About.com Plumbing

Cash for Kitchen Clunkers?

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:45:42 +0000

With the "Cash for Clunkers" rebate program fading off, American's are looking to get subsidized for other purchases. Mainly their appliances. The U.S. Department of Energy has initiated plans for a rebate program for energy efficient appliances purchases.

With $300 million dollars ear marked for the program, Energy Secretary Steven Chu hopes that the program will not only help conserve energy, but also save people money on their monthly utility bills.

"These rebates will help families make the transition to move efficient appliances, making purchases that will directly stimulate the economy and create jobs," Chu said in a press release from the DOE.

The programs will be state ran this time, with each state having to follow a set application process. Included in the process is plans identifying the Energy Star appliances that will qualify for the rebate.

The DOE hopes to have most of the funding out to the states by the end of November.

Going Green. Really, Really Green

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:50:50 +0000

Believe it or not, there was a time that nature would naturally filter harmful properties out of water. As the water would pass through the different levels of the eco-system, the debris and other undesirables would be trapped. Eventually the water would be returned to stores in the ground.

Okay, maybe that isn't exactly news. But the fact that designers and engineers in France have developed a shower that recreates that natural filtration process is.

The shower has a mini-eco system underneath it. As the waste water goes down the drain it passes through a series of natural filters, including reeds, rushes and sand. Eventually returning to a catch.

While the design is not in production yet, the inventors hope to see it become something concrete soon. They have been inundated with quires since they put the design up on the internet. They hope that their design not only helps people think about recycling water, but also how they use water.

Not a Hot New App

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:28:44 +0000

Cell phone technology seems to be nearly limitless now a days. With a click you can buy movie tickets or find the nearest Tai restaurant.

How about being able to turn your oven on via your cell phone? One Brooklyn man's phone has this ability. Unfortunately for him it is not some new hot app.

Andrew Melnikov told 1010 WINS radio, that his Sony Erickson PDA turn on his broiler when the phone is near the oven and receives a phone call.

A Maytag repair man who went to service the oven said that it was in need of a "suppressor".
A Maytag spoke person told 1010 WINS that this is the first instance they have encountered a
situation like this. The company also stated that they would send out repairman to service the appliance.

Pop-up Portable Potty

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 18:08:25 +0000

Was your last European vacation ruined by the eye sore of drunk revelers relieving themselves on a public street? Urilift International has a solution to this unsanitary problem, a pop-up urinal.

A pub or night club employee simply pushes a button on a remote, and a porta john like building rises from its subterranean hiding spot, allowing a sanitary place for drunk frat boys to relieve themselves while in public.

The Urilifts pop-up every night around 2 am. In the morning street-sweepers clean out the cans of any trash and then lower them back down with remotes.

The urilifts have been in use in some European cities since 2004. Maybe we will see this sanitation milestone state side some time soon.

Taking Your Shower into the Digitial Age

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:33:22 +0000

Almost everything now a days seems to be digital. Leave it the fine folks at Moen to take digital technology to the bathroom with their new ioDigital shower and bathtub facuet controls.

The controls feature an LCD screen with four programmable presets. The controls can not only set the water temperature, but also the flow of the water. Once you find your perfect settings they can be saved to the preset channels to let you relive that shower experience again and again. And with the optional remote you can start your shower and fill you bath from another room.

Taking the digital faucet control to another level is the RainBrain shower by Hansgrohe. The RainBrain features a digital touch screen. Just like the Moen model, the RainBrain can control temperature and flow with programmable presets. It also has the ability to play MP3 from your playlist.

The only downside to both products is the inability to run without electricity. So if the power is off you can forget about bathing.

21st Century Toilet Shut Off

Sat, 25 Jul 2009 10:03:08 +0000

Are you waking up groggy and ill tempered? Tossing and turning all night because of the whispering whirring of a running toilet? Are you vacations spoiled by constant worried thoughts of a toilet running, over flowing, destorying your hardwood floors? It's time to reclaim your vacations and stop giving family and co-workers dirty looks due to your lack of sleep. How? Enter the AquaOne H2Orb.

The H2Orb is a computer controlled shut off that detects malfunctions in your toilet and shuts off the water supply. The device works with wireless controls in the tank and bowl and connects to standard supply line shut offs.

Not only does the device detect and shuts off the water supply, it also is equipped with an alarm to let you know that the water has been shut off. But wait, there's more. The device will also tell you what caused the malfunction.

Consider the H2Orb your own personal HAL 9000. Unfortunately, you can't play chess with it, but on the bright side it can't exile you in the endless abyss of outer space.

Water Conservation is Soooo Hollywood

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 14:18:33 +0000

Los Angeles city council has passed an ordinance requiring all new buildings in LA to be equipped with water-saving plumbing fixtures. The law is part of a larger green building program initiative in the city.

According to officials in the Department of Water and Power (quoted from the LA Times), the new law will reduce water consumption in new buildings by 20%.

The law, which passed with a 13-0 vote, will also require property owners to install water-saving fixtures when remodeling their homes.

If you want to be conservation minded like all the flashy Hollywood types check out your options in water saving shower heads, toilets and faucets. Purse-bound puppies and double soy con leche lattes optional.

Getting Bold In the Bathroom Sink

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:58:32 +0000

Vessel lavatory sinks have been en vogue as of late in bathroom remodels. Not only do they add a sense of elegance to the can, but they also lend themselves to an individuality of the space.

This is due to the wide variety of materials they can be made out of. Marble, granite, stone, porcelain and glass are all common. The natural stones feature unique swirl patterns and a natural elegance to the design. Vessel sinks also come in a variety of colors and shapes, giving even more design ideas to make your bath stand out.

Another aspect of the vessel sink that is raising its popularity is the versatility of the structures they can be mounted to. Anything from a bureau to old desks can be used, offering an unique spin on the old pedestal idea. Of course spaces should always be considered.

So if you are looking for a way to spice up your bathroom and make it stand out against your neighbors and friends, a vessel sink might be just what you need. Take a look at the variety of styles, shapes and colors to choose from for your bathroom remodel.

It's Going to Cost How Much?

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:42:01 +0000

Thinking about remodeling your kitchen or bathroom but not sure what to expect to pay for improvements? Want to check a contractors estimate against other contractors in your area? Do you wish there was some sort of program that would calculate all the different aspects of a project out for you? Servicemagic.com has just the tool for you.

By following the link above you can get an idea of what you will spend to get those projects done. It gives you options on the general layout of the project and general amount you want to spend, from economy to premium upgrades.

The best part is that free. And it's not just for plumbing jobs, but for any home improvement you want to plan.

Crane Bathtubs with Whirlpools Recalled

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:39:23 +0000

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall for Crane bathtubs featuring a whirlpool. The cause for the recall is the tub's drain covers, which could entangle a user's hair, forcing their heads to be held underwater. No incidents of this occurring have been reported

The tubs, sold at home improvement retail and wholesalers nationwide from March 2007 to February 2009, contain 6-12 jets and retail for $700 to $2,700. The Crane logo is printed on the whirlpool and/or the air control valve.

Consumers should stop use of the tub and contact Crane toll-free at (866)876-3632 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit their website at Crane Plumbing.

Owners of the tub can arrange for a service agent to perform a free replacement of the drain. Crane is also offering to supply a free repair kit with instructions to any owner that wishes to do the replacement themselves.