When the bicycle is upright, you will be able to measure the bike wheel without the bike tipping onto you. If you are measuring the bike alone, a retractable metal tape measure will be sturdier than a plastic tape measure while leaving you a free hand. This measurement is the wheel's radius, or half of its diameter. Multiply the length by two in order to calculate the tire's diameter. With the exception of BMX models, most adult bicycle wheels are between 26 and 29 inches in diameter. If your tire is mounted, check the sidewall to find the measurement. The distance is the tire's width. It can vary greatly depending on the tire's intended use. Generally, the wider the tread, the rougher the intended terrain, while narrower treads promise a smoother, faster ride. Remember when purchasing a new tire that traditional, or standard sizes place the diameter first, followed by the width. For example, a tire sized 26 x 1.75 would have a 26-inch diameter and a 1.75-inch width across the tread.

Summary: Stand the bike upright by leaning it against a wall or using the kick stand. Measure the distance in inches from the ground beneath the tire to the center point of the wheel. Measure the flat part of the tire across the tread from one side to the other. Put the diameter first and the width second.


If your dog is waking you up more than it used to, a medical problem could be affecting its sleep or stress levels. Visiting a vet is an excellent first step so you can rule out this possibility, or catch problems early. Even if your pet is not sick, a vet can help you pinpoint the cause. Any significant change in behavior or sleep schedule could be a sign of a medical problem. Difficulty eating or eliminating could point to gastric distress that keeps your dog awake. If the dog wakes you up to beg for food in the night, it may be experiencing increased hunger due to diabetes or another metabolic disorder. A regular, predictable sleep pattern makes it easier for your dog to adapt. Do your best to go to sleep at the same time every night, and wake up at the same time every morning. While doggy sleep patterns are different than that of humans – they sleep up to twenty hours a day and sleep for shorter amounts of time – your dog will get used to your sleep schedule over time. If your dog wakes you up in the night to go outside, they may have a medical problem such as a urinary tract infection or Cushing's disorder. A vet can diagnose your pet and prescribe medication to treat this problem. If your vet rules these out, your dog may have a weak bladder due to old age. You can make you and your dog more comfortable by providing a pee pad. A dog door is another solution if you have an enclosed yard and are not concerned about dangerous wildlife.  You can also decrease the chance of your dog waking you up by changing your dog's food schedule. Ultimately, your dog might be waking you up because they're hungry or are still active because they ate really late.  If you think your dog is waking you because they're hungry, push back dinner time an hour or two. This way, your pup's belly will be fuller for a longer time. If you think your dog is waking you because they're hyper from the last meal, move dinner up a little bit. Feeding your dog at 6PM might work more than feeding them at 8PM. Another reason your dog might be waking you is because they're still awake, energetic, or are just overstimulated. This can be remedied through a number of ways:  Don't play with your dog for a couple of hours before bed. Don't leave toys around your dog's sleeping area. Turn off your TV or any music before bedtime.

Summary: Consult a veterinarian about behavioral changes. Commit to a good sleep schedule. Respond to a dog's frequent urination. If you don't have time to exercise your dog during the day, try taking it on a short walk just before you go to bed at night. Alter your dog's feeding schedule. Reduce your dog's stimulation.


A termiticide treatment will not only kill termites in the ground, but will protect your house from any termites trying to burrow into it. Create a trench around the perimeter of your house, then spray termiticide in the trench to create a natural barrier.  Be sure to carefully read and follow the instructions for using liquid termiticide to keep you, your family, your neighbors, and the environment safe. This treatment is a lot easier to perform when you are building a new house. Trenching may be necessary if your house is already built. Termite bait is a poison that slowly acts to kill termites. It also spreads the poison around the colony to eradicate the infestation. Place the baits in a perimeter around your house, spread 10–12 feet (3.0–3.7 m) apart. Add additional baits in areas where there is high termite activity.  Termite baits are made of cardboard, paper, or other cellulose material, with a lethal poison for termites.  You can use either above or below ground baits. Nematodes are roundworms that can kill termites. Expose the termite colonies to nematodes by releasing them in areas where there is high termite activity.  This is not always the most effective method of extermination. Nematodes have varying mortality rates depending on their environment. The Steinernema carpocapsae is one of the most effective types of nematode to eradicate termites and other wood borers. While do-it-yourself methods may seem appealing, your best solution is to hire a professional to remove the termites. Look online for exterminators who specialize in removal of termites and their colonies. Make sure to read user reviews and choose an exterminator who has a good reputation.  Calling in a professional may cost more money initially, but will save you money on repairing structural damage around your house. Talk about future prevention methods with the exterminator as well.

Summary: Create a barrier around your house using liquid termiticide treatment. Use a termite bait to poison the entire colony of termites. Use nematodes to kill the termite colony. Call in a professional to remove the termites.


Some chemicals are harsh, so put on gloves to protect your skin. Don't pick a sponge that's too abrasive, such as steel wool. Stick with a scrubbing sponge. Otherwise, you may take the finish off your tub. Additionally, it's helpful to use a toothbrush or grout brush to get into the nooks and crannies, as well as around the faucets. Magic Erasers or similar products can be perfect for acrylic bathtubs which scratch easily. Magic erasers are relatively inexpensive and can be bought from local hardware stores or supermarkets. All you need to do to use one is wet the eraser, scrub the tub, and rinse well afterwards. You have many options available to you. Which one you choose depends on your preference. For instance, you could use Lysol Bathroom Cleaner, Clorox Clean-Up, or Scrubbing Bubbles. Each cleaner is a little bit different. For it to be the most effective, you need to follow what the instructions say. For instance, you may need to spray or scrub a solution on and leave it for a period of time.  Bathroom cleaners can be quite overpowering so make sure the room is well-ventilated and if necessary, leave the room for a time to prevent inhaling any dangerous fumes. Products such as Scrubbing Bubbles Mega Shower Cleaner are meant to deep clean your shower once a month. To use, apply the product to the tub and walls. Leave it on for 3 minutes. Wash away the product.
Summary: Put on gloves. Choose a sponge and brush. Pick a cleaning product. Read the manufacturer's instructions. Use a once-a-month cleaner.