Posts Tagged: ‘Water’

Stop water leakages:

March 8, 2012 Posted by admin

An overview:

Conservation of water is not only important from utility bills saving point of view but it is in fact a great economic development tool. Hence if any one is concerned about lower energy costs and utility bills, a more comfortable and energy efficient home then he or she should immediately check and stop leakage of water. According to the American water works association one in every five toilet in the United States leaks, which can lead to a waste of approximately 30 to 500 gallons of water per day. If the loss is such on a daily basis then the loss for one year is beyond imagination.

Checking interior water leakages:

A recent survey concluded that undetected interior water leaks could add up to 20 to 45% of the total utility bills on water. On an average most of the leakages in side a house are found in the toilets and lavatories. One of the easiest ways to detect a silent leak in the toilet is to drop a little amount of food coloring into the tank and without flushing for some time if the color appears in the bowl then there is a possible chance of leakage. Checking of moist spots around and under the house plumbing and around outdoor plumbing can also lead to the discovery of leakages. Worn out washers in faucets and showerheads are also significant sources of water leakages through dripping. Though it may appear to be negligible but even a little drip can waste as much as 170 gallons of water each day that leads to 5000 gallons in a month.

Use of water meters:

Water meters are important devices that can give effective check on water wastage in a house. The water meter should always be located in front of the house inside a concrete or plastic meter box that is set flush to the ground. It is seen that sometimes meter boxes are not easily visible due to landscaping and other obstructions. Many find it hard to read the meter but it is as easy as reading the odometer of a car. The numbers should be from left to right that appears under the words cubic feet.

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Categories: Bills

Have water auditing programs – Water Reviews

February 1, 2012 Posted by admin

Trying to save money on utility bills is often very difficult. For ensuring lower bills, individuals must lower their consumption of the utilities, which is very difficult. Often, people have several undesirable habits and have a tendency to waste the energies rather than using them judiciously. This happens greatly in case of water. Water is generally wasted more than what it is actually used. People usually do not have a water saving attitude and end up using much more than what is required. This results in two problems, namely, water wastage and high water bills. However, with concepts like water auditing, individuals can kill two birds with one stone. This means that they can lower their water bills and contribute their bit in saving this life-saving element by a singular method of water auditing.

Audit Report

Water auditing refers to a comprehensive method wherein individuals can implement excellent water saving techniques. Water auditing involves taking professional help or advise from experts who guide families on proper water saving strategies. Apart from giving elaborate tips on water saving, water auditing also helps the individuals to avoid and block all leakages and even read the water meter perfectly. There is a water conservation expert who visits the home and after taking a look around very carefully, he points out the faults causing water wastage and also suggests ways to resolve these faults. This way, water is not wasted and the individual saves on the water bill. There are many ways and strategies that come under water auditing.

Water auditing includes tips for minimum use of water for daily chores like washing, cooking, cleaning and gardening. It focuses greatly on using recycled water and sparing amounts of water for household purposes. Another major focus is on plugging any leakages in or around the house as that causes maximum amount of water wastage. Also, installing low flow taps and faucets in the home bathroom is a part of water auditing so that low amount of water is consumed. Water auditing also involves using proper garden equipments like sprinklers, drip irrigation and moderate flow hoses. These equipments are ideal for proper watering of plants as well as to save water. These are simple but fundamental ways of water saving and hence greatly emphasized in water auditing techniques. Hence, not just to save water but also for saving on water bills, water auditing is essential.

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Categories: Bills

Water recycling method

December 18, 2011 Posted by admin

Recycling is a term generally applied to aluminum cans, glass bottles and newspapers, water can be recycled as well. Water recycling is reusing treated wastewater for beneficial purposes such as agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial processes, toilet flushing and replenishing a ground water basin. Water is sometimes recycled and reused onsite.

Natural way of recycling

Through the natural water cycle, the earth has recycled and reused water for millions of years. Water recycling, though, generally refers to projects that use technology to speed up these natural processes. Water recycling is often characterized as unplanned or planned. Water from rivers has been reused, treated, and piped into the water supply a number of times before the last downstream user withdraws the water. Planned projects are those that are developed with the goal of constructively reusing a recycled water supply.

How Can Recycled Water benefits all?
Recycled water can satisfy most water demands as long as it is adequately treated to ensure water quality appropriate for the use. The treatment processes and suggested uses at each level of treatment. In uses where there is a greater chance of human contact to the water, more treatment is required. As for any water source that is not properly treated, health problems could arise from drinking or being exposed to recycled water if it contains disease-causing organisms or other contaminants. Recycled water is most commonly used for non-potable purposes, such as agriculture, landscape, public parks, and golf course irrigation. Other non-potable applications include cooling water for power plants and oil refineries, industrial process water for such facilities as paper mills and carpet dyers, toilet flushing, dust control, construction activities, concrete mixing and artificial lakes.
Project undertaken to recycle water

Although most water recycling projects have been developed to meet non-potable water demands, a number of projects use recycled water indirectly for potable purposes. These projects include recharging ground water aquifers and augmenting surface water reservoirs with recycled water. In ground water recharge projects, recycled water can be spread or injected into ground water aquifers to augment ground water supplies and to prevent salt-water interruption in coastal areas.

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Categories: Bills

Feng Shui for better backyard

August 3, 2011 Posted by admin

Feng Shui is an oriental Chinese art of decoration and placing things in harmony with the environment. Feng Shui suggests various arrangements styles in context to energy so that positive energy flows though the house thus conferring health and well being to the owner. With help of Feng Shui one can scientifically make a backyard that is ecologically and scientifically perfect for the house.

Feng Shui Garden

When it comes to backyard, the garden has the most prominent importance in Feng Shui. To harness and properly use the chi, the life force Feng Shui mainly focuses on three elements of the garden – mountains, water and greenery. Raised planting beds, tall trees and shrubbery often represent the mountain. Water, which represents wealth, is represented by streams, ponds and fountains. Feng Shui uses these elements to bring out a positive balance. According to this it is beneficial to place water, mountains and plants fairly close to each other. Similarly it is good to have circular pathways for better and easy movement of the chi. Feng Shui suggests having different layers in the garden rather than flat for better chi movement. Similarly curves in the garden enhance the chi flow.
According to Feng Shui every area of the garden relates to specific parts of life. For instance , the left corner symbolizes wealth thus use bright color flowers such as purple red and blue to attract chi. Further more the center area represents fame and reputation, placing an archway here will allow the chi to bestow fame in ones life and enhance reputation. Love and marriage is represented by the right corner, relations can be enhanced by planting pink, red and whit flowers.

Some Feng Shui Tips

Add gold fish to the pond, it brings happiness. Don’t plant sharp leafed plant s near the entrance they obstruct the way of the chi. Use colorful sittings, preferably in the center for wealth and prosperity. Bridges are very good for a garden they represent connectivity and transformation from the unknown to the known.

Feng Shui is a tested and proven art and philosophy of placement and arrangement. If used accurately with professional help is very successful and can greatly enhance happiness in ones life.

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Categories: Backyard

Judicious use of running water:

August 2, 2011 Posted by admin

An overview

Water is indeed a precious commodity and almost every one of us is aware of this fact. Still enough efforts are not being taken at family levels or at homes for the proper and judicious use of water. According to a recent survey, in America almost 75 % of the total water supplied to a home in a year is being used for shower bath tub and bathroom sinks. It is matter of fact that although more than 80 % of our planet is covered in water, the fresh water sources only constitutes up to 3 % of the total. More over the major problem with fresh water is that it cannot be produced and we have to wholly rely upon nature for it. Hence water conservation is a matter of great concern and importance for all of us.

Methods to avoid running water wastage:
Many a times it has been observed at home water is wasted unnecessarily. However if we become a little more conscious then we may be able to save one of the precious commodities that are available to us. For example keeping a container of water in the fridge in order not to run the water down the sink until it’s cool enough to drink or by putting the plug in the sink when washing hands instead of holding them under running water can save a considerable amount. Other than this washing fruit and vegetables in a half-filled sink instead of under running water is another great way to cut back on water wastage. There are also other significant ways of saving water like rinsing dishes in a plugged sink rather than under a running tap saves water and is just as easy and effective. Also the use of a minimum amount of dishwashing liquid when washing dishes by hand reduces the amount of rinsing required. To rinse a shaving razor, a little water should be run into a plugged sink as rinsing the razor under a running tap wastes lots of water. There is an absolute no need to leave the tap running while you brush your teeth. On the contrary one can simply wet the toothbrush before the brushing and use a glass of water to rinse mouth. Also one should not use running water to thaw meat or other frozen foods but can defrost the same food overnight in the refrigerator or by using the defrost setting on your microwave.

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Categories: Save Water

Water in Basement

July 25, 2011 Posted by admin

A flood in the area can cause a great deal of water to collect in the basement. This can turn out into a bad situation, as the water has no place to go and cannot dry up easily. The only way out is to pump out the water using special equipment. Pumping out water must be carried out with extra care as the process may result in pushing up walls and causing structural damage in case water is pumped out in a rapid manner.

Dealing with a Flooded Basement

If the basement is flooded and there is a great amount of water in it, the first step towards cleaning and repairing the basement is to wait for the flood to stop. Put off gas valves and electricity before entering the basement. Pump out the water from the basement in stages as sudden water pumping can cause damage to the walls. Clean out the debris and mud on the floor and then check for repairs to be undertaken. Waterproofing substances can be used to prevent water leaks through cracks in the walls or joints.

Problems Caused by Water in the Basement

The water that collects in the basement may be filled with debris and mud. It can contaminate the things lying about in the basement and also cause damage to the walls and floor. Water that has been collected in the basement remains stagnant with no place to go and results in molds and mildew and bad odors as well. It can lead to the growth of disease producing germs as well. Dehumidifiers may be used for drying the basement.

Preventing Water from Entering the Basement

Basement windows can be covered with plastic covers. This prevents water or snow from entering the basement and collecting inside. Broken washing machine hoses can also cause water to collect in the basement. Checking for broken water pipes or sewage ducts can also be a precautionary measure for preventing water from entering the basement. This can be pumped out or if matters are really worse, professionals in basement repairs can be called to help out.

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Categories: Basement

Feng Shui Guidelines

July 16, 2011 Posted by admin

Feng Shui is oriental Chinese term that means water and wind. According to the traditional Chinese philosophy the placement and arrangement of physical object in your environment affects the flow of energy. Feng Shui is a method of placing and arranging these objects in the environment to get the best energy flow and thus get the best possible advantages in life. Feng Shui is often considered as a decorating style, whereas it is a discipline whose guidelines are compatible with many decorating styles. Feng Shui has developed and refined through centuries of research and experimentation. The subjects involve a comprehensive study of energy flows, which are mainly focused on 5 elements in the nature.

Five Elements :

Feng Shui practices mainly revolve around 5 elements – Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth. Each of the elements plays a distinct role in the quality of our life and brings along different forms of energy or Chi. These elements are signified with different colors and symbols, and the study of Feng Shui prescribes how you can use and arrange these colors, symbols and objects to achieve harmony with the external as well as internal environment.

Colors:

Colors have a deep impact on the human mental behavior. Since they are a crucial part of the nature and human life, they are a crucial part of Feng Shui discipline. Different colors signify different energies such as the white color imply to Metal, black to Water, red to Fire, blue or green to Wood and yellow color signifies the element Earth. Similarly every color represents different aspects of the human social life, for instance Red stands for attraction, warmth and strength. Green color implies to health and potential. The purple hue signifies spiritual guidance. Yellow represents energy and life. Black stands for mood and perception. Pink is romantic color and implies to love. Feng Shui has also suggested where can these colors be best used to which part of your house.

Feng Shui Home and Office:

Feng Shui provides you the best way of decorating your office or home after a careful study of various sectors of the place. The art prescribes specific decorating ways and use of colors so that the flow of the chi or the energy is smooth and there is harmony between you and the nature.

Due to the proven benefits from Feng Shui, the discipline has become popular all around the world. Most people insist for a Feng Shui style of decorating to their house and office for a happy life.

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Feng shui elements

July 9, 2011 Posted by admin

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese discipline which involves the placing and arranging of space according to the energy flow in the surroundings. These surroundings are mostly made of five elements which hold importance in the principles of feng shui.

The five feng shui elements

The five feng shui elements are earth, metal, water, wood and fire. Feng shui experts believe that the elements support or act in sync with each other and give out maximum benefits when used according to the laws of directions governing feng shui. The element Earth supports the element Metal which in turn supports the element Water. Water supports the element Wood which in turn supports the element Fire. Even time periods are believed to be ruled or dominated by each of the five elements at different points of time.

Features of the feng shui elements

Feng shui is based on the interaction between the five elements. It is essential to find a perfect balance for these elements through proper placement. This can give maximum benefit to the members of the house or office where these elements are placed. However, it is also necessary to keep in mind that too much of any one element can result in the powers of a less strong element being taken over and the end result may not turn out to be favorable. The perfect balance can be brought about by getting a feng shui master or expert to supervise the placing of the elements in the different areas of the living or working space.

Getting the perfect balance of feng shui elements

All feng shui experts and schools believe that the five elements must be in balance otherwise the fortunes may be reversed. There are many feng shui products that combine these five elements in the right combination. One such product is a Brass 5 Pagoda which is essentially made of five compartments that can be filled with earth, crystals or sand to enhance the effects of the elements. The Pagoda base starts with the representation of Earth, then Metal, Water, Wood and Fire in that order.

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Concrete Acid Stain

June 25, 2011 Posted by admin

Concrete is a composite material used commonly in building construction. It consists of a combination of an aggregate and a cement binder. The most common type of cement comprises Portland cement, mineral aggregates and water. Concrete is the most widely used man-made material on earth.

Stained Concrete

Acid stain is not a coloring agent or paint. It is basically, a coloring procedure that involves certain chemical reactions on cementitious material. Water, acid and inorganic salts react with the minerals present in the concrete to form a solution that imparts it the color. Acid stains are made from hydrochloric acid, metallic ions and wetting agents. Acid stain provides a mottled, marble like look. It can create various beautiful colors on the concrete such as earthy tones of red, green and reddish brown. Acid staining produces better effects on old concrete. There are different kinds of acid stains available such as ChemTone. This stain does not contain hydrochloric acid and is safer for transporting and handling. Acid staining is permanent, it does not fade or chip.

Where and How to Do It?

Acid staining of concrete can be done in walks, entrances, patios, driveways, living rooms and bathrooms. A smooth concrete surface is better for acid staining. Application of acid stain requires few tools such as paintbrushes, sprayers and a saw with a diamond blade for scoring the surface. One gallon of stain with one gallon of water can color approximately 400 square feet. A new concrete slab needs time for curing (at least three weeks after pouring the mixture). It also has to be rinsed and scrubbed. Old concrete needs to be thoroughly cleaned as any dust, dirt or grease will prevent the acid stain from penetrating properly. It is recommended to test the acid stain on a small area first. Acid stains are transparent and any scratches or cuts on the concrete add to the charm. It is recommended to apply the stain with non-metallic equipments. When the floor is dry, sealing is advised to enhance the color and shield the concrete. The sealer can be applied with a phenolic core roller or sprayers.

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Twin tank metered water softener with 1 Fleck

May 12, 2011 Posted by admin

CAI Technologies
$1255.00
$1365.00

24,000 grain microprocessor based metered twin water softener. The SXT9000HC uses a Fleck high flow capacity 1 inch (1.0 connections standard) valve with an advanced microprocessor based metered control and Noryl valve designed for residential use! The SXT control allows for easy programming and is packed with features like calendar override, soft water remaining, time of day, service and diagnostic indications, and more! The SXT valve delivers a higher flow rate for larger residential applications and uses an up-flow backwash for a very efficient cleaning of the softener resin bed. This softener has a twin tank duplex design with two separate resin tanks and single brine tank. A twin tank system operates at maximum efficiency, using 100% of the resin of the tank in service before switching to the second tank, for continuous supply of soft water with no regeneration downtime. This softener regenerates with soft water and uses a soft water pre-rinse which flushes the resin of hardness and stagnant water before a new tank comes on line. The system stays clean, for optimum operating efficiency and minimum maintenance. Beige colored resin tanks, manufactured by Structural, are poly lined and fiberglass reinforced. No by-pass valve is available with a 1 inch 9100 valve - a by-pass system can be plumbed in separately. ....read more

  • 0.75 ft3 Ionac C-249 ion exchange resin per tank
  • Twin tank 48,000 grain total system capacity
  • High flow 1.05 distributors
  • 18 diameter x 33 brine tank with grid and float assembly
  • Flat $30 shipping charge within the continental US

  • 0.75 ft3 Ionac C-249 ion exchange resin per tank
  • Twin tank 48,000 grain total system capacity
  • High flow 1.05 distributors
  • 18 diameter x 33 brine tank with grid and float assembly
  • Flat $30 shipping charge within the continental US

  • 0.75 ft3 Ionac C-249 ion exchange resin per tank
  • Twin tank 48,000 grain total system capacity
  • High flow 1.05 distributors
  • 18 diameter x 33 brine tank with grid and float assembly
  • Flat $30 shipping charge within the continental US

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Categories: Water Tanks
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