Category Archives: How To

Simple DIY Solutions For A Clogged Kitchen Sink

January 1, 2019DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorizedmatt

Clogging can occur in all types of bathroom and kitchen plumbing fixtures and appliances. The most common clogs occur in the toilet drains, sink drains, and shower drains. Most clogs are caused by negligence and bad waste disposal habits. This is whereby you use a certain plumbing fixture to dispose of the wrong kind of waste. For instance, while you have been told time and again that the toilet should only be used to dispose of human waste and tissue paper, many people still flush all kinds of trash in the toilet. Same case with the kitchen and bathroom sinks. You have probably been warned against dumping fats, oils, and greases down your kitchen sinks. But many people continue to do so and this causes frequent clogs in their drainage and sewer systems. You can easily prevent shower drain clogs by installing a strainer to trap hairs and soap remnants before they entre and clog your shower drains. When it comes to the kitchen sinks, clogs can be prevented by responsible waste disposal habits. But despite all your efforts, you can still suffer a clog in your kitchen sinks from time to time. If this happens, try to fix the problem on your own using the following DIY solutions.

Use A Plunger

Many people do not know this, but there are specially designed plungers for unclogging kitchen sink drains. In other words, we have toilet plungers, kitchen sink plungers, and shower drain plungers. You should always have all these three types of plungers in your home. All these plungers are readily available in your local hardware store and they cost just a few dollars. A kitchen sink plungers will come in handy when you have a clog. To unclog your kitchen sink with a plunger, apply the up-and-down motions on the clogged drain; just like you usually do when unclogging your toilet with a plunger. You should consider plugging the unclogged end of the sink drain with a wet rag or something to force all the pressure on the clog. With repeated plunging, the clog will eventually come loose and the sink will be okay. But if the plunger fails, consider the other DIY solutions suggested below.

Snake The Drain

You can also snake your drain using a plumber’s snake or using a modified metallic coat hanger. You can get a plumber’s snake from your local hardware store. Force the snake through the clogged drain until you dislodge the clog. You can also modify a metallic coat hanger and fashion one end to be a hook. You will drive this hook through the clog and try to pull it out or push it through.

Use Hot Water

Another recommended DIY solution for clogged kitchen sinks is hot water. You can try to dislodge the clog by pouring hot water into your clogged sink drain. If the clog is caused by coagulated fats, oils, and greases, they will melt and unblock your sink drains.

Use Baking Soda And Vinegar

A baking soda and vinegar solution is another recommended DIY solution for clogged kitchen sinks. Pour a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar into the clogged sink drain. This mixture should produce results after a short time. But if the clog persists, call a reliable DC emergency plumber for assistance. You could be suffering a serious clog in your main sewer line.

5 Useful Tips For Operating And Maintaining Your Garbage Disposal

December 27, 2018DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorizedmatt

The garbage disposal unit is an amazing plumbing appliance that gets rid of all those solid food remains in the house. The main function of the garbage disposal is to shred and grind huge solid food particles into small particles that can pass through the drainage and sewer system without clogging it. The first rule when using a garbage disposal is to never shove excess food remains in the device for shredding. You should feed the device gradually until all the food remains are gone. If you misuse your garbage disposal unit, the appliance will start suffering all kinds of problems including clogging and even total malfunction. This will force you to call a professional DC plumber for repairs, which can be quite costly and inconveniencing. But you can avoid all these problems by using the following operating, care, and maintenance tips for your garbage disposal unit.

Always Use Cool Water

Contrary to popular belief or expectation, you should never use hot water to shred and grind food remains in your garbage disposal. Hot water will melt the oils, greases, and fats in the food remnants and these can end clogging your drains. Cold or cool water on the other hand will leave all the fats, oils, and greases in solid form but ground to tiny bits; and these can easily pass through the drainage and sewer system. As such, always use cool water to grind food remains in your garbage disposal.

Ensure Proper Operating Sequence

It’s very important that you follow the proper sequence when operating your garbage disposal. You should always start by running cool water in the garbage disposal. You should then turn on the appliance and then start putting the solid food remains inside for shredding and grinding. And as mentioned above, do it gradually. Do not shove all the food remains in the garbage disposal at once. Load the appliance with small loads and then give it time to finish shredding. Continue running the garbage disposal unit until all the food remains are gone and then turn it off. Leave the cool water running for 10-15 more seconds to help clear and clean the drains of all food particles and debris.

Ensure Proper And Thorough Cleaning

You should clean your garbage disposal regularly and properly. Use baking soda to give the appliance a thorough cleanup. You can also toss in lemon or lime slices in the garbage disposal to give it a fresh scent. Also grind up some ice cubes and run them in the appliance to remove any trapped food particles and debris from the appliance and the drains. Never use bleach or some of those harsh drain cleaners to clean your garbage disposal because they can damage its interior components.

No Grease Or Fat In The Disposal

Avoid dumping fats and greases in your garbage disposal unit. Do not dispose of liquid fats and greases in this appliance. The greases and fats can end up solidifying and clogging inside your drainage and sewer lines.

Grind Food Waste Only

The garbage disposal unit should only be used to shred and grind food waste. Do not use the appliance to dispose of any other solid waste like matches, cigarettes, or glass objects.

4 Water Heater Problems That Require The Services Of A Professional Plumber

December 18, 2018DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

Some plumbing problems do not necessitate a call to your local plumber. These are what we call minor plumbing problems that can be fixed with simple DIY repairs. One example of minor plumbing problems is a toilet or sink drain clog. You can easily fix this problem using a plunger or by pouring hot water in the toilet or sink drain. For such minor plumbing problems, you should only call a professional plumber if the problem persists. But there are other major or serious plumbing problems that require the services of a professional plumber. For instance, a heavy gas leak in your house necessities a call to a professional DC gas plumber. Similarly, most water heater problems require the services of a professional water heater plumber. Depending on the type, model, and brand of your hot water heater, you can experience various types of problems or faults when using the appliance. You can try to fix some of the minor water heater problems, like clearing sediments from the tank or changing a corroded anode rod on your own, if you have the know-how and the necessary tools and equipment. But if you are faced with any of the following water heater problems, call your local water heater plumber as soon as possible.

Leaking Tank

If you own a storage tank water heater, then you can expect this problem after 10-15 years. Storage tank water heaters come with a tank or reservoir for holding the heated water. The tank can wear out over time maybe due to corrosion or just because of old age. Whichever the cause of the problem, the tank can start leaking. This is one of the most serious water heater problems. And what makes this problem so serious is that it can rarely be fixed. Any professional water heater plumber will most likely recommend a replacement for this kind of problem. And you should not hesitate to follow this recommendation because you risk heavy water and energy loss when using the leaking water heater. Even a tankless water heater can start leaking in the pipes that supply it with cold water or the pipes that carry the hot water away from the water heater. These leaking pipes can be repaired or replaced by a professional plumber for a reasonable fee.

Corroded Tank

If the color of the hot water produced by your storage tank water heater changes to a brownish hue, you need to start worrying about corrosion. Storage tank water heaters are equipped with an anode rod, which is supposed to attract all corrosive elements, leaving the tank safe and un-corroded. But the anode rod wears out over time and if you do not change it every few years, then it will become ineffective and the tank will start corroding. If this happens, call a professional plumber for a permanent solution.

Clogged Drain Valve

You should make a point of inspecting your water heater regularly to check for sediments and mineral buildup. If the hot water tank accumulates sediments, then the drain valve can get clogged and this can cause a lot of problems. You can avoid this problem by cleaning the whole unit from time to time to remove these sediments. But if the problem is serious, call a professional water heater plumber.

Temperature Control/Setting Problems

The thermostat in your water heater can start malfunctioning. This can cause temperature control or setting problems. This problem requires the skills of a professional water heater plumber. Make the call as soon as possible.

The Process Of Trenchless Pipe Relining

November 23, 2018DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Sewer Issues, Uncategorizedmatt

Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) is a trenchless pipe repair and rehabilitation technique that is used to repair damaged underground pipes without removing them from the ground. This is one of several trenchless technologies used in underground pipe repair and replacement. Trenchless pipe repair and replacement is very popular in the plumbing, civil, and construction industries. This is mainly because unlike the traditional dig-and-replace method it does not involve the digging of trenches in order to access and remove the damaged pipe for repairs or replacement. As the name implies, trenchless pipe repair and replacement is done without digging trenches. Only two holes are needed to access the start point and endpoint of the damaged underground pipe. Trenchless pipe repair and replacement is less intrusive and hence very eco-friendly. It requires less labor and is hence cheaper, easier, and faster to implement. Trenchless pipe relining is mainly used to repair underground pipes by installing a smooth seamless liner inside the damaged pipe. This is how it all happens.

Start With A Sewer Camera Inspection

Trenchless pipe repair and replacement starts with an underground sewer camera inspection. All established plumbing companies that provide DC drain services and sewer line services provide underground video camera inspections. During such an inspection, the plumber inserts a remote controlled waterproof video camera in the underground sewer line. The camera is maneuvered from above the ground to indicate the damaged parts and the length and size of the damaged pipe. A copy is usually retained for future reference. You have to conduct this underground sewer camera inspection so that you can identify the exact points of damage and the measure of the damaged pipe.

Clean The Damaged Pipe Thoroughly

The next step is cleaning. The damaged pipe should be cleaned thoroughly to remove any penetrating roots and debris from the inside walls of the pipe. You should also use a powerful hydro jet to de-scale any calcite that might have accumulated on the interior walls of the damaged sewer pipe. A special cleaning machine can also be used to snake the damaged pipe for further cleaning.

Prepare The Liner And The Resin

Now you have to prepare the liner and the resin that will be used to repair the damaged underground sewer line. You will use the measurements obtained by the underground camera inspection to cut the flexible liner and calibration tube on the ground before insertion. You should also prepare the resin that will be used to attach the liner inside the damaged pipe. The flexible liner is usually made from polyester fiberglass fabric or material. The outer surface of the liner should be coated with the resin until it’s saturated. This will ensure that the liner and the resin fuse permanently and completely.

Insert The Liner Into The Damaged Pipe

The flexible resin coated liner is then inserted inside the damaged underground pipe using directional hoses and inversion heads. The liner is pulled through the damaged pipe until it reaches the extraction hole at the end of the pipe.

Inflate The Liner With Air Pressure

A bladder is then inserted inside the liner to run the entire length. The bladder is inflated with air pressure forcing the epoxy coated liner to press tightly against the interior surface of the damaged pipe. This ensures that the resin cures and hardens permanently between the two surfaces. The bladder is then removed leaving a smooth seamless watertight pipe that can last for very many years.

How To Access Commercial Remodeling Services In Washington DC

November 22, 2018Commercial Plumbing, DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorizedmatt

In a bid to woo more clients, many plumbing companies in DC are now diversifying their services to include many different specialties. The big plumbing companies advertise their many services on their websites. One way of expanding their service portfolios is to include new plumbing services that are not part of general plumbing. Some plumbing companies have achieved this by introducing gas plumbing services. These companies provide both general and gas plumbing services to their clients in Washington DC. Another effective way of expanding service delivery is by offering both residential and commercial plumbing services. This means that the plumber provides plumbing services to homeowners and also to business owners. One thing that you should always remember is that any DC commercial plumber is also capable of providing residential plumbing services. Some established plumbing companies have gone a step further to include remodeling services among their plumbing specialties. These companies usually provide residential and commercial renovation and remodeling services. Residential and commercial remodeling services usually include kitchen, bathroom, and even office remodels. If you wish to access commercial remodeling services in Washington DC, then you should do the following.

Search For Local Commercial Remodelers

You can start by using your phonebook to search for all commercial plumbers who provide remodeling services in Washington DC. You can call the listed commercial remodeling plumbers in DC and ask them about your commercial remodeling project. You can also use the internet to conduct a dynamic search of all local commercial remodelers in the city. Type the right keywords in your favorite search engine such as Google or Yahoo. You will get search results showing all the local plumbers who provide commercial remodeling services. You can then use this list in the next step.

Choose Top Rated Commercial Remodelers For Vetting

This is the most important step when requesting commercial remodeling services in Washington DC. You should start by picking at most five top rated commercial remodelers in the city. Again you will have to use the internet to conduct this selection. Visit various online customer review websites like Google, Angie’s List, and/or Yelp to check out the reviews and ratings posted by past clients for various local commercial remodelers in DC. Choose five or so top rated and most positively reviewed commercial remodelers for the vetting stage. You will now have to vet all these top rated commercial remodelers directly and indirectly to pick the best. Start by visiting each of their websites to see their service portfolios, service rates and any discounts, and any posted testimonials. You can then proceed to vet them directly. The next thing that you should do is to contact each of these top rated plumbers directly and discuss your commercial remodeling project. Ask everything you need to know about their service delivery and then compare notes.

Hire The Best Commercial Remodeler In DC

In order to hire the very best commercial remodeler in Washington DC, you will need to compare the terms of contract offered by all the five top rated commercial remodelers. Ask each of them about the estimate cost of your commercial remodeling project, the estimate project completion schedule, the project warranty, the communication strategy, and any other relevant contractual details. Choose the commercial remodeling plumber who offers the best terms of contract.

How To Handle A Gas Leak In Your House

November 21, 2018DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorizedmatt

Leaks are very common plumbing problems. Leaks can involve water or gas. They can occur in water supply pipes, drainage and sewer pipes, or in plumbing appliances, fixtures, or installations that use water. Leaks can also occur in your gas supply lines and in your gas appliances, like stoves and water heaters. Generally speaking, gas leaks are more serious than water leaks. This is mainly because gas leaks can cause fires and explosions, which can ruin your house and even injure or kill the inhabitants. Water leaks on the other hand are more common and more manageable. Even a small gas leak should be handled with care. And you should never attempt to fix a gas leak unless you really know what you are doing. You should always call your local gas plumber any time you suspect or detect a gas leak in your house. You can prevent heavy property damage by calling a gas plumber on time. This is how you should always handle a gas leak in your house.

Detect And Confirm A Minor Leak

If you detect a minor gas leak in your house, then you can try to confirm the source. This will make things far much easier for your gas plumber and hence minimize your service charges. Gas leaks can occur in damaged, cracked, or punctured gas supply lines. Gas leaks can also occur in the connecting nozzle of the gas line and the gas appliance. Such gas leaks can be detected by listening for a hissing sound at the connecting nozzle or valve. Sometimes it’s just a small problem of a loose connection leading to a gas leak. But you are warned against trying to detect or confirm a heavy gas leak. Actually you should never stay inside the house after smelling the gas. You can detect a gas leak by sensing the smell of rotten eggs in your house. This smell is actually added to the odorless natural gas or propane to help you detect a leak. If the smell is very concentrated in the air, then it means that the leak is very heavy. A small spark can start a serious fire or an explosion in the house. Get out of the house immediately and call your local gas plumber.

Turn Off The Gas

If you are well acquainted with your home plumbing system, then you should try to turn off the gas at the main shutoff valve. This will turn off all the gas in your house and minimize the risk of gas damage. But you are only advised to try and turn off the gas if you know the exact location of the main shutoff valve and when the leak is not too heavy. Otherwise you should leave the house and maintain a safe distance as you call your local gas plumber to help fix the leak.

Call A Professional Gas Plumber

As mentioned above, all gas leaks should be reported to a professional gas plumber as soon as possible. You should request DC gas line services as soon as you suspect or detect a leak in your gas lines or gas appliances. Gas plumbers are trained to detect and confirm the source of a gas leak and then to fix it. They also have the necessary equipment for detecting and fixing gas leaks. You should delegate this risky task to these professionals.

How To Prevent Water Damage In Your Home

November 20, 2018DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorizedmatt

Water is an essential resource in our homes. We use water to cook, drink, and for personal and general cleanup. Water is also used to drain all liquid waste from the house into the municipal sewer system or into a private septic tank. But although water is so useful, it can also be quite dangerous. Water can sometimes pose a very serious risk to our physical possessions and even to our health. This usually occurs when the mediums or channels used to move water from one place to another suffer defects. It can also happen when the plumbing fixtures and appliances in our homes break down and start leaking. Water damage is mainly caused by leaks in our pipes, and in various plumbing fixtures, appliances, and installations. Water damage can also occur when there is a serious clog in the toilet, shower drain, and/or sink drain. These serious clogs can cause severe sewer backups, which can be very destructive in the house. The good news is that water damage can be prevented effectively using the following tips.

Regular And Thorough Plumbing Inspections

You should inspect your entire plumbing system on a regular basis to avoid water damage. You can conduct DIY plumbing inspections whenever you are free. Make sure that you focus your inspections on the critical areas of your plumbing system including the plumbing control systems, such as the main water shutoff valve, the main gas shutoff valve, the water meter, and the breaker boxes. You should also inspect the water supply piping network and various critical appliances like the water heater, the sump pump, and the accessible drainage and sewer lines. You should also hire a professional plumber to inspect your plumbing system thoroughly every few months. Professional plumbing inspections are very important because they access areas that you cannot access, such as the underground sewer lines. All these DIY and professional inspections will help identify existing and potential water leaks and clogs in your plumbing system. This will help you fix these problems in time and hence prevent water damage.

Timely Plumbing Repairs

Plumbing repairs should be implemented as soon as possible. You should ensure that any leaking pipes or plumbing fixture or appliance is fixed as soon as possible. Make sure that you call your local plumber to fix that slow leaking faucet or pipe before it becomes a plumbing disaster. You should also ensure that you call a professional DC water heater plumber to inspect the tank of your hot water heater and implement the necessary repairs before water damage occurs.

Prevent Frozen Pipes

One common cause of water damage is frozen pipes. You should prepare your pipes before the cold season kicks in to prevent water from freezing in these pipes. You can insulate all the outdoor pipes with the necessary materials to avoid freezing. You should also keep your thermostat on throughout the cold season to avoid frozen pipes. Frozen pipes clog and burst causing serious water damage to your household possessions and the house. Also insulate the storage tank in your hot water heater to reduce your energy bill.

Know Your Plumbing System

You should acquaint yourself with your home plumbing system before settling in a new house. This means that you should know the exact location of the main water and gas shutoff valves and the electrical breaker boxes. You can prevent water damage by turning off all the water immediately you notice a leak.

Professional Qualities To Look For In A Commercial Gas Plumber

November 19, 2018Commercial Plumbing, DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorizedmatt

Established plumbing companies in Washington DC serve both residential and commercial clients. These companies extend their plumbing services to homeowners and also to business owners in the U.S. capital. Commercial plumbing services are usually offered to business owners, corporations, institutions, government bodies, municipal bodies, and production and industrial facilities. Commercial plumbing services are usually large-scale in nature and hence require massive resources in terms of manpower, plumbing equipment, tools, and technology. Plumbing companies can decide to focus on either general plumbing services or gas plumbing services, or both. Commercial gas plumbing services are provided by highly skilled master gas fitters to commercial and industrial clients in the city. Commercial gas line services include the installation, repair, inspection, and maintenance of commercial gas lines and commercial gas appliances. You should always look for the following professional qualities when hiring a commercial gas plumber in DC.

Competence And Experience

The first thing that you should always consider when hiring a commercial gas plumber is his qualifications. You should always ensure that the gas plumber has undergone the requisite training and achieved the required qualifications to handle a commercial gas project. Like general plumbers, gas plumbers undergo three main levels of training. They start at the apprenticeship level and train for several years in class and in the field. They then sit for exams to become journeyman gas plumbers. Journeyman gas plumbers undergo additional training — mostly in the field — under a master gas fitter. They then sit for their final exams to climb to the highest rank in the gas plumbing industry; the master gas fitter. You should hire a master gas fitter or at least an experienced journeyman gas plumber for your commercial gas project. In addition to ensuring that the plumber is qualified, you should also consider his experince. Always hire a highly skilled and highly experienced plumber for your commercial gas line project.

Sound Reputation

Another key consideration when hiring a commercial gas plumber is his industry reputation. Make sure that the gas plumber is reputable in the DC gas plumbing industry. You can easily use the internet to determine the reputation of any professional plumber in Washington DC. Visit various online customer review platforms like Yelp, Google, or Angie’s List to view the ratings and posted comments for various commercial gas plumbers in the city. Choose the highest rated and most positively reviewed plumber for your commercial gas project.

Favorable Terms Of Contract

You should proceed to consult several top rated commercial plumbers regarding your project before hiring one. Ask each of these top rated commercial gas plumbers about their service charges, their project completion schedule, the project warranty, and any other relevant details. Choose the commercial gas plumber with the most favorable terms of contract for your project.

Legal Compliance

You should also ensure that your choice commercial gas plumber is fully compliant with the law. The gas industry is very sensitive because gas is quite dangerous and hence requires strict safety measures. A commercial gas plumber receives licensing at the state level after fulfilling various legal and regulatory requirements. Ensure that your commercial gas plumber has a valid license, and that he has proper insurance and bonding.

The Historical Evolution Of The Faucet

November 18, 2018DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorizedmatt

The faucet is one of the most important fixtures in the plumbing system. As any kitchen plumber in DC will tell you, the faucet is one of the most functional fixtures in the plumbing system. It’s an important water control and delivery fixture in the plumbing system. The faucet or tap is used to deliver water and to control its flow rate when turned on. The faucet has a fascinating history. It has come a long way since the ancient days of the Greek and Roman plumbing system. Nowadays we have smart faucets that use motion sensors to turn on and off. We also have touch faucets that are turned on by the slightest touch anywhere; on the handles, spout, or the head. The historical evolution of the faucet is related to the historical evolution of water supply pipes. This is mainly because faucets usually form the functional end of the water supply pipes. Also many pipes and faucets were manufactured from the same material; copper. Today we are going to take a journey down history lane to discover how the modern faucet came to be.

Ancient Pipes And Faucets

The first faucets can be traced back to the Minoan Palace of Knossos in Crete. Terracotta pipes used faucets to supply water in this ancient kingdom as early as 1700 B.C. The faucets used in this ancient plumbing system were made from gold, marble, and silver. The Roman Empire started using lead pipes from around 1000 B.C. to around 476 A.D. During this period, public Roman baths had silver faucets, and other gold and marble fixtures.

The Quaturn Cartridge

In 1913, Albert Brown invented the Quaturn Cartridge. This cartridge required just a quarter turn instead of the several turns required by other faucets in use during this period. The Quaturn Cartridge became very popular because it preserved the washers in the faucet.

The Single Handle Faucet

Al Moen started worked on a single handle faucet from 1940 to 1945. He got the idea after scalding himself with overheated tap water in 1937.

The Faucet Ball Valve

In 1952, Landis Perry designed the first faucet ball valve. The faucet mixed hot and cold water using volume control. Perry patented his facet ball valve design in 1952.

The Delta Faucet

Using Perry’s faucet ball valve design, Alex Manoogian designed the first washerless ball valve faucet. He called this faucet the Delta Faucet and founded the Delta Faucet Company. This is one of the leading and most innovative faucet manufacturers in the world today. The Delta Faucet Company went on to design very many innovative features for faucets and showers.

Electronic Faucets

Electronic faucets were introduced in the early 1980s. These faucets use sensors to detect motion and turn the faucet on or off. Electronic faucets are designed to conserve water and also to offer a convenient and healthy way of using the faucet. The Delta Faucet Company introduced the first hands-free electronic faucet for residential use in 2001.

Touch Faucets

Delta Faucet Company introduced the touch faucet in 2008. This faucet turns on and off after being touched anywhere including the handles or the spout. You can use your hand, wrist, forearm, or elbow to turn on a touch faucet. Delta has continued to design and develop many innovative faucets and faucet features including the Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) and the Universal valve design.

Regardless of what type of faucet you have, if you suspect a drip or a leak, call your local plumber for leak detection services immediately, to minimize damages.

Water Saving Tips For The Cold Season

October 23, 2018DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Energy Efficiency, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Save Money, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

The warm spring and summer seasons are very much behind us and we are now going to experience cold weather for many months to come. The cold season is not all that bad. It allows families to come together and to spend more time indoors. This means that there is lots of cooking and cleaning because everyone is always at home. This translates into huge water and energy consumption at home. But as we move from fall to winter, there are several water and energy saving tactics that you can implement to trim your water and energy bill. When it comes to energy conservation at home, you have to institute strict rules about power usage. All electrical or gas appliances that are not in use should be switched off. There should be no lights in any unoccupied room. You should by now have upgraded to Energy Star certified plumbing appliances to ensure maximum energy savings. And all those incandescent bulbs should be replaced with LED bulbs. After putting all these energy saving measures in action, you can now turn to the water. You can use the following water saving tips to lower your water bill during this cold season.

Install Low-Flow Fixtures

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends WaterSense certified plumbing fixtures. EPA awards WaterSense certification to low-flow plumbing fixtures, such as bathroom faucets, showerheads, toilets, urinals, pre-rinse spray valves, irrigation controllers, and spray sprinkler bodies. These low-flow fixtures consume at least 20% less water than the standard models. Installing these water-efficient plumbing fixtures will trim your water bill by a huge margin.

Install An Instantaneous Water Heater

You can save a lot of water and energy if you install a tankless water heater or an instant water heating system. These instantaneous water heaters heat water on demand. They do not have a reservoir tank for storing the heated water, which means that they do not suffer standby heat loss. Instantaneous water heaters save water because you do not have to wait for the water to heat and hence leave the shower running for some time. Tankless water heaters require less maintenance, which means that your DC water heater repair bill will also be reduced.

Avoid Frozen Pipes

The cold season poses a serious problem to your water supply pipes. The water in these pipes can get frozen during the extremely cold weather. This problem can also affect your drainage and sewer lines. But the highest risk is on the water supply pipes. You should leave your thermostat on during the cold season to avoid frozen pipes. You should also insulate the outdoor pipes to keep them from freezing. Frozen pipes get clogged and they can easily burst leading to massive water loss in your home.

Timely Repairs

All plumbing problems should be fixed immediately. Any leak in your pipes or fixtures should be fixed immediately to avoid unnecessary water loss. You can try various DIY remedies before calling a professional plumber to fix a leak.