If you really want to lower your energy costs, you need to lower the temperature on your water heater. Your water heater is actually one of the biggest users of electrical energy in your home. One of the best ways to lower your water heater costs is by turning down your water heater; when the temperature is lowered, your water heater will not have to work as hard to hit its target temperature every time you need hot water, thus lowering your overall water heater costs.

Cracks in plumbing often occur when water freezes. This is because ice expands and applies pressure to the inside of pipes. If you experience a frozen waterline at your home, learn how to thaw it quickly and prevent your water supply from freezing again with the following steps. Materials Needed portable heater blow dryer towel pipe insulation (tube or roll) ruler measuring tape scissors thermal tape waterproof heat lamp Thaw The Plumbing 

Your water heater works around the clock to keep your household water at a certain temperature. You can help take the constant strain off your water heater and save energy with these simple adjustments. Cover the Water Heater A water heater cover acts like an insulating blanket. It passively helps your water heater keep the water at the specified temperature despite the outside temperatures in your basement or utility closet.

Keeping your home's plumbing in good shape is important for many reasons – slow-draining sinks make it hard to get the dishes done, and leaky pipes can cause water damage to your home. But the damage that plumbing problems can cause goes beyond just inconvenience and mess. Your home plumbing could actually be making you or your family members sick. Take a look at some of the ways that plumbing problems can cause serious illness and find out how to protect your health.

A smelly drain can make a room unpleasant and even sickening. Luckily, there are steps you can take to fix the problem. This FAQ is designed to help homeowners experiencing a drain odor problem. What does it mean if your drain smells? A smelly drain is often indicative of one of two problems. Either the drain is clogged with rotting organic material, or the water in the drain's P trap has evaporated and sewer gas is rising up into the room.

For many years water well maintenance didn't exist unless there was a problem and your spigots went dry. You may have lived where a well was the only source of water and assumed it didn't require any additional work as long as the supply continued. Unfortunately, these are both wrong assumptions, and you do need to take care of this resource. 1. Perform Preventative Maintenance Preventative maintenance may seem a little costly, but it is financially beneficial long-term as it prevents things from unexpectedly going wrong and leading to costly repairs.

If you have to arrange for portable toilet rentals for an event, you have likely found that it's not that easy to choose which ones to get because there are more styles and options than you realized. One of the big options involves the sink; you can get portable toilets with built-in sinks or get separate units. Both have some specific advantages and disadvantages, and you need to consider a few things as you make your choice.

When you are planning your new kitchen or considering a remodel, you have to face a vital question: should you have a garbage disposal? Although they can be convenient, going without one has a number of benefits. You can avoid expensive repairs and help the environment by doing without a garbage disposal. Environmental Problems Whenever you use the garbage disposal, you are using a lot of water to help it grind up potato and orange peels.

Even though you use your toilet several times a day, you probably do not give much thought to the mechanics of it. Unfortunately, you are more likely to experience issues with your toilet, such as clogs, if you do not take good care of it. Taking some extra time to maintain your toilet will be worth it in the end. Here are five helpful tips for treating your toilet right:

If you are new to living in a home with a septic system, then it is important for you to know what you can, and cannot, introduce into your septic tank. By actively monitoring what goes into your system, you can protect it from damage and keep it flowing well. Follow these do's and don'ts for keeping your home's septic system free-flowing and healthy for years to come: Do flush only human waste, septic-safe toilet paper, and a limited amount of mild detergent down your home's drains and into the septic system.