How to Keep Your Water Heating Bill Low

Utility bills can add up at the end of the month.  Fortunately, with a few simple changes to your home routines and fixtures, you can save money on your water heating bill.

Here are a few tips to help you save next month!

How to Save:

• Make the Upgrade - New water heaters are more energy-efficient than older models.  If your water heater is over 10 years old, you should upgrade to a newer, more efficient appliance.  This is a great way to accumulate long-term savings.
• Take Showers -While baths can be relaxing, showers are more energy-efficient.  Even when a bath is filled with only a few inches of water, it is still less efficient than a short shower.
• Fix Leaky Faucets - Leaky faucets and pipes can add up.  A leak of one drip per second can cost $1 per month, according to the Department of Energy. Although this may not seem like much, this cost can add up over time.
• Install Low-Flow Fixtures - New shower heads and faucets flow and lower rates, saving you money.  As an added bonus, a new fixture can give your bathroom an updated look and feel.

If you have any questions about your home water heater or you are due for an upgrade, contact our office.  The experienced technicians at AP Plumbing are here for all of your home water heater needs!

Call 585-216-3058 to contact our office or visit our website to learn more about the plumbing and remodeling services that we offer to the Rochester area.

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5 Plumbing Upgrades to Make This Winter

Cold winter weather is the perfect excuse for focusing on indoor home improvement projects.  This weekend, you might want to consider making a few updates to your home plumbing system!  

Here are a few plumbing upgrades you should make this winter.

5 Plumbing Upgrades:

1. Tankless Water Heaters - If your water heater is over 10 years old, it's likely that you'll be due for a replacement soon.  Older water heaters tend to break down more frequently and work less efficiently.  The benefit of choosing a tankless water heater for your upgrade is that they take up less space!  This will leave you with more room in your basement - and often a lower utility bill.  Tankless water heaters heat water as it is needed.  This means that you won't waste money keeping unused water warm.
2. Efficient Shower Heads - An easy way to improve the functionality of your bathroom and give it a new look and feel is by updating your shower head.  Newer shower head models are more efficient, and come with spa-like settings that can make your bathroom more luxurious!
3. Upgrade Your Faucet Fixtures - Want to give your bathroom a new look for less?  Update your faucet fixtures!  This simple fix can really give your space an updated and modern feel.
4. Update Your Bathtub - An old bathtub can be an eyesore.  Updating your bathtub or upgrading a walk-in shower can be the perfect solution for your bathroom.  It's also perfect for older couples who are looking to age-in-place!
5. Opt for a Full Remodel - If your bathroom is in need of an overhaul, it might be time for a full bathroom remodel.  We offer bathroom remodeling services that will help you with everything from plumbing installations to design.

Call 585-216-3058 to contact our office or visit our website to learn more about the plumbing and remodeling services that we offer to the Rochester area.

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How to Insulate Your Plumbing Pipes

When water freezes - it expands.

This means that on cold days like today, your plumbing pipes are at risk!  Frozen pipes can expand and burst, leading to a messy cleanup for Rochester homeowners.  Not only will you need to replace your cracked pipes, you might also be left with a flooding mess.  Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this!

By insulating exposed pipes in your home (in your basement, attic, and under your cabinets), you can help create a barrier between your plumbing pipes and the cold winter air.

How to Insulate Your Plumbing:

1. Protect your plumbing with foam-rubber pipe insulation.  Slip the foam-rubber insulation over your exposed pipes.
2. Peel away any backing strips and press the adhesive surfaces together to insulate your pipes.
3. Cut the foam rubber insulation to size at the corner joints and secure with foam tape.
4. Insulate the areas around your plumbing. Seal any air leaks, holes and cracks around the home with caulking or weatherstripping.

If your run into any problems with your home plumbing this winter or you're not sure how to insulate your pipes through the DIY route, contact our office.  Our plumbing technicians can help make sure that your plumbing system is protected all winter long.

Call 585-216-3058 to contact our office or visit our website to learn more about the plumbing and remodeling services that we offer to the Rochester area.

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How to Prevent Plumbing Problems This Winter

It's cold outside.  As you put on a few extra layers to keep yourself warm, it's important to make sure that your plumbing is protected too.  Even inside your home, exposed pipes can freeze on cold nights.  Here are a few tips to help protect your home plumbing this winter.

Winter Plumbing Tips:

• Insulate Your Pipes - Look around your home for any exposed pipes.  They might be in your basement, attic, crawlspaces, or hidden under your kitchen or bathroom cabinets.  Insulating these pipes will help prevent them from freezing on cold winter nights.
• Keep Your Heat Turned On - Although it might be tempting to turn your heat down when you leave your home for the day or for a winter getaway, you'll still want to keep your home at a reasonable temperature.  If the temperature drops below freezing on a cold day while you're away, a pipe could freeze and burst, leaving you with a flooding mess when you return.
• Open Kitchen & Bathroom Cabinets - On particularly cold days, it's a good idea to leave your kitchen and bathroom cabinets open.  This allows warm air to circulate through the cabinets and keep your plumbing from freezing.

If you have any problems with your home plumbing system this winter, give our office a call.  We offer emergency plumbing services that will help fix your burst pipe!  

Call 585-216-3058 to contact our office or visit our website to learn more about the plumbing and remodeling services that we offer to the Rochester area.

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How to Keep Your Bathroom Clean and Organized for the New Year

Everyone wants to start the year off with a clean slate - why not start (and end) each day off fresh too?  With a clean and organized bathroom, you can ease into your day without the chaos of looking for a lost hairbrush.  Here are a few tips to help you keep your bathroom organized and clean in 2016.

Bathroom Tips:

• Go Through Your Medicine Cabinet - When was the last time you really went through your medicine cabinet?  It's time to get rid of outdated medicines and keep your medicine cabinet clean and organized with products that are useful to you in the new year.
• Keep Hair Products Under Control - Hair products can take up a lot of space int he bathroom.  Keep your styling routine organized by storing all of your products in a plastic tub under the sink.  If you haven't used a product recently, it might be time to toss it!
• Squeegee Often - After a long shower, water will sit on your shower curtain or shower glass doors.  This can lead to mold, mildew and hard water stains.  Stay on top of your cleaning routine by simply using a squeegee to wipe down your shower after each use.  This will help keep your bathroom clean and cut down on cleaning time when you do your bathroom cleaning each week.
• Clean Your Grout - Grout is porous and can absorb oils from any products you use in the bathtub.  This includes shampoos, conditioners, and soaps.  Keep your shower tiles clean by cleaning the grout with a mixture of 10 parts water to 1 part bleach.  Just be sure to remove the bleach solution after you're done cleaning
• Set a Schedule - Put a plan in place for 2016.  Once a month (or every other month) you should give your bathroom a thorough clean.  Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup white vinegar to help keep your pipes clear of grease, oil and hair.

Check out this Martha Stewart article for more information on how to clean your bathroom.  If you're looking to really give your bathroom and overhaul this year with a remodel, give our office a call.  Our professionals will help you decide on the right bathroom design for your home needs.   Call 585-216-3058 to contact our office or visit our website to learn more about the plumbing and remodeling services that we offer to the Rochester area.

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Plumbing Efficiency Tips for 'Cut Your Energy Costs Day'

It's National Cut Your Energy Costs Day!  What better way to start the year than with lower energy use and in turn, a lower monthly utility bill?  These tips will help you keep energy costs low, while improving your home plumbing system.

Plumbing Efficiency Tips:

• Fix Leaky Faucets - A dripping faucet is more than a common household annoyance, it can also be wasting water in your home.  Save money and water by fixing these leaky faucets early on.  If left alone, faucet leaks can also lead to excessive wear and tear on your faucet and your sink.  Keep your plumbing fixtures longer by fixing small problems early on!
• Install a Low-Flow Shower Head - Higher efficiency shower heads use less water per minute.  While you'll still enjoy a comfortable shower pressure and flow, you can also save on yur monthly energy bills by reducing demand on your water heater.
• Go Tankless - Tankless water heaters heat water when you need it.  This means that you aren't wasting energy storing hot water in your basement.  Instead, water is heated as it is needed.
• Perform Water Heater Maintenance - If you have a standard water heater in your home, make sure that your water heater is in good condition and is heating water efficiently.  If your system is outdated or is not working efficiently, you could be wasting energy.

If you have any questions about your home plumbing system, give our offices a call!  Our plumbing technicians are here to help you with any plumbing problems you may have.  Call 585-216-3058 to contact our office or visit our website to learn more about the plumbing and remodeling services that we offer to the Rochester area.

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Celebrate National Bubble Bath Day!

It's National Bubble Bath Day!  

Now that it's finally cold out, a nice, warm bubble bath is the perfect way to relax at the end of a long work week.  Here are a few ways to make your next bath a little bit more spa-like.

Play your favorite music. Listening to your favorite artist, radio station or song can be a great way to relax.  Add some tunes to your bath to make your bubble bath even more relaxing.  Of course, be sure to keep all electrical devices away from the tub.

Read a book.  If you have the time, sit down and read a book while you soak in the bubble bath.  Just try not to get it wet!

Add essential oils.  Lavender, eucalyptus and rose oil are known for their relaxing scents.  Add a few drops to your bath to make your bathroom smell great!

Use a bath pillow.  Inflatable bath pillows or pillows mad from soft fabric can help you rest your neck while you bath.  If you don't have a pillow on-hand, use a cotton bath towel folded up instead.

Ready to give your bathroom a makeover this year?  We can help you remodel your bathroom for your family's needs (and so that you can enjoy a relaxing bubble bath)! 

Call 585-216-3058 to contact our office or visit our website to learn more about the plumbing and remodeling services that we offer to the Rochester area.

Don't forget to check out our social pages!  Like us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Twitter, and Connect with us on Google+!