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Over the past several weeks, I’ve written about water conservation as a strategy for saving energy and examined a number of water heating options . This week, we’ll look at the issue of water waste while waiting for hot water and what to do about it. Here’s the problem: Most of us waste a lot of water waiting for hot water to reach a sink or shower. In a large house, it’s not unusual for 50 feet of piping—or more—to extend from the water heater to the most distant fixtures. And with 50 feet of pipe, it can take a long time for hot water to reach the tap; while waiting all the water goes down the drain. How long you have to wait for hot water depends on three factors: the distance from the water heater, the diameter of the piping, and the flow rate. The effect of distance is pretty obvious: the further hot water has to flow, the longer it will take to get there. With a new house, you can keep plumbing runs short by locating bathrooms and the kitchen near each other. The effects of pip...

Flushing when the water has not been used for several hours Whether or not you have a lead service line , whenever the water has not been used in the household for several hours, you should run the water to flush the lead out. The more time water has been sitting in your home's pipes, the more lead it may contain. This is true even if you do not have a lead service line because plumbing fixtures like faucets and valves can contain small amounts of lead. However, the amount of time you should run the water to flush the lead out depends on whether you have a lead service line or not. How long to run the water if you do not have a lead service line Running the water for 30 to 45 seconds at the kitchen tap should clear the lead from your household plumbing to the kitchen tap. If you have old (corroded) galvanized iron pipe in your home, it may take up to 1 minute to fully flush the tap. Once you have done this, fill a container with water and store it in the refrigerator for drinkin...

The key to successfully redesigning the bathroom lies primarily in the planning stages and in the correct assessment of your particular problems. Redesigning a bathroom is not something that should be undertaken lightly, not because it is likely to lead to considerable expense, but also because once the work has been done there is little you can easily do should you be unhappy with the results. There are four main categories with regards to bathroom problems: congestion, layout and fittings. All too often, a single room combines all four, but if you consider each of these problem areas carefully , you may find that solving one may make the others far easier to deal with. Congestion Too many people wanting to use the bathroom at the same time can be a major source of family friction. The best solution here is to see whether it is possible to provide extra facilities elsewhere in the house so that the whole family does not have to rely on access to a single bathroom. A small guest toi...

Choosing the right taps for your bathroom is almost as important as choosing the right bath. You may think that all they provide is a nice finishing touch but as far as taps go they are one of the most important elements in the bathroom. I mean, what is a bathroom without a source of water? Exactly. But, this again isn’t one of its only benefits as they also deliver a variety of styles, types and functions. They can range from the cool and contemporary to the timelessly traditional. Thanks to recent developments in new styles and trends there has been huge demand for bathroom tap manufacturers to create new and exciting ways to add a unique aspect to the bathroom. This massive variety of options may leave you wondering what are the real advantages and disadvantages of the different tap types available. So, the first thing you must do is to establish what will complement your bathroom , both in style and practicality. Weighing up all of your options is vital to completing a bathroom ...

diverter valve stem if your shower water pressure falls and water starts dripping out the tub faucet." title="Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images" /> Replace the diverter valve stem if your shower water pressure falls and water starts dripping out the tub faucet. The shower diverter valve in a three- handle faucet system channels mixed hot and cold water from your tub faucet to the showerhead. After extended use, however, the washer on the end of the diverter valve stem becomes worn. This reduces shower pressure by allowing some water to bypass the diverter and flow into the tub. If this happens, replace the defective part; most plumbing outlets and home centers carry replacement diverter valve stems , and if you have basic do-it-yourself skills, removing the old stem and installing a new one is fairly straightforward. Preparation Tasks Turn off the water supply to the tub and shower before starting work. This is straightforward, provided the bathroom i...

Shower and other bathroom equipment require upgrading after a certain period of time. Not only the bathroom doors get worn with time, but your shower valves too need repairing. Since it regulates the amount of water flow, pressure, and temperature, having the valve in good condition is not optional. Otherwise, it may cause sudden temperature shifts , resulting in cold water shocks and scalding. Shower valve malfunctions do not always need a professional plumber for repairing. In case you have basic plumbing skills , you can try correcting them on your own. And the solution regarding the repair depends on the malfunctions. Thus, identifying what the problems are is the first step before busying yourself in troubleshooting them. For this, you need to go through the user manual and understand all the parts. Based on the type of existing shower valve , it can be single-handled or double-handled. Also, the unit may be regular valve, pressure balanced, or thermostatic valve . Accordingly...

Installing bathroom plumbing might come as an afterthought in the design process, but really, it should be at the front with the most important design decisions that you make. Well concealed and clever plumbing can help to create the perfect bathroom for your household whether you’re looking for a luxury, spa style retreat , or a practical little washroom. These are our top 10 tips and tricks for installing plumbing in your bathroom, getting around some of the common problems and ensuring that the end result is perfect for you. Related articles: 7 Amazing bathrooms for spa lovers | 4 tips for buying bathroom lighting | 10 ways to improve your bathroom | What to consider before adding or renovating a bathroom 1. Concealing bathroom pipework Although it’s likely that tiles will need to be removed, it is essential to chase out walls and lift floors to hide hot and cold plumbing and waste pipes if you want a high-quality, clutter-free finish. 2. Flexible bathroom pipework Plastic fit...

The main part of a tub or shower faucet is inside the wall. Installing a faucet for your bathtub or shower isn't as simple as installing one on a sink. You need access to the framing behind the enclosure so you can secure the valve assembly, and for this reason, plumbers usually install these valves before the walls are covered over. If you are upgrading your current faucet and the builder didn't create an access panel, wall demolition and rebuilding may be part of the job. Installing the Framing You usually have to install special framing to hold a tub or shower valve. It consists of a pair of vertical studs spaced far enough apart for the valve to fit between them and a horizontal block to which to secure the valve. You also need blocks to which to attach the pipes that go to the tub spout and the shower head. Consult the valve specifications before installing the block for the valve so that you're sure to offset it the proper distance behind the wall. If it's to...

eHow Home Home Repair & Maintenance Plumbing How to Disconnect a Mixer Tap From a Sink Follow bath room image by jeancliclac from Fotolia.com Most kitchen or bathroom sink taps , or faucets, are mixer taps that combine hot and cold water through one swivel spout. Mixer taps come in two main types: the concealed deck with the flange just below the tap handles and the exposed deck with chrome housing raised above the sink. Removing either type of mixer tap is a straightforward task that requires no specialist knowledge and only basic hardware store tools . Things You'll Need Sink/basin wrench Clear the area under the sink to allow easy access to the pipes and fittings below the mixer tap. Turn off the kitchen or bathroom mixer tap water supply . After turning off the water, run the mixer tap for a few seconds to drain all remaining water from the tap. Unscrew the cold water supply pipe from the right-hand side of the mixer tap with the adjustable or open-ended wrench. Unscre...

Unlike your bathtub, typically used for only the occasional soak, your shower gets a workout every day. So, both designers and consumers are looking to intensify the daily shower experience with innovations such as steam showers, chromatherapy and multiple showerheads that can massage you like a soft summer rain or a Swedish masseuse on steroids. Here's an array of innovations that will make you never want to leave your shower. How you enter it is the first thing to consider. A frameless glass door is one new option, where the glass seems to float without support. Tempered safety glass in either 3/8- or 1/2-inch thickness gives an airy, open feeling to the space — great for a small shower. For a larger space, you can dispense with a door entirely. Put a curved tile wall or an L- shaped glass tile space that won't fence you in but will contain the water. Clarke's Iridess shower has a curved acrylic wall in four glowing colors, pearl, sea spray, azure and orchid, wit...

Marrying practicality and style to get the most out of the bathroom, whatever its size, will make soaking up the effort all the sweeter, writes Kya de Longchamps. THE bathroom is a crucial room to get right, but most of us have to deal with a rather small space which can make it difficult to squeeze in those big ideas in styling and luxury. Marrying practicality to good looks is a matter of scaling a good quality suite correctly to the room, making every available centimetre work. Baths — the secrets of scale The bath is generally the largest element to accommodate in a bathroom. Variations in bath design tend to be minor size differences (1700mm or 1800m in length) plus shaping in the shower area to accommodate a wider standing position . A rectangular wall- mounted bath remains popular as it fits well into a niche. Freestanding bath s with straighter sides can slip neatly against even a slender length of wall, but consider something you can sit in rather than lounging full length...

Screwfix Direct DIY " rel="nofollow"> Screwfix, part of the Kingfisher Group, is the largest multi-channel supplier of trade tools, plumbing, electrical products, bathrooms and kitchens in the UK. With more than thirty years of experience in the building supplies industry , Screwfix dispatches tens of thousands of deliveries every week for following-day and weekend delivery to professional tradesmen, skilled handymen and DIY enthusiasts all over the United Kingdom. Screwfix UK, Official Website: ›› www.Screwfix.com At Screwfix UK website you can order from the full range of more than 27,000 product lines, and any Screwfix order you make may be returned within thirty days for a full refund should you change your mind about the product (see Screwfix website for full return policy details ). As already noted, Screwfix is part of Kingfisher plc, a hugely successful home improvement company with more than 1,100 stores in ten countries in Europe, and also Russia and Tu...