PLUMBING TIPS
At Cody Plumbing we want to help make our environment a safer place. Here are five perfectly painless water saving ideas that will help you be more efficient in your water usage.

1) Install a Low-Flow Showerhead
Save water and money and still have ample water pressure by using a low-flow showerhead. These showerheads can slash bathing-water consumption from 50 to 70 percent. There are many styles and features that you can choose from to fit your needs. Give Cody Plumbing a call today and we can get you started.

2) Turn off the tap while you brush
Don't let your water dollars—and one of nature's most precious resources—run down the drain. Just turn off the water while you brush your teeth. The average bathroom faucet flows at a rate of two gallons a minute, according to the EPA's WaterSense initiative. Simply remembering to turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth makes a huge difference and helps you be more energy efficient.

3) Water your yard in the morning
The best time to water outdoors is in the morning. It reduces water waste and promotes healthy flora. Morning air is cooler, so less water is lost to evaporation than during the middle of the day.

4) Use a Pro Car Wash
It may surprise you, but commercial car washes use water more efficiently. They typically go through 45 gallons of water per car. Home washers typically use between 80 and 140 gallons. Commercial car washes must drain their wastewater into sewers instead of simply running it across your driveway into the land.

5) Fix that leak
Don't ignore that dripping faucet or leaky pipe joint. One faulty faucet wastes on average 3 gallons of water per day, reports the U.S. Geological Survey. If you’re having problems like this, give Cody Plumbing a call and we will get that drip/leak to stop. Remember, every drop really does add up.

HOME RESOURCE TIPS

1) Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is another natural substance that can be used to clean your home. Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Lemon is a great substance to clean and shine brass and copper. Lemon juice can be mixed with vinegar and baking soda to make cleaning pastes. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces and stains. Mix one cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have a furniture polish for your hardwood furniture.

2) Winterize your home
There are many steps you can take to winterize your home. Winterizing your home prevents leaks, frozen pipes, and damages to water heaters. Here are few things you can do to keep your home safe during the winter.

3) Choose Green Plumbing Products
Water efficient plumbing fixtures conserve both water and energy. They help create a cleaner environment and lower water bill. The following products will help make your home more efficient and environment friendly.

• Toilets

• Faucets

• Shower Heads

• Washers and Dryers

4) Caulk bathroom fixtures
Since bathtubs and sinks are used everyday, the caulking between the fixture and the wall is prone to cracking or pulls loose. When this occurs, water seeps into the opening and causes damage to the joint and surrounding wall. It’s important to make sure you take care of this before it causes too much damage to your home. Use silicone caulk or bathtub caulk to make the repair and call Cody Plumbing today for any questions and help.

5) Use WaterSense Labeled Toilets
Toilets are the main water sources in the nation and nearly 30% of residential indoor water consumption is due to toilets. They are a major source of wasted water due to leaks and inefficiency. WaterSense products are from a program that is sponsored by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It helps consumers find high performance and water-efficient toilets that reduce and preserve water. WaterSense toilets use less than 20% of water than the standard toilets. They are required to meet certain criteria in performance and efficiency in order to be labeled as a WaterSense toilet. These toilets can save up to 4000 gallons of water per year if you switch from an older toilet to a WaterSense labeled one. Call Cody Plumbing today and help our environment by going green with WaterSense Labeled Toilets.

6) Prevent and Treat frozen pipes
Frozen pipes are a common occurrence during the cold winter months and it’s important to pay attention and make sure you do what you can to prevent them and treat them properly. Pipes that have frozen in the past are more prone to freezing again. Insulating your pipes is the easiest step to take, but it is not always that beneficial. Try keeping a heat source close by. If the pipes are enclosed in vanities or cabinets leaving the door open during frigid weather will allow heat to reach the pipes. You can also contact a profession contractor, like Cody Plumbing, and they will provide you with pipe wrappings that are imbedded with electrical coils to provide outside an outside heat source.

In the event that a pipe does freeze, you can try defrosting it with an electrical hair dryer. To prevent it from bursting, turn off the water supply to that line. Don’t turn off the main household supply, just the valve leading to the frozen pipe. If you’re unsure how to do this, contact a contractor like Cody Plumbing, and they will assist you.

WATER HEATER MAINTENANCE
Water heaters, while reliable, steady and maintenance-free appliances, can take up to 20% of your home’s energy use. They are second only to space-heating. It is important to know the ways to save water and heating energy and the following tips will show you how.

1) Thermostat Control
Most heaters are set at 140 degrees F by default but this high of a setting is not necessary. If you lower the setting to around 120 degrees F you can cut your water-heating costs by 6 to 10 percent. If you’re going to be out of your house for an extended period of time, you may consider turning your gas water heater thermostat down to the pilot setting. If you use an electric heater, you can shut it off at the electrical power box. The heaters will only take about an hour to reheat when you return home.

2) Insulating Wrap
If you wrap your water tank in a blanket of fiberglass insulation you can cut down standby heat loss by 25 to 45 percent. This saves you between four to nine percent on your water-heating bill. You can easily find water insulation kits at your local hardware stores or contact a contractor such as Cody Plumbing for any help or questions on how to do this.

3) Flushing your tank
Sediment, dirt and mineral deposits from the water can over time build up inside your water tank. This leads to reduction in both heating efficiency and the overall capacity of your water heater. If you regularly flush water from the tank you can reduce this buildup easily. It’s a simple procedure to flush your tank. Just open the valve and let the dirty water drain into a bucket until it runs clear (usually after one to two gallons). Depending on the hardness of the water in your area, you should flush out your tank at least once a month, otherwise once every year.

By following these three steps, your water heater will not only operate more efficiently but you will be able to save energy and water everyday.