National "Fix A Leak Week" March 14-18, 2011

Did you know that nationwide one trillion gallons of water are wasted because of running toilets, dripping faucets, and other leaks every year?  That the average American home annually pays for 10,000 gallons they did not need or benefit from, and water waste causes prices and even water use restrictions to go up?  That's why Watersense is promoting "Fix a Leak Week" to prompt homeowners to check their plumbing and irrigation systems for leaks.


The Environmental Protection Agency officially launched "Fix a Leak Week" last year in Phoenix, Arizona.  A translucent water tank was set up in the driveway of longtime residents Dennis & Debbie Jobin that showed how much water was lost with 2 old leaking toilets and a showerhead.  Two hundred gallons were wasted in one week!

Be "green" and maybe save some green by making the time to survey your house. Before going to bed (or work), check your water meter, then check it again in the morning (upon return) before any water is used, including irrigation, to make sure there have been no leaks.   If there seems to be, carefully inspect your home.  Check the bathtub/shower faucets, are they dripping?  When you examine your bathroom and kitchen faucet, look underneath to see if there is any evidence of a leak.   When the house is quiet, take the lid off each toilet, inspect the unit and listen.  Check the water lines to the clothes and dishwasher, water treatment appliances (heater, purifiers) and refrigerator as best you can.  In your yard, turn off your irrigation system and let the ground dry--are there any damp areas to indicate water seepage?  Could there be a crack in your pool or pool lines?  If you cannot find the leak, you'll have to call in a locator to check your hidden pipe system.

Here's a true story of a team of experts who couldn't figure out the problem!

I knew of a contractor who was called in by a frantic homeowner whose water bill had more than quadrupled in a month's time, although nothing had changed in their routine.   How could so much water be lost with no signs of a leak?   He had called every kind of expert.  They checked the water meter, it was accurate.  Every pipeline, faucet, and appliance was checked,  and there was no leak.  No one could figure the mystery, yet on some days his meter showed close to a hundred gallons were used when no one was home!   The stress took its toll, and he was home in bed, too sick to get up or go to work.  While he was laying there in his misery, he heard his downstairs toilet flush, and he was home alone!  Armed with his video camera, he crept downstairs to catch the water bandit, and he captured it on video!   It seems his house cat had learned how to flush the toilet, and there it was entertaining itself, flushing the toilet, then striking at the swirling water as if it was trying to catch something getting away, then flushed it again, over and over and over!  Mystery solved!

--Remember to be green in the community too!   In a public restroom one of the toilets was running because the trap could no longer make a seal.  I would estimate a gallon of water was being wasted every five minutes at the rate it was flowing!  I shut off the water valve and put up the seat, and put the lid of water tank on the seat's base to signal, do not use and tip off the maintenance crew of the problem since I didn't know how to find them.   If there is water flowing down your street, and it hasn't been raining, trace the water to the source.  Maybe someone forgot to turn off a water hose, and you can be a good neighbor and turn it off.  Water is a precious resource that we all depend upon!

Do your part.  Every drop counts!

Why a "Bidet Rinse" is as Standard as Hand Washing

Let's Get Personal

I remember the first time I saw a bidet. I looked at it, and wondered why some people would want to use one. It seemed awkward to imagine transferring from a toilet to a bidet, as well as sitting in the opposite direction. I guessed they used toilet paper before transferring, and again to dry off. In my mind I couldn't justify using up the space in a bathroom to have one. Eventually I found someone I felt comfortable asking, and they told me using a bidet is as standard of a routine as washing one's hands after using the bathroom, it simply was primitive, even barbaric (their description) to not rinse clean after using the toilet. I still was not sold.

At a Kitchen and Bath Show for professional designers, I saw that manufacturers were making a bidet and toilet combination. I had more interest, for at least in doing a remodel it did not require additional plumbing and space for a bidet, and who wants something else to clean? It sure seemed like an expensive experiment--what if the person didn't like it? or if it stopped functioning? It seemed like a hassle to have to replace a toilet that works fine to have a bidet, especially if you all ready had bought a dual flush unit to conserve water.

My girlfriend has a plumbing business, and she put a toilet/bidet combination in her showroom. She told her staff of plumbers that they had to try it at least once, so if their customers had questions, they would be familiar with the product. They rolled their eyes at the idea. What she never would have predicted, is the brawny men would always opt to use it! That was quite an endorsement for me--if these tough guys like it, anyone would! My interest grew in finding a good product to recommend.

Recently I found a company, Brondell that makes a Swash seat (pictured above), that a homeowner can install on their existing toilet in less than an hour. When I asked an "expert" as to why would one want to rinse after toileting, she offered a great explanation. "If your arm was dirty, you would not instinctively take a dry paper towel to try to rub it clean. You would want to get the area wet to help with the removal of the dirt." That made sense to me! I obtained one.

In my younger days, I used to shower daily. Being able to "swash" helps me feel clean and fresh every day. The seat and self-cleaning nozzles (one for posterior and one for feminine washes) are made of antibacterial material, the water is warm*, it even comes with a dryer* so you can cut down on toilet paper! (*models vary)

Brondell has also designed a product called, Perfect Flush you can add to your toilet to make it a dual flush unit. With a dual flush switch, it will use half as much water for a flush for those eight out of ten times that just has liquid waste. Its use can save between 3000-7000 gallons of water a year! Eric Corey Freed, author of Green Building & Remodeling for Dummies said, "The brilliant simplicity of Perfect Flush makes it one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to conserve water in your home."

Use the code COOK during checkout at Brondell to receive a 10% discount on all their products!

A Unique Bathroom Product for Pampering

Whether it be Christmas, St. Valentines, Mother's or Father's Day, a birthday, or anniversary, what better than to give a loved one (which includes you!) something that reminds them how special they are? Have you found something that communicates your thoughtfulness of how to make their life better, that they are loved?

Its no fun to go to the mall and wander around hoping to find something that will be a unique and useful gift that will be greatly appreciated. After milling about with crowds, it doesn't take long for some motives to deteriorate to finding anything that may do.

I have spent time researching to find unique, innovative eco-friendly products that will transform the bathroom into a spa-like experience. They will not require remodeling, but installation by a licensed electriction is recommended. Here is a fabulous idea that will conserve energy and may conserve water--and how do they do that?

I love taking a shower, it is so relaxing, yet I am aware that every moment that I linger after I am rinsed, water is being wasted. Why do I delay? Because the water is so warm, and I know when I shut it off, I will be chilled and my muscles will tense back up. At the same time, I really don't want to add excess moisture to the air, which germs and mold love, nor hassle with fogged mirrors.

Pictured above is a product new to the United States, in fact, there isn't another one like it, a body dryer! You might be the first person in your city to have one! Over 15,000 have sold in Europe. It is a perfect gift for that someone who has everything. The unit has precision cut holes to provide a vortex of warm air surrounding the body to dry a person from top to bottom in a matter of minutes. It is an easy transition from being enveloped by warm water, to warm air. 


There are many green advantages: 

It reduces or eliminates the need for body towels, using about 70% less energy as compared to the laundering of towels. 
In the winter it can easily prewarm the shower area.
In the summer it helps eliminate the moisture in the air so the air conditioner doesn't have to work as hard.  
If you like long hot showers, by using the body dryer, you will take the excess moisture out of the air to reduce opportunities of mold and mildew growth. 
What I like best is it is truly a convenience and time saver. No longer does one have the additional step to fumble with a hair dryer--you have both hands free to shape and style your hair, so you are ready to get dressed and go when you step out of the shower! 
If you have strength or mobility issues, it could be the answer for safety and independence.


The retail price is $2590 for a custom color; $2350 for metallic, bronze, or pearl colors.  Shipping is additional.  Ask us how you can save up to $695!  Fill out a request for more information at Cook Remodeling.

Do you know of any other eco-friendly products for that spa experience?