How to Save Money on Your Plumbing System

Reduce Your Water Bill:

According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), Americans waste nearly one trillion gallons of water each year due to faulty plumbing systems.

Our plumbing system is one of the most vital parts of our homes, yet many homeowners neglect it until there is a problem, including water damage and high water bills. But it doesn't have to be. We are lucky that we can, with a quick search of keywords like plumbers near me, get it sorted as soon as possible with the professionals, however, we still need to make sure we are checking things constantly.

There are a few ways to reduce your water bills without major changes to your plumbing system. Here's how:

1. Check for Leaks

Leaks contribute a significant amount of wasted water and lead to high water bills. A simple way to inspect leaks is to examine your water meter. You likely have a leak if the meter is spinning even when no water is being used. It is important to do a drain clean as well when checking for leaks and if you need the professionals, a company such as : drain cleaning Charlottesville

Common causes of household leaks include:

• Faucets that drip or leak

• Toilets that run continuously

• Broken water pipes

2. Fix Dripping Faucets

A dripping faucet may not look like a big deal, but it can add up quickly. Note that a faucet that drips once per second can waste up to 3,000 gallons of water a year. Fixing a dripping faucet is a quick and easy way to save money on your water bill.

3. Install Low-Flow Fixtures

Low-flow fixtures use less water than traditional fixtures, leading to significant savings on your water bill. Many municipalities offer rebates for homeowners who install low-flow fixtures, so check with your local water department.

4. Check Your Toilet for Leaks

Toilets that leak can waste a lot of water and lead to high water bills. A simple way to check for leaks is to add a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. Wait for a few minutes, and if the color appears in the toilet bowl, you have a leak.

5. Install a Water Meter

A water meter can help track how much water you use and identify any leaks. Water meters are relatively inexpensive and can be installed by a professional or DIY enthusiast.

6. Replace Your Old Water Heater

An old water heater can use significantly more water than a newer model. If your water heater is more than ten years old, it may be time to replace it. Remember, it's more expensive in the long run if you continuously use an old water heater. If you do need to replace your water heater, look for professional Boise water heater installation or installation services in your area. Installing your water heater may seem like a good idea, but it’s actually best to leave something like that to a professional worker!

7. Install Faucet

Faucet aerators attach to the end of your faucet and help reduce water waste. They work by mixing air with water, reducing the amount of water that flows from the faucet. Faucet aerators are extremely inexpensive and easy to install. Plus, it's good for the environment since water conservation helps reduce the demand for our water resources.

8. Educate Your Family About Water Conservation

An excellent but most overlooked way to save water is to educate your family about water conservation. Teach your children about the significance of water conservation and lead by example. Small changes in your daily routine can greatly impact water savings.

9. Collect Rainwater

Rainwater harvesting is a great way to reduce your water bill. You can collect rainwater in barrels or tanks and use it for watering plants or washing your car. Many municipalities offer rebates for homeowners who install rainwater harvesting systems.

10. Use Greywater

Greywater is wastewater that can be reused for irrigation and other purposes, saving money on your water bill. Many cities and states have laws governing greywater use, so be sure to check with your local authorities before using it.

Final Thoughts

Saving money on your water bill doesn't have to be complicated. There are many simple ways to reduce your water consumption and cut unnecessary expenses. You will be surprised that implementing a few of these tips can significantly reduce your next water bill.

If your plumbing system encounters damage and flooding that results in water damage, be sure to have a plan. Contact professionals for expert water damage restoration to get your home to normal as quickly as possible.

Renovating Your Kitchen in 2022: 4 Fantastic Trends and Innovations

When it comes to kitchen design trends, 2022 has a lot in store for us. With a plethora of state-of-the-art solutions when it comes to colors, finishes and appliances, but also staying true to some classics that have been safe to rely on for decades, it’s no wonder some are wondering what to pay attention to this year. Whether you want something fresh and modern, or you want to stick to the classics, consulting with renovators that deliver kitchens direct to you is the way to go. By consulting with kitchen designers, they will be able to better advise you on what would work well in your kitchen with the space and lighting you have to work with. It's important to remember that kitchen designs are often influenced by the smaller changes and utilities you apply, such as implementing the best kitchen hoods and cabinet trimmings. If you’re thinking about redesigning and upgrading your kitchen and you’re trying to come up with the best ways to do so, here are some phenomenal suggestions for you.

Customizing for Decluttering

In the past, if you wanted to have plenty of storage space in your kitchen, you were rarely in a position to have any open shelving where you could display your beautiful kitchenware. For some people, that meant that they couldn’t get the kitchen design they wanted. However, nowadays things have evolved and you don’t have to compromise style for space anymore. There is a whole range of functional ideas which allow you to customize your kitchen cabinets and shelves to be practical and appealing at the same time. Various built-in organizers and other efficient storage concepts can make your kitchen space more organized, with everything in it systematized and easy to reach, but crafted so that you get the layout you’ve always longed for in your home. Kitchens that meet all your needs are something you’ll see more of this year, so feel free to turn to designers who’ll help you come up with the ideal combination of style and functionality.

Black is Back

In 2022, many homeowners will opt for completely black kitchens. This trend, that seems to be gaining momentum, will be embraced by people around the world, but it seems that Australians are especially attracted to it. However, even if you don’t want a kitchen that dark, some black will definitely be welcome. It can add to the elegance of your kitchen and even make it look more dramatic instantly. For example, black ranges are expected to sell well in all parts of the world this year, Australia included. Similarly, if you try to find top-quality kitchen sinks in Australia, you’ll see that they’re mostly black, which is in tune with the latest trends. You’ll also notice that these sinks are mostly granite and stainless steel, both of which are durable and resistant to scratches, making them extremely popular. If you want to complement these black focal points with other black details, you can choose some black handles and knobs for consistency.

In with the Green

Green is the color, but also the mindset of the year. First of all, as the color of the cabinets get bolder and more vibrant, green will be the preference of the masses and this is a tendency that will only get stronger in the upcoming period. The hues will range from dusky to lighter and brighter greens, meaning that any shade of green you like will do. Given that green looks amazing when combined with hardwood floors, making your kitchen green might also be the most reasonable solution. Aside from that, the ecological awareness that has been on the rise will also dominate the kitchen-related decision-making everywhere. Using recycled and sustainable materials in your kitchen design, as well as getting quartz countertops and energy-efficient appliances and lighting fixtures will be a must for many. Plus, no-VOC or at least low-VOC paints and finishes will be in demand. People will be more mindful when picking worktop and floor materials, as they’ll go for those that are long-lasting, so that they don’t have to be replaced for as long as possible. This and smart appliances, such as water-saving dishwashers and energy-conscious fridges will be something people will gladly invest in to keep their kitchens and their homes eco-friendly.

White Goes Warmer

White kitchens are sleek and classic, which means they aren’t something that is likely to go completely out of fashion any time soon. However, it’s apparent that their popularity is somewhat declining. Namely, as good as white may look at first, it can make the space look too sterile and cold, which homeowners don’t seem to appreciate as much as they used to. Instead of sticking to the white, they’ll look for alternatives which are similar enough to keep the space elegant and polished, but slightly warmer. Nude tones, cream and other off-white colors will replace the pure whiteness of the kitchens around the globe. That way people will still be able to enjoy the monochromatic and clean space, but with a touch of warmth that they lacked before. Another reason to go with other colors is that it can be overly demanding and challenging to maintain the cleanliness of an all-white kitchen. Spending too much time on upkeeping is a complication that can be easily avoided and is something people will keep in mind when choosing a color for their kitchen in 2022.

Staying on top of all the trends and getting the kitchen of your dreams will probably be one and the same thing this year. With these excellent design suggestions, you’ll be able to renovate your kitchen in the best way possible and make it a place you’ll love spending your time in for years to come. 

Anthem Lights- Part 2 review

 #AnthemLightsMIN , Season 1, episode 16 

A while ago, I shared a fun new animated series available on Pure Flix about Christian band Anthem Lights.  The short episodes are perfectly family friendly--and a must-watch for fans of the real-life band.  If you have not yet had the opportunity to check out the show--I have a review of a recent episode to share and an opportunity for you to enter for a chance to win a 3-Month Pure Flix subscription so that your family can become hooked on this series too!

What is “A Show About Anthem Lights”?

Get ready to laugh and sing with the new animated series “A Show About Anthem Lights,”!  The series premiered exclusively on Pure Flix on January 12, 2022. A Show About Anthem Lights" is a 20-episode animated show featuring the characters of the band, Anthem Lights. Featuring the voices of the actual band mates, this new show is filled with tongue-in-cheek humor about the everyday life of being a Christian in a celebrity band.

The show is exactly what the title implies – an animated series depicting the Christian band, Anthem Lights, as they go about everyday activities navigating the ups and downs of life in a boy band ... all while singing about it!  Watch the trailer here!

In episode 16 Spencer brings dishonor to Anthem Lights by acting beneath his station.   This episode will give you lots to discuss as a family and many giggles all around.  

This is such a family oriented show and everyone needs to sit with their family on a Friday night and catch up and watch. You could win a free subscription to Pure Flix here as well.  Enter the giveaway below. 

GIVEAWAY: 

You can win a three month subscription to Pure flix by simply leaving me a comment and telling me your favorite family show.  

Disclosure: Many thanks to #PureFlix  for providing a temporary subscription for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. As well, thank you to #MomentumInfluencerNetwork for the opportunity. 

5 Security Tips to Keep Your Company Safe from All External Treats

 The present-day business world is riddled with various obstacles, most of which can seriously threaten the survival of even the most ambitious companies in existence. Even though they are not cited as often as some other mentions, security issues and their devastating consequences definitely climb to the top of this list.

If we, for instance, take Ireland as an example of a developed country, we will find a survey in which 40% of the respondents of some form of criminal activity. For 88% of them, the inflicted crime caused average damage of €47,000. About 5% experienced costs that climbed all the way up to €500,000.

These numbers are something you should take into very serious consideration. Let us take a look then at some of the tips that should help you overcome these issues and keep your business safe.

Encourage the culture of safety

If your staff is not ready to play by the rules, abide by security guidelines and take the future of your business as seriously as you do not even the best security equipment won't keep your company safe. Therefore, you should do your best to encourage a culture of safety within your ranks. These goals can be most easily met by organizing various workshops and seminars, making the security guidelines transparent and publically available, and, of course, offering small incentives for responsible behavior. To get the best results, you can even form an employee committee that will oversee these initiatives.

Install effective security equipment

As long as they are used in the most sensible manner even the basic security tools like alarm systems, motion detectors, and security cameras can provide excellent results. For instance, if you are not able to maintain surveillance over the entire business lot, dummy cameras should prove to be a very powerful deterring factor against the more hesitant burglars. As you approach more sensitive corners of your premises, your defenses should become tighter, more effective, and obscured from trespassers. Critical points should feature multiple security options and advanced features like night mode recording, etc.

Discourage burglars from entering the lot

As we mentioned in the previous section, the goal of business security is not only to disrupt but also to discourage crime. This deterring strategy should be implemented right from the very lot so make sure that your premises are surrounded by strong colorbond fencing and impenetrable security gates. Ideally, both of them should provide a good street view on your premises to prevent any impostor from hanging out there for too long. Similarly, your lot should be well-lit, devoid of any clutter, vehicles, or needles structures, and preferably make some space between the entrance points and your sensitive facilities.

Make adaptations to business routines

Essentially, your goal should be to keep as little cash and expensive equipment on your physical premises as possible and thus make your business unattractive to thieves. One of the ways to do that is to move as much of your physical infrastructure to the cloud. This way you will also eliminate the threat of sensitive documents being used for ransom. As for the money, offering your customers small incentives for card payments should reduce the amount of cash around your premises. If you still end up with substantial sums of paper money, be sure to make regular deposits and put these worries to rest.

Set up defenses against cybercrime

Physical attacks and forcible entries are far from the only security issues your company will need to deal with. As a matter of fact, some of the greatest threats are hidden in the online environment – according to recent stats, cybercrime rose by 600% due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the average cost of one data breach climbing up to $137,000. Here are a couple of things you can use to keep these problems at bay:

·         Make effective use of password protection: The passwords used by your employees should be complicated, preferably computer-generated, and changed on a frequent basis. Also, consider using two-factor authentication.

·         Leverage the benefits of antivirus software and cloud storage: Both these assets provide top-tier, latest-gen protection without asking your company to spend a small fortune.

·         Educate the employees on how to protect their emails: Emails are, by far, the weakest digital entry point. That is why your employees should be properly trained to deal with threats like viruses, dangerous links, poaching, and phishing attacks.

·         Secure the servers: The best way to do that is to limit the access to sensitive data only to the most trustworthy people, preferably third-party maintenance professionals. Your server data should be regularly backed up and safely stored and kept at a safe remote location.

We hope these few tips will help you to start building defenses that will keep your company secure from any kind of threat, be it a forced entry or some kind of cyber assault. The present-day business arena is filled with various hurdles, dangers, and uncertainties. Don't make this situation any harder by making your company vulnerable to external attacks. The damage you may sustain may prove to be too severe to ever fully recover.

Benefits of Using Concrete to Construct a Driveway

The use of concrete goes back many thousands of years. According to historians, concrete was first put into use by the ancient Romans. All the magnificent structures, buildings that are scattered throughout Rome and Italy, most of them are made of concrete. It was from Rome, concrete gradually had spread to Egypt, Greece,and then to all over the world. Concrete has been the base element for construction for many years now. The reason why concrete still remains to be one of the most popular options for construction is due to the fact that it is strong, durable, and lasts for a long time.

Concrete driveways are quite common, and they can be seen in case of many big buildings and commercial establishments:

If you look around you, you’d find that most of the structures, on the road, public property, government property, are made of concrete. Are you planning to construct a driveway? If that’s what you have in mind, in that case, a concrete driveway would be the best option for you. As mentioned, the reason why concrete should be your ideal choice is that it is capable of absorbing a lot of pressure and lasts for a long span of time. The old multistoried structures that have long been in use, do not break or fade when it comes to utilizing the best concrete driveways. They last long, and give you the best resale value for money, if you use high quality concrete. Additionally, it's easy to find a Honed Concrete contractor who specializes in outdoor areas of the home, making it simple to install a concrete driveway.

Few remarkable properties of concrete

You have already been presented with a brief idea as to why concrete remains one of the most popular construction materials. In the following section, you will be presented with an insight into some of the properties of concrete that have made it special.

•  One of the main reasons that have contributed to the growing popularity of concrete is the fact that it is easy to prepare. Concrete can be prepared manually by using certain basic materials like sand, cement, limestone, and water. However, when it comes to preparing good-quality concrete, all these materials need to be used in the right proportion. This is where an expert concrete maker, like those at Viking Concrete, comes into the picture.
• If you do not use harsh chemicals, then concrete driveways are going to last for many years. They do not prove susceptible to wear and tear or any kind of sudden damage or breakage even if there is a heavy footfall.
• As mentioned, the ultimate product of these ingredients, which is concrete, is very strong and durable. This is one of the reasons why when it comes to the foundation of any construction, concrete is used as the base material.
•  Easy maintenance is another reason why concrete is regarded as one of the best materials to be used for construction. The fact that it is strong and sturdy, demand’s really little maintenance expenses.

As mentioned, if you’re planning to build a driveway, in that case, concrete should be the option for you. A concrete driveway can last for a long time, without showing signs of any damage.

Concrete driveway – the best option to withstand the pressure of your vehicle

No matter what kind of vehicle you’re using. If you have a concrete driveway, in that case, you have the best surface to handle the pressure of your vehicle regularly. Besides, the fact that concrete is a very easy-to- maintain material, comes with a very less maintenance cost. You can just talk with a driveway construction specialist or a designer for giving you the best versions of concrete driveways.

If you have already decided to build a concrete driveway, in that case, you need to get in touch with expert, who has the skills and expertise to construct the best concrete driveway for you.

Tyson's Run- Review

 

When fifteen-year-old Tyson attends public school for the first time, his life is changed forever. Tyson worked to gain the approval of his Dad for so long so while helping his father clean up after the football team, Tyson befriends champion marathon runner Aklilu. 

Tyson and Aklilu became the very best of friends. Aklilu was a role model for Tyson.  No matter what the situation he faced- running away, his leg being stuck, in all that water waiting tor someone to rescue him, or running the race- he showed what perseverance and hard work can do. 

Never letting his autism hold him back, Tyson ran his first marathon winning his father's approval. With the help of an unlikely friend and his parents, Tyson learns that with faith in yourself and the courage to take the first step, anything is possible.

This is a movie that all families should watch. Get your tickets now for #TysonsRunMIN 

You can get your tickets here: 

Website: https://tysonsrun.com/tickets

Here is a sneak peek for you: 

We are giving away a $20 amazon gift card, click here

Disclosure:

Many thanks to Collide Distribution for providing a sample of the product for this re-

view. Opinions are 100% my own.

Thank you also to #MomentumInfluencerNetwork