With the rising cost of energy, we are always looking for ways to save both energy and money. When purchasing our appliances, central units, and water heaters we look at the energy labels, we add more insulation to our homes during remodels or a new build because every little bit counts. But did you know there are little things that you can do to help reduce your energy bill and save money throughout the year?
Continue reading →
Doing maintenance around the home is an absolute must. Therefore, making sure you keep your house safe and clear of water damage is a top priority. Some tips to avoid water damage in your home is imminent. First you want to make sure all hoses are disconnected. Standing water in a hose may freeze back into the pipe and create an ice block that, in a best-case scenario, stops your water flow. You don’t want to create any damage to walls, floor and foundation.
Always make sure to clean your gutters at least twice a year. This will help to avoid any ice jams or blockage. Not clearing your gutters can cause overflow and can damage roof as well as foundation issues.
You will also want to make sure to clear any trees or shrubs. Shrubs and tree roots can wrap around your pipes and break them. You always want to make sure to keep your landscaping close to the home very minimal.
Check and maintain regular maintenance of appliance. Making sure none have leaks or have any standing water. If there are any leaks you will want to fix them immediately. Not doing so can cause great problems. Such as mold, mildew, rot and structural damage to your home. Continue reading →
When you are remodeling your bathroom, you want to make sure everything is perfectly set. This means making sure all plumbing seals are good, all tiles are grouted properly but most importantly you waterproof the areas that have excessive water. In order to waterproof your shower, you will want to first mark your area. Make sure to properly measure your wall and mark out where you will be waterproofing. Once you have your area measured out you can mask off the section with masking tape. A good rule of thumb is to extend your waterproofing 100mm above your water outlet and 100mm wider than the edges of your shower. Continue reading →
At some point in every home you will have to fix a leak or update the sink and fixtures in your bathroom or kitchen and that will require you to change the plumbing. If you live in a colder climate you might think about changing that old copper and pvc pipes for pex; pex expands in the cold to accommodate the weather which means no more busted water pipes. Replacing the pipes is a big job but with the right tools and plenty or prep you can be a DYI king or queen!
Continue reading →
With the rising cost of your energy bills everyone is looking at your existing heating and cooling unit to make sure it is the correct size you’re your home and possibly replace it or even update your appliances. Not everyone has the funds or time to make those big changes but that doesn’t mean you can’t make your home more energy efficient. Continue reading →
Sustainability is a big buzzword these days, but what exactly does it mean? Sustainability means meeting your current needs without having a negative impact on the needs of future generations. It also requires you to make environmentally-conscious choices about the way you live. It’s not really plausible for most of us to have a completely sustainable home — one that uses only nature’s infinite resources with no affect on the environment around us. But fortunately, there are some measures you can take to make your home more sustainable.
Your choices as a consumer greatly affect the sustainability of your home. Using rechargeable batteries limits the waste of items that often can’t be recycled. Buying paper products made with recycled content continues the chain of sustainability. Better yet, lose the paper towels and use a washable cloth. Biodegradable trash bags and cups are made of corn that dissolves over time, adding one less type of plastic to our landfills. And energy/water saver appliances can all help contribute to a more sustainable way of living.
In this particular blog we are going to highlight a particular brand that we at Plumbtile are proud to provide; California Faucets takes water sustainability very seriously! Read more below.