All water-using appliances require regular maintenance to help prevent rust buildup. Regular maintenance can help increase the longevity of your appliance. In your water heater, the anode rod helps prevent corrosion, which is why anode rod replacement should be part of every water heater maintenance service.

Water heater performance has a great influence on your convenience. You use hot water for cooking, cleaning and bathing, so it is important to keep it in tip-top shape. A properly functioning hot water heater will be efficient, thus minimizing heating costs.

What is an Anode Rod?

An anode rod is a long piece of steel wire forged with aluminum, magnesium or zinc. When it comes in contact with the water in the tank, it will attract the ions that cause rust. The sacrificial anode rod will be consumed by an electrochemical process in order to protect your water heater. This is a logical process based on a scientific effect that occurs when two metals are connected under water ? one metal will corrode in order to protect another. Therefore, the actual anode rod will deteriorate over time and that?s why it is important to check on it regularly and replace it if needed.

When your anode rod has deteriorated, it should be replaced. Also known as the sacrificial anode rod, it is a perishable part that provides a vital function: protecting your water tank and the heating element of your hot water heater.

Whenever a professional plumber services your hot water heater, be sure that they also check on the anode rod. If the anode rod needs replacement, it should be done right away in order to prevent rust from forming inside your hot water heater tank. One faulty component, no matter how small, can have a negative impact on the overall function and durability of your entire heating system.

Replacing the Sacrificial Anode Rod

Of course, one can?t expect a water heater to last indefinitely. The average water heater lasts between 8-12 years with proper maintenance. An anode rod is a great help in protecting your water heater. The rod can easily be screwed into the tank and unscrewed when the time comes to replace it.

Here at Anta Plumbing, we prefer magnesium anodes to aluminum. Aluminum is lower on the Galvanic scale than magnesium, which means that it produces less of a driving current between the anode and the cathode (the tank), which implies that it doesn?t work as well in soft water. It also produces more corrosion byproduct, which falls to the bottom of the tank, creating sediment buildup. Over time, it will expand as it corrodes, thus becoming difficult to remove, and it may split from the core wire.Finally, aluminum is not healthy, particularly when you drink it from the bottom of the tank during a disaster.

While aluminum/zinc anodes are mostly aluminum, they tend to corrode more slowly than pure aluminum. It offers an economical way to fight odors, too.

If you need more information or assistance about anode rods and water heater maintenance, get in touch with Anta Plumbing today.

Sewer backups in the drains is an unpleasant experience that almost all households have had to deal with at some point of time. Some people think this is inevitable with any sewage system. However, the fact is that you can prevent sewer backup in your domestic drainage system by taking timely measures.

Domestic waste from the households flow through your sewer lines to the larger, community sewer lines. This sewage ultimately flows to the city?s central treatment facility under gravity or pressure. A huge amount of waste from different households make its way to the central treatment plant on a daily basis. A blockage in your home?s sewer line leads to back up at the toilets and drains located at the lowest points in your home. This backflow continues until you have removed the blockage from the line.

Now you can probably understand that backup is caused by any material that should not be allowed to pass through a sewer line. The most common factors responsible for backups are kitchen grease coming from meat fats, butter, cooking oil, food scraps, sauces, dairy products, baking products, etc.

Therefore, the foremost task in order to prevent sewer back ups is to stop grease from entering your drainage system. This is why we advise our clients not to dispose any fat, oil, and grease into their drain or garbage disposal. Grease tends to accumulate slowly and negatively impacts the grinding potential of your garbage disposal. It also results in clogging of drains. Allow cooking oil, grease, and fat containing materials to cool and put them in a container that can be sealed. You can add adsorbents such as coffee grounds or cat litter to help them solidify. Put the sealed container in the garbage. aOther things that you can do to prevent sewer backups are

• Never put sanitary napkins, diapers, tissues, etc. in the toilet.
• Avoid planting trees near your sewage line because tree roots can also cause a clogged drain.
• Do not connect any sump pumps or airway drains to your sewer line.
• It is a great idea to have a plumbers test plug installed at the lowest point of your floor drain.
• Similarly, install a backflow valve at your lowest drain line.
• If possible, eliminate your lower level drains and modify your plumbing system to make sure that water is pumped to the drains at a higher level.

Since many years, we have helped Toronto residents take care of their residential plumbing issues including sewer backup. Through this blog, we share our expertise to make your life easier. Thank you very much for going through this post, and keep coming back for more useful discussions on residential or commercial plumbing.

The common misconception is that the toilet is the dirtiest part of any bathroom. While this isn?t a totally false statement, other bathroom items aren?t exactly in our good graces when it comes to passing the cleanliness test. Don?t be frightened, though. Santhoff, your Houston plumbing company, is here to tell you who the biggest offenders are and how to clean them properly.

Toilet

Why not start this list off with a bang, shall we? The toilet is gross, but what makes it so gross? When you flush, the toilet basically throws germs into the air and on surrounding fixtures and items. As one could imagine, these germs are gross and can make a person ill. How can you prevent the toilet from being a slingshot for disgusting germs? Get into the habit of flushing your toilet with the seat down. This isn?t just a courtesy to those who *ahem* might fall into the toilet bowl if said seat isn?t completely shut. Getting into this habit will prevent germs from being thrown around the bathroom all willy nilly. As for the part of the toilet seat that stops germs from flying around, we wouldn?t suggest resting your back up against it for obvious reasons.

Faucet

Now to the part of the bathroom that most people forget about being highly germ infested- the faucet. What does (hopefully) everyone do after going to the bathroom? Wash their hands of course. Think about where your hands just were and what you?re touching next to clean your hands. It?s gross when you think about it, isn?t it? Not to mention that if the toilet seat is up, you can guarantee that toilet germs landed on the faucet. We suggest regularly wiping down this part of the bathroom. It takes all of 5 seconds and you?ll greatly reduce the spread of germs. For public bathrooms, turn the faucet off with a paper towel or your arm. You don?t eat with your arm the way you eat with your hands. Keep that in mind.

Sink

While we?re talking about the faucet, we might as well bring up the sink, too. Why would the sink be so dirty? Well, you wash your dirty hands in the sink. Many people wash their face in the sink. You brush your teeth and spit into the sink. That is A LOT of bacteria collecting near the drain. It makes you want to think twice before putting your toothbrush back into your mouth after accidentally dropping it into the sink, doesn?t it? To get rid of bacteria, regularly SCRUB the area around the drain with a disinfecting cleaner.

Toothbrush Holder

Your toothbrush holder is actually the 3rd dirtiest place in your house. Pretty gross. Because this item sits on the counter, it?s a magnet for germs from other areas of the bathroom. Combine that with the germs from your mouth, and you?ve got a pretty grody situation. Our suggested remedy is to throw your toothbrush holder in the dishwasher (assuming it?s dishwasher safe) once a week. If your toothbrush holder is not dishwasher safe, hot water, soap, and some thorough cleaning will do the trick. Be sure to wipe it does regularly in between washings as well to keep the germs at bay!

Bathtub

All of those germs that are stuck on your body after a long day cling to the bathtub?s walls. Next time you hop in the tub, those germs are still there and you?re soaking in them. Scrub the entire surface with a disinfecting, soap scum cutting cleanser. Do this at least once a week to prevent build up.

Showerhead

Everyone forgets to regularly clean the showerhead, but it?s another surprising area that builds up bacteria. Over time, dirt and mineral build-up traps germs around the areas that shoot out water. That means that these germs are being sprayed on you while you?re trying to get clean. Kind of counterintuitive, don?t you think? To remedy this, soak your showerhead in vinegar overnight and rinse it with cold water in the morning. This will also help to improve the water pressure. It?s a win-win, really.

Loofa

Just how the germs in the bathtub cling to the walls, the same thing happens to your loofa. Loofas also stay damp majority of the time from use. Anything that stays damp is going to be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Switch out your loofa every couple of weeks to reduce your exposure to germs to icky bacteria.

Bathmat

Your bathmat is no different from your loofa. It?s another item that is perpetually damp (unless you hang it up after use) and retains bacteria. Fully rubber bathmats can be cleaned in the dishwasher or in the sink with bleach or vinegar mixed with water. All other bathmats need to be washed in the washing machine once a week.

Take note of the items you haven?t cleaned in a while and start on those first. You?ll notice that your bathroom will smell better, which is another great perk. Keep a note of the last time you cleaned these items so you can stay on track with your schedule. Remember- if you need expert advice, Santhoff Houston plumbing company is here for you!

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Conserving water is not just about going green; it is also about saving you money on your water bill! There are many steps you can take to ensure that you conserve water and save energy simply around your home. Whether you conserve water in the kitchen, the bathroom, the washroom, or any other plumbing system, you will be saving money and the environment as well. You will feel great about yourself and your wallet. The following list describes a few ways to conserve water and save hundreds of dollars and gallons on your water bill.

• Turn off the water while you lather your hands with soap; think about how often you wash your hands and the amount of water used through that action alone ? then imagine half of that water taken off of your bill!
• Brush your teeth when in the shower. If you brush your teeth twice a day, and one of those times is in the shower, you only have to think of the other brushing session.
• When brushing your teeth at the sink, turn the water off when you brush, and only turn it on when it is necessary.
• Turn off water while shaving.
• When hand washing dishes, fill your sink with the water you need and then rinse out the sink after. Letting them soak instead of letting the water run can make the difference in your water bill.
• Regularly maintain and check your plumbing for leaks. Fix them immediately and if it is still broken, call a professional. A leaky faucet can add up to over hundreds of gallons that you will be paying for.
• Replace your toilet flapper if it does not close after flushing.
• Flush your toilet only when you need to. Avoid flushing for a single cigarette butt or a solitary tissue.
• Perform the water meter test. Take a look at your water meter and do not use water for two hours. Check the water meter again; if it has changed, you have a leak. Then thoroughly check your house or call a professional.
• Do not thaw food with running water. Place it in the fridge to get the healthiest outcome for both your water use and food.
• Using one drinking glass a day will drastically lower the amount of dishes to do, thus saving you water.
• Upgrade your toilets and other water appliances with newer ones. Newer models save on more water and are a great long term investment.
• Do not wash your clothes when the load is half full. Run laundry when full to save on hundreds of gallons a month. This leads to significantly less money that is out of your wallet.
• Teach your family how to effectively save water. Anyone can do it and if the whole family is doing their part to use less water in the sinks, showers, tubs, toilets, and washers, the cost of your water bill will drastically decrease.

It is all about taking that extra few seconds out of your day to check for leaks, or turning off the faucet when it is not in use. Just by taking these extra steps, you will save a great amount of money from your plumbing alone! You can also try taking shorter showers and using less water while you wash dishes to save on water and money. Do not hesitate to call us for a quick quote on any plumbing service. Our experts are efficient, effective, and prepared to handle any and all of your plumbing issues immediately. For any other tips on how you can save water with effective plumbing, call us today.

There are a number of reasons why permaculture is a growing trend among home owners. Whether you live in your own private suburban residence, on a farm or in a high density urban environment, the practice of permaculture offers beneficial returns for the gardener as well as the surrounding community.

The rising cost of food and concerns over pesticides and other contaminants in our food supply have people taking a second look at growing some or all of their own produce. In addition, reports of soil erosion and pressure on the environment with water restrictions in drought inflicted areas like California have led many to consider the value of watering a lawn versus cultivating a natural and more harmonious existence with the local ecosystem.

The Culture of Permaculture

While the term may seem new, the concept has been around for a long time. In the 1970?s an Australian ecologist named Bill Mollison from the University of Tasmania began using the term in his studies. As a biologist he became concerned with what he noted as patterns of destruction and the impact of habitat loss and human impact on otherwise healthy ecosystems.

Bill Mollison became one of the first outspoken supporters of sustainability, and wrote about different aspects of the interactive environment, drawing correlations to the health of lakes and the importance of functioning wetlands, to the role that birds play in the elimination of insects and pests.a By the 1980?s Mollison (along with his co-author and student David Homgren) had written books that provided instruction for residential home owners with regards to designing outdoor spaces for ecological sustainability.

For additional information about permaculture practice by Mollison and Homgren, read ?Permaculture: A Designers Manual? or ?Permaculture Two: Practical Design for Town and Country in Permanent Agriculture? for tips on building your own sustainable home ecosystem. aThe books provide instruction on design and planning for your regional environment, and how to create a home that is harmonious with its natural surroundings.

Part of the backlash against permaculture is related to the way our lawn and property appears. Lawns are the norm for most neighborhoods, but a permaculturalist would install raised plant boxes instead and opt to grow vegetables, herbs and other plants.

Imagine for a second that the entire street is lined with perfect, well-manicured lawns and then a lawn that looks a little more like a jungle or wildlife preserve. The esthetic of a lawn versus the environmental and social benefit of permaculture are constantly opposed with municipal governments enforcing uniformity (lawns) in many cities and states.a According to the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States, more than 50% of water by volume used to water lawns is wasted which makes little practical sense for the preference.

Walking the Talk: The Nowicki Family

Ron and Vicki Nowicki are residents of Downers Grove, Illinois a suburb of Chicago. The couple started applying their environmental awareness and ecological principles over thirty years ago before anyone was using terms like ?eco-friendly? or ?permaculture?. With degrees in Horticulture, Environmental Studies and Environmental Education and Landscape Architecture shared between the two innovators, they set out to design a healthy new life by creating a minimal carbon footprint with a maximum beneficial impact on the local environment.

The Nowicki family began their journey with the construction of their own house.a Ron was inspired by the traditional New England ?salt box? home design featuring a wood stove, passive solar and energy efficient features, a root cellar for cold storage and a rain barrel for water reclamation.

Rather than cultivate their home with the traditional front and backyard manicured lawn, Ron and Vicki opted to fill the surrounding landscape with native plants, an herb and large vegetable garden and other perennial edible plants.aa In addition to planting for their own food supply, the Nowicki family developed a permaculture plan to plant flowers, shrubs and different types of grasses that would attract insects, bats and wild birds.

By nurturing the natural wildlife around their home, they have been able to skillfully balance predators with food sources, and provide beneficial insects (such as bees) ample opportunities to feed and pollinate.a The successful maintenance of the immediate ecosystem supports the production of the family?s organic fruit and vegetables, which are sold through their business ?Circle GardenFarm? nearly all year round.

Vicki Nowicki turned her research into a Master?s Degree and focused on the North American cultural concepts of lawns and gardens.a Her goal was to change perceptions and attitudes about permaculture and she has since created a secondary business called ?The Land Office? which provides consulting on herbaceous garden design and installation. Vicki also co-founded a number of environmental groups including ?The Wild Ones? in Wisconsin and the Downers Grove Organic Gardening Club, which emphasizes the benefit of replacing lawns with ecologically balanced food or wildlife sustaining alternatives. A third business was founded by Vicki Norwicki called ?Let?s Grow? which provides consulting and labor teams to assist with the development of new urban and suburban organic food producing gardens.

Incorporating Permaculture in a Home Garden

While building a home garden may seem perfectly doable, it can be extremely difficult for residents of areas like Downers Grove to grow foliage in the monsoons as the vicinity experiences tremendous waterlogging. Although the collection of water can be taken of by installing flood control systems by engaging a licensed plumber who provide services in Downers Grove, for example, you will do well by planning ahead and planting plants which can survive waterlogging and flooding.

Apart from that, whether you live in the country, on a farm, an apartment or a house, there are affordable easy steps to begin incorporating permaculture design into your home environment. No matter how much space you have or where you live, you can have a positive impact on the environment by changing the way you think about gardening.

• Stop using pesticides. Do some research online and discover non-harmful methods of deterring and controlling insects. Remember also that not all insects are dangerous or bothersome and all of them serve a purpose in the environment. Look for natural ways to control them such as placing a bird feeder away from your home or patio, or planting native plants that deter insects such as citronella. Install a bat box to help with flying insect control.

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• Start composting. If you can set up your own composting bin, follow the directions to create the most potent and valuable topsoil for your garden or potted plants. Everything from plant and vegetable cuttings to egg shelves and leaves can be placed in your composter, with the exception of meat or bones and pet refuse.

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• Look for ways to preserve soil fertility. Some methods can include composting and spreading leaves on the lawn before winter to allow for a repatriation of nutrients to the soil. Avoid over watering and choose native plants wherever possible with robust root systems.

Having a beautiful garden is one thing, but having a thriving, balanced ecosystem that sustains bees, birds, trees and wildlife offers a deeper satisfaction is something worth bragging about. Not only will your home or patio look fabulous, you will know it is actually doing something tangible and beneficial for the environment.