Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Keep your gutters clean. Maintain your sump pump. Cover dirt basement floors with a plastic barrier. Fix holes or leaks in the foundation. Coat the walls with a waterproof material.

Answer: Another common source for humidity in a basement is external water, which can come from precipitation or groundwater. Gutters are designed to collect precipitation and move the water away from your house, but they have to be free of debris to work properly.Clean your gutters every spring and fall to remove leaves, dirt, pinecones, and other matter that could clog the spouts. When gutters become clogged, water builds up inside and drips over the edges. The water then collects around the base of your house, and may seep in through the foundation. Sump pumps, which are found in the basement or bottom floor of the house, should be inspected annually. Check that the pump is in good working order, that the pump is upright, and that it’s properly pumping water away from the house.  A sump pump system collects water from around the foundation of the house, drains it into a sump pit, and then pumps the water away from the house. In order to perform this task, the sump system has to be properly cleaned and maintained. Not all houses have sump pumps. If you're not sure, check your basement for the sump pit, which is a large reservoir dug into the floor to collect water. Some basements just have a dirt floor, and water vapor can easily enter the basement through the soil. To prevent this from happening, cover the floor with sheets of 6-millimeter plastic. Overlap the seams of the plastic to prevent moisture from getting through, and attach the plastic to the walls with tape or staples. Holes, cracks, and other openings in the foundation are easy ways for moisture to enter your basement. Small holes can be repaired with a polyurethane masonry caulk, but you should use hydraulic cement to fix larger holes.  Typically, you can address a small crack in the foundation as long as it’s vertical. Call in a professional if the crack is horizontal, diagonal, or growing, or if you want it assessed by an expert. The foundation is the structure on which your house is built, so it’s always best to consult an expert if you're unsure of a problem. Most foundation material is porous, including concrete and stone. This means water can seep into your basement through the foundation. There are several products you can apply to your basement walls to make them waterproof, and they can be applied like paint. Look for masonry waterproof coatings like Xypex or Drylok.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Buy from a fixed price website. Buy from Apple. Buy from an auction website like Ebay. Buy from local, in person sellers or big box stores.

Answer: Sites like Amazon, Cell Phone City and Gazelle usually offer pretty good deals on used or refurbished iPads. There isn't a chance to haggle, but there may be no need if the price is right. Fixed price websites often offer accessories with the iPad to sweeten the deal, when auction sites may not. So you may be getting more bang for your buck if you opt for a site like Amazon. The Apple Store offers refurbished and used iPads for customers on their website, here. Apple has rave reviews about how well their refurbished and used iPads work, but they can be a little more expensive than if you bought from another seller. If you buy through Apple and end up spending a little more money than you would have if you bought from another seller, you'll still be paying less than you would for a brand new iPad — and you'll be paying for quality. Since bidders are the ones who set the price for the iPad, this could give you the opportunity to purchase it for a great deal. The fewer people who bid on the iPad, the more likely you are to buy the iPad for less money. If you're really strapped for cash, this could be the best option. Whether you're picking up a used iPad from someone on Craig's List or if you're getting one at Best Buy, in-person purchases allow you to make sure the iPad is in good condition. Sometimes, you may even be able to haggle down the price if the seller is right in front of you and knows you're looking to buy.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Know what pH actually is. Define pH in an equation. Understand concentration.

Answer: The pH is a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution. A solution with a high concentration of hydrogen ions is acidic. A solution with a low amount of hydrogen ions is basic, or also known as alkaline. Hydrogen ions, also known as hydronium, are written shorthand as H+ or H3O+.  Know the pH scale. The pH scale is usually presented from 0 to 14. The lower the number, the more acidic the solution. The higher the number, the more basic the solution. For example, orange juice would have a pH of 2 because it is quite acidic. In contrast, bleach has a pH of 12 as it is quite basic. Numbers in the middle of the scale are neutral, such as water, with a pH of 7. One level of pH is a 10x difference. For example, when comparing pH 7 to pH 6, pH 6 is ten times more acidic than pH 7. Furthermore, pH 6 would be 100 times more acidic than pH 8. The pH scale is calculated by a negative logarithm. A negative logarithm of base b is simply how many times a number must be divided by b to reach 1. The pH equation can be seen as follows: pH = -log10[H3O+].  The equation can sometimes be seen as pH = -log10[H+]. Know that whether the equation has H3O+ or H+, they are the same. It is not vital to have a firm understanding of what a negative log is to calculate pH. Most calculators used at high school and post secondary level will have a log button. Concentration is the number of particles of a compound in a solution relative to the volume of the same solution. For pH, you have to use molar concentration for the formula to work out. Molar concentration, which is also called molarity, denotes the number of moles of dissolved compound per liter of solution. Its units are moles per liter (mol/L), also called molar (M). If you’re using a solution in a lab, the concentration will be written on the bottle. When working on your chemistry homework, the concentration will usually be given to you.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Leave the blister intact if it is not painful. Drain the blister if it is causing you pain. Clean the area with soap and water. Sterilize a needle. Puncture the blister. Apply some antibacterial ointment. Loosely cover with a gauze pad or bandage. Cut away any dead skin and re-bandage. See a doctor if you notice any signs of infection.

Answer:
The majority of blisters will heal naturally, without the need to be drained. This is because the unbroken skin covering the blister forms a protective shield which prevents infection. After a couple of days, the body will reabsorb the fluid inside the blister (known as serum) and the blister will disappear. This is the best option if the blister is not causing you any pain, as it minimizes the risk of infection.  If the blister is on your hand or somewhere it will not be exposed to further friction, you can leave it uncovered as the air will help it to heal. If it is on your foot, you may want to cover it with a gauze or moleskin pad, which will protect the blister but also allow it to breathe. If the blister bursts on its own, allow the fluid to drain, clean the area well, then cover in a dry, sterile bandage until it heals. This will heal to prevent infection. Although doctors recommend that you avoid bursting a blister if at all possible, in some scenarios it is necessary to drain a blister, especially if is causing a lot of pain or pressure. For instance, competitive runners may need to drain a large blister on the sole of their foot if they have a race coming up. If you need to drain a blister, it is very important that you follow the correct procedure in order to avoid infection. The first thing you need to do is clean the skin on and around the blister using warm water and soap. Any soap will do, but antibacterial soap is best. This will help to remove any sweat or dirt from the area before you proceed with the draining. Take a clean, sharp needle and sterilize it using one of the following methods: wipe it down with some rubbing alcohol; scald it with boiling water; hold it over an open flame until it glows orange. Use the sterilized needle to puncture the blister in several spots around the edges. Use a clean piece of gauze or tissue to gently compress the blister, allowing the fluid to drain. Do not remove the loose skin covering the blister, as this will help to protect it. Once all of the fluid has drained, dab a little antibacterial ointment or cream on the blister. Any over-the-counter antibacterial product will do, like Neosporin, Polymyxin B or Bacitracin. The ointment will help to kill any bacteria around the blister and fight off infection, while also preventing the bandage from sticking to the loose skin. After you have applied the ointment, cover the drained blister with some gauze padding or a gel-based plaster. These will prevent any dirt or bacteria from entering the open blister, and also provide some comfort when walking or running if the blister is on the foot. You should apply a new plaster every day, especially if the existing plaster becomes wet or dirty. After two or three days, remove the bandage and use sterilized scissors to cut away any loose, dead skin. Don't attempt to peel away any skin that is still attached, however. Clean the area again, apply more ointment and cover with a clean bandage. The blister should be completely healed within three to seven days. In some cases, an infection will develop despite your best efforts to avoid one. If this is the case, you should see your doctor immediately. S/he may prescribe a strong topical antibiotic or an oral antibiotic to clear the infection. Signs of infection include skin redness and swelling around the blister, a build-up of pus, red streaks on the skin and fever.