National Fix-A-Leak Week

Fix a Leak Week is celebrated in March of each year as a time to remind Americans to check their household fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.

If you suspect you have a leak and need a plumber, call Cabinetry & Construction. Rob is a licensed plumber and can help you address all of your plumbing needs.

The Facts on Leaks:

• The amount of water leaked from U.S. homes could exceed more than 1 trillion gallons per year. That's equivalent to the annual water use of Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami combined.
• Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.
• Common types of leaks found in the home include leaking toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. All are easily correctable.
• Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners more than 10 percent on their water bills.
• Keep your home leak-free by repairing dripping faucets, toilet valves, and showerheads. In most cases, fixture replacement parts don't require a major investment and can be installed by do-it-yourselfers.
• The vast majority of leaks can be eliminated after retrofitting a household with new WaterSense labeled fixtures and other high-efficiency appliances.

Leak Detection:

• A good method to check for leaks is to examine your winter water usage. It's likely that a family of four has a serious leak problem if its winter water use exceeds 12,000 gallons per month.
• Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak.
• One way to find out if you have a toilet leak is to place a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color shows up in the bowl within 15 minutes without flushing, you have a leak. Make sure to flush immediately after this experiment to avoid staining the tank.

Faucets and Showerheads:

• A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. A home with WaterSense labeled toilets could use that water to flush for six months!
• Leaky faucets can be reduced by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and replacing them if necessary. 
• A showerhead leaking at 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons per year. That's enough water to wash 60 loads of dishes in your dishwasher.

Toilets:

• If your toilet is running constantly, you could be wasting 200 gallons of water or more every day.
• If your toilet is leaking, the cause is most often an old, faulty toilet flapper. Over time, this inexpensive rubber part decays, or minerals build up on it. 
• If you do need to replace the entire toilet, look for a WaterSense labeled model. If a family of four replaces its older, inefficient toilets with new WaterSense labeled ones, it could save more than 16,000 gallons per year. Retrofitting the house could save the family approximately $2,000 in water and wastewater bills over the lifetime of the toilets.

Outdoors:

• An irrigation system should be checked each spring before use to make sure it was not damaged by frost or freezing.
• An irrigation system with pressure set at 60 pounds per square inch that has a leak 1/32nd of an inch in diameter (about the thickness of a dime) can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month.
• Check your garden hose for leaks at its connection to the spigot. If it leaks while you run your hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench. 

Get more information on how to detect and repair leaks at: www.epa.gov/watersense

Fix a Leak Week: March 17-23

Fix a Leak Week is celebrated in March of each year as a time to remind Americans to check their household fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks. 

If you suspect you have a leak and need a plumber, call Cabinetry & Construction. Rob is a licensed plumber and can help you address all of your plumbing needs.

The Facts on Leaks:

• The amount of water leaked from U.S. homes could exceed more than 1 trillion gallons per year. That's equivalent to the annual water use of Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami combined.
• Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.
• Common types of leaks found in the home include leaking toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. All are easily correctable.
• Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners more than 10 percent on their water bills.
• Keep your home leak-free by repairing dripping faucets, toilet valves, and showerheads. In most cases, fixture replacement parts don't require a major investment and can be installed by do-it-yourselfers.
• The vast majority of leaks can be eliminated after retrofitting a household with new WaterSense labeled fixtures and other high-efficiency appliances.

Leak Detection:

• A good method to check for leaks is to examine your winter water usage. It's likely that a family of four has a serious leak problem if its winter water use exceeds 12,000 gallons per month.
• Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak.
• One way to find out if you have a toilet leak is to place a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color shows up in the bowl within 15 minutes without flushing, you have a leak. Make sure to flush immediately after this experiment to avoid staining the tank.

Faucets and Showerheads:

• A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. A home with WaterSense labeled toilets could use that water to flush for six months!
• Leaky faucets can be reduced by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and replacing them if necessary.
• A showerhead leaking at 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons per year. That's enough water to wash 60 loads of dishes in your dishwasher.

Toilets:

• If your toilet is running constantly, you could be wasting 200 gallons of water or more every day.
• If your toilet is leaking, the cause is most often an old, faulty toilet flapper. Over time, this inexpensive rubber part decays, or minerals build up on it.
• If you do need to replace the entire toilet, look for a WaterSense labeled model. If a family of four replaces its older, inefficient toilets with new WaterSense labeled ones, it could save more than 16,000 gallons per year. Retrofitting the house could save the family approximately $2,000 in water and wastewater bills over the lifetime of the toilets.

Outdoors:

• An irrigation system should be checked each spring before use to make sure it was not damaged by frost or freezing.
• An irrigation system with pressure set at 60 pounds per square inch that has a leak 1/32nd of an inch in diameter (about the thickness of a dime) can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month.
• Check your garden hose for leaks at its connection to the spigot. If it leaks while you run your hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.

Get more information on how to detect and repair leaks at: www.epa.gov/watersense

Make Sure You're Ready for Winter

Winter has arrived in Richmond, and the time has come to make your home is ready. Here are some items to check on to make sure your house is prepared for the change in weather.

Inspect Your Home's Exterior
Walk around your home and visually inspect the exterior. You'll want to replace any missing roof tiles or fix any other damage. When checking your gutters and drains, you'll want to be sure these are free of leaves and other materials that might cause a clog as leaves and tree debris may have fallen into your gutters during autumn.

Examine Your Foundation
Inspect your property's foundation. Check for any holes where pests may be hiding as even very small holes can allow a tiny mouse to get inside. While performing this inspection, clear away any dead or dying vegetation from your foundation.

Check for Drafts
Check each of your home's windows and doors looking for any gaps that create drafts, as these will reduce your home's energy efficiency causing you to pay more each month for heating. You can use sealants, such as caulk and weather-stripping, to stop the drafts.
 
Service or Replace Your Heating System
By now you've probably turned on your heat to combat the wintry temperatures outside. You'll want to change your filters and have your heating system serviced to ensure it is operating efficiently. You'll also want to have your boiler serviced, which should be done once a year, to minimize the chance of a breakdown when you most need it.

If your system is over 10 years old, you should consider an upgrade. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of the tax credits made available for energy-efficient heat and cooling upgrades to your home. These tax credits are only valid for systems installed through December 2013. (You can read a description of these tax credits on the Energy Star website.)

If you have an outside air conditioner, you'll also want to winterize it by removing debris and dirt and covering it to protect it from collecting dead leaves. If you have a window unit, remove it and clean it before storing it for the winter months.
 
Insulate your attic and pipes
As you know, heat rises. This winter you'll want to make sure it doesn't escape from the top of your house by ensuring that your attic is insulated adequately. If your attic hasn't been insulated in a while, check the thickness of your insulation and replace or top it off if needed.

It's also important to insulate your water pipes to protect them from freezing in winter, ensuring you don't cut off your water supply and preventing pipes from bursting and damaging your home. Pipe insulation is easy to install and repair, especially for any pipes that are exposed. But even a water pipe that is close to an external wall can freeze in cold weather, so it may be sensible to check all of your pipes and insulate them.

Prepare Your Fireplace
These rainy, wintry days are great for a fire. Be sure the fireplace damper mechanism is working properly. If your fireplace has not been cleaned recently, hire cleaners to remove old soot in the chimney. Make sure the fireplace damper mechanism is working properly.

Clear Your Yard and Outdoor Living Spaces
Even though you won't spend much time outdoors this winter, you want to make sure your yard is prepared for the cold months too. Put away hoses, gardening tools, outdoor furniture and barbecues. If you notice that any trees are touching your house, trim them back to protect your property from breaking branches during windy storms. Also be sure to clear leaves from your patio and deck as they will become slimy and slippery as they disintegrate during the winter.  

CCI is the premier remodeling company for the distinct needs of home renovation projects in Richmond. We are a Class A licensed contractor for the complete renovation project, including plumbing, HVAC, and gas fitting, as well as building. Give us a call or send us an email today and we can provide a free estimate on the project that interests you.

Not Just Remodeling -- Think of us for Home Care & Repair

Over the years, many of you have called on us for minor home repairs, but we've never formally announced this aspect of our business. We have now officially launched our Home Care & Repair Division. We want to be your one-stop shop for repairs, maintenance, or improvements to your home.

You know Rob and Cabinetry & Construction as people you've entrusted with working on your home. Chances are you chose us to create a luxurious master suite, a gourmet kitchen, or a seamless addition, but we offer services beyond large-scope remodeling.

In fact, in these uncertain economic times, a major remodeling job may be the furthest thing from your mind. But, one thing is certain: you need to maintain the investment you've made in your home, and you need a company you can rely upon to help you to do so. Cabinetry & Construction, Inc., is licensed and insured, unlike many who advertise themselves as handymen. Besides being a Class A remodeling contractor, CCI holds licenses in the plumbing, gas fitting, and HVAC trades. So, if you need a repair, whether it be carpentry or installing a new water heater or A/C, CCI's Home Care and Repair Division has the skills and credentials to do the job right.

HVAC & Plumbing

Many of our clients are not aware that we are licensed as a Plumbing, Gas Fitting, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) contractor, as well as being a Class A building contractor. We can be your one-stop shop for all remodeling projects. Not Just Cabinetry.

Green Remodeling

As you may know, Rob is certified as a Certified Green Building Professional (GCBP) through the National Association of Home Builders. According to the NAHB, the "designation recognizes builders, remodelers and other industry professionals who incorporate green building principles into homes- without driving up the cost of construction."

We have decided to continue our commitment to environmental best practices by utilizing email for the majority of communications with clients and friends.

In the spirit of "going green," we'd also like to share some information about our environmentally aware repertoire:

• We are certified dealers and installers of Rinnai tankless water heaters. Conventional water tanks heat and store hot water around the clock, heating and re-heating water, and constantly losing energy up the vent and through the walls of the tank. A tankless water heater comes on only when hot water is used, and shuts off immediately when done, saving energy. All Rinnai tankless units are either LP or natural gas fired.
• We are certified dealers and installers of WaterFurnace geothermal heat systems. WaterFurnace is a natural heat pump system that taps in to the consistent underground temperature of the earth. WaterFurnace products are environmentally friendly, efficient systems that can reduce heating, cooling, and hot water costs by up to seventy percent. One of the best ways to get value for your home improvement project is to select products that have low usage costs.

Other "green" products we recommend include:

• Energy star rated appliances
• Energy star rated windows
• Watersense rated plumbing fixtures
• Upgraded insulation packages
• Richlite counters
• Marmoleum flooring
• Concrete counters
• Recycled, natural floor products
• James Hardie siding products
• Paperless drywall
• Whole house ventilation
• Solar heating
• Cabinetry made with FSC wood
• Low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints

As you may be aware, Governor Kaine is proposing tax credits for those who install green energy systems such as solar heating and geothermal heating. Let us help you help the environment and your pocket book: give us a call today about making your home more environmentally efficient.