Monthly Archives: November 2009

Walk-In Bathtubs for Convenience and Comfort for Disabled People and Seniors

Posted on by Scott
Claire Bullerwell

You may have noticed that some old people can have a hard time going over a regular bathtub. You may also notice that it is very impractical for disabled persons to climb over bathtubs. And, you know that they might need help in doing it.

What if they want or is forced to live alone and don’t want any assistance from other people? Who will assist them to get inside the bathtub? Walk-in bathtubs are probably the best solution for this kind of problem.

As what the name walk-in bathtub says, you don’t need to climb over its sides just to get inside the tub. All you need to do is simply open a door and walk inside. You may now wonder how you can fill it with water if it has a door on its side. The doors in these kinds of bathtubs are built with sealant that does not allow water to flow out of its sides once you lock it.

Now, because of the waterproof door, the person who needs assistance to enter a bathtub before can now safely enter and exit the bathtub easily with little or no assistance at all.

Many bathtub manufacturers have thought about this bathtub because of the necessity of living independently, especially for handicapped or old people. Walk-in bathtubs are smaller and a bit deeper than conventional bathtubs.

Some walk-in bathtubs have a built-in whirlpool jets that is very useful for old people. The jets are located at a specific location in the bathtub that massages certain areas in the body. This innovation is great for a person who wants a relaxing massage while they bathe.

There are basically two types of walk-in bathtubs. The first is the inward opening bathtub that is made larger to accommodate the inward swing of the door. The inward opening is great because it is larger and can accommodate larger area for bathing or washing purposes. However, one main disadvantage of the inward opening walk-in bathtub is that you have to wait until the water is completely drained before you can come out. This is because the water inside the tank pushes the door closed. This is very inconvenient when an emergency arises and you need to get out of the bathtub fast.

The outward opening bathtub is relatively smaller than the inward opening bathtub. This is because you don’t need a lot of space to open its door. However, it allows emergency exit even if the tub is filled with water.

There are regular walk-in bathtubs available and there are Jacuzzi walk-in bathtubs. All you have to do is choose one that suits your needs. If you want to have a massage, then Jacuzzi walk-in bathtubs is for you. However, if you will just use the walk-in bathtub for bathing and washing purposes, you just need to purchase a regular walk-in bathtub.

If you don’t know what kind of walk-in bathtub you need, you can contact your local walk-in bathtub and invite him or her in your home to let him or her assess the bathroom size and the kind of bathtub you need.

Always remember that convenience and comfort should be your main priority when you are purchasing a walk-in bathtub. You should also make sure that the manufacturer of the bathtub is well known and has a high reputation in bathtub making. With this, you can be sure that your bathtub will last for a long time.

Leigh

A Guide To Searching For The Perfect Bathtub

Posted on by Scott
Dave Michaels

Many people decide to purchase a new bathtub for their home for various reasons. You may be remodeling or changing a bathroom in a new home you are buying. Whatever the reason the search for that perfect tub can be a tough one. Bathtubs come in so many shapes, sizes, colors, and types that you are sure to find what you are looking for. By following some of these tips you are sure to find a great tub. A good place to begin your search is by looking in the phonebook, shopping in home improvement stores and searching online. Compare the different options and prices to find the best fit for your family and your bathroom.

Since there are so many different bathtub options the search for the perfect tub can be kind of confusing. When doing your research on the different tubs available it is important to have a game plan. Take into account is the size of the tub you want. Make sure to take measurements of the bathroom area where you want the tub and decide on a size you would like before you start shopping. This will save you some time when searching. Looking at the types of materials that are often used and choosing one that will be a comfortable fit for your bathroom is another thing to consider. Color and style are also things you should consider when shopping for a bathtub, make sure they will look good with the rest of the bathroom.

Bathtubs are classified by the material they are made of. They come in many different types of materials like acrylic, marble, cast iron, porcelain, wood, and fiberglass. The type of material you choose for your tub should depend on your lifestyle. How often will you use the bathtub? What type of bathtub do you want? Do you want one with jets or without? Is it easy to clean? Is it comfortable? These are all questions that you should ask yourself. Fiberglass tubs are often used because they are inexpensive, but they may not be as durable as the other types. Marble, wood, and cast iron bathtubs all last a long time but can be costly and are harder to maintain.

When shopping for a new bathtub color and style are also important to consider. Make sure the color of the tub will match the rest of the bathroom. Pastels and natural colors are popular because of there calming effect. Style and shape of the tub are also important. Take a good look at the different style types and choose a good fit for your bathroom. Commonly seen bathtub types include rectangle, square, round, oval, heart shaped, or corner style. If you are shopping for a certain style or color though, it may be necessary to pre-order ahead of time.

Most homeowners at some point will decide to design or remodel their outdated bathrooms. Since bathtubs come in so many different shapes, sizes, textures, and colors it can make the process of finding that right tub overwhelming. Research is essential when shopping for a bathtub that’s a main element of a bathroom. It is important to compare prices, manufacturers, and quality of the different options and then decide. Don’t just choose the first and cheapest tub you come across because you may miss out on finding a really good bathtub for your money.

Pat

Five Benefits Of A Tap Water Filter

Posted on by Scott
Dewayne Blalock

If you are spending hundreds of dollars a year on bottled water, why are you not using a tap water filter? The bottled water industry is perhaps one of the most unregulated industries today. The government does not test this bottled liquid so for all you know, the manufacturer could be filling those bottles up with non-purified tap water from their homes or offices. However, if you have a tap water purifier or filter in your home, you know exactly where it water is coming from and what it will contain. Here are the benefits of using a purifier or filter in your home.

1. You will spend pennies a day as opposed to dollars a day. Most bottles costs as much as a soft drink—up to $2 a bottle in some areas. If you use a filter in your sink to purify the liquid from your faucet, you will spend a fraction of the amount.

2. You will not have to run to the local convenience store to get “purified bottle” of garbage. You can get a chemical free drink anytime you want from your own sink and the comfort of your own home.

3. A tap water purifier will cleanse all of the water in your home—including your shower. When you take a warm shower, the chemicals in it can seep into the pores of your skin and most contains harmful chemicals such as lead or chlorine. These chemicals can harm your skin so, for the health and safety of your family, use a filter to see how much your skin changes- for the better.

4. Does a “purified drink” from the store come with a guarantee or a warranty? You know the answer to that. Of course not! A tap water purifier comes with a warranty that will continue cleansing or you can exchange it for another one while the “purified” bottled industry guarantees nothing except that they will take your money.

5. You are in control of the health of your family. A purifier assures you that your family is getting the safest drinking and bathing water possible. While local governments try to regulate what chemicals are contained in your homes plumbing, accidents happen. Sewage leaks can cripple a system or terrorists can tamper with your communities local systems in hopes of poisoning residents. With a tap water filter, you know that you are protecting your family from incidents that are out of your control.

So here are your options

• You can continue to not use a filter and expose your family to harmful chemicals and the possibility of contamination.

• You can purchase a filter and rest in the knowledge that you are providing your family with pure clean water.

The choice is obvious. You should protect your family today with filters throughout your home.

Chris

Discover Home Filtration of Tap Water

Posted on by Scott
Laurel Tevolitz

Whenever a homeowner fails to invest in the home filtration of tap water, the residents in that home stand at risk, at risk for consuming unseen contaminants? What are those contaminants? Unfiltered tap water contains four different contaminants-micro-organisms, heavy metals, organic compounds and inorganic compounds.

By investing in the home filtration of tap water, a homeowner can guarantee delivery at each home faucet of water that lacks all of those contaminants. The residents of the home thus enjoy a steady supply of clean and healthful water. Access to a steady supply of clean water helps to guarantee retention of a well-functioning digestive system.

When the residents of a home can drink clean and healthful water, then they are better able to absorb vital nutrients from the food that they eat. When residents of a home can absorb all the vitamins and minerals in any ingested food, then they do not put a lot of empty calories into their body system.

The consumption of healthful water goes hand-in-hand with maintenance of a healthful diet. At the same time, people who drink healthful water do not take-in dangerous chemicals. Consumption of water that contains chlorine, for example, has been pointed to as a cause for dry skin problems.

Chlorine is only one of the harmful chemicals found in tap water. Chlorine is often added to tap water to destroy micro-organisms in the water. Other chemicals, such as formaldehyde can enter natural bodies of water, and therefore those chemicals can enter the water supply system.

When chemicals such as formaldehyde leak into the environment, they can become linked to organic chemicals in the environment. That leads to formation of persistent organic pollutants. Unfortunately, those persistent organic pollutants do not degrade at a very rapid rate.

So then, what should a thinking homeowner do? He or she does not want to loose sleep, by worrying about the likelihood that persistent organic pollutants can be found in the tap water. He or she needs to plan for the home filtration of tap water, water fed into the building where family and guests will spend the night.

A caring homeowner needs to put one item at the head of his or her list of priorities. That one item should be the delivery of pure and good-tasting water to every faucet in whatever home he or she possesses. How should a homeowner go about achieving that goal?

A wise homeowner sets aside time for learning about various home filtration systems. In that way, the homeowner can appreciate the value of an activated carbon filter. When combined with ion exchange and micron filtration, such filters can markedly reduce the number of contaminants in tap water, water that will be used for drinking and cooking.

When a homeowner knows that the residents and guests in a home are drinking pure and healthful water, then that homeowner can sleep better at night. He or she knows that the home’s filtering equipment allows everyone in the home to enjoy access to clean and safe drinking water.

Francisco

Bathroom Renovation Magic – Easy Tips to Make That Gorgeous Bathroom Come Alive

Posted on by Scott
Gladys Enns

The limiting cost of bathroom renovations is usually the first drawback of actually going ahead with the project. Some simple things to add charm to your bathroom can be done quite easily and are often all you need. Adding mirrors the full length of the door is a really neat feature to have.

Sometimes placing simple designs on the walls will add to your room and give it that extra touch you’re looking for. Even a fancy set of candle holders that hang on the wall can make your bathroom stand out.

Try painting your walls for a great way to give your bathroom new life. It makes a surprisingly big difference in the appearance of your room. Choosing the color that best suits your overall bathroom decor is the only way to go.

There is a good chance that your bathroom may need a little more than a few simple ornaments or accessories.

Changing fixtures like a sink is something that can be easily done. With a little knowledge and a desire to do-it yourself you can have the job done quite easily in less than a day. A new sink can transform your bathroom and increase the value while making it look like new.

Always take the time to clean up when you get the chance. It’s much easier to get at everything once the old parts have been removed. Dirt and debris that gets into any pipes can cause major problems later.

It’s also quite possible that your bathroom is in such disarray that you’re going to have to go all out to fix it right. A Jacuzzi tub could be something to think about if your bathroom is big enough to handle it. Before you install anything you need to have absolute certainty that your floors are solid and will handle the weight. A lot of times making a good plan and sticking to it makes all the difference.

Tearing apart your bathroom is a big job and one that you have to make sure that you know what you’re doing. Always check all building codes in your area before you begin. Having your project shut down and getting yourself charged isn’t the way you want things to go.

Shawn

Consumer’s Guide To Bathroom Taps

Posted on by Scott
James Hickman

This article explains the key questions that you should consider when purchasing new taps for your bathroom. The information is aimed at consumers in the United Kingdom.

Question 1: Whats the tap made of ?

Taps can be made from a range of materials of varying quality and cost.

A general rule of thumb is that the heavier the tap the better the quality of materials used!

Plastic

Plastic taps are very cheap and very low quality. They are very light and are offered in a variety of colours. Plastic taps cannot be recommended for bathroom use because of their poor performance and short expected operational life.

Standard Brass ABS/Mazac

Standard brass is regularly used to manufacture the bodies of mid-priced, medium quality taps.

Many tap components (such as handles) can be made from ABS (plastic) or an alternative material sometimes referred to as Mazac (Pot Metal). These are cheaper than using brass, and whilst the quality is regularly very good, brass offers a better finish and lasts longer.

Standard brass taps are suitable for bathroom use, with or without ABS or Mazac components.

DZR Brass

Whilst, standard brass has gained complete acceptance in many facets of the water distribution industry, in certain circumstances when exposed to particular combinations of pH and concentrations of chlorides, they can experience a serious form of corrosion known as dezincification.

The answer to this is a dezincification resistant alloy, normally referred to as DZR brass.

This is the Rolls Royce material for taps and the highest quality product will be made from DZR brass without any ABS or Mazac components

Question 2: Will the taps work with your system pressure ?

First the good news, if you have a combi-boiler or un-vented hot water system then you dont need to fret about pressure, both high pressure and low pressure taps will work well with your system.

However, if you have a traditional gravity fed system, with a cold water storage tank in the attic, and a hot water cylinder then you will want to be more cautious.

Firstly you want to work out how much water pressure you have:

Calculate the distance, in meters, from the bottom of the cold water storage tank, to the outlet of the tap and multiply by 0.1 to give you the pressure in bar:

e.g. 1.1 Meters x 0.1 = 0.11 bar

2.5 Meters x 0.1 = 0.25 bar

If you want a bath/shower mixer with a showering handset, then you must determine the distance from the foot of the cold water storage tank to the height at which the handset will be used, not the height of the tap, or the handset when it rests in the support.

You also need to be aware that elongated pipe work runs rapidly use up any pressure inside a system, so if your taps are a long way from the cold storage tank then you will want to lessen the calculated pressure to take account of this.

Once you have a good idea of your water pressure then you need to verify that whatever taps you are looking to buy will work at that pressure.

As a rule of thumb many designer taps come from Europe where the water systems have superior pressure than in the UK and these taps wont work if you have very low pressure.

Designer taps made specifically to work on low pressure systems are normally more expensive and the retailer will highlight the fact that the taps are suitable for low pressure systems. If it doesn’t say specifically that the taps will work with low pressure then assume the worst and don’t buy without asking the retailer to verify the pressure requirements.

Question 3: What is the operating mechanism of the tap ?

Ceramic disc and spindle refer to the two alternative ways that the inner mechanism of a tap can operate.

Ceramic disc technology is usually used on more costly taps, as they function better and last longer. When the lever is turned, two ceramic discs are parted opening the valve and allowing the water to pour.

The traditional spindle design is commonly used on inferior quality, cheaper tap designs. The tap has a spindle through the core, with the valve seat attached via a screw thread. A standard tap washer is fixed to the end of the valve seat. As the knob is turned the spindle rotates and the screw thread moves the valve seat up and down to adjust the flow of water

Ceramic Disc Taps

Benefits

Drip free never change another tap washer again !

Long Life should never need to be replaced under regular use

Simple to Operate only a quarter turn is required to go from full on to off

Variety of styles works with modern lever designs and round handles

Draw Backs

Inferior flow rates – Unsuitable for very low pressure systems

Spindle Taps

Advantages

Superior flow rates suitable for most systems, high or low pressure

Draw Backs

Hard to operate – handle has to be turned many times from off to full on

Higher maintenance – washers will need replacing often

Less choice of style – cannot be used with modern lever designs

There are two key things to consider.

Unless you have a very low pressure system or are looking for the lowest feasible price then it is best to go for ceramic disc taps.

When comparing tap prices always ensure that both taps use the same mechanism. They may look the same, but if one is ceramic disc and one uses a spindle then the cheapest tap may actually be the worst value!

Question 4: How will the taps connect to your system?

Mono Basin & Bidet mixers are attached to the water supply by connectors, sometimes referred to tap tails. These come in two types, flexible and rigid and the purchaser normally doesn’t get any option within a range of taps.

Both types join directly to normal 15mm copper pipe work.The tap manufacturer usually decides what type of connectors each range of tap he makes will have.

Which kind is most suitable for you depends on where the taps are being installed and who is doing the installation.

Flexible Connectors

Best for DIY Installers: You dont require any plumbing skills, the bendable hose will simply trasnsform into whatever shape is necessary and the connection is made easily by tightening the compression nut with a wrench.

Best for small spaces with difficult access. The flexible hose allows connections in places that would be almost impossible to get into with rigid pipe work.

Rigid Connectors

Best for professional installers: The rigid connectors become part of the sturdy copper pipe run that connects the supply to the tap. The connections are made with capillary fittings, lead free solder and a blow torch. The end product looks neater, lasts longer and is much less prone to leaks.

Best for more open spaces with simple access. Even the most professional installer will want a large enough space to bend and fit the copper pipe run from the supply. If the space is too compact then flexible connectors may be the only viable option.

Question 5: Does the Tap meet the necessary Bylaws and/or Standards ?

British Standards

The first thing that confuses many people is that British Standards for taps are not quality guarantees. They just state certain things that a tap meeting with the standard should do. There is also no requirement that any product is tested by a third party to verify it actually meets the standard, so an assertion that a product meets BS5412 is only as reliable as the business making the claim !

The British Standards signify the minimum that a tap should meet to perform a particular application.

The key British Standards applied to taps are:

BS5412

The specification for low-resistance single taps and combination tap assemblies.

BS1010

The Specification for draw-off taps and stop-valves for water services

There is no British Standard at all for Ceramic Disc taps. So the very fact that somebody quotes that the tap complies with BS5412 or BS1010 lets you know that it is an inferior design spindle tap!

Water Bylaws

All products attached to the UK drinking water supply must be compliant to the UK Water Bylaws. There are independent testing and certification schemes in place to establish conformity, however these are not mandatory in the UK.

The expense of outside certification is high and many top brand tap manufacturers decide not to pay for certification. Any taps that have KIWA or WRAS approval have been tested for compliance and should be of a good quality, but all taps installed in the UK, must by law comply with the Water Bylaws.

Greg

Fixing Water Leaks In Your Bathroom

Posted on by Scott
Scott Rodgers

look around your home and you will see how incredibly important water is to the successful running of your household. It is hard to imagine a house without running water to use to clean, wash and drink. Having well maintained fixtures to keep providing that water on demand is, therefore, very important, and if one of them starts to leak it is important to fix it as soon as possible so that you don’t waste thousands of gallons down the drain.

One of my great pleasures in life is to head off early on a Saturday morning, either by myself or with a friend, and enjoy a day fishing. Nothing equals the freedom of mind and soul as you place yourself in the natural beauty of the wilderness. It isn’t that I’m a particularly good fisherman. On average, I don’t catch a lot of fish and even the ones that I do catch aren’t very big. The joy of of not being in a busy city and the ability to be worry free for the afternoon, is more valuable then capturing a fish.

At the end of the day I head back home, clean and prepare any fish I may have caught, and then run a delicious warm bath. It is the end to a perfect day, relaxing in the hot water, often with my eyes closed for half an hour.

Of course, this is not such a great experience if I can hear the noise of a dripping. If this occurs, I usually disregard it. I must keep it in mind though because one leak could cost me infinite gallons of water per week.

In the case that the bathroom faucet is at fault, then you must disassemble it in order to discover what the problem is. If you’re not sure, it is quite acceptable to take the whole tap mechanism to the plumbing store and asking them to advise you what part needs replacing. On the contrary, if there is a leaking noise, you must let the bathwater sit and search the bathroom for the dripping. It is essential this is done immediatly the more time that is wasted the greater probability of deterioration.

There is a chance that you have a leak whereby the water is traveling along the water line for some distance before it starts to drip on the floor due to the pressures of gravity. There is possibility of dripping near the drain of the tub. In either case, it is better to replace the parts rather than merely applying silicone, so that you stop it happening again for several years.

Or it could be that the bathtub itself has developed a leak. This is a difficulty that many people need help with. The cheaper and easier option is often to replace the tub itself. However, if you have an old tub that you particularly cherish, perhaps because it is longer and deeper than many modern varieties, then get in a plumber who will be able to advise what the possible solutions are and the relevant costs.

Regardless of what you decide to do, if you have had a leak, then get in a builder to check that there has not been any significant rot or damage to your home. This is particularly true if your bath is not on the ground floor, as it could have caused your ceiling to crack, or caused damage to your walls. And you need to make sure you remove any water that is sitting on a surface because this could produce mold which can develop into a serious health hazard.

Anne-Marie

Don’t be a Drip – Identify Water Leaks Early

Posted on by Scott
Gloria Singer

Leaks do silent damage to a home. Something as small as a loose trap or clogged drain can go undetected for months; leaking water into your cabinets, between your walls, or under your floors and causing extensive, costly damage. An external leak in an irrigation system can quietly waste more than 100 gallons of water each day.

Leaky pipes or openings usually leave warning signs of their presence so you can identify the type of damage and repair it early.

Water Stains: This type of radiant stain is a sure fire way to identify a current or old water leak. Where you find the stain indicates where the leak may have originated.

A water stain around windows or at the bottom of exterior doors show that water is getting in from the outside.

A stain in the seam between the ceiling and an exterior wall may indicate a roof leak or possible build up of ice. If you have plumbing lines in the attic, the problem may be there as well.

A water stain on the bottom of a cabinet could have originated from a leaky sink trap or pipe.

Buckling or stained floors may indicate a wood floor that has absorbed water from a leak. High risk areas include the kitchen floor around the dishwasher or the refrigerator (if it has an ice maker or filtered water), or in front of a poorly sealed window. The bathroom is another problem area. Watch for water rings around the toilet or in front of the tub or shower.

Structural Problems: Spongy beams or rafters may be a warning of structural problems as a result of water damage. Spotting these in time may save you thousands of dollars in repairs.

Take a Water Flow Test: If you’ve checked for signs of water damage, but still suspect you have a leak, take a water flow test. Shut off all sources of water to your house, inside and out, and locate your water meter. The red triangle or flow indicator at the top will tell you when water is passing through it. If the flow indicator or the sweep hand is moving, you may have a leak.

Use the process of elimination to determine where the leak is coming from. Shut of one toilet, go to the meter and see if the red triangle is moving. If it stopped moving, that toilet is the culprit. If not, turn the toilet back on and shut off another. Continue in this manner checking all high risk water sources including toilets, sprinkler system water softener, air conditioner, ice machine, etc. If you shut off the main water valve to your home and the meter is still moving, the leak may be between the shutoff valve and the water meter.

Toilet Test: Use food coloring to determine whether your toilet has a leak. Remove the tank lid and flush. After it refills, add several drops of dark food coloring. Wait at least 20 minutes and if any trace of color appears in the toilet bowl, you have a leak.

Water damage in drywall makes it soft or crumbling, discolored or swollen, and can appear on the wall or ceiling.

Many of these signs and symptoms of water damage are apparent after a good length of time, and in many cases extensive damage has already been done. A handy device to alert you of a leak in the early stages is a water-leak alarm. It has a plug-in main unit (with battery backup) and a sensor pad. Place the pad where a leak is most likely to happen (under the washer, in the crawl space, under a water heater, etc.). It will sound an alarm if it senses as little as a few drops of water.

David

Shower sealing

Posted on by Scott
Linda Greey

It is a must that you seal your leaking shower as soon as possible. It is not only because water can turn your bathroom into a dismal picture. It is also not only to prevent your pocket from feeling lighter due to an increased water bill. It is also because water is precious and must not be wasted. Wastage of water is a confronting problem before the global community and must be taken seriously. So, a leaking shower in your bathroom is also a matter of being friendly to the Earth and sensitive to environmental issues.

What to do if you find your shower leaking?

The moment you come across a leaking shower, you must feel alarmed and try to fix the leak by sealing the shower temporarily. In most likelihood, the leak would be owing to a worn out part needing replacement. It may be the washers or the seal. If the part is worn out, it is because of the aging over a period of time. Sometimes, the parts may not be worn out, but bought faulty. It may also be plain case of poor workmanship. If you have the basic knowledge and tool box to go with it, you can try fixing it yourself. You can also try reading a DIY Guide to Shower Leak Repairs. However, if you are not sure, it is better to call a professional shower leak repair service. You may not have an idea of the gravity of the problem. It might be deeper than just the worn out washers or the torn seal. It could be a pipe leaking or some other major fault.

If you are already looking for a professional shower leak repair service, you may try visiting affordableshowerrepairs.com.au. The site belongs to a family owned business that promises affordable and high quality professional services.

Judith

Leaking Cash from Water Bills?

Posted on by Scott
Johan Kriegbaum

Utility bills are soaring like skyscrapers. In financially hard times, we should think of ways to cut costs on our household utility bills.

Do you know that one of the largest utility bill we pay for is from our water usage?

About 50 percent of our water consumption in our homes is used in the bathroom. A whopping 20 percent of that is just water to flush down the toilet. Now that is definitely cash down the drain.

So why not become more water-smart around the house and make good, money-saving changes? A few simple steps can take you a long way in saving money from water bills and stretching your payday cash across the finish line.

First off, since being green is in nowadays, check out the manufacturer’s water efficiency labels. Australia has a new program that gives consumers a hand to compare the water efficiency of different products using a star rating scheme. The program is called the Water Efficiency Labeling and Standards (WELS). Choosing water-efficient products for home use will save you money and, at the same time, help the environment.

Another important tip for being water-smart is always fix leaks. It’s a simple enough thing to do, especially if you don’t put it off and contain the damage as soon as possible.

Here’s another piece of trivia for you: did you know that you can waste up to 20,000 litres a year from dripping taps and leaking taps? So better take action now and fix those leaks pronto!

A good way to find out if you have leaks in the house is to close and turn off all the taps and other water-related appliances around the house. Check your water meter and note the readings. After about three hours, check the meter again and see if the meter moved or not. If it did, it means you have a leak somewhere and better find and fix it. For dripping taps, changing the washers is a simple and good solution. But, if all else fails, call the right person for the job—not your best buddy—who else but the plumber.

A common mistake many people make is to put off getting hired help. If you suspect there’s an issue, it’s in your best interest to get the plumber in pronto. If you don’t, the small problem or leak could explode into a massive plumbing nightmare! Not having enough cash shouldn’t be an excuse to put off getting an expert in either. While your plumber may not offer you a payment plan, if you need cash fast there are a number of options to borrow small amounts you need. How about a payday advance from your employer? Or if you’re not comfortable with that, a small payday cash loan off a private lender? Many of these companies now operate services of lending cash til payday discretely online. As with any financial dealings however, you need to do your research to find a trusted source.

At the end of the day, there is money to be saved from your water bills. Being water-smart will pay off, so keep on top of the small problems and you wont be hit up for expenses later!

Jennifer