Archive for March, 2009

If you’re renovating your bathroom and looking for some ideas, you can find some great ideas at My Steam Room, a magazine-style blog devoted to steam rooms, steam showers, and bathroom designs in general.

The authors came up with the idea of a blog devoted to steam rooms while doing some academic research for a PhD.

I was writing a paper on the molecular breakdown of steam at extremely high temperatures, and at the same time I was remodeling my bathroom. I found it ironic that there was tons of information online about the engineering subject, which is useful to virtually no one, and almost no good information about bathroom remodeling and building steam rooms.

The scope of the site has grown beyond just extolling the benefits of steaming and steam rooms, and has tips on walk-in showers, tubs, and whirlpool baths. It’s also very easy to navigate, with a really unique four-column layout.

So, check out their site for some more education on the subject, and come back to our store to buy all the plumbing supplies you need to get your renovation job done.

Faucet aerators are fabulous tools for reducing water consumption in your home. Not to mention, they just make faucets function better. One common problem found in many homes involves the aerator and the development of tiny blue or green granules. While this build up may seem like a difficult problem or frequent annoyance, it can be easily remedied.

Those little blue or green granules? Those are aluminum hydroxide, a by-product of corrosion when your household water has a high pH level and comes into contact with the aluminum anode rod in your hot water heater. This chemical reaction causes high amounts of aluminum hydroxide to form within your heater, which eventually break off in tiny pieces and wind up in the bottom of the tank. Over time, the build up will course through your pipes until is ends up clogging your aerator.

To correct this, you just need to switch the aluminum anode rod for one made of

magnesium. To determine which type you have, look on top of the water heater tank. You’ll see a large hex nut head. If it’s smooth and flat, it’s aluminum; a raised bump and a welded bead says it’s magnesium.

Molds are a fact of nature; however, they could make for a dangerous addition to your home. To prevent some of the more humid spaces in your home from becoming infested with harmful molds, be sure to recognize these tips from the Environmental Protection Agency, sure to keep your family safer.

1. When water leaks or spills occur indoors, act quickly. If wet or damp materials or areas are dried 24-48 hours after a leak or spill happens, in most cases mold will not grow.

2. Make sure the ground slopes away from the building foundation, so that water does not enter or collect around the foundation.

3. Keep indoor humidity low. If possible, keep your home below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity.

4. If you see condensation or moisture collecting on windows, walls or pipes act quickly to dry the wet surface and reduce the moisture source. Wet pipes are a place for molds to flourish.

5. Increase ventilation or air movement by opening doors and/or windows. Use fans as needed.

1. Cover cold surfaces, such as cold water pipes, with insulation.

Springtime is here and you know what that means: basement flooding caused by snow melt, heavy rainfall, and all of the muck that goes along with the thaw.

Taking a page from information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, several city groups, attorneys, and contractors, we’ve compiled a short checklist of flood prevention methods to avoid a flooding disaster in your home.

Know your flood risk: Enter your address at floodsmart.gov under “Assess Your Risk,” or ask your insurance agent. Or check with your municipality to see a local flood map, which will detail what permits or building requirements you may have.

Get insurance: If you live in a floodplain, you need flood insurance. Homeowners’ policies generally don’t cover flood damage, so you’ll probably need to go through the National Flood Insurance Program. Some policies must be in effect up to 30 days before a flood. Check with your insurance agent or call 1-800-427-2419 for information.

Back up your sump pump: Sump pumps should have a backup sump pump and power source, either a battery pack or a generator. The part that usually breaks is the mechanical float switch which turns the pump on and off, so consider an electronic switch.

Monitor your basement: An electronic water detection alarm can alert homeowners when moisture is present. Electronic shut-off valves can shut off leaking washers, water heaters or refrigerators before they cause water damage from within.

Check drains: Make sure your floor drain is clear and unobstructed.

In Kansas, a local news station compiled a list of ways to cut up to $1,500 off your utility bills by making a few lifestyle adjustments and home improvements. To save on your utilities during these tough economic times, here are the tips and tricks you need to save.

Your fireplace keeps you warm, but it also can deplete your savings. If you shut off the pilot light when it’s not in use, you will save about $365.

Second, invest in compact fluorescent light bulbs to save about $200 a year. Stock up when there are deals to reduce the cost. Utilities often team up with hardware stores to offer cheap CFLs.

Third, add insulation to your home to slash another $300 off your bill. If your house was built before 1995 and hasn’t been remodeled, you only have 6 inches of insulation and you should have 16 inches. Buy blown cellulose and install it yourself.

Fourth, add caulk to seal air leaks around plumbing and holes behind your light switches. By doing that, you’ll save about $300 a year.

Fifth, don’t block air vents. By increasing heat flow, you can save about $100 a year.

Lastly, replace your old thermostat with a digital thermostat. You can save about $200 a year if you set it down while you are working or asleep. SimplyPlumbing.com sells a great variety of Digital Thermostats that are ideal.