellers

In Las Vegas, America, it is estimated that over 1,000 homeless people suffering from gambling, drug or alcohol abuse have built their homes to live under these sewer tunnels; these underground abodes include an array of furnishings, including beds, décor and even a library of books. A short documentary named ‘Living in The Tunnels of Las Vegas’ has been made about this, although these types of living situations are sadly prevalent across many major American cities.

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Tunnel Dwellers build their homes in Las Vegas underground sewers

3. False Teeth

In addition to the frequent number of wedding rings accidently dropped down the sink, false teeth are actually one of the most common objects found in sewers. What’s more, all false teeth that have been recovered from Severn Trent’s sewers now have their pictures online for those searching for their lost sets, who can then contact the company should they recognise their own.

4. Spray Painting the Sewers

Brazilian street artist Zezão used graffiti as a form of expression underground, in which originally helped him through a period when he was suffering from depression.  He has since progressed in his work to create recognised street art across Paris, Brazil and London.

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Street Artist Zezão is well known for his underground sewer work

5.Luxury Watches in Essex

Two Rolexes, a Franck Muller and one Omega watch were all found in the space of a few days and handed in by honest cleaner Arron Large from Southend on Sea, Essex, altogether said to be worth up to £60,000.

Essex Sewer Rolex Found

Cleaner from Essex finds luxury watches in the sewers

 6. Japanese Gold

A staggering £36,000 worth of gold was found in a sewer in Japan by The Water Treatment Facility. The gold particles are said to have come from precision instruments used by people in the industry.

7. A Texas Alligator

In 2006, an alligator was found in a sewer in Texas, USA, weighing at approximately 600 pounds. Although, this seems to be a somewhat regular occurrence in some American states.

8. Surrey Sheep

It was reported that a live sheep was found roaming around in a manhole chamber and had to be pulled out during a routine check in Surrey.

 

Imagery: Daily Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1326187/Las-Vegas-tunnel-people-How-1-000-people-live-shimmering-strip.html)

5 Reasons to Upgrade to Double Glazing

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Whether you would like to improve your home security, or are trying to cut down your heating bill in the colder months, we have listed the top 5 benefits of upgrading to double glazing.

double glazing

1. Reduction of Noise Pollution

By fitting secondary glazing, you will soon notice a difference in the level of noise pollution. This is because the second layer works with the first to cut down any exterior noise outside. This is ideal if you have moved into a property which is based in a particularly busy environment such as a city centre or near an airport.

2. Advanced Heat Retention

One of the main reasons people decide to upgrade to double glazing is due to the level of heat retention. You may find with double glazing that you don’t have to turn the heating on as much during the colder months. It was found that approximately 60% of heat loss in a domestic property occurs through single glazed windows. Therefore, by choosing secondary glazing, heating bills could drop substantially as it is not being lost.

3. Greater Home Security

Home security is another important aspect that is improved greatly from secondary glazing. This is because one of the main entry points for a burglar is often through a window, making single glazed panels considerably easier to break into. In addition to this, single glazed windows do not have their own locking system.

4. Personalisation

In terms of aesthetics, double glazing can really enhance the overall appearance of a property. This is due to the fact that unlike single glazing, double glazed windows and doors have a variety of choice in terms of the colours, patterns and designs that are available. This is largely due to the fact that there is a wider range in the different styles of frames that are available, including UPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride), aluminium and wood.

5. Reduced Carbon Footprint

Using less energy will not only save you money heating your home, but it can reduce a negative impact on the environment too. By using less fuel, less carbon dioxide emissions are generated, in which leads to global warming.

 

Mydas Flies Vs. Timber Flies: What is the Biggest Fly in the World?

Blog, News, Pest Control, , , , , , , ,

Many people consider the common housefly to be a big pest, even more experience great distress when a cluster of flies hibernate in their home. But research has shown that there are two obscure species of tropical flies measuring at over three inches long, resulting in a contention for the title of the biggest fly in the world.

Biggest Fly 1

The size of a Mydas fly in comparison to a human hand.

Mydas Flies

Originally known as the Mydidae, there is said to be over 400 species of Mydas Flies all around the world, although they are mainly found in hot climates. Often referred to as the largest fly in the world, the largest species of this fly has been reported to grow to 7 centimetres long. The knowledge of Mydas flies’ lifestyles is very limited however, though adult males have been seen feeding from flowers, possibly to drink the nectar. Depending on the species, these flies vary significantly in their appearance yet still share the similarity of a wasp-like build and features. Despite their somewhat intimidating appearance, these flies do not bite or sting, and are said to be perfectly harmless.

Timber Flies

Timber Flies were originally named the Pantophthalmidae, and can be found in Central and South America. The name Timber Fly, derives from the fact that their larvae live in trees. The female timber flies will lay their eggs onto dying trees, resulting in the larvae drilling their way inside. It is said that because the wood from trees contains a low quantity of nutrition, these flies can take a long time to develop. Although when they do eventually emerge as adult flies, they are gigantic. “The largest ones we’ve got are around 8 centimetres head to abdomen,” says McAlister, who recently re-examined the Natural History Museum’s collection of timber flies. Adult timber flies are said to only live just a few weeks, as they do not seem to eat. Some species of timber flies have a wingspan measuring 8.5 centimetres, however they are not known to fly unless they are disturbed.

Biggest Fly 2

The Pantophthalmidae, commonly known as the Timber Fly.

Can these tropical flies be dangerous?

Even though both flies are considerably large, especially when compared to a common housefly, adult timber flies in particular are harmless. Despite their intimidating size, they do not have any powerful defences, and have been known to regularly mimic other insects. Mydas flies in particular have been known to impersonate wasps as they do not sting, but instead resemble them in order to defend themselves.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Has Your Landlord Installed One?

Blog, Home Health, Home Security, News, , , , , , , , ,

As from the 1st October 2015, landlords are required by law to install both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms on every story of a property.

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The law was originally announced back in March by Housing Minister Brandon Lewis, in a bid to reduce the number of carbon monoxide related issues. The existing records of 36 deaths and 1,375 injuries a year could be prevented by the installation of a carbon monoxide alarm. There are no excuses for landlords that fail to adhere to the new law, as grant funding from the government now allows property owners to claim free alarms. There is no grace period, those that fail to comply with the new regulations will face penalty of up to £5,000.

The requirements that have been set by Brandon Lewis consist of smoke detectors being fitted on every story of a property, in addition to a carbon monoxide detector being present in every room that has a solid fuel appliance installed. Both alarms must be in full working order and tested at the beginning of each tenancy period.

In order to make a consumer aware of carbon monoxide leakage and prevent injury or death, carbon monoxide alarms are essential. The highly poisonous substance is cause by incomplete burning of gas and Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). Carbon Monoxide has no taste or smell, with symptoms often very similar to that of flu or viral infections, resulting in the presence of carbon monoxide often going unnoticed, therefore known as the silent killer. Being aware of these symptoms and having a carbon monoxide alarm in your property could save your life.

The Residential Landlords Association (RLA) have included the following information about the requirements: ‘The Regulations do not stipulate what kind of alarm is required. Ideally it should be a hard wired alarm system. It can, however, be a single standalone alarm. Landlords are recommended by the RLA to fit ten year long life tamper proof alarms, otherwise there is a problem with batteries being taken out and not being replaced.’

Many domestic home owners have already adopted these regulations anyway, with reports that 90% of homes today have a smoke alarm fitted, in comparison to the insufficient 8% recorded in 1988. However, it is hoped that this new regulation will remind home owners about the dangers of carbon monoxide, and with some CO alarms on the market at the inexpensive cost of just £20.00 to potentially save lives, it is extremely important that every home owner owns one.

For more information about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning, visit the Gas Safe Register website here. 

The Dangers of UPVC Doors: Is Your Front Door Inviting Intruders?

Blog, Home Security, News, , , , , , , ,

These days almost everything around us is made from plastic. It is not only a durable material, but recyclable and cost effective too. Yet when it comes to your front door, is it really the safest option?

Locksmith 5

From an exterior view, a uPVC door can appear to be a strong and an aesthetically pleasing addition to any home. But after identifying the poor quality components that make up all uPVC doors, it is not as secure as many would like to think. This is because both polystyrene and MDF lay in between the two very thin layers of plastic panels, which comprise of a large percentage of the door. There is a multi-point locking system to the door that is always marketed as a strong selling feature, although the Euro cylinder lock can easily be picked or bumped. The system sits on the perimeter of the door, yet still only has one lock that can disable all of the other points, leaving your front door open for unwanted intruders to have access to your home. This means that it doesn’t make a difference if the door is double locked or not as the door itself is not secure.

Are wooden doors safe?

Depending on the quality, thickness and age of the wood used for your front door, wooden doors are generally a lot safer than uPVC doors due to their capacity to have various locks and security systems applied, this in turn provides a higher level of home security to prevent intruders. Just some of the security systems and locking systems that can be applied can include:

  • Night Latch and Rim Cylinder
  • 5 Lever British Standard Insurance Approved Mortice Lock
  • Sash Jammer
  • Door Chain

How can I make my uPVC door more secure?

Due to the structure of uPVC doors, there are not many additional security measures available in comparison to wooden doors. Although, with the door itself holding weak properties, you could attempt to apply various lock types and sash jammers with no prevail, due to the door itself being easy to break into. There are a few precautions that can be made when considering the security of your front or back door, including:

  • Upgrading your euro cylinder lock to a high security dimple key lock – aptly named, these keys appear with dimples as the locks have ball bearings inside. Banham are the most commonly known retailer that sell these locks.
  • Installing an anti-snap or anti-drill lock – this is to prevent unwanted visitors from attempting to snap the lock internally or drill through.
  • Letterbox cage – this fits to the back of the letterbox and needs a padlock in order to keep it secured.

Important security measures to remember:

  • Do not leave keys hanging inside the letterbox or under doormats, as these are the first places a burglar will check.
  • If additional security measures are being undertaken, firstly it is important to ensure that the doors any locks are fitted to are secure and any rotting woodwork is replaced.
  • If you are taking measures to apply additional security, be wary of how this may affect your ability to exit the property in an emergency.

For more information about home security, and preventative measures that can be undertaken, head to the BBC Crimewatch Roadshow website here. 

 

The Future of Pests: Roboroaches Used for Information Transmission

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Android cockroaches could soon be scurrying into nuclear power plants and collapsed mines to locate survivors, all thanks to a thumbnail-sized backpack.

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Remote-controlled cockroaches: The future of cybernetic organism experiments.

The future of pests looks promising as researchers have recently found a way to control cockroaches via the use of an ‘electronic backpack.’ For the backpack to work the ‘roaches have to first be placed in icy water to subdue them, before sandpaper is used to remove the waxy coating on the shell of the insect’s head. An electrode connector and electrodes are then glued on to the insect’s body, with a needle used to pierce a hole in their thorax in order to insert a wire. Their antennae is then cut and electrodes are inserted, allowing for its movement to be controlled via an application. The electrodes stimulate the nerves in the insects’ antennae, enabling the researchers to steer the creatures around in a remote-controlled fashion. By carrying out these cybernetic organism experiments, we can gain a greater understanding of our own minds, through studying theirs. “These insects are better than any small-scale robots that exist today,” said Hong Liang, a materials scientist at Texas A&M University in College Station.

Information can effectively be collected and transmitted using this method, as cockroaches are able to travel where humans cannot, such as disaster zones. This is because they are one of the only few insects that can survive when exposed to extreme levels of nuclear radiation. Although they are deemed pests, cockroaches are extremely resilient creatures. Both American and Discoid cockroaches were used for the cybernetic experiment, with their shells big enough to endure the weight and size of the micro backpacks. The roaches were made to run onto a trackball, while researchers used microcontrollers to deliver electronic shots to the insects’ thoraxes, with the impact on the nerves causing them to turn left or right.

As expected, there are however many disadvantages that encompass these new developments. This form of testing can be considered to be animal cruelty, due to the harm and stress it may cause these insects, not mentioning the long term affects the electrodes could inflict on the ‘roaches individual movement. Another negative factor from carrying out these experiments can consist of potentially influencing amateurs to operate invasively on living organisms, reverting back to animal cruelty issues.

Cockroaches are not the only creature to wear a backpack to support scientific studies, as other animals previously known to have participated in similar experiments include sheep, peacocks and even dragonflies. This can help us to further understand their benefits to the environment.

Comparing Central Nervous Systems

Central Nervous System Comparison

There are of course, many differences between cockroaches and humans, yet in terms of the central nervous system, many comparisons can be made. The structure and function of our individual neurons for example is quite similar, allowing us to gain more of an insight and a better of understanding of how diseases of the brain such as Alzheimer’s work. Currently these experiments are focused in helping create a mobile web of smart sensors that use cockroaches to collect and transmit information, for instance finding survivors in a building that has been destroyed by an earthquake.

However, it can also help us to understand how cybernetics would work on a human being, allowing technologies such as cybernetic eyes and bionic arms to be developed further. The world’s first ‘Bionic Man’ Jesse Sullivan, is a prime example of human bionics and its technological advancements of the central nervous system, as he had a fully robotic limb installed after losing his arm in an accident. The bionic arm works by using nerve-muscle grafts to gain added control signals for an artificial arm. The location of the nerves are moved into the chest muscles, so when Jesse wants to move his hand for example, a portion of his chest muscle contracts and electrodes that detect this tell the computerised arm to move the hand. Jesse only has to think ‘close hand’ and his artificial hand will close.

What are your thoughts on cybernetic organism experiments and their developments? Do you think these experiments contribute to animal cruelty or are these developments crucial to gaining a better understanding of the human brain?

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