Thursday, July 28, 2011

Properly installed Plumbing

Friday, July 8, 2011

Green Kitchen

2011 Green Kitchen trends will continue to take off in 2011. This is true for materials and appliances used in the kitchen, but also for cooking practices and techniques. We touched on the kitchen décor trend of using more natural and sustainable kitchen materials in 2011. But the green kitchen trend is also about using energy-efficient appliances, and minimizing overall energy usage and waste in the kitchen itself.
It’s been calculated that more energy is used in the kitchen than in any other room of the house. This great amount of energy use is mainly attributed to refrigerators and ovens, but inefficient dishwashers, toasters, blenders, coffeemakers and microwaves all contribute as well. If you have the means in your 2011 kitchen budget, consider purchasing new kitchen appliances with high energy-star ratings and re-selling or repurposing your old appliances.
According to the Energy Star website, their fridges are required to use 20% less energy than non-energy star models. You can also buy energy star-certified dishwashers, freezers and more, at major kitchen appliance retailers.
In addition to selecting energy-efficient kitchen appliances in 2011, many homeowners will be making a greater effort to reduce and reuse (we hope you’re already recycling!). Kitchen composting systems will become more common and desirable. It’s estimated that most families waste about 25% of food purchased, or throw away $590-$600 worth of food every year. By cutting out impulsive food purchases and introducing a home composting system to your kitchen, your family can save money and minimize waste in 2011.
Low-flow kitchen faucets are another way of conserving in your 2011 kitchen. Faucets from Toto, Kohler, Grohe and American Standard are estimated to conserve water consumption by as much as 30%. Low-flow faucets and spigots are also now available in many attractive styles and materials, like polished chrome, bronze and nickel—so your 2011 eco-friendly kitchen can conserve while still exuding class.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Trends in Backflow Prevention

To revive a quote from the Clinton/Bush election era, “It’s the economy, stupid!” Businesses in backflow prevention and construction are reacting to the shift in the economic realities of the last few years. Those that are waiting for a return or rebound to old levels are in for a long wait. Business as we know it has changed and so, too, must we — and the products we sell. The hydraulic conditions of backflow (backpressure and backsiphonage) are still running rampant in our piping systems. Products are being influenced by two key economic factors, the economy and legislation.

Recent legislative changes have led to a dramatic change in products being brought to market. In California and Vermont, new laws requiring a lower percentage of lead in bronze were enacted on January 1, 2010. Federal and state governments have always known the hazards of lead and have required lead free products. The problem was that the definition of “lead free” was not clear. Some federal requirements for backflow preventers and other plumbing products stated that bronze “shall contain less than 8.0% by composition to be considered lead free.”

In an effort to further remove exposure to lead, California and Vermont defined “lead free” at the lower level of 0.25% of the exposed wetted area. Although many people may say, “Who cares what they do in California?” the problem is that on January 5, 2011, the 112th Congress of the United States passed an amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act (SB-3874) requiring the federal definition to mirror the California and Vermont legislation. The federal requirement takes effect January 5, 2014; all bronze plumbing products, including backflow preventers, will have to change by that date.

Since before the Roman Empire ruled the world, lead has been used in bronze to improve the alloy. Lead has certain properties that make bronze a well-rounded, usable alloy. The reduction in allowable lead content has caused manufacturers to look for new metals to replace the 8% of lead to form an economical and easy to use bronze alloy. Some manufacturers are even looking at alternative non-bronze alloys, such as stainless steel and engineered polymers, to assure that their products are in compliance. These new materials, however, require significant increases in machining and manufacturing costs.

Backflow prevention manufacturers have always been under pressure to produce a reliable product more economically. Anyone can design something cheaper, but the product must still work to prevent hydraulic backflow. To assure their reliability, an approval process for all backflow prevention products has become mandatory. The Foundation for Cross Connection Control & Hydraulic Research at the Engineering School of the University of Southern California has become the internationally recognized expert on approval of these products. Their work and research have guided manufacturers in developing reliable products.

Once the products are approved, cost must be taken into consideration. Manufacturers have tried to provide features that reduce installation costs. Making these products lighter and more compact means that they require less physical space and equipment for installation in a piping system. This smaller, more compact size makes it possible to use smaller valve enclosures and freeze protection when needed, thus lowering the average installation cost.

Historically, backflow preventers utilized a horizontal installation orientation. This caused the larger assemblies (4" – 10") to take up several running feet of installation space in a piping system. New approvals allow certain assemblies to flip that horizontal body into a vertical orientation, following the piping up a wall. This sounds simple, but many assemblies arbitrarily taken from a horizontal to a vertical installation hydraulically will not prevent backflow. The demand for vertical orientation has caused manufacturers to address this feature in their designs.

The cost of maintenance is becoming another factor that contractors are evaluating and manufacturers are addressing. It is labor and material intensive to repair most older designs in the field. Field repair of newer designs is becoming far less labor and material intensive. Unfortunately, when business was good, some contractors, not well trained in backflow preventer repair, would mistakenly tell their customers that it is cheaper to replace small assemblies (1/2" – 2"). As the economy has shifted, these same customers are questioning these statements and finding better educated contractors who can repair, rather than replace, installed assemblies when possible.

For a couple more years, backflow preventers will contain leaded bronze. For decades, bronze has been recycled through scrap dealers. The ever-increasing cost of copper (the major ingredient in bronze) has led to a proliferation of theft of installed backflow preventers and of other copper and bronze plumbing and electrical items. The most common theft has occurred on irrigation installations. Thieves remove the assemblies, and nobody realizes the irrigation is off until the sprinkler system is needed or until plant material dries up. Many new theft prevention devices, such as lockable enclosures, are coming to the market.

In any industry, trends can be short or long. The trend for more economical manufacturing, installation and maintenance of backflow preventers will continue beyond good and bad economic times. The education of contractors who install and repair backflow preventers will help them to be more efficient. In the past, manufacturers produced products they could make easily and economically. New design features are forcing manufacturers to talk to their customers and to provide the product features they want to see.


Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Save Money on Plumbing

It's important to focus in on how we can conserve water in our daily lives. In addition to saving money on your water bill each month, water conservation also helps keep lakes, reservoirs and water tables high, reducing overall pollution in our systems.
While we’ve gone over many water saving tips here on our blog, and you can find them easily in the news how to save water these days, its always nice to have a quick checklist that can help you make sure you are doing everything you can as a homeowner. Here are 12 ways you can save water in your home.
1. Check faucets and pipes for leaks. Even a slow drip can add up to many gallons of wasted water each year.
2. Don’t use the toilet as an ashtray or for a bit of trash. Keep a trashcan in every room in the house.
3. Install water savings faucets and showerheads in every room.
4. Teach the entire family about water conservation, and begin reducing the amount of time spent in the shower.
5. Update appliances and toilets with water saving models. In 2009 and 2010 there were many rebate programs and specials on water savings appliances. 
6. Never let the water run when you’re working near the sink. Fill the sink for rinsing dishes. Turn off the water while shaving or brushing your teeth.
7. Use the dishwasher and clothes washer with full loads only.
8. Keep a pitcher of cold water in the fridge to avoid letting the tap water run to cool down.
9. Consider installing a hot water circulating system to bring instant hot water to every faucet in your home.
10. Insulate your pipes. Especially with the cold weather we’ve had lately, a little insulation can help save you in many ways.
11. Put in drought resistant landscaping. Xeriscape your yard, and choose low maintenance plants.
12. Water your lawn only when it needs it. Put in a sensor on your sprinkler system, and only water when we haven’t received moisture.

Green Plumber

Planning a basement remodel this summer? Here are 7 green plumbing ideas to use in your basement remodel.
1. Create a full bath with extras. While an unfinished basement usually comes with roughed-in plumbing, now is the time to move things and make it more efficient for the way you live. Would you prefer a large tub? A walk in shower? A sauna? Just because you’re trying to be more energy efficient and green in your design, doesn’t mean you have to avoid some of the simple pleasures. A green plumber will be able to give you many ideas to stay within your budget, and offer you the best alternatives available.
Green Plumbing Ideas In Your Basement Remodel
2. Think water conservation. All of your fixtures, from faucets to showerheads and toilets can offer complete water efficiency. Instead of shopping the big box stores, ask your green plumber for options and ideas. In many cases he’ll have resources you can’t reach as a consumer.
3. Relocate plumbing to a more efficient area. When a house is built, the basement is often left unfinished. So its of little concern where ducts and pipes are placed. But when you are trying to maximize the space you have, it may be easier to relocate existing pipe to walls or beam areas, places where you can supply more insulation and be more protected from freezes and/or problems.
4. Design a laundry room for efficiency. Many laundry rooms are located in the basement here in Colorado. But that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on size or options. Choose the highest quality, most energy efficient models of washers and dryers. Have a sink installed near your washer to avoid running to the bathroom or an upstairs location for your water needs. And install clothes lines – there are many options to help you avoid using your dryer.
5. Waterproof your basement before you invest in a remodel. Basements are traditionally damp and cool – a perfect combination for potential problems. Before you experience problems, plan for them up front. Install a sump pump to protect against future flooding. Check all plumbing within the basement – repair pipes with leaks and replace as appropriate. Install gutters to move water away from the house, and use window wells to avoid future water problems.
6. Talk about insulation. Because the basement is cool and damp, its important to create the protection now before a problem arises. Talk with both your plumber and contractor about the best options for your pipes and plumbing locations.
7. Never close off access to your water source. Where is your water main located? Create a way to leave that easily accessible. Whether in a closet or laundry room, its important to leave it easy to find and easy to access.