New Water Heater Requirements: Is It Time to Replace Your Water Heater?

New standards for water heaters will be going into effect next month.  If you need to replace your home water heater, now is the perfect time!  The new mandates require higher energy efficiency ratings, meaning significant changes to you and your family.  Here are a few of the changes you can expect.

Water Heater Requirements:

• Higher Priced Units - up to 35% more expensive
• Larger in size
• More space required in your home
• Significant remodeling costs if the new water heater doesn't fit in your space

If you think that you are in need of a new water heater, consider replacing your unit before the new requirements go into effect on April 15th.  Please call 585-723-9000 or visit our website for more information on the water heater options available to you and your family.  Our plumbing technicians can help you answer any questions you have.

For more tips, Like us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and Connect with us on Google+!

Water Conservation Tips for World Water Day

It's World Water Day!  Water is an important part of our lives.  From food to energy to the water that comes out of your faucet, water plays a big role in our health and wellness.  Here are a few tips to help you conserve water at home.

Water Conservation Tips:

• Insulate Pipes - Insulating your hot water pipes means that you will spend less time waiting for your water to get warm. You'll waste less water in the process.
• Fix Leaks - Make sure you fix any leaks in your toilet, including leaky seals.
• Run Full Loads - Only use your washing machine and dishwasher when running full loads.  This will help prevent waste.
• Avoid Bottled Water - It takes 3 liters of water just to make a plastic bottle - before the water is even put in.  Drinking water from your home plumbing system saves water and it's better for your wallet.

Learn more about World Water Day on the UN Water website.  You can also contact AP Plumbing with any questions.  Our professional technicians can help you with all of your plumbing needs.  Call 585-216-3058 to contact AP Plumbing!

For more tips, Like us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and Connect with us on Google+!

How to Find and Fix Leaks in Your Home

Will you be doing any spring cleaning this weekend?  Add your plumbing system to your check list!  We are encouraging all homeowners to look around their home for plumbing leaks. Not only are leaks easy to correct, but they can also help you save water, money, and the environment.

Here are a few places to look for common plumbing leaks in your home for #FixALeakWeek!

How to Fix Common Leaks:

• Toilets - Most toilet leaks are caused by an old or worn out toilet flapper.  This seal is a fairly inexpensive rubber part, but minerals can build up on them and they can decay over time.  Bring the old flapper to the hardware store and compare - and call us if you have any questions!
• Faucets - Faucet leaks are very common and there are a number of DIY video tutorials on YouTube that you can find here.  If you don't trust your DIY skills, our plumbing technicians can help you get the job done right the first time.
• Showerheads - Leaky showerheads can often be corrected just by making sure that there is a tight connection between the showerhead and the pipe stems

For more tips and tricks on how to find and correct common household leaks this week, check out the WaterSense website.  You can also contact AP Plumbing with any questions.  Our professional technicians can help you with all of your plumbing needs.  Call 585-216-3058 to contact AP Plumbing!

For more tips, Like us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and Connect with us on Google+!

Celebrate Fix a Leak Week!

Photo Source: EPA

Did you know that household leaks can waste more than a trillion gallons of water each year nationwide?  That's the same as the annual water usage for 11 million homes!  This year, we remind everyone in Rochester to do their part in helping the environment by checking their household fixtures for leaks.  Here are a few places to look in your home.

How to Detect Leaks:

• Check Your Water Usage - If your household winter water use exceeded 12,000 gallons per month, it's likely that you have a serious leak problem.
• Look at the Water Meter - Check your water meter during a time when no water is being used in your home.  Check again two hours later.  If you notice that you meter doesn't read the same, then you likely have a leak.
• Experiment with the Toilet Tank - Place a few drops of food coloring into your toilet tank.  If you notice that the coloring shows up in the bowl within 15 minutes (without flushing), you have a leak.  Just be sure to flush after this experiment to avoid staining!
• Be Observant - Look for drips and leaks in your faucets and showerheads.  A showerhead leak can waste more than 500 gallons of water per year!
• Check the Garden Hose - It has been a cold winter.  If you left your garden hose outside, it's possible that the hose has frozen and will leak when used in the spring.  Check the hose for leaks at its connection to the spigot.

Visit the Environmental Protection Agency website for more information on how you can prevent leaks this week, as well as all year round.  You can also contact AP Plumbing with any questions you have.  Our professional technicians can help you with all of your plumbing needs.  Call 585-216-3058 to contact AP Plumbing!

For more tips, Like us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and Connect with us on Google+!

AP Plumbing Supports Local Charities

AP Plumbing is committed to supporting our local community.  A portion of every residential plumbing service that our technicians perform is donated to either the Happiness House or the Jr. Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

JDRF is an organization dedicated to funding type 1 diabetes research.  They work with a variety of partners that provide them with the scientific resources and policy influence possible to eventually cure type 1 diabetes (T1D).  

Happiness House is an educational, residential, health and human service organization that provides cost effective services to children and adults with and without disabilities.  They work with families and partners throughout the Finger Lakes community.

Every residential service through AP Plumbing helps contribute to these wonderful organizations that are leading the way in research.  If you are in need of plumbing services, contact our office.  Our professional technicians can help you with all of your plumbing needs, and you can rest easy knowing that while you are experiencing a plumbing emergency, a portion of the proceeds is going to a good cause.  Call 585-216-3058 to contact AP Plumbing!

For more tips, Like us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and Connect with us on Google+!

Celebrate World Plumbing Day with These Water Saving Tips!

Today is World Plumbing Day!  Each year, World Plumbing Day promotes water conservation and emphasizes the importance of clean water for your family's health and safety.  Here are a few tips to help you save water at home.

Water Saving Tips:

• Check for Leaks - Even small leaks can lead to significant water waste.  Make sure that you correct faucet drips and pipe leaks as soon as you notice them.
• Limit Water Use - Turn off the tap when it's not in use and keep water use to a minimum.  This will help you save money on your water bill, as well as help the environment.
• Upgrade Fixtures - Water-efficient toilets, faucets, and shower heads can help reduce your overall water use.
• Insulate Water Pipes - Insulating your water pipes can help prevent pipes from freezing during the cold winter months, as well as help your water heat up faster.  This means that you'll waste less water while waiting for it to heat up.
• Wash Full Loads Only - Use your dishwasher and clothes washer only on full loads.  This will help conserve water.

For more tips on how to celebrate a water-efficient World Plumbing Day, check out this article.  You can also contact our bathroom remodeling and plumbing professionals with any questions you have about your home plumbing system and #WhyPlumbingMatters.  Call 585-216-3058 to contact AP Plumbing for more information.

For more tips, Like us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and Connect with us on Google+!

How to Remodel Your Bathroom on a Budget

Bathroom remodeling doesn't have to break the bank.  With a few simple updates you can improve the function of your bath and update the look of the room.  Here are a few tips to help you remodel on a budget.

Budget Remodeling Tips:

• Don't Move the Plumbing - If you are looking to reduce the cost of your remodeling project, you can remodel your bathroom while keeping your plumbing fixtures (shower or tub, toilet and sink) in the same locations.
• Choose Decorations Wisely - Choose a neutral base color with an accent.  This will help the resale value of your home and offers long-term appeal.  You can add matching accessories that bring the room together without overdoing it.  
• Utilize Fiberglass and Acrylics - Prefabricated showers and bathtubs are less expensive.  This also helps reduce the cost of expensive tiles.
• Replace Old Shower Door Frames - Don't underestimate the power of making a few small improvements to your bathroom.  Updating your shower door frames can brighten up the look of your bathroom.
• Update Your Vanity - If you want a quick bathroom fix, update your bathroom vanity.  Replacing the vanity cabinet, the top and the bowl can quickly change the look of your bathroom!

For more tips on how to remodel your bathroom on a budget, check out this article from HGTV.  You can also contact our bathroom remodeling and plumbing professionals for tips on how you can best update your bathroom without hurting your wallet!  Call 585-216-3058 to contact AP Plumbing for more information.

For more tips, Like us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and Connect with us on Google+!

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

It has been a cold winter.  Temperatures are below freezing more often than not!  Unfortunately, many homeowners have been experiencing problems with frozen pipes in the cold weather.  

Here are a few tips to help you prevent and manage frozen plumbing pipes.

Prevent Frozen Pipes:

• Keep house temperature at 68 degrees or higher, even if you're leaving for an extended period of time.
• Open cabinet doors or use a space heater below your sink to keep the pipes from freezing.
• Wrap pipes with insulation to prevent freezing.
• Heat your basement or crawl spaces where plumbing pipes are located on cold days.

Check out this article for more tips on how you can prevent frozen pipes for the rest of the winter.  If you do experience any problems, our plumbing experts are here to help. 

Call 585-216-3058 to contact AP Plumbing.  Our professional plumbing technicians can help you with all of your plumbing repair needs!   For more tips, Like us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and Connect with us on Google+!