A Homeowners Guide to Avoiding Costly Water Losses

WATER BASICS:
Water plays an essential role in our daily lives. We need water to drink, wash our clothes and dishes, take showers and nurture our lawns and gardens.

However, water can be as devastating as it is helpful. In 2001, water-related losses in Texas homes cost consumers and insurers more than $1.2 billion. Oftentimes, water damage takes weeks or even months to repair.

HOW TO DETECT WATER PROBLEMS:
Review your water bill each month or billing cycle. Unusual fluctuations in the bill when water usage has not changed can tip you off to a small leak before it becomes catastrophe.

Take a few minutes to look at your appliances like washing machines, bathroom fixtures and hot water heaters. Check the floor and woodwork under every appliance for any signs of standing water, stains or damage.

PREVENTING WATER DAMAGE:
Water can become a problem anywhere it enters your home. You don't have to be a professional plumber to know than an older appliance that is due to be replaced is a prime candidate for a sudden and accidental water leak.

An annual check-up of possible leaks on every water connection, hose and basin is imply good preventive maintenance.

FREEZE PROTECTION:
Make sure all water piping that is exposed or located in an attic or outside walls is properly insulated with insulation designed for that purpose. This includes protecting outside water faucets.

WASHING MACHINE HOSES:
Even when your washing machine is not in use, the hoses carry pressurized water. If a hose leaks or busts even when the washer isn't running, it can quickly fill a room with water! Hoses should be replaced every five to seven years.

Tip:  Replace the hose.  Remember to shut off the water supply to the washer.  Make sure the new hose is free of kinks and tight bends when it's installed. Keep at lest four inches between the water connection and the back of the washing machine.  The average cost of these hoses is $10. The more expensive hoses include external steel braided wire, which is more durable and has a lower failure rate.

SHOWER TILE AND GROUT:
Older tile shower floors and walls may allow water to seep into sheetrock and beneath the shower basin. This can cause deterioration and rot the wooden structure of the home.

Tip:  Inspect Your Shower for cracks or missing grout between tiles. Repair missing caulk or grout. Reseal tile with masonry sealer, which can be purchased at most paint or home improvement stores.

HOT WATER HEATERS:
Hot water heaters should be partially drained annually to keep sediments from building on the bottom and causing erosion and rust of the tank lining. This can prolong the life of your hot water heater.

Tip: Be careful when draining. To drain, turn off the electricity or gas supply. Attach a hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank and lead it to a nearby floor drain or into a bucket.  This water will be hot. Allow it to drain until it becomes clear (typically a gallon or more). Close the drain valve and open the cold water supply to refill the tank. Restore power or gas to the heater.

WATER PRESSURE.
Water pressure set too high in a home can cause major problems. Pressure should be set between 60 and 80 pounds per square inch (psi). Water pressure over 100 psi can damage your hot water heater and increase the likelihood of leaks.

Tip: An inexpensive water pressure gauge can determine your water pressure.  A plumber can install a pressure-reducing valve that will bring your water pressure back to normal.

LOCATING WATER SHUTOFF VALVE:
Make sure everyone in the family knows where to locate a shutoff valve for every appliance they may use. It is also essential to know where your outside water meter is located in order to turn water off to the house.

Never leave appliances like dishwashers and washing machines running when you leave the house. If you plan to be hone from your home for a few days or longer, turn off the water supply to your house.

Clothes Washer and Dryer Maintenance

Your home's washer and dryer are usually overlooked when it comes to maintenance but with these tips you can keep them going strong for years to come.

CLOTHES WASHER MAINTENANCE
It is a good idea to check your washing machine for leaks, examine the hoses and clean filters about once a year to make sure you do not experience damage from any water leaks.

Visual Inspection
Visually check all of the hoses, water inlet valves, the tub and drainage system. Hoses should NOT have cracks, leaks or be damaged in any way. If you find this, unplug your washer immediately to avoid contact with electricity. Any leaks or damages must be fixed/replaced.

Clean water inlet filter or lint filter (if you have one) according to the manufacturer's instructions.

If Your Unit is Not Working
If you have a problem with your clothes washer not working, as with all systems or appliances, check for blown fuses, tripped circuit breakers and proper power first.

CLOTHES DRYER MAINTENANCE
Keeping your dryer entirely lint free is easy, improves energy efficiency and safety from lint fires.

Inspect And Clean
Annually you should inspect the vent pipe from your dryer to the outside of your house (where the flap door is that opens when the dryer is on and venting). It should be cleaned of lint and dust and properly attached with no holes or cracks. If it is damaged, it must be replaced or repaired properly.

Clean the floor under, behind and around your dryer to remove lint and dirt that naturally collects. You will need to safely move your dryer to do this properly.

Level Your Dryer
Make sure your dryer's feet are level on the ground as this balances the dryer properly and will extend the life of your dryer.

Dryer Flap
Make sure the flap on the outside of your house opens and closes properly to prevent the loss of energy from your home. Pests can enter through flaps that don't close properly and your dryer will run longer, wasting energy and life if the flap does not open properly.

If you have a gas dryer, the burner should be cleaned and inspected according to manufacturer's instructions.

If Your Unit is not Working
If you have a problem with your clothes washer not working, as with all systems or appliances, check for blown fuses, tripped circuit breakers and proper power first.

WINTER ENERGY & COST SAVINGS TIPS

It's all about saving money and energy this Winter and these 11 Ways to Cut Energy Costs in 2013 will help you do just that.

 1. Turn down the dial.
Set your thermostat to 68 degrees. With each degree you lower, you can save 2-5% on heating costs. Layer warm weather clothing while at home and you won’t even notice the difference. At night or when leaving the home for an extended period of time, lower the thermostat to 55-60 degrees. An automatic thermostat will make this even easier! Just program the temperatures based on your daily schedule. Doing this will knock off 5-20% on your heating bill.

2. Don’t overreact to a cold home.
When you come home after a day of work to a frigid home, or are home in the middle of the day when your thermostat is programmed to 55, don’t overreact and crank the heat up to 75. You only need to heat to 68 degrees and setting the thermostat to 75 won’t heat the home any faster than if it’s set to 68. If you are home before the furnace has turned on, you can simply override your thermostat to 68. Be patient and throw on a sweater. You may not realize when the thermostat reaches 68, and before you know it you’ve been heating your house at 7 degrees higher than you need – or want – to pay for!

3. A clean furnace is an efficient furnace.
Replace or clean furnace filters once a month. Dirty filters restrict air flow and increase energy use.

4.    Hot water can still be hot and save you money!
Set your water heater to the normal setting or 120 degrees. You can save up to 11% on heating costs!

5.    Go green with ENERGY STAR®.
Consider replacing old gas appliances with ENERGY STAR® qualified products or add HWA’s GreenPlus to your plan. If your appliances are more than 12 years old, you should consider the upgrade. The Consumer Energy Center recommends replacing your old gas appliances with ENERGY STAR® qualified products. Gas water heaters are labeled with an EF number the higher the EF, the more energy efficient the appliance will be.

6.    Beat the cold weather dryness.
Use a humidifier to add moisture to the dry winter air in your home. Moister air feels warmer, so by using a humidifier, you will be more comfortable in your home even when the thermostat is set to a lower temperature.

7.    If you don’t use it, don’t heat it.
Close off unused rooms such as spare bedrooms. When the room is not in use, close the floor or wall registers and keep the doors closed. If you have guests coming to visit, you can re-open everything and the room will warm up in just a couple hours.

8.    Let the sunshine in.
Open south or east facing window curtains and blinds in the morning and during the day to take advantage of sunny days. At night, close window coverings to keep the heat in.

9.    Let your radiators and heating vents do their job.
Don’t block your radiators or vents with furniture or draperies. Keep them free of dirt and dust and position your furniture so the heat can fill the room.

10. Cold water can do it better.
Cold water does more for your disposal. Run cold water when you are using your garbage disposal and it will work even better. Hot water uses energy to warm the water. Cold water saves energy, plus it solidifies grease, moving it more easily through the garbage disposal and pipes.

11. Cook small.
Prepare meals with small appliances rather than firing up the range. A microwave, toaster oven, electric skillet and slow cooker use much less energy than the range. Plus, the smaller appliances heat up much quicker. You can reduce cooking energy by as much as 80% when using your microwave for small portions. So when you’re preparing smaller recipes or just need a quick warm-up, the smaller appliances are perfect!

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

Your central air conditioning system needs to be maintained regularly not only for your comfort, but safety and efficiency. It is an expensive system and contains several components, using a significant amount of energy. It not only cools, but dehumidifies and filters your air.

Air Filter
The air filter should be replaced or washed, according to the manufacturer's instructions. A dirty filter causes the fan motor to work harder, consuming more energy and life. Making sure the filter is always clean will help provide relief to any allergy sufferers in your home. These filters can require changing or cleaning monthly during the heavy air conditioning season.

Professional Cleaning & Inspection
Other parts of your air conditioning system need to be cleaned and checked such as the water drain, the outside condenser unit. Call a professional before air conditioning season to perform a full cleaning and inspection. You can help by removing the leaves and debris from the outside of the condenser unit. Push debris away from the fins, not into them. You can even get a special tool called a fin comb to straighten and clean them.

Cover/Uncover
You can purchase a cover for your unit at the local hardware store or make one out of trash bags or a drop cloth and duct tape. This will keep debris out of your unit. You should put the cover on after air conditioning season ends. Turn the outside electrical switch to "off" when the cover is on and then turn the switch back to "on" when the cover is removed before air conditioning season starts.

Registers
Make sure your registers are not blocked by furniture, carpets or drapes.

Ductwork
You may want to have your ductwork cleaned professionally, especially if you see debris, insects and other blockages in it. This can increase the efficiency and life of your system and clean the air in your home.

If your home is equipped with a central air conditioning system you may have noticed a drain line on the outside dripping water near the air conditioner. This line drains condensation from the inside air handler to the outside. If this line clogs (usually from algae) it can cause water damage inside the house. You can prevent a clog by simply pouring a cup of household bleach into the line from the inside. To remove a clog once it has occurred, attach a wet/dry vacuum to the drain line outside (removing the paper filter first) and suck the clog out.

Ceiling or Wall Leaks
Make sure your drain line is clean and free of debris.

Energy Savings Idea
Create shade (that doesn't add debris) for your unit and increase efficiency and life.

10 Tips to a Greener Kitchen

1. Use Healthy Eco-Friendly Cleaners
Many common household products contain toxins that could be affecting your family's health. Buying natural safe cleaning products will help eliminate any risk of unnecessary toxins in your home.

2. Curb Paper Towel and Napkin Use
2.5 million tons of paper towels fill up landfills annually. A great solution is to buy a set of cloth rags, bar towels and fabric napkins to wash and reuse. It may be an added expense up front, but it will pay off in the end.

3. Replace Antibacterial Hand Soaps
Studies have shown that antibacterial soaps are no more effective than simple soap and water. Antibacterial soaps can lead to stronger strains of bacteria that become resistant to antibiotics.

4. Plastic--- Just Say No!
The Wall Street Journal reported that Americans go through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually and making these bags requires an estimated 12 million barrels of oil. To reduce plastic bag consumption, use alternative options such as; reuseable bags, paper bags, or even, no bag at all!

5. Replace the Sponge!
Sponges are bacteria incubators. Although a sponge seems like a great cleaning tool, it may not be the healthiest solution. Replace your sponge with dish rags!

6. Create a Recycling and Compost System
If you don't recycle, the best way to get into the habit is to set up a simple system. Get a second trash can for inside your home and put it next to the trash can and label it "Recycling". If you are ready to take it a step further, composting is a great way to turn your waste into soil like material that can be used in your lawn and garden.

7. Replace Nonstick Cookware
Nonstick cookware releases toxins when over high heat, has a short life-span (nonstick coating usually wears out in a year or two) and the nonstick coating can scratch off into food. Healthy alternatives include stainless steel, cast iron, copper and glass.

 8. Buy In Bulk 
Buying in bulk means less packaging and fewer trips to the store. You'll also benefit from financial savings!

9. Update Kitchen Lighting 
Kitchen lights are some of the most frequently used lights in the home. Energy efficient lights may be a high upfront cost but they use 75% less energy, generate 70% less heat and last up to 10 times longer.

10. Buy ENERGY STAR Appliances 
If you are in the market for new appliances, choose one that has been proved more energy efficient. Many old appliances use a lot of unnecessary energy. If you don't already have HWA's Green Plus option--- add it today!

Spring 2012 Home Maintenance Tips

A general check around your home, both inside and out, is important at the first sign of warm weather. In between exercising and playing with your kids, Spring opens the perfect opportunity to have your air conditioning and other mechanical systems checked by a home maintenance professional. Some of these additional tasks listed below can be performed by you as well, so take the time to spruce up your home for Spring because it will save you money and time over the season. 


Loose Objects
Check for loose gutters, downspouts, shingles and siding or cracks in the sidewalk and driveway that need repair and cleaning. If shingles are missing, curling, broken or cracked they should be replaced.

Clogged Gutters
Gutters should be cleaned in the spring and again in the fall. Leaves and twigs clogging your gutters will prevent rain from draining properly. While cleaning your gutters, check for holes or rust and make sure they are securely attached to the house.

Shrubs and Trees
Prune trees and bushes as necessary; clean away organic debris that has gathered during the winter. Pruning removes deadwood, improves shape and maintains the plants health.

Decks and Patios
Test your deck for any boards or railings that need replacing. Maintenance to your walkways will help prevent guests and your family from tripping or falling. Take the time to examine all the wood carefully to see if any boards are rotten. Walk around your deck and listen for squeaks. Try to feel for soft spots or sagging areas.

Pipes
Inside the house check the pipes in the kitchen and baths for leaks that need fixing. Repair any dripping faucets or tubs. Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function.

Sump Pump
Check your sump pump for proper operation and change the battery in the backup. A yearly cleaning is recommended before the rainy season hits. If you spot an oily film on the surface of the water in your sump pump, verify the condition of the oil seal. The appearance of oil may indicate a faulty oil seal which could cause the motor to burn out in the pump.

Batteries
Inspect and replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Batteries weaken with age and should be checked regularly and replaced generally once a year.

Oven/Stove Top
Give your kitchen range, hood and oven area a good cleaning to remove all built-up grease to prevent fires. Keeping this area clean of cooking grease will help keep a stovetop fire from spreading.

Air Conditioner
Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer.

Water Heater
Check around the bottom of your water heater to make sure there are no leaks or rusting. Replace it if you find any.

Fireplace
If you have a fireplace, have it cleaned and inspected by a certified chimney sweep.

Steps to Prevent your Pipes to Freeze

Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember - the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.
Heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Closely follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions.

Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.

Disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.

When the temperature drops
A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall. Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

Before you go on vacation
Set the thermostat in your house no lower than 55 F (12 C). Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it's warm enough to prevent freezing or Shut off and drain the water system. Be aware that if you have a fire protection sprinkler system in your house, it will be deactivated when you shut off the water.

If your pipes freeze
If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber. If you detect that your water pipes have frozen and burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shut-off valve is and how to open and close it.
Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame. You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe. Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water because you could be electrocuted.