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Going Touch-less or Hands-free

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Home Improvement.

 

As part of living in an increasingly germ-resistant world, many people are looking for ways to reduce the spread of germs in their homes, especially in their bathrooms and kitchens. To meet this new demand, companies started producing hands-free and touch-less faucets, soap dispensers, and toilets some years ago. Now these items are available for our homes as well.  But what are the true benefits of going hands-free or touch-less in our homes?

One of the main ways germs are spread is through touch. Some common viruses, germs, and bacteria can survive on surfaces for several weeks. Not having to touch certain surfaces, such as faucets or toilet handles, can greatly reduce the risk of spreading these viruses or germs.410d-t7iopl-_sx300_

Another benefit is for those with limited motor skills or arthritis. Not having to turn a handle or lever can make the life easier for those who have difficulty gripping or pushing a handle. It is also helpful in other ways. Hands full or dirty? Sick or handling raw food? Hands-free faucets allows you to use your wrist or elbow to turn the water on or off. Touch-less uses a sensor system to detect movement to turn the water on or off.

In homes with several family members, faucets handles can receive a workout on a daily basis.  Having a touch-less or hands-free system can reduce wear and tear, resulting in fewer repairs or replacements. Both systems can help you work more efficiently in the kitchen, and keep things cleaner by not having to touch surfaces with dirty hands.

Touch-less or hands-free faucets or toilets are part of the new technology growth around. So, these require more than just plumbing to work. They have to have a power source, either from batteries or electricity. So, make sure you discuss the installation with your qualified plumber to ensure all is installed and working properly. Then enjoy your new touch-less or hands-free additions to your home.

Winter-Prep For Outdoor Plants and Containers

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Home Improvement.

While winterizing your home and outdoor plumbing is of the utmost importance, there’s one more item on the winter-prep chorelist to consider: outdoor plants and containers. All those beautiful flowers and plants in containers that decorated your patio, deck or front porch will soon be gone due to colder weather. So, what needs to be done to each of them to prepare for winter?

First take a look at the plants in your containers. For containers with annual plants that grow for just one season, you can discard the plant and the soil.  Potting soil is mostly organic matter that has started to breakdown and lose its nutrients.  You will want to start with fresh potting soil in the spring.  Next, wash your containers with warm, soapy water with a little bleach added.  This not only cleans the containers, but will kill any bugs or fungus hanging onto the container.

If you have plastic containers, these can be stored outside if you don’t have space in your garage or shed. Cover them to prevent any damage or discoloration from the sun. For terra cotta or ceramic containers, you will want to store them inside if possible. Both are porous and retain moisture which can result in cracking or breaking when the temperatures start to drop. If you don’t have space in your garage, try grouping them together close to the house, and covering them to give them as much protection as possible. outdoor-plunge-2013-aug-05-em_1

Next on the list: deciduous or perennial plants that will die. First, trim the tops back to the crown. Remove any leaves from the top of the soil to prevent fungal issues. If you have a covered area or overhang, group plants together to provide some protection from freezing temperature. You can also move them to an unheated garage, shed or greenhouse. This works well for tender perennials that don’t fare as well in containers versus being planted in the ground.

Remember, although most plants go into a dormant stage in the winter and don’t require the normal amount of water as in summer, they still need some water. If your area is experiencing a dry winter, you will still want to give them a small drink every few weeks or so to prevent them over drying. Just make sure not to overwater, as this may cause cracks or breaks in your pots.

Having beautiful flowers and plants in our outdoor living spaces is relaxing and enjoyable during our warm seasons. But, remember to give them, and your containers, the care needed before winter time starts. This will have you all set and ready to garden again come spring.

Not Your Average Sink Plumbing

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Home Improvement, Plumbing.

 

If you’re considering replacing a sink in your powder room or bathroom, you may be looking at some of the cool wall mount or vessel sinks available today. If so, one area you need to give attention to is the plumbing under the sink.  Since these sinks don’t have base cabinets or vanities to hide the plumbing, you may want to look at some of the new decorative p-traps now on the market.

So what is a p-trap? It is a pipe that has a sharp curve or dip in the pipe, and is a necessary part of your sink plumbing. Water collects in this curved or dipped area, and prevents sewer gases from backing up into your home. The p-trap can also catch heavy items, such as an earring or ring, and stop them from going down the drain.

With the appeal of floating vanities and wall mounted sinks growing, the demand for more decorative p-traps has increased. Companies are now providing them in an array of finishes from black and chrome to brass and brushed nickel.  This allows you to have your exposed p-trap match whatever finish you choose for your sink fixtures.plumber_sinks

Along with the various finishes being offered, there are also different styles of p-traps. This will give you a more cohesive look to your bathroom. Home improvement stores have styles ranging from traditional, vintage, European, modern and contemporary. To complete the look, you can find matching angle stops (the under sink turn on/off valves) in stores and online as well.

So remember, although a necessity, your p-traps don’t have to be just “average” anymore.  If you’re installing a sink with exposed plumbing, consider one of the new decorative p-traps to accent your new sink. This can make for a beautiful addition to your powder room or bathroom.

Get Your Home Ready For Winter

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Home Improvement, Plumbing.

 

Fall is such a pretty time of year. Beautiful sunny days with low humidity make it an enjoyable time for outings and get togethers. With all that sunshine and blue skies, you might not want to think about the winter days to come, but its important that you do.

Getting your home ready for winter not only provides you with a more comfortable home when those cold days begin, but it can save you a lot on your energy bills.  But what are the best things to do to prepare your home for winter?  Below are some suggestions to get you started on winterizing your home.qtq80-lZpED3

  1. Start outside.  Disconnect and drain any garden drip systems or water hoses.  If you have a rain barrel you will want to drain the water, clean and remove any debris, then store the rain barrel or turn upside down.  Reconnect your gutter downspout to keep water directed away from your house.
  2. Clean out your rain gutters.  If there are trees near your home, you will want to wait until all the leaves have fallen.  Keeping the gutters clear of debris will prevent a buildup of ice on your roof and damage to your gutters.
  3. Check for leaks around doors, windows, switch plates, and under sink plumbing.  You will want to insulate, caulk, or use spray foam around any drafty areas you find.  This keeps heat from escaping and will help reduce your energy bills.
  4. Check your furnace filter, and replace if needed. A clean furnace filter will help your system run more efficiently, and again save on your heating bill. If you don’t already have one, installing a programmable thermostat can also save on your heat bill.
  5. Make sure your water pipes and hot water heater are insulated. Doing this will protect the pipes during really cold spells. And since insulating your hot water lines can raise your water temperature 2 to 4 degrees, it allows your system to be more energy efficient by giving you hot water at lower settings.
  6. Insulate your attic and crawl space.  Making sure your crawl space is properly insulated will keep floors feeling warmer.  Because a great deal of heat can escape through the roof, having adequate insulation in your attic is a necessity.
  7. Have your chimney cleaned.  This will allow your fireplace to work better and help keep your home and family safe. A buildup of deposits — as well as animal nests in your chimney — can lead to chimney fires.

You can complete several of these projects on your own, but some other projects, like chimney cleaning, will require a professional.  While winterizing your home can be time consuming, completing these projects will keep your home in good working order, and save you money along the way.  Happy winterizing!

Longer Life For Your Hot Water Tank

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Home Improvement, Plumbing.

 

Gone are the days of heating water on the stove — or heaven forbid over a fire. Today, a short walk to the faucet, a turn of the knob and there you have it … hot water. Most people do this many times a day never giving a thought to the how’s or why’s, other than knowing that the tall tubular appliance in their garage or closet keeps their hot water flowing. Keeping that in mind, you’ll want to be sure your hot water tank can continue providing hot water this winter.

One of the things that helps hot water tanks to do their job — while increasing their longevity — is a little thing that not many people are aware of until it stops doing its job: the sacrificial anode. This is a rod made of magnesium or aluminum that’s formed around a steal core wire and placed in the hot water tank through the top of the tank.

While its primary job is to maintain the life of your water tank, a powered anode can be used to help with odors as well as rust prevention. These rods are not designed to last the life of the tank, thus the name “sacrificial” anode. It will deteriorate in the process of doing its job. The amount of time that one will last depends on your water quality, amount of hot water used, water temperature, and the actual quality of your tank. Water that is softened with sodium will shorten the life of your anode rod.

Being aware of this small rod can have a big effect on the life of your hot water tank. That’s why checking the condition of the sacrificial anode on a regular basis is highly recommended. If you’re not monitoring it and only replacing your anode rod when it’s on its last leg, you can expect to replace your hot water tank more frequently, which results in a greater expense to you.

So put this on your “home maintenance” list to check every few years or so. If you’re not a handy do-it-yourself-er, have your plumber check it to see if it needs to be replaced. With accessible hot water being such a luxury and necessary part of life, homeowners want to keep hot water tanks as long as possible, both for the hot water and for their wallet.

Heating Your Bathroom Floors by Go Green Plumbing

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Home Improvement.

Well, here we are again, the middle of fall with winter right around the corner.  And while some of us enjoy our cool tile floors in the summer, they aren’t fun to walk on in the middle of winter. Did you know that you can actually remodel your bathroom with not only updated bathroom fixtures but heated floors as  well?

If you have ever dreamed of placing your feet on a warm floor, it can become a reality.  Whether you are remodeling, or building a new home, heated floors can be a great addition.  Here are a few things to consider to get you on the way to “toasty warm” floors.

First consider what you want to get from your heated floors.  Are you just interested in just warming up your floors, or are you looking for ways to provide more heat into your home?  Electric radiant heat is there to warm your floor (and toes), but not to be your sole heat source.  The electrical cables, sometimes attached to a mesh padding, is installed over your sub-floor using thin-set.  Then your choice of flooring is installed  on top of the electric cables.  There is now electric radiant heat systems for most floor types, including carpet, floating floors and vinyl.  You can even get heat systems that can be installed underneath your sub-floor if you don’t want to pull out your existing floors.  This type of system requires access to your joist bays through a crawl space or basement.

Hydronic radiant systems is an actual home heating system.  A boiler is used to heat water, between 100 to 120 degrees, that runs throughout the house using water tubing.  The water tubing can be embedded in a concrete slab, over an existing slab, or fitted into special designed panels.  Any type of flooring can be used with hydronic heat systems.  However, keep in mind that if you live in an area with high moisture levels, you might want to consider using a engineers wood rather than real wood.  Too much moisture can cause real wood to bow or warp.

Electric radiant heat is less expensive to installed since it requires less labor.  But it can increase your electric bill slightly depending on the size of area covered.  Installing electric systems in smaller areas like kitchens or bathrooms, and using programmable thermostats, makes these systems nice and affordable.  Although hydronic systems have a higher installation costs compared to forced hot air units, it will save money due to lower thermostat settings and higher efficiency.  This make hydronic systems a good source to heat your entire house.

So if you’re tired of those cold winter floors, start thinking of something more permanent to warm them up.  Maybe radiant floor heating will be one solution to keeping you and your home “toasty warm” this winter.

How to Maintain Your Plumbing

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Home Improvement, Plumbing.

We all know that maintenance is important for a lot of things around us.  Regular maintenance on our vehicles keep them in running good running order.  Changing filters on our heating and air units regularly helps get us through the hottest and coldest days of the year.  We even maintain ourselves when we get our regular, yearly checkouts at our doctor.  But have you ever thought that your plumbing needs maintenance as well?  As with anything else, our plumbing can benefit from regular maintenance and can prevent costly repairs in the future.Peteonfloor-555x390

Start with an inspection of your plumbing.  Look at the plumbing under your sinks and toilets for any signs of leaks or moisture.  Some condensation on cold metal pipe on hot, humid days is to be expected, so you would want to reinspect at another time when the house is cooler to determine if it is normal condensation or a small leak. Check around the base of your toilet for water stains or darker grout lines that can indicate a slow leak either from a broken wax ring or flange under your toilet.

Check all faucets and shower heads to monitor water pressure.  There may be some difference between faucets styles, but all should have a stead flow of water.  Pay attention to the water as it drains from your sinks and tubs.  Slow drainage can be a sign of a clog or build up in your pipes.  You will want to remove and clean aerators on faucets and shower heads to flush out any sediment build up that can slow water flow.

You will also want to check pipes on your water heater for moisture or leaks.  Be sure and check around the base of the water heater for water stains or puddles.  Your inspection will want to include your garbage disposals to check for loosened connections or signs of clogs.  If you are on a crawl space, look for signs of leaks around joints and connections on your plumbing.  Don’t forget to check the water lines and area around your washing machine, refrigerator and dishwasher.

Repairs to any leaks or wet areas discovered during your inspection is important.  The longer a leak continues the more damage to your walls, flooring and home.  Some issues may simply require tightening a fitting or nut bolt.  Others may require calling a professional to determine what needs to be repaired.  So schedule your plumbing for an annual checkup, either by you or your certified plumber.  It is necessary for the proper working of your plumbing system, and good protection from major plumbing issues in the future.

Have plumbing issues?  Call the professionals at Go Green Plumbing at 336-252-2999 for service 7 days a week/24 hours a day.  If water runs through it – We Do It!

Ways to Remove Mold by Go Green Plumbing

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Home Improvement, Plumbing.

Mold buildup can be a nasty bathroom issue!  Since mold loves dark, moist areas, our bathrooms provide perfect homes for these unwelcome spores.  But, don’t despair.  Although, one of the most common problems in homes, if not allowed to get out of hand, it is also one of the more easily solved problems.curbless-showers

An “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is a very true statement in the case of dealing with mold.  Taking steps to prevent and limit excessive mold growth can save you money, and prevent health issues related to an overgrowth of mold.  Here are some suggestions to get you started:

  • Make certain you have good ventilation in your bathrooms by installing an exhaust fan. This will help pull moisture out of the bathroom and keep things dry.  Mold cannot grow without moisture.  Run the fan not only during your shower or bath, but about 30 minutes afterward.
  • Keep check for leaks around toilets, sinks, and shower/tub areas. If you have plumbing from the bathroom in a basement or crawl space area, check these for leaks as well.  Have repairs made to any leaky areas or pipes.
  • Regularly wash rugs, wallpaper, shower liners and curtains. Purchase a mold-resistant shower liner as these are good places for mold to grow.  If installing new drywall or wallpaper these also can be purchased using mold-resistant materials.
  • Limit the items stored in the shower (i.e., shampoos, conditioners, shaving creams, etc.) as these provide perfect places for mold to grow.
  • Drying showers and tubs after use will also assist in the prevention of mold growth.

Prevention is a great way to control mold, but since mold spores are in the air around us, we will still at times have to deal with it.  So, how is the best way to clean mold from our bathroom areas?  We will discuss some helpful suggestions  in Part 2 of Ways To Remove and Help Prevent Mold In Bathrooms.

Have plumbing issues?  Call the professionals at Go Green Plumbing at 336-252-2999 for service 7 days a week/24 hours a day.  If water runs through it – We Do It!

Choosing Shower Fixtures

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Home Improvement, Plumbing, Updates.

Whether you are updating old, leaky shower fixtures or choosing them for a completely new shower, you will encounter a large array when you start your search.  Not just functional anymore, shower fixtures can be the statement pieces in our bathrooms.  Making shower selections is very personal, and depends on what we expect to get out of shower experience.P16672369

For those whose mornings are extremely rushed, and getting through a shower the quickest way possible is a must, then your choice may be the old faithful single-head spray shower head.  This type of fixture has a head with several nozzles that distributes the spray.  Most have an adjustable lever that will change the flow of water from wide to concentrated streams.  Some may prefer a hand-held variety that is attached to a flexible hose.  Handheld shower heads give a nice showering experience, but is also useful in cleaning and rinsing your shower.

If you are looking for more of a spa-like experience, then you might be interested in rain shower heads that are suspended above the user and sprays straight down.  Some are installed directly from the ceiling of the shower, while others mount to the wall and extend above the user still allowing a downward spray of water .  This type of shower head can provide a very soothing and refreshing effect. Just remember that your hair will get wet every time if suspended from the top!

For the all out luxury (and who doesn’t want that?), look at adding body sprays.  This can be done by purchasing a body shower wall unit that comes with a shower head and body sprays built into a tower unit, or creating a custom look by installing individual spray heads that are each plumbed into the shower wall.  Additional features to consider are thermostatic valves that maintain constant water temperature, and digital controls that can regulate water flow intensity, temperature, ambient lighting and music.  These are all features for the individual that is looking for the ultimate relaxing and de-stressing shower.  However, keep in mind these items come at luxury costs, so determine your budget ahead of time.

Whatever your selection, make your shower your own special place to rejuvenate, relax and escape!

Need help remodeling your bathroom? Call the professionals at Go Green Plumbing at 336-252-2999 for service 7 days a week/24 hours a day.  If water runs through it – We Do It!

Bathroom Remodels by Go Green Plumbing

Written by Kevin on . Posted in Home Improvement, Plumbing, Updates.

Finally, you are getting the new bathroom you have always wanted.  Now you have started the search for your faucets, and are staring wide-eyed at an over-whelming array of them.  Who knew there could be so many choices in bathroom faucets?  Well, here is some info that hopefully will make your selections much easier and a lot less stressful.moen-T6125-1

To start, you have to consider your remodel.  Are you keeping your current sink or replacing?  If you are keeping your existing sink you will need a faucet that has the same pre-drilled hole cutouts.  The different types of faucets are Single-hole, Center-set, Widespread mounts and Wall mounts.  If installing a new sink, then you can go with the style of faucet you like best since holes can be drilled at installation.

The next thing you have to consider is your finish.  Your choices will range from the industry standard of polished chrome, to brushed nickel, stainless steel, bronze, brass and decorative ceramics.  Choose a finish that you love and will be happy to live with.  Keep in mind that polished finishes, while beautiful, require more upkeep.  Brushed finishes help at hiding water spots and fingerprints; a plus if you have children.

There are now special features manufacturers have created to assist us and make us feel more pampered.  Have a need for extra clean hands?  Then you might be interested in a sanitizing faucet that injects a stream of ozone into the faucet water to kill germs.  Some come with the feature built in or a retrofit kit can be purchased and attached.  Prefer a hands-free faucet?  Then a motion-activated faucet that requires a battery or AC power, or one that generates its own power, might be just what you need.  If soft, silky water is your preference, then a faucet with laminar flow will be the one for you.

Shopping for your bathroom faucets can be fun and exciting.  Doing some online research for current styles, finishes and features will help you make a better, more informed choice.  And whether you purchase from a local hardware store, showroom, or online store, you will know you have made the perfect choice for you.

Have a plumbing issue and need some help?  Call the professionals at Go Green Plumbing at 336-252-2999 for service 7 days a week/24 hours a day.  If water runs through it – We Do It!