Clues in the Laundry Basket - Signs of Hard Water

Doing the wash at home is a convenience that many people easily take for granted. However, even a generation ago, washing machines were not standard appliances in homes. The UK Statistics Authority showed that in 1981, only 78% homes in the UK had a washing machine. By 2008, this number increased to 96%. However, these washers prove less effective when a home has hard water. The minerals running through the laundry cycle leave deposits on clothing, while the scale can build up within appliances.

Some people might not realize that they have hard water, but laundry can show the signs. Coloured clothing dulls easily, while white clothing turns yellow or grey. Clothes feel dingy and stiff. Using liquid fabric softer might seem like an answer, but this is no substitute for water treatment. Even with a large amount of fabric softeners, the minerals in the water still run through the wash cycle, leaving deposits on clothes.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

If your laundry shows the telltale signs of hard water, consider getting your water tested. If it tests positive, there are ways to address this issue, such as installing a water softer system. Clothes will be softer, cleaner and last longer with a water conditioner. A washing machine should provide convenience, not headaches. With the available water softeners on the market, you don't need to suffer with dingy, faded clothing. A water conditioner can provide the kind of clean, fresh laundry you want to take out of the washer.

So don't hesitate and find something that will fix your hard water problem!

Clues in the Laundry Basket - Signs of Hard Water

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

How to Build a Solar Hot Water Heater - Building a Homemade DIY Solar Hot Water Heater

Can you handle the challenge to to build a homemade diy solar hot water heater? Stand still and say yes! I'm on your back on this battle. Surely, we could build a durable personalized hot water system. We both have our great helper up in the sky. You don't need to whistle hard to call her. She follows you throughout daylight. Is it daylight only? Yes, because she needs to charge up and gives the stage to the moon. Our greatest helper is no other than our mother sun. Look up and see her rays waving hi to you.

So, let's get the work done. Let's start the challenge by gathering needed materials for our project. Breathe deeply for our journey towards competence will now start.

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The following are the needed materials:

"Remember: things need not be expensive and brand new for it to be fully functional."

- Old or used water heater

- Lumber

- Copper items for sampling

- Pegboard masonite

- Insulators (plastic foam)

- Used or old aluminum storm windows

* Expensive glass panels could be use depending on your budget

- Nails

- Old plastic pipe (black)

- Relief valve

- Connection tubing

How to build a solar hot water heater?

As you can see we are trying to simplify the materials needed since one of our main goals is to save and cut off our budget. We could get advantage of our old tubing and other things mentioned above but be sure all of which are functional. Old doesn't mean thrash rather its usage pass the test of time and still it could be use.

All materials are set for the construction of improvised and personalized solar hot water heater. Now, let's go to the procedures in making the unit.

Here are the instructions for the construction of the unit:

Step 1: Construct a hot box. In this case, a wooden box will be made surrounded with glass, and then will get some portion of the aluminum storm window to capture the solar heat.

Step 2: Put up a manifold inside the box. With the use of copper sheet collector and used water pipes, you'll get the manifold done. At this moment, the solar heat collected is now ready to warm the water.

Step 3: Position the old water heater that serves as storage tank above the box and outlet of the newly made manifold. Connect it. This will allow transfer of warm water into the tank and the cooler water will be delivered into the collector to be warmed.

Stop! Safety Precautions of how to construct personalized solar hot water heater:

Check for leaks prior to usage of the unit. Empty the system completely prior to plan of getting the system leak proof

Step 4: Lastly, apply a black coating or paint to your collector sheet as well as to the manifold. Protect your wooden box by using the oil-based coating. Expose the personalized water heater 45 degrees angle in relation to the sun and attached the water tank.

Now, you prove yourself that you could build a homemade diy solar hot water heater.

How to Build a Solar Hot Water Heater - Building a Homemade DIY Solar Hot Water Heater

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Tankless Water Heaters Vs Tank Water Heater

So let's think about this. You have an old water heater and you are tired of waiting for cold water or you just want to look into another option and go with the new technology which is a tankless water heaters. There are a lot of options. Two most popular brands are Rinnai and Noritz. They both heat water on demand unlike tank water heater that heats water 24/7.

It is not cheap to install a tankless considering that the units themself are kind of pricy, so you really need to think about it first. Installation can start from 00 and most likely your new gas line will have to be sized. Most licensed plumbers can do that, however you will want to call a plumber that is certified to install and service. Your heater will have to be serviced every 1-2 years. That would include flushing the unit with biodegradable heat exchanger fluid, remove and clean fan assembly, blow the unit with a compressor, check venting and overall operation of the unit.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Compared to a tank, tankless are smaller in size and they can be mounted anywhere, inside and outside. Tankless water heaters can not only save you space, but also water. Tank water heaters heat water non stop and after several years the tank becomes rusty inside and that is basically the water you are using. Tankless water heaters are extremely durable and very well designed. They require the servicing as mentioned above every 1-2 years. Right now you can receive federal tax credit of up to 0. Tankless don't have a limited supply of hot water like the tank water heaters so you don't have to worry about running out of hot water. They also will display a flashing error codes.

Most of the time they need to be serviced. Other times it can be for improper gas pressure or improper combustion air. Keep in mind that the permit will have to be pulled, and patching and electrician most likely won't be included in a plumbing estimate. you can go to the manufacturers website. Make sure to ask them questions and make sure to check their license. After all you will be paying and you want to make sure the job goes smooth and that the city license is pulled. The city inspector will have to come by your house and inspect the job. If everything was installed properly you will be good to go.

Tankless Water Heaters Vs Tank Water Heater

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Crawlspace - Underhouse - Floods - Water Under Your House Can Cause a Variety of Problems

Standing water or wet soil in your home's crawlspace can come from a variety of sources. These may include but are certainly not limited to the following.

(1) A leaking freshwater supply line, usually galvanized, copper, pvc or pex.
(2) A leaking sewer drain line, usually cast iron, galvanized, clay or ABS.
(3) Naturally high groundwater table.
(4) Over watering of plants around your home (creating a man made high water table).
(5) Sprinklers spraying through the crawlspace vents.
(6) Leaking swimming pools (this is rare).
(7) Improperly directed gutter downspouts.
(8) Stream or river flooding.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Standing water or extremely damp soil in your home's crawlspace (under house) can cause a variety of structural problems and health concerns. Excess humidity caused by the evaporation of standing water or wet soil in your crawlspace can cause mold growth on the wooden foundation and the bottom of sub flooring. It can also cause warping or buckling of sub flooring and mold growth in the living area of the building. If your home has H.V.A.C. (heating , ventilation, air conditioning) ducting in the crawlspace and the system is compromised with excess moisture, microbial amplification may result. All of these issues can possibly create unhealthy indoor air quality. A broken sewer line in your crawlspace and the subsequent release of raw sewage onto your crawlspace soil can create an awful odor problem in your home. Also there are possible health concerns to the constant inhalation of sewer gas from an open or broken sewer line.

Some solutions to the problems mentioned above. Try to determine the source of the water intrusion and correct it yourself. This may be as simple as redirecting sprinkler heads, fixing leaky outdoor faucets or redirecting gutter downspouts. If you suspect plumbing problems, you should call a licensed plumber.

Often, there is too much water under your house for a plumber to properly inspect the pipes, you may need to call a Water Damage Restoration company. Many water damage companies offer crawlspace de-flooding and or sewage cleanup, should the leak be from a sewer drain line. After the water is removed and the crawlspace made accessible a plumber can check for leaky pipes. If your foundation is wet you may need a water damage restoration company to dry it for you, in order to prevent mold growth.

If you have over watering problems or a high water table you may need to contact a landscape engineer or a water proofing contractor to design a French drain system or other remedy to keep water from accumulating under your home. Many plumbing companies or water proofing contractors will also install sump pump systems in the low area of your crawlspace to help combat water pooling. You may also want to consider having a crawlspace dehumidifier installed to regulate the relative humidity to a level that will inhibit structural damage or mold growth. Another way to keep air flowing through the crawlspace (and thereby promoting evaporation) is by installing crawlspace ventilation fans over your existing crawlspace vents. There are also companies who can completely encapsulate your crawlspace with thick plastic, thereby effectively sealing your home off from the ground.

As you can see there are many problems that can arise from excessive water or moisture in your home or buildings crawlspace and just as many solutions. Should you suspect a problem that may need a professional solution, a good place to start is on the internet with your favorite search engine and a search for "crawlspace". This should get you started in the right direction with any crawlspace (under house) issues you may have.

Crawlspace - Underhouse - Floods - Water Under Your House Can Cause a Variety of Problems

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Septic Tanks - Ensuring Water Quality

Understanding septic systems capabilities and limits is needed to ensure water quality. A septic system is a type of On-Site Sewage Facility and is a self-contained, underground waste-water treatment system. By using natural processes to treat the waste-water on-site, septic systems do not require the installation of miles of sewer lines, making them less disruptive to the environment. A septic system consists of a septic tank, a distribution system and a soil absorption system, also called a drain field. The septic tank is a watertight box, sometimes made out of concrete or fiberglass, with an inlet and outlet pipe. The septic tank treats the waste-water naturally by holding it in the tank long enough for solids and liquids to separate. The waste-water forms three layers inside the tank. Solids lighter than water float to the top forming a layer of scum.

Solids heavier than water settle at the bottom of the tank forming a layer of sludge. This leaves a middle layer of partially clarified waste-water. The layers of sludge and scum remain in the septic tank where bacteria found naturally in the waste-water work to break the solids down. The sludge and scum that cannot be broken down are retained in the tank until the tank is pumped. The layer of liquid flows from the septic tank to the drain field. A drain a series of trenches lined with gravel or sand and below the ground. The drain field treats the waste-water by allowing it to slowly trickle from the pipes out into the gravel and down through the soil. The remaining impurities are trapped and disposed of in the soil. The excess water is eliminated through percolation into the soil, and eventually returning to the ground water, through evaporation, and by uptake through plants and transpiration.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

The Center for Watershed Protection notes that septic systems can be effective methods of water treatment, however failures are common in many areas. Even properly functioning septic systems can leak and are not designed to effectively deal with most of the phosphorus and nitrogen load found in the water it treats. Pathogenic fecal bacteria are also a concern. The primary concern for a municipality is proper maintenance of septic systems, and in some cases the total load of partially treated pollutants that can impact local drinking water and wildlife. A solid understanding of septic systems capabilities and limits, and a good government plan is needed to ensure water quality.

Septic Tanks - Ensuring Water Quality

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

A Comfortable Home With a WaterBoss Water Softener

Providing your home with a clean, soft, and consistent water supply is essential to the smooth operations of daily life. A full home water treatment system can easily be achieved when your purchase a WaterBoss Water Softener.

With a compact design, a WaterBoss liquid softener can fit well into just about any home setting. This is more than just softener. It is actually a water treatment system due to its multiple processing capabilities. It can save you space, time, and money, making it one of the best investments you can make in creating the home you and your family deserve.

A WATER SOFTENER

The substance enters the softener tank through a filtered, built in, and self cleaning unit that is capable of removing the dirt and sediment from source water before it ever makes it to your home. If you operate from a well, it removes the dirt that arises from your well or any sediment and debris from your pipes. For city dwellers, it can provide additional assurances that the city fluid that feeds your home is as clean as possible. Traditional water softeners require a separate cartridge filter.

These filters are an additional expense that must be added to the standard water softener to ensure that water is cleaned prior to entering the softening unit. The filters periodically need to be replaced, meaning there is on-going expense, time, and effort required. The WaterBoss filtration unit requires no extra filters, and eliminates the time, energy and additional expense associated with the standard filter cartridge that must be purchased with a traditional water softener.

WaterBoss models also remove the most common minerals and chemicals from your home's water, including the chemicals used to clean fluid in water treatment plants. Chlorine is one of the most common of these chemicals, and is often the source of poor tasting liquid in city homes. By using a WaterBoss water softener, you can achieve soft water for your home, protecting your pipes, shower, tub, sinks, toilet, and washing machine from the damages that can be caused from hard fluid. You make the water in which you bathe better for your skin and hair. You significantly improve the quality of your tap water for cooking, cleaning, and essentially achieve purified drinking liquid straight from the tap, without the use of additional filtration gadgets.

A Comfortable Home With a WaterBoss Water Softener

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Disadvantages of Solar Water Heating

When deciding whether or not you should invest in a solar hot water heater it is advised to take account of the advantages and disadvantages.

The major advantage to installing a solar hot water heater is the investment itself which will pay for itself in 3-5 years and then save you money for the rest of its life-expectancy which is usually 15-30 years depending on make, model and conditions.

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER

Another advantage is that the storage capacity it two to three times higher than a standard water heater meaning you have more hot water which is great for large families.

Also solar systems do not pollute the environment and they increase the market value of your house.

The major disadvantage of solar hot water systems is the initial investment which is higher than your other types of systems. Take into account you are buying the tank and panels, these have to be installed onto your roof. The panels and tank are quite heavy so you have to have a few men on site to install.

Another disadvantage that customers have to be made aware of is that they are unsightly and take up a fair amount of the average roof space. Also have to be positioned where they get the most direct sunlight and that might be at the front of your house.

Another disadvantage is any sort of maintenance to panels or the heater has to be done from the roof. You need sunlight for the heaters to work efficiently and if that doesn't happen you need some sort of booster.
I would suggest before purchasing a solar hot water heater maybe get a technician out to evaluate your property, size of roof and see if it is feasible.

Heat Pump Systems are almost as energy efficient less costly and can be hidden around the house. Heat pumps allow you to have hot water every minute of the day, simply heat pumps work in reverse of your air conditioner. Heat pumps are roughly 3 times more energy efficient than traditional electric heaters, rebates are available in Queensland and as of 1, Jan, 2011 you must install either a heat pump, solar system, or gas water heater when you replace your old electric hot water system.

Disadvantages of Solar Water Heating

INSTALLING A WATER SOFTENER