Even though you can’t buy the Hang Fung gold toilet for your master bath, there are plenty of other fancy fixtures available to accent your Plano bathroom. But you’re going to have to shell out big bucks for them.

The Neorest 600 certainly falls into this category. The Neorest takes the cake as the most expensive commode available for purchase in the home. Produced by bathroom fixture manufacturer Toto, the Neorest 600 is a tankless, one-piece toilet. It may not be gold, but you could call it green: It’s a low-flow toilet, conserving water by sending only 1.6 gallons down the drain per flush. But you’ll be too busy sitting in awe of the Neorest to yearn for the water-frivolous days of the full-flow toilet. It’s also a bathroom dynamo, doing all of the work your old toilet used to make you do.

When the Neorest senses your approach, the toilet lifts its lid, inviting you to have a seat. Once you do your thing, a gentle blast of warm water cleans your bottom. This is followed by the toilet’s air-dry function. And after you get up, the toilet flushes the ionized, self-cleaning bowl and deodorizes the air [source: Toto]. With all of these features, maybe the $5,800 retail price for the Neorest 600 isn’t so much, relatively speaking [source: Forbes]. Plus, you can find them for sale as low as $3,159 [source: Buy Plumbing]. Of course, you can get a regular residential toilet in the U.S. and Canada for around $150, but these certainly don’t come with the bells and whistles the Neorest offers.

If you’re going to remodel your Plano bathroom, why not go all the way? How about some gold leaf inlay in the counter’s backsplash? And what about Italian marble tile for the bathroom’s floor?

Be sure to install the big fixtures first. There’s the Idrolux “L” shower, which retails for around $24,000. This freestanding shower includes UV panels, designed to give you a healthy, tanned glow while you bathe [source: Idrolux]. If you don’t like standing when you scrub down, you can opt to rest easy in 21 inches of warm water in Kohler’s Kallista Archeo bathtub. Before you sink into the tub, check the price tag: This freestanding copper bathtub goes for more than $66,000 [source: Forbes].

How about a nice sink, too? The Italbrass Mezz’aria dual basin sink might look nice reflecting the blue UV glow of your tanning shower — the wall-mounted floating sink is stainless steel. The nearly $7,500 price tag doesn’t include the complementary mirror to go above it, but you’ll want a mirror from another company anyway [source: Quality Bath]. Seura offers wall-mounted, over-the-sink mirrors as large as 45 inches wide that feature an LCD television embedded inside. You can get ready and watch the news at the same time. When turned off, the TV disappears, and the fixture looks like a normal mirror [source: Seura]. The mirrors and their frames can be customized per order, and they fetch around $5,000 for the 45-inch model [source: Home Annex].

Still, starting your day off in your Plano bathroom with all of these luxury features would probably put a pretty good spin on things. And who can put a price on that feeling?

If you do purchase a Toto, your Plano plumber will happily handle the installation for you.  Meanwhile, be sure to contact your plumber for any other plumbing repairs you may need help with. You may just find yourself in need of toilet repair services for your regular old Plano bathroom fixture.

Article Source: http://home.howstuffworks.com/most-expensive-toilet-in-world1.htm

What You’ll Need

You’ll need to have these tools on hand to caulk bathroom fixtures in your Plano home:

• Putty or utility knife
• Strong household cleaner
• Clean rags
• Chlorine beach
• Silicone caulk or bathtub caulk
• Scissors

Because tubs and sinks are used practically every day in your Plano home, the caulking between the fixture and the wall often cracks or pulls loose. When this happens, water seeps into the opening and damages the joint and the surrounding wall. Use silicone caulk or bathtub caulk to make the repair. Use the following steps to recaulk kitchen and bathroom fixtures:

Step 1: Use putty knife or utility knife to remove all old caulk from joint.

Step 2: Clean joint thoroughly with strong household cleaner. If joint is mildewed, scrub it with chlorine bleach. Dry joint thoroughly with clean rag wrapped over blade of putty knife.

Step 3: Apply caulk to joint. Cut nozzle of caulk tube at an angle so opening is a little larger than open joint. If you’re caulking several joints, start with the smallest joint and work up, recutting tube nozzle as necessary for larger joints.

Step 4: Let new caulk dry for several hours.

Don’t let it get wet during drying period. Let caulk cure completely (see manufacturer’s instructions) before using fixture.

It’s always a good idea to let your professional Plano plumber handle the initial installation of faucets and fixtures, which will ensure that they are properly caulked and sealed.

Article Source: http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/plumbing/how-to-recaulk-plumbing-fixtures.htm

Why do drains clog? The short answer is because of the way we use them. Obviously, even though it’s not supposed to happen, water isn’t the only thing going down most drains. In fact, knowing what has clogged your drain can be an important step in knowing how to clear the clog. At the kitchen sink, grease and small particles of food can make their way into the drain. In the bathroom, hair and soap scum are the biggest offenders. Over time, these substances can build up and begin to line the drain, and then one day, another piece of food or another clump of hair is all it takes to block the drain [source: Goodway].

Foreign objects, such as jewelry, bottle tops or toys, can also fall into a drain and clog it. If that’s the case, drain cleaners won’t help unblock the drain. You’ll need to remove the object or call  your Plano plumber to do it for you.

Assuming your problem isn’t a foreign object, first try to locate the clog. Start by removing, checking and cleaning the stopper or strainer at the entrance to the drain. Some strainers are easily removed by hand, but others may require a screwdriver or pliers. Remove anything you can reach and then try pouring hot water down the drain.

The next step is to try using a plunger on the drain, and if that doesn’t work, try removing and cleaning the sink’s trap. After that, you may want to try a sewer snake, or auger. If none of these efforts works, it’s time to use a drain-cleaning product [source: Harrison].

Chemical Drain Cleaners

Be they liquid, gel or powder form, most of the drain cleaners you’ll find on store shelves use strong chemicals, and they come in liquid, gel and powder forms. All chemical reactions involve moving electrons, and drain cleaners work by either taking or giving electrons to the clogging substance, generating heat in the process. There are three main types of drain cleaners:

• Caustic drain cleaners contain substances such as lye and caustic potash. They’re bases, so they give electrons to the clogging substance, and their hydroxide ions create the reaction that clears the clog. Their alkaline, or basic, chemicals release heat and turn grease into a soap-like substance that’s more easily dissolved. These drain cleaners are typically heavier than water, which enables them to reach the clog through standing water.
• Oxidizing drain cleaners contain substances such as household bleach, peroxides and nitrates. These chemicals cause the organic material of the clog to lose electrons and become oxidized. The product is heavier than water, so it can move through standing water, and it releases heat and gas to help clear the blockage.
• Acid drain cleaners aren’t commonly found in stores, and some are sold only to plumbers. These typically contain high concentrations of sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid, substances that increase hydronium ions in a solution and attract electrons from the clog. The hydronium ions react chemically with the material in the clog, and the reaction releases heat, which is necessary to melt congealed grease [source: Sheridan].

Because most of these products generate heat, they may soften the polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, pipes found in most Plano homes today. However, such damage is rare if you use the drain cleaner as directed — damage is more likely to occur when drain cleaner is used on older, metal pipes.

Aside from their effect on the pipes in your Plano home, there are other disadvantages to chemical drain cleaners. They’re extremely toxic if swallowed, and they can burn eyes, skin and mucous membranes and eat through clothing. They can release noxious fumes, and if used improperly, they can cause explosions. These products can also harm septic systems by killing beneficial bacteria, and they can mar bathroom and kitchen fixtures.

If you use chemical drain cleaners, read the directions carefully and heed all the warnings. Use the product in a well-ventilated area, wear rubber gloves, and keep children and pets away from the drain. Never mix different drain cleaners, and don’t use a plunger in conjunction with drain cleaners.

Most drain cleaners advise waiting 15 minutes or more after pouring the product into the drain before flushing it with hot water. If your drain is still clogged afterward, you may need to repeat the process. If a few tries yield no results, it may be time to give your Plano plumber a call.

Article Source:  http://home.howstuffworks.com/home-improvement/plumbing/drain-cleaner1.htm

Garbage disposals offer Plano homeowners and renters alike the convenience of ridding themselves of unwanted items quickly and easily. It’s a simple fix for various types of waste and a staple in most every Plano home. But what happens if this handy device breaks down? In this article we will outline some simple plumbing tips and techniques to help you potentially fix your garbage disposal before deciding whether to call in your professional Plano plumber.

1. Keep Your Hands Out of the Drain

Fixing a broken disposal is not worth losing a hand over. Keep in mind that there is a motor and a blade underneath the drain which can cause serious injury if you’re not careful. Be sure to unplug all parts prior to attempting any sort of repair.

2. Tighten All Connections

Check for leaks by running water through the removal and tighten any connections where leaks are apparent. You may also try taking the entire unit apart and replacing the seal. If the leak persists, you should replace the drain gasket. If all of these methods fail, it’s time to take the unit in for servicing.

3. Check Breakers

As the garbage disposal is an electrical device, it has been known to trip circuit breakers in some instances. Thus, it’s a good idea to check and see whether the panels have been turned off. In this case, all that is needed is to flip the switch and reset the disposal.

4. Freeing the Flywheel

The flywheel is the piece of the disposal that spins the impeller, which cuts up the waste. This piece may have become stuck, in which case you’ll need a hex wrench to free it. Find the hex hole under the unit, apply the wrench, and rotate it until the piece is loosened.

5. Maintaining the Impellers

If you suspect the issue is that the trash is not being properly shredded, you may need to sharpen the impellers. In this case, you’ll need to remove the entire unit. Once this is accomplished, remove the flywheel and take the impellers out the sharpen them. Based on the type of unit, you may even be able to leave the impellers in place while sharpening.

6. Clog Removal

Remove the bolts on the drain pipes and inspect for any readily apparent clogs. Remove anything that is stopping the passage of waste and replace the pipes.

If you’ve tried each of these possible solutions and still find you have a problem on your hands, if just may be time to call in a professional Plano plumber. The damage you could potentially do by experimenting may end up costing you more in the long run. Play it safe, and when in doubt, ask for help.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Woodward

The laundry room, which can be located in such areas as the basement, the main floor of your Plano home, or even up in the attic, can be a place where a flood can occur. When a laundry room flood occurs, the damage can be extensive and expensive. Fortunately, there are a number of things you can do to prevent flooding of your laundry room.

To determine if you have a plumbing issue that could result in a laundry room flood, check to see if the floors and walls around the laundry room sink are damp. Check the joints in the pipe connections to see if they are loose. If they are, you can tighten them yourself. Also, check to see if there are tiny holes or cracks in a pipe. If there is a small hole that can cause a leak, you can wrap the pipe in rubber hose and attach clamps at the top, bottom, and at the source of the leak. There is also plumber’s epoxy you can purchase which is effective at sealing small holes and cracks causing leaks.

Clogs are another cause of a laundry room flood as they can cause the floor drain line or sink drain line to backup. Causes of a clog can include: hair, soap, and lint which can accumulate in the line and eventually cause it to clog. To determine if you have a clogged drain, you can turn off the water, remove the u-shaped pipe, and try to locate the clog. You will also have to examine each side of the straight ends of the pipe to see if there is a clog. Once you have located and removed the clog, put the pipes back in place, turn the water on, and run water through to see if the water flow has returned to normal.

Burst pipes are also a cause of flooding. Burst pipes are often due to old worn pipes or frozen pipes. It is important to have your Plano plumber restore old and damaged pipes. To prevent frozen pipes, you should wrap the pipes in insulation wrap. Other times, a flood can be caused by worn parts such as a worn hose connection. If you have old, cheap, or worn connections, you should get them replaced. If your water hose bursts, it will flood the room with hundreds of gallons of water. You should consider installing a shut off valve to prevent such a disaster. As well, installing a floor drain can stop flooding of the room. Hiring a Plano plumber to install a washer tray under your washing machine will help collect water if a leak develops.

When implementing measures to prevent flooding of the laundry room, it is a good idea to have a Plano plumber inspect the plumbing system, appliances that use water, and plumbing fixtures, to check for damage and old and worn components. An examination and repair of high risk parts and appliances will go a long way in preventing flooding of the laundry room. It will prevent a lot of damage and save you a lot of money. When it comes to laundry room flooding, prevention is the solution.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adriana_N.

If you care about which way the toilet paper roll is installed, you apparently have plenty of company.  Your Plano plumber does not wish to express an opinion concerning toilet paper orientation, but simply wishes to inform and entertain.  Also be aware that should you, in your frustration, tear off entirely too much toilet paper and manage somehow to clog the toilet, your Plano plumber will happily take care of your clogged toilet.

According to a survey at The Toilet Paper Encyclopedia website, 68% of the people who took the survey prefer to hang toilet paper with the sheets coming out over the roll, with 25% preferring the sheets coming out under the roll. That adds up to 93%, so I’m not sure what happened with the other 7% who took the survey, since this would seem to be an either-or type of question.

Google search results for the phrase “toilet paper over or under” confirm that there are lots of people out there who have taken the time to think about and weigh in with all sorts of rationalizations on this issue:

• Installing the toilet paper “under” may prevent toddlers or cats from pulling all of the paper off the roll.
• Installing the toilet paper “over” lets it hang freely, making it easier to tear off.
• Installing the paper “under” makes it more difficult to get more than a couple of sheets at a time, thus conserving paper.
• Installing the paper “over” makes it easier to locate and restart a sheet.
• People who install toilet paper “under” are ignorant, imbecilic half-wits incapable of basic hygiene.
• People who install toilet paper “over” are anal-obsessive, addle-brained Neanderthals who can barely manage to wipe themselves.

Even weirder than people who take the time to think about this issue are those people who get militant about it. These Toilet Paper Nazis actually believe they have the God-given right to flip toilet paper that is not installed according to their preference.

When visiting friends or relatives, do you flip the toilet paper to conform with your preferred orientation? If so, I just have to ask: what are you THINKING? Are you completely INSANE? Do you also rearrange their furniture, make them put on different outfits, rename their children and pets? Where is your sense of propriety?

And do you have any idea how dangerous toilet paper flipping can be? There are a lot of weird people out there, and reactions can range from mild consternation all the way up to psychotic rage and violent attack. Is toilet paper alignment really worth dying for?

Apparently people have faced divorce, friendships have been ruined, and families have been torn apart over the “over” vs. “under” issue.  Therefore, as a public service, here are a few suggestions to help you cope when a friend or loved one disagrees with you about toilet paper alignment:

• Recognize that it doesn’t really matter, let them have their way, and get on with your life.
• Don’t argue — just keep flipping the toilet paper every time you use the bathroom. Over a period of months or years, the situation will work itself out. Or not.
• Set up a monthly toilet paper schedule: “over” on even days, “under” on odd days.
• Install two toilet paper holders side-by-side in each bathroom; one for “over,” one for “under.”
• Rotate the toilet paper dispenser 90 degrees, so that the roll is installed vertically, thus eliminating the over vs. under debate. But realize that this will likely lead to arguments over “clockwise” vs. “counterclockwise.”
• Just get a bidet and be done with it!

You should also try to understand that, in the end, “over” and “under” are really just complementary opposites within a greater whole. Or greater roll. Or something…

Article Source: http://www.stuffweirdpeoplelike.com/2009/08/24/6-caring-about-the-toilet-paper-over-vs-under/

Every Plano homeowner should have certain tools and supplies on hand in case of a plumbing emergency. Here are a few bathroom plumbing supplies that you should always have on hand so that you can make a simple plumbing repair while you wait for your Plano plumber.

Repair Kits:

We all have to deal with a leaky sink, a toilet that won’t flush, or water that won’t turn off at some point. The best way to deal with this is to make sure you always have plumbing repair kits on hand. You can pick up simple toilet repair kits at any big box store or Plano hardware supply store. They generally include all the basic parts needed to repair a toilet.

Sink repair kits will generally have bolts, nuts and washers included, and some may have the stem for the handle as well.

Plumber’s Putty:

While plumber’s putty won’t cure a leaky hose, it will certainly work in a pinch. You can buy this in small jars at most Plano hardware stores. It’s designed to form a temporary seal for leaky hoses or similar parts. If you discover your bathroom sink is leaking from the connector, this is the best thing to apply until you can call your professional Plano plumber to arrange for a more permanent fix. Having this material on hand can potentially save you lots of money in water damage repair.

Pipe Epoxy:

Epoxy is similarly not a permanent fix for a hole in a pipe or hose, but it will plug it up long enough to get it fixed. Just as with the putty, the epoxy is good to use in a pinch. The difference is the epoxy can generally be used on wet or dry surfaces, and forms a more secure bond. Use sparingly, though, as it can be very difficult to remove later.

Pipe Wrench:

You never know when you’ll need to tighten a bolt in a hard-to-reach place. Pipe wrenches are designed just for this. They are large enough to reach and grip the farthest pipes in the back of a cabinet or wall.

Washers, Bolts, Nuts:

These are so inexpensive that it’s silly to not have some extra ones on hand. You can store these in a small decorative jar or even an old coffee tin. If you have them, you won’t have to worry about running out in the middle of a repair to pick them up.

Drain Snakes:

If you discover a drain that isn’t draining properly, or worse, a toilet that keeps backing up, the easiest fix is to use a snake to remove the clog. Letting a clog go untreated will only make it worse and can potentially cost you a lot more down the road in repairs. You can pick up an inexpensive snake for around $20. Just keep it in the package and tuck it under the cabinet somewhere out of sight, and then you will have it when you need it.

A Well Stocked Toolbox:

Keep a toolbox handy and accessible. Always make sure you have all the essential tools inside it. Screwdrivers, both flat and Phillips heads, wrenches of different kinds, extra screws, hammers, a level, etc. This will prevent you from scurrying around later trying to find the misplaced tool when you need it most.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/tools-and-equipment-articles/7-must-have-bathroom-plumbing-supplies-2220294.html

Did you know that iron is not dangerous to your health? However, I am sure you are tired of the effects of this mineral and desperately want to remove iron from water that supplies your Plano home.

Are you tired of those nasty red stains in your sink and toilet? Does the thought of doing a laundry load of whites make you cringe because you know you’ll never see them white again? Iron in your water is a problem for many people especially those who live in rural areas dealing with well water.

First of all let’s talk about the myth that you need iron in your water for your body’s sake. This is not the same iron you get in food or in vitamin pills. This is insoluble iron and cannot be assimilated correctly into your bodies. This iron just causes problems. It clogs your pipes. It ruins your laundry, and it makes rings around your pretty white porcelain sinks, toilets and appliances.

This article will briefly explain what type of water purifier filter you will need depending on the type of iron you have your water supply and where the contamination is coming from.

Choosing the best iron filter is very important for the efficiency of the system. The wrong type of filter along with being installed in the wrong position will make it largely ineffective.  This is good reason to have your professional Plano plumber handle the installation.

You need to have your water tested to determine the type of iron in your water supply and also to find out if there are any other minerals and chemicals that might be adding to the poor quality of the water supply. Your Plano plumber will be able to do this kind of test for you.

Along with the testing, the source of iron contamination should be found out. Is the high content of this mineral due to iron build up in the pipes supplying your Plano home or is it from your well water supply?

If you find that it is coming from the pipes, then you will need to install a whole house water filtration system to protect your whole plumbing system. This will prevent iron in the bathtub, shower, washing machine, toilet and drinking water. If on the other hand you discover that the contamination is coming from the well water supply you could consider the option of digging a new or deeper well. That is often a cheaper option than maintaining an iron water filter for many years.

Of course the choice of whole house water purification will depend on the above results, and your Plano plumber will be able to advise on the best water filter system to install. But in the case that you are doing this on your own, and want to research prior to getting advice, here are the treatment options you will have:

1. Manganese Greensand Filters - To remove dissolved ferris iron, by changing it into the solid ferric iron form.
2. Whole House Iron Filter System - To remove iron as well as manganese and hydrogen sulphide or that rotten egg smell.
3. Pre sediment filter added to a whole house iron filtration system. This might help to extend the life of your iron filter cartridge and stop possible clogging of the filter.

The maintenance costs of each of the above will vary according to the pH of the water, the flow rate, how often you use the water, and the concentrations of either iron, manganese and hydrogen sulphide in the water.

Whether you are buying a water heater for the first time, or replacing an old hot water heater, there are some factors that you definitely should keep in mind when shopping, such as:

How much room do you have in the space where you will be installing the water heater?

You want to make sure that you don’t buy a water heater that is too large to fit in the space you have available. So, it would be good to measure the space available and bring these measurements with you when you are shopping for the new water heater.

Does your water heater need to be electric, gas, or propane?

You can choose between an electric water heater or a gas water heater and they are not interchangeable. So, be sure the unit you buy is designed to work with your energy source.

Choose a water heater that is Energy Efficient.

A very high percentage of a  Plano household’s energy costs go toward heating the family’s hot water. The average family uses an amazing amount of hot water. Twenty five percent or more of a family’s energy expenses come from just the cost of running the hot water heater. Therefore, when you are selecting which hot water heater to buy, it makes a lot of sense to buy the most energy efficient model possible. Even if this efficient model costs a little bit more in the beginning, it will save a lot of money in the long run. Most retailers who sell hot water heaters will post a sign on each unit that tells you how much energy it pulls, as well as the average yearly cost of running the unit. This information is called the Energy Factor (EF), which is calculated after a mandatory evaluation done on all water heaters. It takes into account usage, standby loss, insulation, etc. Since the “Energy Star” rating has not yet been applied to hot water heaters, you will want to use the EF (Energy Factor) rating, as well as individual information on energy effectiveness that is posted on each unit. Simply compare numbers from one unit to another.

Choose a water heater with a good warranty.

Because so many manufacturers have cut costs to lower the expense of the manufacturing process, most water heaters today will not last much longer than their warranty. So go for the heater with the longest warranty. But just a long warranty in itself is not a protection. You also have to look at the warranty exclusions. Sometimes these warranties have fine print. So it may look like a great warranty on the outside, but then the fine print could say that the causes of most hot water heater failures are not covered.

Choose the right size of water heater

Finding the right size of water heater to match your family’s needs is important. If you choose a water heater that is too small, you will find that just as you lather up the shampoo in your hair the water turns cold. But if you choose a tank that is way too big, you will have a higher than necessary Plano utility bill each month just to heat up the tank. You can ask yourself now if you frequently run out of hot water. If so, then check the size of your current water heater and you will know that you are going to require a larger size. If the size you have now seems to do the job, then ask yourself what your FUTURE needs are. Remember, you are buying one water heater to last several years, so you must consider if the family is going to expand in the future, or if you plan on buying a hot tub, spa, jacuzzi or over-sized bathtub in the future. Are you a laundry heavy family? Any additional future needs must be considered when sizing your hot water heater. Even if there are only 2 of you in the home now, and maybe it’s a 4 bedroom Plano home and you have no intention of growing your family or increasing your water needs, it is always recommended that you size the water heater for the house, in case you ever decide in the future to sell this home. An undersized tank on a house would not be desirable as a selling point and may even prevent the home from passing inspection. All this being said, keep in mind that if you do decide you need a larger water heater, the space where you are going to be putting the tank must be adequate. Hot water heaters range in size from 20 to 80 gallons, but the most common sizes used are 40-50 gallons.

As a general rule of thumb, you can go by the number of people in your Plano household to determine the water heater that would most likely be required under normal demand circumstances. Normal demand capacities are based on a home with typical appliances, such as a washing machine, dishwasher, and normal sized bathtubs. It would be considered an extra demand, or more than normal demand, if you had a home with a hot tub, spa, over-sized bathtub, children over the age of twelve (teenagers can use a lot of water), or even small children (large amount of laundry). For a family of 1 or 2, under normal circumstances, a 40 gallon tank should be sufficient. More than normal demand would probably require a 50 gallon tank for 1 or 2 people. If your family has 3 or 4 people, then a 50 gallon tank would usually suffice under normal circumstances. For a greater demand, then a 50 gallon gas water heater would probably still be sufficient, but if your tank is electric, you might consider an 80 gallon heater. Gas heaters are usually able to heat up the water in a tank faster. And, finally, if your family has 5 or more people, then a 50 gallon gas heater is probably still adequate under normal circumstances. If your tank is electric, then an 80 gallon heater would be recommended under normal demand. If you are in a situation where your demand would be more than normal, then go to a 75 gallon gas tank, and perhaps even a 120 gallon electric, if the space you have available for your hot water heater is large enough to accommodate. Remember, you want to buy the water heater that will do the job NOW and in the FUTURE. So keep in mind what your future requirements will be. You may be surprised at how much water on average some everyday activities use:

• Showering - 3 gallons/minute
• Bathing -  15-25 gallons per bath
• Shaving -  1-3 gallons
• Washing hands -  1/2-2 gallons
• Washing dishes -  4-6 gallons
• Running dishwasher -  5-20 gallons
• Running clothes washer -  25-40 gallons
• Cleaning house -  5-12 gallons
• Food preparation -  1-6 gallons

Choose the proper method of installation - Use a Professional Plumber.

Installing the water heater is not a job for the layman. It involves plumbing work, as well as gas or electric work. Mistakes in installation are one of the most common causes of injury and water heater failures, so this job is best left up to your professional Plano plumber. Installation also involves knowledge of current local code ordinances to make sure the tank is installed in such a way as to pass those codes for Plano.  Also, your plumber will be familiar with the water quality of Plano and any unique characteristics.

For further direction and guidance, ask a respectable and knowledgeable Plano plumber. They will be able to share a wealth of information and make professional recommendations.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Romero

Knowing how to read your water meter allows you to easily and quickly track water usage in your Plano home, including trends and potential spikes due to leaks. If you discover high usage, it would be advisable to contact your Plano plumber who will be able to find the exact location and repair the leak before your water bill continues to increase needlessly.  Most water meters are one of two types: a straight-reading meter or a dial-reading meter. A straight-reading meter contains a simple number tally that provides the readout, while a dial-reading meter contains either five or six distinct dials that are used to determine the overall usage.

Instructions

Things You’ll Need

• Screwdriver

Reading a dial meter

1. Use a screwdriver to remove the lid of the water pit. Check the area for any dangerous insects or animals before proceeding.
2. The dials are labeled in increasing tenth values (i.e. 10, 100, 1000, etc). Begin reading the water meter with the highest value dial, generally the 100,000 dial. Note the smaller of the two numbers nearest to the needle as the first digit.
3. Read the dial labeled 10,000 and note the smallest of the two numbers nearest to the needle. Continue this procedure until you have read all dials and have a full six-digit number. The final number provides the units of water in either gallons or cubic feet that have been consumed since the meter was installed.
4. To monitor water usage, simply subtract the “before” reading from the “after” reading and the result will be the amount consumed over a specified period of time. This value can assist with monitoring usage
5. If the value given by the readout is in cubic feet, you may want to convert the value to gallons. One cubic foot is equal to 7.48 gallons. As a general rule, water companies will charge you based upon usage in terms of either 100 cubic feet or 1000 gallon units. The best way to know how you are charged is to check your Plano water bill, which should indicate the unit of measure.

Reading a straight meter

1. Locate the number tally on the water meter and record the number listed. It is the area that looks similar to a car’s odometer.

2. Determine the unit of measure. It is generally listed as either cubic feet or gallons in the area  above or below the number tally.

3. Subtract the “before” reading from the “after” reading to determine usage.

4. Convert the value of the readout as needed (between gallons and cubic feet) for consistency with how your Plano water company bills you for usage.

Tips & Warnings

• To determine whether or not a leak is present, turn off all of the water outlets in your Plano home and note the position of the 1-cubic-foot-dial on your water meter. After 30 minutes, check the dial for movement. If the dial has moved, then you have a possible water leak in your home. Call your Plano plumber for assistance in finding and repairing the leak before your water bill skyrockets.
• Many new water meters have digital readouts which provide a straight number for consumption and do not require any special techniques for reading.

References

• H2ouse: How to Read Your Water Meter
• “Complete Home Plumbing;” Scott Atkinson; Sunset Books; 2001

Read more:   How to Read a Water Meter | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5809560_read-water-meter.html#ixzz1iPjqq9tx