Tag Archives: water

How Much Water for My Lawn Really?

Water sprinklerHow much water does a lawn need? In general, turf grasses need about 3/4 to 1 inch of water per week to maintain green color and active growth. However, during certain times in the summer when high temperatures are the norm, you should allow lawns to naturally slow down in growth. You can let the lawn go almost completely dormant in hot weather. In hot weather you may need an inch of water only about every three days.

In general, water as infrequently as possible. When you do water, water thoroughly so that moisture soaks down to the roots. One deep watering is much better than watering several times lightly. Watering to a depth of 4 to 6 inches encourages deeper, healthier root development. It also allows longer periods between watering. Early morning or night is the best time for watering, as less evaporation will occur at these cooler times

VIDEO: Slope Walks AWAY from Home! Orcas Island Home Inspection

It’s important to keep the area within 4-6 feet of the home sloped away from the home to shed water away from the exterior envelope. In this video, taken at a recent Orcas Island home inspection, I document a concrete walkway that has settled and is sloping towards the home. After I went into the crawl space at the conclusion of the inspection, I did indeed note water intrusion and the sloped concrete walkways are a likely contributing factor. Water is the enemy! Do everything you can to keep water away from your home.

Hard Water

Water “hardness” refers to the level of minerals found in a home’s water supply.  Hard water results when an excessive amount of minerals, chiefly calcium and magnesium, are dissolved into water as it passes through soil and rock. The degree of hardness becomes greater as the mineral content increases. Hard water presents numerous mechanical and aesthetic problems in homes, but it is not considered a health hazard to humans.

(read full article on InterNACHI)

Plumbing Terms

Plumbing may be defined as the practice, materials and fixtures used in the installation, maintenance and alteration of all piping, fixtures, appliances and appurtenances in connection with sanitary and storm drainage facilities, the venting system, and public and private water supply systems. Plumbing does not include the trade of drilling water wells, installing water-softening equipment, or the business of manufacturing or selling plumbing fixtures, appliances, equipment or hardware. A plumbing system consists of three separate parts: an adequate potable water supply system; a safe, adequate drainage system; and ample fixtures and equipment. (read full article on InterNACHI)

Save water and money with soaker hoses

Photo credit: Steph L, Flikr Creative Commons

Photo credit: Steph L, Flikr Creative Commons

Savingwater.org says, “Soaker hoses help you save. Sprinklers waste water on overspray, runoff and evaporation. But by allowing water to seep directly into the soil, soaker hoses put water exactly where your plants need it at the root zone. So you save:

  • Time: no more moving sprinklers or hand watering in garden beds,
  • Money: using less water means smaller water bills,
  • Your Plants: they get just the right amount of water, and no spray means leaf diseases are kept in check, and
  • Our Environment: you are saving water and using a recycled product.”

This site compares soaker hoses versus drip irrigation and has a video about how to use soaker hoses properly.

Water hammer issues?

Plumbing Equipment On House PlansWater hammer is a specific plumbing noise, not a generic name for pipe clatter. It occurs when you shut off fast-moving water suddenly, bringing it to a quick halt and creating a sort of shock wave and a hammering noise. Fix “water hammer” by draining the plumbing system. Open the uppermost faucet (or the one furthest from the water meter) and the lowest (or closest to the meter) and allow the water to flow to a lower-level sink or floor drain. Draining the system restores air to air chambers. Close the lowest faucet and refill the system. For more detailed information see this article.