Living “Green” doesn’t have to be complicated. Below are some simple tips to help you live a sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle:

1. Conserve energy by purchasing major appliances with an Energy Star rating. Also, consider switching to fluorescent light bulbs and adding more natural lighting with morewindows or skylights
2. Buy locally produced materials whenever possible to lower additional energy use and pollution associated with transportation.
3. Choose rugs, carpeting, window treatments and other textiles produced from natural fibers, such as cotton or wool, which are untreated and free of toxins, such as pesticides or chemical cleaners.
4. Fix leaky fixtures and install low-flow showerheads and faucets.
5. Find wall coverings that are made of paper or natural fiber, rather than synthetic materials, and printed with natural inks.
6. Install lights with sensors that turn on when they detect movement and automatically turn off after a few minutes.
7. Use water-based paints, finishes and sealants. Some milk-based paints are also available.
8. Ask for flooring products made from rapidly renewable resources, such as bamboo or linoleum.
9. When possible, choose solid woods for furniture or cabinetry, rather than pressed woods or composites that may contain formaldehyde or other potentially toxic chemicals.
10. Recycle packing and shipping materials from any newly purchased items, and safely dispose of paint cans and other containers whose contents could potentially contaminate the ground or water supply.

When embarking on a plumbing project, be sure that you seal the pipes and hoses well. It might be harder than you think. Do read up on how it can be done. However, it is also very important to make sure you have the appropriate tools.

Never use a sealant that is not designed for what you are doing. Sink flanges on a garbage disposal unit should be secured with plumber’s putty. There are specially made wax and grease sealants for use on the base of a toilet. Shower pipes and spouts should be sealed with caulking, and the list goes on from there.

Many people regret substituting the wrong sealant for a particular job. PVC pipe glue should not be used for applications designed for plumber’s putty. If you use these things rather than Teflon plumber’s tape on hoses, you will never be able to remove it should you ever decide to replace the hoses.

Be sparing but not stingy. It’s also important to use the right amounts. For example, a ¼ inch bead of plumber’s putty is sufficient to seal around a sink. Too much will require quite a bit of clean up. If you don’t use enough, the water will be able to leak in under the sink.

Wipe away the extra without removing too much. Too much sealant will tend to crack and tear after it hardens. Using your finger or a damp sponge, lightly wipe away any extra and you should be fine. In addition, ascertain that all smears are removed before they are dry.

Be generous with Teflon plumber’s tape. Usually you cannot use too much, but in rare cases, it could create small channels for the water to escape through. The reason it’s so hard to overdo it is because it is very flexible and compressible. Obviously, you don’t want to put so much on that it becomes difficult to fit the new pipe or hose on.

Wind it in the proper direction. If you’re dealing with hoses, direction won’t be an issue, but you’ll need to make sure it’s in the proper direction if you are planning to use it on threading pipes. If it’s not done correctly, the tape will twist off. The tail of the tape should be facing the direction you will be threading onto it. This will create a good seal as the tape stretches in the same direction the pipe is being threaded. If the tape twists the other way, you will not have a good seal at all.

Avoid torn ends. Try to avoid tearing the tape or biting it off with your teeth. This can be tempting if your working in an area that is not convenient for getting in and out of. This can lead to stretching and tearing of the ends. If the tape is stretched too much before it is threaded on the pipe, it will not seal correctly.

If the tape is cut cleanly, it will set in the threads better and not leave any ridges that could cause leaks. This should be done on the front and back of the tape. If you have ridges, you will create small openings for water to escape from.

If you use the correct sealant for each job and follow the directions when doing it, your plumbing projects will be well sealed and leak free.

Click on the links to get more tips and guide on Do It Yourself Plumbing How To, toilet plumbing repair and Plumbing Kitchen Sink.

The first thing we suggest you to do is mapping out the course of the pipes and drains in your house.

One of the worst things that can happen to a homeowner is a water pipe breaking. A broken or busted water pipe can cause significant damage to and in a person’s home. What tends to aggravate the problems associated with a busted pipe is the fact that most people really have no idea where their pipes actually run under and through their homes. In other words, these people have to spend a great deal of time tracking down the location of pipes before repair work can begin. Because of the amount of time that it takes to locate pipes, more damage ends up occurring to their homes because of the busted pipes and the delay that occurs in finding the break. …continue reading about Maintenance for your home Plumbing