A.W.E. Celebrates National Plumbers Month With Ten Tips To Help Live a More Waterwise Lifestyle

March 29, 2012 - PRLog -- Carol Stream,Ill. – March 29, 2012 - Drip... Drip... Drip... not the sound you want to hear in the middle of the night or when preparing for a party. Home ownership means not only understanding the different systems in your home but also knowing what regular maintenance is necessary to ensure safe, efficient operation of these systems. One of the most important systems in your home is your plumbing. Plumbing challenges happen, but being prepared to tackle a plumbing problem and learning to keep your plumbing in top shape can save money and hassle in the future.

April is National Plumber’s Month and the plumbing experts at Carol Stream-based Air. Water. Energy., or A.W.E., recommend a list of plumbing precautions to take to save your money, while also saving energy. Serving five counties in the western suburbs including DuPage, A.W.E. is a one-call solution provider for heating and air conditioning, energy and plumbing services, equipment and installations.

“At A.W.E., we never forget what it’s like to be on the customer’s end of a plumbing repair. A small plumbing nuisance can turn into a full-blown emergency without any warning, so it’s important to tend to those small plumbing jobs as soon as possible,” said Ray Grimm, CEO of A.W.E., a company with enhanced services after 100 years of serving customers in the community.

Below are ten tips that can help you avoid major repairs, help extend life expectancy, and in some cases even reduce energy consumption.

1.Fix Leaks: Most people are astounded at the impact of even tiny leaks in faucets or toilets. Leaks that are barely perceptible to the naked eye can waste thousands of gallons of fresh water a year, costing you hundreds of dollars in excess water bills. If you have a leak that you know of, get it fixed before all that money goes, literally, down the drain. It's a good idea to have a professional plumber do a complete household check-up to find leaks that escape casual notice.

2.Replace Plumbing Equipment and Fixtures: When replacing plumbing fixtures, consider the long-term savings by purchasing a high efficiency water heater, a tankless water heater, or a low water consumption fixture.

3.Repair Leaky Faucets: Repair leaky faucets quickly to avoid further damage to the fixtures and faucets. A slow drip can waste as much as 150 gallons of water daily, or 4,500 gallons per month and will add to the water bill.

4.Toilet Maintenance: Toilets consume more than 40% of your total water usage. An easy DIY tip is the toilet dye test for homeowners to perform with food coloring. It’s a safe and easy procedure and can save a lot on water usage. All you need to do is put the dying agent into the toilet tank. If the dye is in your toilet, you have a leak and will need to install a new toilet flapper to keep your toilet running efficiently.

5.Water Heater Conservation: Conserve energy by checking the temperature setting on your water heater. It should not be above 120 degrees Fahrenheit or medium setting on older models. Keeping your water heater temperature at or below 120 degrees Fahrenheit will lower the gas consumption, and also prevent potential scalding incidents.

6.Water Heater Check-ups: Your water heater is one of the most important household appliances. Over time sediment builds at the bottom of the heater which can hamper performance. A good professional will check this on an annual basis, including a check of the drain valve for signs of leakage, and the anode rods for corrosion.

7.Drain Water: Periodically, drain water from the bottom of your water heater to remove sediment to extend the life of your water heater. This is a good idea if your water has minerals in it or if your water heater makes popping noises when operating.  

8.Inspect Your Water Heater Burner: A good way of telling if your water heater needs to be inspected is to check the flame under the water heater. It should appear blue with yellow tips. If it's mostly yellow or if you see a layer of soot and carbon, the flue ways may be clogged. Don't try anything yourself at this point. Call a professional to investigate the situation.

9.Replace Water Heater: Once a water heater springs a leak, it is beyond repair and must be replaced. The typical life expectancy of a water heater with a tank is 8 to 12 years, and 20 to 25 years on a tankless unit. If you have an ancient water heater, it may pay off for you to get it replaced even before it breaks down. Units made in the last 10 -15 years have much higher operating efficiencies than older models. Savings in fuel costs often will pay for the new installation in just a few years.

10.No Hot Water? First check to insure that the gas is turned on to the water heater. If the gas valve is on and the gas is on to the house, check to see if the pilot light is lit. If the pilot light is lit, refer to the operating manual for instructions on lighting the pilot light. If the pilot light is lit and the water heater is still not heating it is best to call your local, licensed, plumber to check further.

To arrange an A.W.E. inspection, call 630-AWESOME.  For more information, visit www.theAWEfactor.com.

ABOUT A.W.E.
Air. Water. Energy., A.W.E., is a breath of fresh air for the homeowner. The Carol Stream, Illinois-based company provides one trusted source for all of a home’s vital systems.  A.W.E.’s expert team works with homeowners to create the healthiest in-home environment and the most efficient levels of systems operation.  With a 100% money-back guarantee, A.W.E. provides expert plumbing, electrical, air conditioning and heating service and installation.  A.W.E.’s MVP Membership offers customers an ability to stay ahead of costly repairs, and many other value-added benefits.   For more information, visit www.theAWEfactor.com or call 630-AWESOME.
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