Did you know that Americans use about 40 billion gallons of fresh water EVERY day!

In 1992 Congress legislated that all new faucets and shower heads use 2.5 gallons per minute or less, which has helped water conservation efforts. So it may surprise you to hear that the average shower uses 30 gallons of water or more!

Don’t worry…there’s something you can do that’s cost effective and fast to save water and lower utility bills in your home. Evolving technologies have made more efficient plumbing fixtures available to homeowners at affordable prices.

An inexpensive way to conserve water usage is to install low flow faucet aerators on all your faucets. These cost as little $5 but yield significant water savings over time. The aerators work by mixing air with water to reduce the amount of water that comes out of the faucet without lowering the pressure. Newer water efficient faucets are produced with these aerators already installed. Each faucet will save 1 gallon of water per minute with an aerator installed.

In just 15 minutes and for as little as $30 you can install a water efficient showerhead. You’ll need the following items for this project:

-adjustable wrench or channel pliers

-towel/rag

-white vinegar

-new showerhead

-plumbers tape

Here are the step by step instructions for replacing your showerhead:

1. It’s not necessary to shutoff the water to your shower. If you feel more comfortable with the water off, locate your shutoff valve. In some instances it is necessary to turn off the water in your bathroom by turning off your main water shutoff valve. It’s a good idea to know the location of this valve incase of an emergency.
2. Use an adjustable wrench or pliers to remove the showerhead and allow all the excess water to drain.
3. Clean the pipe’s threads thoroughly with vinegar and allow the pipe to dry completely.
4. Wrap the pipe’s threads once with plumbers tape. This will ensure a good fit with the showerhead.
5. Attach the new showerhead to the pipe fitting and rotate until secure. Be careful not to over tighten. I recommend using your hands for this step as a wrench or pliers can damage the showerhead and may cause you to over tighten.
6. Turn on the water and watch for leaks. If the showerhead leaks, tighten ¼ turn and retest. Remember not to over tighten.

I highly recommend using Teflon brand plumbers tape. Here are some tips for using plumbers tape:

• Wrap the male threads at end of the pipe but do not lap over the end. Doing so may result in reduced water pressure or even clogs from bits of the tape that get into the water supply.
• Start with a couple loops around at the end, then wrap all the threads, overlapping half the width of the tape on each wind.
• Wrap in the direction of the threads starting from the end and proceeding toward the length of the pipe. Wrapping the wrong way may result in the tape coming unwound as the fittings are tightened. So if you will rotate the showerhead clockwise to attach, you’ll wrap the tape clockwise as well
• As you wrap, keep tension on the tape so that it is pulled into the threads.
• When you remove the showerhead or any fitting, always remove the old tape and rewrap with a fresh piece.

There are many water-conserving showerheads on the market. In the $20-$30 price range consider Speakman Company showerheads which have an auto flow water conserving device to automatically control water flow and a ball joint connection for smooth positioning. If money is no object consider Waterdecor productsLow flow water fixtures are readily found at building supply stores and online, and they don’t require any special connections or fittings to install.

Now get ready to save water, energy and money! A family of three can conserve over 10,000 gallons of water every year with the installation of water-conserving shower heads. Do your part to protect our nation’s fresh water supply and save money on your utility bills, too. No that’s a home improvement we can all benefit from!

Jennifer Mackinday owns House Help, a free contractor referral service. Need help find a reliable contractor? Phone toll free 877-360-7292 or log on to http://www.hoosierhousehelp.com today!

Scenario:

I have just completed an addition to my house. I’ve heard that blown in insulation is better than batts since covers the joists completely and leaves no open areas. Do you have any do it yourself suggestions?

Solution:

Yes you are correct. Blown in insulation is better that batts when installed properly as it does seal the attic better.

First you need to measure your attic area that you plan on insulating. Most attics require a value of R-30, R-38 or R-49, depending on your climate and location. Once you know the square footage of your attic you can determine how much insulation you’ll need by simple looking on the chart located on the bag of insulation.

Before you get started you will need to determine what materials you will need. Assuming your home has recessed lights, ceiling and bathroom fans and eave vents you will need the following tools and materials:

Loose Fill Insulation

Cardboard Baffles

Flashing

Duct Tape

Staple Hammer and Staples

Utility Knife

Ladder

Insulation Blowing Machine (Available at your local rental store)

The attic will need preparation before you can actually blow insulation into it. Make sure you are wearing a dust mask, protective goggles and a long sleeve shirt. Recessed lights must have flashing installed around them leaving a open space of at least four inches from the flashing to the light. Using a utility knife cut a piece of flashing of the correct length and form it into a cylinder shape, securing the edge with duct tape. Place over recessed light leaving a four inch open area. This allows for the heat to escape. Use the same process for any vented kitchen or bathroom fans in the attic area.

The next step is baffles. This is a chore nobody enjoys. The baffles need be installed by using your staple hammer and install them where the ceiling joists intersect with roof rafters. Make sure you only install the baffles over the vents and that they are high enough so the vents won’t get covered with insulation. Now that you’ve installed you might want to climb out of the attic and give you back a much needed rest.

The next step of preparation is to make a dam around the attic access hole. The easiest way is to cut a few extra cardboard baffles into lengths of about 4 inches above the amount of insulation you plan on installing. Simply staple them around the perimeters of the access hole. This will allow for a uniform depth in the insulation you are blowing in.

So you don’t have to keep crawling in and out of the attic it’s best to have another person outside helping you load the insulation blowing machine. Hint: If you’re using fiberglass insulation have your helper add about a cup of water per bag, spreading it over the top after its loaded into the machine. This will help cut down static electricity when you are blowing the insulation and it will lay down more evenly when installing it. After the bag of insulation is loaded into the hopper it will take several minutes before the next bag is needed. Don’t let your helper be lazy. Have him get on the ladder and pull excess hose out of the attic for you so you don’t get tangled in it.

I’ve found blowing insulation into the attic is a simple process. Start and the far ends of the attic. Going back and forth make sure its level and smooth. Make sure to get all areas of the attic and don’t fill any vents or recessed light areas. Take a tape measure with you and check the levels once in a while. As an example, if your installing an R-38 of fiberglass insulation you would want it to measure 16 inches deep. As you work your way back near the attic access make sure your helper is getting that excess hose out of the way. When you get to about 6 feet from the access hole stop the machine so you can get on the ladder. Once on the ladder finish installing, making sure to bring the level evenly against the dam you previously built.

The final step is to place a piece of batt insulation in the access hole and carefully put the attic hole lid back into place. Now your done! Stay out of that attic as much as possible from this point as loose fill insulation that has been stepped on or crushed looses it’s R value.

Jerry Holt is a freelance writer for the do it yourself home improvement website DIY Today where you can find tips and advice on insulation.

One of the more unique and highly effective water purifier methods on the market right now is ceramic water filtration. The filer was ultimately invented solely as a result of a world vision project. After some research and trial and error, the problem of the clay being too fine for water filters was solved and the ceramic water filter was ready.

By adding organic matter, the clay is capable of cleaning water and holding up as an effective ceramic water filtration system. The filter is capable of removing multiple contaminants and cleansing the water to give it a rich and crystal clear taste. Along with contaminants, the filter has been found to remove 96-99.8% of E. coli bacteria.

The ceramic water filter is made from clay that is mixed with a grained organic waste material. Anything such as coffee grounds, tea leaves, or rice hulls are suitable for the organic waste material. After the ceramic water filter gets its formation of a cup it is then placed in a kiln with cow manure, and grass and leaves.

As the ceramic water filter is in the kiln the organic matter is burnt away leaving only silica and tiny holes for the water to pass through. These tiny holes allow the water to pass through and the filter purifies the water to a crystal clear taste.

While the ceramic water filtration method is fairly new, it is quickly gaining popularity for many reasons. The main reason is because of the simplicity and how inexpensive it is to make. With the few materials and organic matter needed, the ceramic water filter can be made by anyone anywhere.

Another benefit to the ceramic water filter is how quickly you can produce clean and efficient water. Along with how quickly you can clean the water, you can save a lot of water in the process as well. With only one filter you can clean a liter of water in just two hours.

While the idea of using cow manure seems a little outrageous to clean your water, it is an effective method that is reasonably priced and easy to do. This water purifying method is new and quickly gaining popularity because of its origin and the ability to remove E. coli. With just a few materials and organic matter, you too can have your very own ceramic water filter and make it yourself as well.

Naturally Skintastic specializes in finding truly effective Natural Products as alternatives to those found commercially. For more information about All Natural Vitamin C Shower Filters, please visit: NaturallySkintastic.Com.

With the nuisance that a leaky faucet brings, and the ridiculously high costs of plumbing works, it is imperative you learn how to fix a leaky faucet by yourself. Gone are the days where you have to call up a plumber and stare wide-eyed upon the receipt of a billing. All you have to do is follow these simple and easy to understand steps in fixing a leaky faucet.

For as long as you have the right tools and materials, learning how to fix a leaky faucet can be very easy. The basic materials and tools that you’ll need will comprise mainly of a new washer (get one that is suited to the type of faucet you have at home), some rags, a wrench, and a screwdriver.

But before you start pulling your faucet apart, turn off the main water supply first. This can be done by turning the shutoff or control valve counter-clockwise (off). If you don’t know where your control valve is, you can try looking under the sink and tracing the pipes.

Other than that, you also have to plug up the drain with the use of rags. By doing so, you are preventing small parts like washer and screws to go down the drain.

Once that is accomplished, you can now start repairing the leaky faucet. But first, be informed that these steps should be followed only when you have a conventional faucet. Other unconventional faucets might be more complicated, and you might use specific repair kits for it.

1. Just below the handle, where the faucet stem is attached to the water pipe, is a nut. Use a wrench to twist the nut counterclockwise to remove it. Turn the handle counterclockwise until you are able to remove it completely.

2. Once you have detached the handle, you will see a rubber-like washer that is held down by a screw. This washer is probably very old and falling down to pieces, which could be the reason why your faucet is leaking in the first place. Remove the old washer by unscrewing it, and then install the new washer. Remember that the new washer’s size should just be similar to that of the old washer. Tighten the screws on the new washer to secure it in place.

3. Reassemble everything. Replace the faucet handle (turn it clockwise), and tighten back the stem nut to its original location.

4. Do the checking. Turn the water back on and see if the faucet still leaks. If it still is, either you need to screw things more tightly or, you need to buy a new faucet rather than a new washer. And if all else fails, seek professional help and call a plumber.

And there they are – easy to follow and simple steps that will guide you about how to fix a leaky faucet. Now you can do it by yourself! There’s no need for you to call a plumber, or even your handy neighbor to help you around a leaky faucet. By doing it yourself, you free yourself from irritating dripping sounds, nasty sink stains brought upon by long-standing drips, and water wastage due to constant dripping. Put these steps close to your heart and you will never be in distress again.

Know more about how to fix a leaky faucet. All you need is fix a leaky faucet guide!

Building a wind generator is a much more cost effective solution than buying one. The average price of a 1000 watt generator is USD $2500. I would have to save up for more than a year to be able to buy one. That’s why I built my own wind generator.

It’s not as difficult as you might think either. A wind generator has some basic parts. I’ll deal with the tower first.

Many people have researched and found that buying a wind tower is very expensive. That’s true, but when I built mine I actually made $100 getting it. You see, many people these days have switched to satellite television, but they still have those television towers up. I was doing some construction at a house and noticed this. I asked the guy if I could buy it off of him. He told me “I’ll give you $100 dollars to take that thing away.

The next part of a generator is the generator. I really like wind generators because they allow you to produce AC or DC power. This is good for several reasons. First, if you don’t have the money for a battery system you can hook up an AC motor and generate AC power for your house. As you can afford batteries you can switch the motor to a DC one and charge the battery system.

Now for the most important part of your generator- the blades. Another trick that we’ve learned to make blades is to use PVC tubing. I know it sounds crazy, but a correctly cut PVC pipe works great as a wind generator blade. The plus side of using PVC as blades is that they are very strong.

The last piece you need for your wind generator is the vane. This can be made out of anything. Mine is a triangle I cut out of some plastic.

Assembling the generator is usually a whole day job– good for a weekend– you need to set up the tower and secure it with 5 guy wires. These wires are important as they provide stability so your generator doesn’t fall down. You will have to mount the turbine on the top- which should be done before you set up your tower. Make sure to attach the wires to the generator because I’ve forgotten.

You will probably want to do some load testing on your generator to see the wattages it produces at different wind speeds. This website has great information about building wind generators.

I built my own solar panels and a wind generator and saved well over $30,000. I get a cheque from the power company because I produce more energy than I use. If you’d like to learn how you can do the same check out Building A Wind Generator.

One of the more unique and highly effective water purifier methods on the market right now is ceramic water filtration. The filer was ultimately invented solely as a result of a world vision project. After some research and trial and error, the problem of the clay being too fine for water filters was solved and the ceramic water filter was ready.

By adding organic matter, the clay is capable of cleaning water and holding up as an effective ceramic water filtration system. The filter is capable of removing multiple contaminants and cleansing the water to give it a rich and crystal clear taste. Along with contaminants, the filter has been found to remove 96-99.8% of E. coli bacteria.

The ceramic water filter is made from clay that is mixed with a grained organic waste material. Anything such as coffee grounds, tea leaves, or rice hulls are suitable for the organic waste material. After the ceramic water filter gets its formation of a cup it is then placed in a kiln with cow manure, and grass and leaves.

As the ceramic water filter is in the kiln the organic matter is burnt away leaving only silica and tiny holes for the water to pass through. These tiny holes allow the water to pass through and the filter purifies the water to a crystal clear taste.

While the ceramic water filtration method is fairly new, it is quickly gaining popularity for many reasons. The main reason is because of the simplicity and how inexpensive it is to make. With the few materials and organic matter needed, the ceramic water filter can be made by anyone anywhere.

Another benefit to the ceramic water filter is how quickly you can produce clean and efficient water. Along with how quickly you can clean the water, you can save a lot of water in the process as well. With only one filter you can clean a liter of water in just two hours.

While the idea of using cow manure seems a little outrageous to clean your water, it is an effective method that is reasonably priced and easy to do. This water purifying method is new and quickly gaining popularity because of its origin and the ability to remove E. coli. With just a few materials and organic matter, you too can have your very own ceramic water filter and make it yourself as well.

Naturally Skintastic specializes in finding truly effective Natural Products as alternatives to those found commercially. For more information about All Natural Vitamin C Shower Filters, please visit: NaturallySkintastic.Com.