On these cold winter mornings, nothing feels better than standing underneath a stream of hot water before you get ready for the day.

Now imagine coming home in the evenings and finding the perfect way to take away the stresses of the day. Push a button in your shower stall, sit back on the bench, and melt into the soothing cloud of mist. Twenty minutes later your ready for a relaxed evening at home, far away from the stresses of the day.

While it may seem like something you can only find at your local spa or health club, in reality its closer than you think. Many homeowners today are opting to bring the feeling of the spa home to their own showers.

A steam shower is controlled by a digital control box within your shower stall. When you hit the button, it triggers an electric valve to fill a steam generator with around a gallon of cold water. Then just like adding water to a tea kettle, the generator slowly brings the water to a boil. A pipe channels the vapor to a steam head, which fills the shower stall with moisture that never gets above a safe 118 degrees.

One gallon of water equates to around 10 minutes of steam. While a steam shower won’t break the bank in water usage, keep in mind that your electric bill may go up, depending on how much you use it.

To install a steam shower in your existing bathroom, you’ll first need to select the steam generator right for your home. The generator will need to be stored within 25 feet or so of your shower stall – a linen closet or vanity will work nicely. Then you’ll need a steamproof enclosure to replace your existing shower stall. Finally you’ll need an experienced plumber to connect the pipes and an electrician to add the elctrical cables and digital controls.

While a steam shower may not add a lot to your resale value, there is evidence more people prefer steam showers to whirlpool baths. A survey by the National Association of Home Builders found that a separate shower enclosure with temperature controls and multiple showerheads is now more favored than a separate whirlpool. Which means your new addition will be a plus for you now and provide benefits in the future as well.

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Reverse osmosis is a process of removing salt from seawater, making it usable for human consumption.

As water issues continue to challenge us around the world, reverse osmosis is one way of dealing with the problem. Climate change has brought on a variety of water related problems, including flooding in some areas, drought in others. Quality is also being challenged as we change our environment – getting rid of forests and converting then into farmland for our swelling populations.

The natural progression was to look to the seas. Salt water oceans make up about 71 percent of the Earth’s surface. According to the International Desalination Association, there are now over 13,000 desalination plants worldwide  Each of these plants helps convert seawater to useable, drinkable water. And while each of these plants are helping millions of people worldwide, what if you want something a little more close to home?

In many new builds, a revers osmosis system can be set up to run through your entire house. A reverse osmosis system requires a certain amount of pressure to operate, so it needs to be set up the right way. But if you already have an existing home, and are looking for cleaner water to drink and cook with, it may be time for a reverse osmosis system that fits under your counter.

A reverse osmosis system is connected to the water supply under your sink, where the water passes through a filtering system to achieve purity. The filtered water is then stored in a tank (usually also located under the sink). Your purified water won’t be accessible through your main faucet; instead you’ll have a separate faucet specifically for your purified water.

Reverse osmosis systems are not completely self-sustaining. They do have significant wastewater due to the remaining salt left behind after the desalination process, and must be cleaned often to prevent clogging.

While a system can be installed as a do it yourself project, make sure you have the tools and knowledge necessary for a variety of applications. A plumber can help you identify and set up the perfect system for you, and will have it up and running in no time.

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The faucets in your home can be a source of frustration if they are covered in mineral deposits. These deposits, which come from the water supply, can turn your shiny, new faucet into an unsightly mess.

The deposits can also cause your water to flow slower, especially through your showerhead. The deposits build up over time, making it difficult for the water to flow freely. It can be quite frustrating to lose water pressure because of mineral deposits. Fortunately, there are ways to remove these unsightly deposits.

One of the easiest and all-natural ways to clean your faucets is to use vinegar. You can simply add vinegar to a plastic bag and place the bag around your faucet or showerhead. Use a rubber band to hold it in place. Make sure that the vinegar covers the affected areas. Leave the faucet or showerhead soaking in the vinegar for at least an hour (longer if the mineral deposits are heavy). Remove the bag and use a cloth to wipe the faucet clean.

If you are unable to keep a bag of vinegar in place, you can soak paper towels in vinegar. Then, place the soaked towels on your faucet. Keep the towels wet with vinegar for at least an hour. Remove and clean the faucet or showerhead. For the heavy buildups, try a toothbrush to help scrub them away after they have been softened with vinegar.

Vinegar is a safe alternative to harsh chemicals for removing mineral deposits. With the use of vinegar, you can get the result you want without having to expose yourself to toxic fumes.

Mineral deposits happen naturally. Water contains various minerals and, eventually, you can expect them to build up on your faucets and showerheads. With patience, you can easily remove the deposits and have your faucet looking new.

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Low flow toilets can have various problems. The most significant problem occurs when the toilet fails to flush away all the waste because there is not enough “oomph” due to the lower level of water. The simple fix is to flush the toilet again, but that defeats the purpose of the low flow toilet.

With enough low flow toilets in one area, this can actually wreak havoc on the community sewer system. Without enough water to push the waste through the sewer system, the sewage can get backed up, causing horrific odors. San Francisco for example recently had a problem with this issue – the strong smell of sewage due to low flow toilets not providing enough water.

However, improvements are always being made in the toilet industry and newer low flow models are better with pushing the waste where it needs to go.

Clogged pipes are another issue with low flow toilets. Again, because of the decreased amount of water used, not everything is flushed through the plumbing system. The best way to stop this problem is to avoid putting anything other than toilet paper and human waste in the toilet. Avoid flushing feminine products, paper towels, wipes, and other items – this will help your low flow toilet keep things moving. Also pay attention to the toilet paper you use – they are not all created equal.

Low flow toilets are better for the environment and better for your wallet. You can save about tens, if not hundreds of dollars a year on your water bill by installing a low flow toilet. While this may not seem significant at first, over time, the savings add up. By using some common sense, you can have a low flow toilet that works properly and saves you money for many years to come.

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Whether you realize it or not, your kitchen sink is an integral part of your daily life. You use the kitchen sink every day for a variety of reasons. You wash your hands, clean your dishes, fill up pitchers or cooking pots, rinse vegetables, and perform many other tasks. And while any faucet can do the trick, a pullout kitchen faucet can make your life a little bit easier by making your kitchen sink more versatile.

Pullout kitchen faucets are not a new concept. Sprayers on the kitchen sink have been around for decades. These sprayers were a separate part of the kitchen sink. You probably remember using a black, plastic sprayer located beside the actual faucet at your grandmother’s house. While useful in their day, the sprayers were often poorly made and certainly not visually appealing.

Today’s pullout kitchen faucets have come a long way from grandmother’s house.

Pullout kitchen faucets of today are a part of the actual faucet. Instead of being a separate piece, the sprayer is within the faucet. They are designed to look like a regular, stylish faucet. Yet with just a tug, a portion of the faucet releases from the bottom part that is attached to the sink. This is the pullout faucet. With this, you can spray water as you would from a sprayer hose of the past. You can rinse, wash and fill – all with one piece.

With a modern pullout kitchen faucet, you do not have to worry about an ugly piece of plastic marring your kitchen design. Instead, you can choose from a wide range of attractive, stylish pullout kitchen faucets. Not only will these decorative pieces help save you time in the kitchen, they will enhance the overall beauty of your kitchen. Pullout kitchen faucets have only improved over time and they are sure to keep getting better. The next time you decide to “jazz” up your kitchen sink with a new faucet, consider a modern, pullout kitchen faucet.

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Have you noticed an increase in your water bill recently?

Have you evaluated all of your water habits and determined that there have been no changes from your normal routine?

Have you checked your plumbing for obvious leaks and found none?

Are you at a loss as to why you are using more water?

If you answered yes to these questions, then you could be the victim of one of the sneakier water leaks – a leaky toilet.

The first thing you need to do is determine if your toilet is the culprit. This requires checking various places within the toilet itself. Check the base of the toilet for any water seepage. If you have a bathroom rug around the bottom of your toilet, you could have minor leakage without even noticing water on the floor. Carefully check the base of your toilet for any signs of water leaking. You can also tighten the bolts holding the toilet in place. Just be careful that you do not exert too much force or you could crack the toilet.

Next, you need to check the toilet for any cracks on the base of the toilet and the toilet tank. Even hairline cracks can cause leaking. Finally, it is time to check the inside of the tank. Many people have toilets that run too much because of a leaky flapper. The flapper is located at the bottom of the tank. It is the device that allows water to run into the toilet. If it is not sealing properly, your toilet will run excess water trying to keep the tank full.

Pinpointing the leaking area of a toilet is not a difficult task. However, if you cannot find any signs of a leak, you should contact a professional for assistance. They can quickly help you find the problem, and fix it to prevent further waste of water.

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1. Size - When comparing garbage disposal units, one of the first things you will need to consider is size.  Since the unit will be held within the area under your sink, you will want to find a disposal that can fit in the available space.  Depending on your layout, this might eliminate several options already.

2. Power - Garbage disposals can vary in power from 1/4 hp to 1 hp.  The power you want will depend largely on what you intend to use it for.  It may surprise you to find that the most difficult food item for a disposal to process is stringy vegetables.  The more leafy greens you dispose of, the higher you will want your disposal’s hp to be.  For the average family home, a 3/4 hp disposal is sufficient.

3. Timing - Garbage disposals have two ways of grinding and disposing of waste.  Some are triggered by the presence of food, while others are not activated until you apply electricity.  Families with young children especially should consider going with the garbage disposal that gives you more control.

4. Parts – The better quality the parts, the longer your disposal is likely to last.  Look for a disposal that has a stainless steel grinding mechanism as these last the best.  Be sure as well that your kit comes with all the pieces you might need so you don’t have to go back to the store in the middle of installation.

5. Price - Residential garbage disposals come with a wide range of prices.  Remember though, expensive doesn’t always mean better.  Consider product quality, size and ease of installation over price range. A garbage disposal does no good if you have to replace it or fix it year after year.

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Frozen pipes are an inconvenience at best.  At their worst, they can be a damaging, time consuming, and a costly problem.  The good thing is, this difficulty can be circumvented with a few advance preparations and a little attention.

1. Locate the likely freezers – As you winterize your home, take a good look at your plumbing.  You need to figure out which pipes are most likely to freeze in cold weather.  For instance, your main water pipe is the greatest freeze risk.  Similarly, pipes that are close to outer walls, especially non-insulated walls, are likely to freeze.

2. Insulate your pipes - Most home improvement stores will carry foam tubes that can be used to insulate water pipes.  For a bit more insulation, you can also wrap your pipes in electric heating tape.  If you have any pipes near exterior walls, it is important to keep a layer of fiberglass insulation between the wall and the pipe.

3. Keep water moving – On especially cold days, if you are worried about your pipes freezing keep a couple faucets on.  Running a few faucets at a continuous, heavy drip will keep the water moving, and thus keep it from freezing in your pipes.

4. Drain what you won’t need – Before the cold weather comes drain any pipes that you won’t need during the cold months.  Any exclusively outdoor pipes are a prime example of pipes you will want to drain before winter comes.  If you will be leaving a home vacant or without heat for all or part of the winter, it is especially important to drain your pipes.  Start by shutting off water access to whatever area you plan to drain.  Once this is done, run any faucets, showers, etc in the effected area until the water stops.  This will effectively drain the pipes and protect them from bursting during cold weather.

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Whether you have a leaky faucet that needs replacing, or you’re looking at updating one of your bathrooms, choosing new bathroom plumbing fixtures can be an overwhelming experience. Head to your local hardware store and you’re likely to find hundreds of different fixtures on display. Head online and you’ll quickly find access to thousands of styles at varying prices. What should you do?

1. Review your needs. If its been awhile since you’ve updated your fixtures, start by thinking about your likes and dislikes with your current design.

2. Plan for the future. Many companies are developing aging in place products, or universal design products, to allow ease and safety as we grow older. Instead of using difficult knobs, single handled designs may be easier to turn on and off. Or showerheads may be flexible and adjustable, using hand held extensions for ease of use.

3. Look at colors and finishes. With so many styles and options available today, matching any color and décor is easy to do. You can also stretch into antique finish, and even find custom designed fixtures for a truly unique look.

4. Look at your options. Just because you’ve always had a certain type of faucet or showerhead in the past doesn’t mean that’s the best choice. Ask for suggestions, and find out what makes each style unique. Can something give you more flexibility for the way you live? Be willing to give new things a try.

5. Don’t forget your best resource is an expert. You don’t have to use an interior decorator for modest changes to your bathroom. Instead, rely on your plumber to make suggestions. They have resources available to give you a wide variety of options at the best price possible.

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The best place to start is with quick fixes that can give you the biggest return for your investment.

Many of the older homes on the market still have old toilets in place. Old toilets use about 5 gallons per flush. Considering a normal person flushes a toilet around seven times per day, a family of four can quickly consume 140 gallons or more every day.

Because your toilet is the biggest user of water in your home, it makes sense to start there.

Due to today’s standards and laws, the typical water saving toilets now average 1.6 gallons or less per flush – significantly less than previous standards. Because of the savings in water usage, it’s easy to see that with a simple replacement, you can begin reaping the benefits immediately.

Add in the current rebates offered by Colorado’s local water companies, it becomes an even easier choice.

Denver Water Rebate
Castle Rock Water Rebate
Aurora Water Rebate
Colorado Springs Water Rebate

[Ready to upgrade to water saving toilets? Quality 1st Plumbing is here to help you conserve water, and help you with all your plumbing needs.]

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