Don't Let A Clogged Kitchen Sink Get You Down

One very common plumbing problem is a clogged kitchen sink. Since sinks get so much use they can easily become clogged. Fortunately clearing a clogged kitchen sink can be easy if you know what to do.

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Frost Free Faucet Leak

After a cold winter you can usually expect some outdoor plumbing leaks. Outdoor faucets, even when they are freeze-proof faucets, can leak due to frozen pipes.

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Looking For A Missing Sprinkler Valve

How can a sprinkler valve be missing? It isn't as if it can be picked up and moved right. Well, this may seem like a strange problem, but it isn't that uncommon to be unaware of the location of a sprinkler valve.

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Sprinkler Valves - Repair Or Replace

If you find that some of your sprinkler valves didn't make it through the winter you may be wondering whether you should repair or replace them. There are several factors to consider when making the decision.

For some older sprinkler valve models the option to repair them is not available if the manufacturer stopped making the parts. Sometimes the cost of repair is close to that of replacement.

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Irrigation System Check

With Spring here it is time to start watering frequently again. This is also usually the time when most of the sprinkler repairs are done. For most of us the valves have been off for a few months and turning them back on can be a bit scary because of dreaded leaks.

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Got Ice?

If your refrigerator has a built in ice maker the answer to this is always yes. Except when you have an ice maker but no water line to hook it up to. It used to be that the only way to add a new water line for an ice maker required adding a copper pipe which connected to the nearest water source.

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What Does The Water Heater Have To Do With Water Pressure?

The water heater and the water pressure regulator may seem like two completely unrelated parts of the home's plumbing system. But actually the water heater can sometimes let you know that pressure regulator is not working properly.

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Is Your Water Heater Costing Extra Money?

Have you noticed an unexpected spike in you gas bill lately? Maybe it's your water heater. When sediment build up inside a water heater it actually takes more time to heat up the water. So a water heater that has not been drained and flushed could be costing you money.

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Don’t Let Hard Water Bring You Down

Tired of showering with a trickle of water? Hard water deposits in shower heads and faucet aerators can put a serious damper in your water pressure. While sometimes we may want to save water by purposely reducing the water pressure in our plumbing fixtures other times low water pressure just happens.

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How To Turn Off Gas To The Water Heater

Do you know what to do if you smell gas coming from your water heater? The smell of gas should alert you of a potential gas leak that needs to be located and repaired. The first thing to do is to turn off gas to the water heater to stop the leak. Then you can call your gas company and request that they come and locate the leak.

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We’re All In The Business of Saving Water

Water conservation is something few of us think about at work. Since we don’t get the bill there, we’re not aware of the cost and quantity of our consumption. But our offices and factories consume huge quantities of water, so saving on the job should be everyone’s business. That’s why Water – Use It Wisely is teaming with GreenNurture.com, the software solution for incorporating sustainability into daily practice at work.

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Water Conservation

There are a number of ways to save water, and they all start with you.When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.

Some refrigerators, air conditioners and ice-makers are cooled with wasted flows of water. Consider upgrading with air-cooled appliances for significant water savings.

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Window Mounted Room Air Conditioner Maintenance

Having a window mounted room air conditioner is a great way to have respite from the summer heat without breaking the bank. Especially popular for apartments or rental homes or homes that have a radiant heat system, the window mounted room air conditioner is a wonderful appliance. Read more

High-Efficiency Toilets

The newest generation of high-efficiency toilets (HETs) are 20 percent more efficient than current federal standards. HETs not only take water efficiency to higher levels, they are frequently capable of flushing more waste. HETs are currently offered by all major fixture manufacturers. Read more

Toilet Tips

Toilets consume about 27 percent of the water used inside the home. You can save water and money by checking your toilets for leaks, replacing your flapper and installing a fill cycle diverter or upgrading to a high-efficiency toilet.

Installing an early-closure flapper can save as much as 1.5 gallons per flush. Read more

Shower Tips

About 17 percent of the water used in your home is from showers, but you can reduce the amount of water you use with just a few simple adjustments.

Replace any showerhead that allows a flow of more than 2.5 gallons per minute with those that have a flow rating of 2.0 to 2.5 gallons per minute. Read more

Faucet Tips

Installing low-flow faucet aerators can reduce the amount of water coming out of your faucet by 50 percent, saving about 2,000 gallons of water annually for two faucets. Choose aerators with a 1.5 gallon per minute (GPM) flow rate for bathrooms and 2.2 GPM for kitchen or laundry sinks. Read more

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is not a new phenomenon for NV Energy. The company signed its first contract for geothermal power in 1983, and just this past year, we surpassed the renewable energy threshold of one gigawatt (1,000,000,000 watts) under contract. NV Energy’s longstanding renewable energy commitment has resulted in one of the most diverse and extensive renewable energy portfolios in the United States. Additionally, Nevada’s Portfolio Standard is one of the most aggressive in the nation, with a requirement that at least 25 percent of the company’s retail energy sales be derived from renewable energy resources by 2025. Read more

Energy Tips

These simple steps don't cost a thing, but can potentially save you 10-25% on your monthly energy bill:

Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Don't forget your computer. Most new computers have sleep settings.

In the cold months, set the thermostat to 68 degrees when home, and then back to 55 - 68 degrees when unoccupied. Read more

Nevada Residential Energy-Efficient Consumer Products Rebate Program

Southwest Gas residential customers in Nevada may be eligible to receive rebates on the purchase and installation of NEW high-efficiency natural gas water heaters, natural gas clothes dryers, smart low-flow showerheads, windows, attic insulation and floor insulation. These high-efficiency measures can help you save money by reducing your natural gas bill.

Rebates are available for purchases made January 1, 2012 through November 30, 2012 or until program funds are no longer available, whichever comes first. Read more

Troubleshooting a Hot Water Boiler

A hot water boiler heats the home using radiant heat from baseboard convectors and a steam boiler delivers heat to your home by use of radiators.

A boiler is a very different animal than a furnace. Although boilers provide some of the most comfortable heat using "radiant heat" they have several uncommon parts like a tridicator, an expansion tank, an aquastat and the list goes on. Read more

Preventing and Thawing a Frozen Water Pipe

Beware the unexpected cold snap or deep freeze. Frozen water pipes are a serious risk during very cold winter weather. When water freezes in a pipe it expands and can exert pressure over 2,000 pounds per square inch. This pressure is enough to rupture most any pipe filled with water which provides no place for the ice to expand.

When the pipe bursts it will spill several hundred gallons of water per hour, and that equates to thousands of dollars of damage to your home. Sad when you consider how easy it is to prevent a frozen water pipe. Read more

Troubleshooting a Tank Type Water Heater

Unlike tankless water heaters, standard type gas and electric water heaters use an insulated storage tank. The construction or anatomy of a gas tank type water heater is explained in the tutorial Anatomy of the Gas Water Heater.

Water heaters are generally very reliable but occasionally they do have problems. Read more

Repairing a Leaky Cartridge Faucet

Repairing a leaky faucet is one of the most common repairs in the home. However due to the various types of faucets available many home owners don't know where to start or think the new style faucets are too complicated to repair. I'll show you how easy it can be in this tutorial and you'll save yourself $75 in plumbing bills in the process.

As I mentioned, there are several styles of faucets. This tutorial is on replacing a cartridge type faucet. Read more

How to Unclog a Toilet Fixture

One of the most common household problems we all face from time to time is the clogged toilet. Fortunately most clogs can be fixed by using the correct type of plunger, but most people use the wrong type. We'll discuss the right tool to use and proper method to plunge your way clear to freedom. Also, we'll review what to do if the clog is a bit more stubborn.

There are two basic types of plungers. The "cup" plunger and the "flange" type plunger. The cup plunger is what most people have in their homes and is designed for creating a seal against a flat surface such as the bottom of a sink or bathtub. Read more

How to Unclog a Sink

At some time one of your sinks will get clogged. If just this sink seems clogged and you're not having trouble with other slow draining sinks or toilets, then the problem is probably local with this sink drain and not with the main sewer drainage line in your home. We'll also discuss the right plunger to use for sinks and what to do if the clog is a bit more stubborn.

What you may not know is that many times a stopped up drain can be cleared by using a plumber s helper, aka a plunger. Read more

How to Unclog a Drain

A clogged drain is perhaps the most common plumbing problem in the home. Your first thought might be to call a plumber or buy a pricey drain cleaning chemical. It s not like you can just ignore this problem; not for long anyway.

Most clogs in sinks and tubs are due to a combination of hair and soaps and tepid water. If you have metal pipes, then hot water, and by hot I mean boiling hot water down the drain, is the first thing you can try to get rid of the clog. Hot tap water will do nothing to dissolve the clog. Read more

Roots In Drain Lines Can Cause Stoppages

The main purpose in winterizing your above ground swimming pool is to protect it from damage due to freezing water. You also want to keep your swimming pool as clean as possible for the next season. Closing your swim pool properly can save you a lot of work when it comes time to open the above ground swimming pool for the summer.

The first step in the winterization procedure is to make sure your water chemistry is balanced. You should make sure that your pH, Total Alkalinity, and Calcium Hardness are all balanced. By balancing your water chemistry you are protecting the surface of the above ground pool from staining and etching. Adding a winterizing chemical kit to your water will help keep it blue and clear for the next season. Be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the kit. Read more

How to Winterize Your Above Ground Swimming Pool

Roots growing into pipes in the ground is one thing, but roots growing up from under your house s slab foundation and invading your toilet is another thing entirely. Believe it or not this problem is not as uncommon as you may think.

If you live on a slab foundation it is possible for the roots to grow up from under the slab, into the bottom of the toilet, and then grow back down into the plumbing drain pipe. This will of course cause all kinds problems. Read more

How to Winterize or Close Your Inground Swimming Pool

The main purpose in winterizing your inground swimming pool is to protect it from damage due to freezing water. Another is to keep it as clean as possible for the next season. Closing your swim pool properly can save you a lot of work when it comes time to open the swimming pool for the summer.

The first step in the winterization procedure is to make sure your water chemistry is balanced. You should make sure that your pH, Total Alkalinity, and Calcium Hardness are all balanced. By balancing your water chemistry you are protecting the surface of the pool from staining and etching. Read more

Winterize By Insulating Your Pipes

As the days start too cool off somewhat I can't help but think of my fall winterizing to do list. I've been methodically inspecting and repairing any leaky pipes all summer so I can move on to insulating them.

I've picked up a couple of things from the home improvement store to get me started. I really like to use foam pipe wrap insulation, it is inexpensive and easy to install. The self sealing version even cuts one step out, although I still use some tape on the ends. Read more

Checklist To Winterize Plumbing In The Home

The cold winter months can wreak havoc on your home's plumbing system if you aren't prepared for the temperature drop. Frozen water in pipes can be inconvenient at best and destructive at worst. As a good preventive measure get ready for winter with this winterize plumbing checklist.

1. Fix Leaks. Even the smallest water leak can turn into a big problem when temperatures drop. Take the time to check all exposed pipes indoors and out for leaks. If you wait for the water to freeze the damage to surrounding pipes is likely to be more significant. If your pipes are insulated feel for moisture that might have been soaked up by the insulation if there is a hidden leak. Read more

Toilet Stoppage Check List

A stopped up toilet is a real pain. It is also a plumbing problem that can usually be taken care of without calling a plumber. I recommend following a basic checklist when you are faced with a blocked toilet. Read more

Most Likely Causes For A Shower Leak

A tub or shower leak is not always caused by a broken pipe or leaky pipe fitting. In fact, the first place I usually start looking for a leak in a tub or shower is around the trim. Why? Well if you consider how many joints are involved (tub spout, overflow plate, shower valve, and even the shower head) it is easy to see how one of these is most likely the problem.

Looking for a leak in the most likely of places is by far the smartest and easiest way to find leaks. If I notice a piece of trim is missing or it is off to the side I know that could very well be the cause of the leak I am looking for. Read more

Energy Star Qualification Now Available For Multifamily High-Rises

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that new multifamily high-rise residential buildings are now eligible to qualify as Energy Star buildings (www.energystar.gov/mfhr). Expanding the Energy Star eligibility to such properties will allow property owners the opportunity to increase the asset value and offer tenants comfortable homes.

An independently licensed professional engineer or architect is required to verify that the program s requirements are met through on-site testing and inspections conducted throughout the construction process. In the past, only single-family homes and units in low-rise multifamily buildings were eligible to earn the Energy Star designation. Read more...

When to Call a Professional Plumber

Many plumbing projects are ideal for the do it yourselfer, especially with all of the tutorials and guides online. There are times, however, when calling a professional plumber is the best option. Even some seemingly easy projects are best handled by a pro. Save yourself some time and trouble by calling a professional for the following types of plumbing projects.

Permits Are Required: Generally things like bathroom remodels, moving existing plumbing, or adding new a new gas line for your BBQ will require a permit. A professional will know the process and building codes to make sure the inspections go through. Read more

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Home Buying Tips

Many new homebuyers find out too late that their dream home is riddled with water leakage or a poor plumbing system, including Kitec defects. In fact, 44% of consumers call a plumber within one year of purchasing a home. [read more...]

Water Conservation tips

Why Your KITEC® Water Piping must be replaced

IT ALWAYS FAILS. Dezincification of the Kitec® brass fittings is imminent and unfortunately it's a matter of time for your Kitec® plumbing system to fail..
IT LEADS TO INNEVITABLE LEAKS AND BREAKS. The combination between Kitec® plumbing and brass fittings is proven to make KITEC piping fail.
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: Home Repair

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