Close loop water systems are sustainable and a major step in water conservation.
Ecologist Brent Bucknum, principal of Hyphae Design Lab in Oakland, California, shares the ABC's of re-routing a home's waste water (greywater) to sustainably irrigate gardens and other green spaces. He takes us from his live/work space in Oakland to several residential sites around Berkeley that feature greywater systems in various stages of completion.
[via Dwell]
Step 2: Identify the Source
Water damage has three categories that identify the source of the damage.
Category I is clean, potable (drinkable) water. This is water coming from an overflowing sink or bathtub, or perhaps from a broken water supply line or a fixture shut-off valve. This is the preferred source should water damage occur. Category I water poses minimal risk of contamination or respiratory danger.
Category II water is sometimes called "gray" water. It is certainly not drinkable but not full of sewage, either. Examples of Category II water are dishwasher run-off or washing-machine run-off. These sources contain soap and/or food contaminants but not raw sewage.
Category III water, sometimes called "black" water, is highly contaminated. It contains bacteria or chemicals harmful to touch, consume or inhale. Category III water must be removed by a professional with proper immunizations and personal protective equipment. Examples of Category III water are any type of sewer back-up, water that has run across open ground before entering the structure, or anything related to a chemical spill.
Once you identify the Category of water, immediately move to Step 3...
American's have become used to expecting a strong stream of water from our faucets and shower heads. Thanks to larger diameter plumbing and high-pressure water pumps, the stream that flows into American homes is one of the highest in terms of gallons-per-second. Unlike our European or Asian counterparts who deal with older and less modern plumbing systems as well as more urban environments that put a higher demand on each water source, American's typically enjoy baths and high water pressure that other parts of the world do not.
In an age of water conservation the rise of high pressure yet low stream kitchen and bath products have become popular. The technology behind shower heads that feel as if they are delivering strong streams of water but really use much less is interesting. Many shower heads use a combination of water constriction and air injection to provide a shower with a strong stream but using less water.
The only reason not to replace your worn water heater with an electric one is upfront cost. Electric water heaters start paying for themselves as soon as you start using them as no energy is wasted keeping water hot.
One Project Closer has a great tutorial for replacing your old water heater with an electric version. With the correct tools it isn't that difficult of a job and you'll save a few hundred dollars by doing it yourself.
We've had a leaking bathtub faucet for awhile and never realized just how much water we were wasting until we placed a canister underneath which filled up overnight. Our dog had gotten used to water always being in the tub and now considers it an alternate source of water beyond her bowl. At this point we realized we had to do something about it.
First make sure to shut off your water, both your main line and your water heater line. Our main line shut-off is located in our front yard near the wall and the water heater shut off is located at the water heater.
We've had plumbers snake our sewer drains before as tree roots have infiltrated the line from our house, but typically when our kitchen and bath sinks clog up we break out the plunger and gently try the clear the line. In a two-sink kitchen make sure you've covered the opposite drain opening with a rag or something to create a seal or else you will simply blow air into the open drain and not through to the clog in the line.
One of our favorite new home blogs is This Young House and their recent rain barrel project shows step-by-step how to find the barrel, make the spout, and position it properly in your yard.
If you don't have the time or inclination to monitor a rain barrel then you could also consider a drywell which will keep water away from your home's foundation as well as prevent erosion.
It's one of the least glamorous yet more hard-working parts of your kitchen--and when your garbage disposal isn't working properly, it can wreak havoc on your plumbing and even leave behind a pungent odor that pollutes even the cleanest of kitchens. To ensure your small yet mighty garbage grinder runs smoothly, keep these disposal tips in mind. And if you do encounter a problem, you may be able to fix it without calling in an outside plumber.
Our house was built in 1936 and therefore retains a lot of character and quirkiness that new homes don't have. By character and quirkiness I mean; bad wiring, busted heaters, leaking roofs, and clogged sewer lines. We've been dealing with that last unmentionable item recently and it hasn't been pretty.
Toilet clogged, won't flush, constantly running, or you've got noisy banging pipes? Here are some easy home plumbing tips you should try before bringing in the pros. Most often they will usually work and if it doesn't at least you'll know a lot more about your plumbing than you did before.
October 6, 2009 | Comments ()
