Restroom Leaks That Are Easy To Fix
If you want to help the environment by saving water and save yourself some money then you should consider inspecting all your bathroom fixtures for leaks. If they do leak then you’ll want to fix those leaks as quickly as possible. Fortunately, many minor repairs around the bathroom are relatively easy to tackle if you have a little patience and a few very basic tools.
You can really check your entire house for water leaks, but the bathroom is the easiest place to begin. The bathroom almost always has the most water outlets and is one of the most heavily used rooms in any home. Moisture has a tendency to dry out and wear on things a lot more than dry air, so it’s always a good idea to keep on top of any repairs in the bathroom before they get out of control. Here are some common leaks to look for and some basic ways you can fix them:
Dripping Sink Faucet: Sure, a little dripping from a sink faucet is annoying, but is it really a major waster of water? To find out you can put a cup under the dripping faucet and see how much water you collect in an hour and then multiply that amount by 24 hours. Chances are, you’ll be shocked by how much water you’re wasting. Most leaky faucets can be fixed by replacing the rubber washers in the handle mechanism or in the spout. Most faucets come with instructions on how to do this, though if you’re handy with a screwdriver and a wrench you should quickly be able to figure out how to replace the washers in your particular model.
Dripping or Leaking Shower/Tub Diverter: If you have a shower and tub combination in your bathroom then you probably have a shower diverter knob which allows you to divert the water from the tub faucet to the shower head. There are lots of different types of shower diverter valves and knobs, but they all essentially rely on a little rubber seal to block the water from the tub or shower faucet. These rubber seals can wear out and you’ll need to replace the entire shower diverter valve. Replacing that one piece will prevent water from running down the drain from your bathtub faucet when you’re taking a shower. This can lead to substantial water savings!
Constantly Running Toilet: A toilet that seems to run intermittently from time to time is almost definitely wasting a lot of water on a regular basis. The easiest, and most common, fix for a toilet that runs from time to time is to replace the toilet flapper. This repair takes a little bit of coordination and some understanding of how a toilet works, but it isn’t too complex and often doesn’t require any special tools.
All you need to fix these leaks is a little time and a minimal amount of tools. That being said, you should probably only attempt repairs you feel comfortable trying. Fixing some of these minor leaks in your bathroom will not conserve water for the environment, but also save you money in your water bill.
How to Pick the Right Shower Head
February 6, 2009 by Matthew Henage
Filed under Bathroom
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The most popular and versatile shower heads are those that are adjustable. Adjustable shower heads can be set anywhere between ultra high pressure streams to relaxing massage to a soft mist. Just be sure that you buy a design that is easy to adjust with slippery hands covered in soap.
If you are looking for even more flexibility you can select a adjustable shower head that is handheld, providing the ability to move the shower spray around your body. Handheld shower heads are especially useful for the disabled and elderly using a shower seat, and they are also great for bathing children.
Water Pressure and Temperature
Adjustable shower heads are especially useful if you have low water pressure in your home because you can adjust the nozzle for stronger flow. If you don’t know your water pressure you can pick up a pressure gauge from your local hardware store for about $10. Or you can call your local water supplier to ask what the static water pressure is for your neighborhood, which will give you a pretty good idea. The average water pressure for homes is about 45 psi, which is a bit on the low side. The Uniform Plumbing Code calls for water to be delivered to homes for domestic use at 50 to 70 psi. If you are below 40 psi you have low water pressure.
Aerating shower heads are engineered to mix the water with air to increase the perceived strength of the flow, even up to painful skin-stinging levels. There is, however, a trade-off. The aerating function not only makes the pressure feel more substantial, but it also lowers the water’s temperature by up to 15 degrees before it hits your body. So if you like your showers hot and you don’t have the option of safely raising the temperature setting of your water heater, then you should read customer reviews and product descriptions to find a shower head that does well in maintaining a high water temperature.
Hard Water Considerations
White chalky residue on faucets, shower doors, and tiles is a sign of hard water. (If you aren’t sure if you have hard water, the local water company can tell you.) Hard water leaves mineral deposits that, over time, can clog your shower head and divert spray from its intended direction. Some shower heads are engineered with hard-water in mind and advertise anti-hard water features in their product descriptions. If you have hard water, one of the most important things to look for in a shower head is rubbery nozzles that make it easy to whisk away weeks worth of buildup with the tip of your finger. All-metal shower heads don’t usually stand up so well to hard water deposits, and may require disassembly to clean or the use of a straight pin to scrape buildup out of the nozzles.
Rain Shower Luxury
Rain showers mimic natural rainfall with over-sized heads and gentle raindrops falling directly downward. Rain shower heads also tend to come in more luxurious and stylish designs and finishes. Some people report that the rain showers don’t provide enough power with the flow spread out over such a wide head. Because the water falls from directly above, it can be difficult to target the flow where you need it, for example when you need to wash your body while keeping your hair dry. The lack of power and precision placement mean it takes more effort to wash off soap and shampoo. Rain shower heads also sometimes require special parts and are usually more difficult to install.
