Water Filters

Is your tap water safe to drink? Because unhealthy levels of contaminants such as bacteria, lead, and pesticides are found in both metropolitan and well water supplies, it's important to know whether pollutants exist in your water. And, if they do, you need to know how to remove them.

Scores of companies claim to have the latest and greatest answer to your water needs. Many types of water filters are made, and they range widely in sophistication and price. They may use reverse-osmosis, activated carbon, or ultra-violet rays to clean or purify water. Should you buy an under-the-sink reverse-osmosis filter, or will a simple spout-mounted carbon filter do? What are your other options?

The effectiveness of a particular water filter at removing specific contaminants depends upon the technology used. With this in mind, it's important to know what needs to be removed from your water--and that involves testing.

In this section, you can look at the issues of clean drinking water, learn how to get water testing accomplished, compare filter technologies, and see how to install a water filter.

Kitchen Faucets Are Like Jewelry For Your Kitchen

by Craig Thornburrow
Kitchen faucets can really dictate the look and feel of your kitchen. It is like putting on jewelry, it is the last item you add and it can completely set off and highlight everything around it or it can look cheap and gaudy. So when you are choosing the faucet for your kitchen you should take a careful look at what type of atmosphere you are hoping the kitchen will have. Here are some top decorating ideas to help you choose the correct kitchen faucet.

The first thing you will need to decide is what type of finish you would like the faucet to be. Most designing experts will tell you that your choice should highlight one of two aspects of your kitchen. First you may decide to match the appliances you have in your kitchen. For example if you have stainless steel appliances you may want to incorporate a brushed nickel faucet or perhaps you have a pure white kitchen, there are many varieties of white faucets to choose from. The other would be to match any lighting fixtures or the cabinetry hardware. There are many finishes to choose from you can have polished chrome, brass plated, copper (which is gaining popularity), burnished brass, black and some limited special ordered colors such as red or cobalt blue, and the two previously mentioned types, brushed nickel or white.

Once you have decided which type of finish you think will accent your kitchen properly then you need to decide on the practical part, the design of the faucet. There are several types of kitchen faucet designs available. In fact, they even have faucets for your kitchen that come directly out of the wall. Many people are choosing the type of design where the spout has a high arch which is very helpful if you use a lot of large deep pots for your cooking. You can choose a kitchen faucet where the hot and cold water is controlled by either a single or double handle.

Another choice you will need to make is whether you would like to purchase a set that includes a soap dispenser and/or a sprayer. If you would like a sprayer there are two ways to incorporate it. First it can be separate and off to the side of the spout or it can be part of the spout. When it is part of the spout you just pull on the end and the sprayer comes away from the spout. This can be a handy feature as most of these types of sprayers are larger than the ones that stand off to the side.

Once you have decided on the design of the faucet make sure that you have all of the necessary components to attach your kitchen faucet. This may include larger fittings, plumbers tape to help seal the fittings therefore eliminating leaks and a plumbing wrench. When you are looking to incorporate some ambiance into your kitchen, kitchen faucets can add that special finishing touch.

Various choice of kitchen faucets design at online catalogue www.sanliv.com.

Repair a leaky faucet in six easy steps

Repair a leakey faucet with a few plumbing tips. Dripping water faucets are not only aggrivating, but also costly. Learn how to repair a leaky faucet using six, easy-to-follow steps.

Leaking water faucets are not only bothersome, but also costly. Small leaks can waste up to 3-gallons of water each day and permanently create water spots and stains in the base of your sink. Calling a plumber can also be expensive. If the constant drip in your sink is driving you mad, learn to fix the faucet yourself, saving time and money.

A NOTE ABOUT FAUCETS

There are many types of faucets on the market today. Even though they may look different, they all have the same basic parts and are put together in the same basic fashion. Most baths and bathrooms have "mixing faucets" or "stem faucets," which allow the user to select temperature settings by controlling the hot and cold handles. Mixing faucets and stem faucets have two individual units, both of which may need to be prepared.

CAUSES OF WATER LEAKS

LOOSE NUTS
If water is leaking around the packing nut area or at the base of the handle, your connection is probably just loose. Use an adjustable wrench and tighten the nut located just below the handle. (Note: In some bathroom faucets, the nut may be located inside a designer handle. Pull the handle off to reveal the faucet's hardware.)

WASHER TROUBLE
The majority of all faucet leaks are caused by washers which are worn, improperly installed or are the wrong size. Signs of poor washers include water which drips or runs out of the handles, slow leaks coming from the faucet, and water which collects or pools around the back of the handle area of the faucet. If you're working with a stem faucet, you can determine which unit is leaking by shutting off the water supply in stages. Begin by turning off the hot water to check for leaks. If the dripping has stopped, it is the hot water valve unit washer you'll need to replace. Follow the steps below to replace old washers with new:

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

Washers of several different sizes.
An adjustable wrench.
Screwdriver.

STEP 1
Turn off the main water supply to the sink you're working on. This cannot be over stressed. We've all seen enough bad sitcom water-disaster episodes to know that you need to do more than shut off the faucet valves. You'll find the shut-off valve close to the faucet you're repairing. It's usually located under the sink basin or inside a floor cabinet Double check that you've turned the water source off by turning on the faucet. If no water comes out, you're ready for step two.

STEP TWO
Turning counter-clockwise, loosen the packing nut. (The packing nut is located just below or inside the individual faucet handles. If you're working with a decorate bathroom faucet handle, you'll first need to remove the decorator covering.) Using the faucet handle, pull out the entire valve unit by twisting and turning it until it pulls free.

STEP THREE
Holding the valve unit in your hand, locate the old washer. (It will most likely be at the bottom of the valve unit itself.) Remove the screw that is holding the old washer in place.

STEP FOUR
Using the old washer as your size guide, replace the old washer with one of equal size. Now replace the screw.

STEP FIVE
Place the valve unit back into the faucet, turning the handle to its proper position before tightening.

STEP SIX
Tighten the packing nut and turn the water back on. Test for leaks.
If your faucet continues to leak and you're fairly certain the washer is to blame, try replacing your old washer with one of a different size.

HELPFUL FAUCET REPAIR TIPS

BY WRAPPING the jaws of your pliers or wrench with masking or duct tape you'll prevent marring and damaging the soft metal parts of your faucet.

ALWAYS close the drain before attempting any faucet repair. This will prevent parts from slipping down into the drain as you're working.

PAY ATTENTION to the order in which you're removing parts so that you know how to reassemble them when you're finished.

LUBRICATE threads with plumber's grease to increase the seal.

WASHERS located on hot controlling temperature handles wear out twice as fast as those which control cold water.

Fixing a Compression Faucet Leak, how to fix a faucet, How to Repair a Leaking Faucet, How to Repair a Single-Handled Cartridge Faucet, Repairing a Leaky Cartridge Faucet.

Sanliv Kitchen & Bathroom Mixers

Faucets: bathroom kitchen taps,bath tub shower & basin mixers

S A N I T A R Y C O L L E C T I O N
Faucet/mixer & bathroom accessories

SANLIV is pleased to propose a classic Sanitary Collection as the above products, which are sellable in Europe, Mid-east, Asia, Central/South America, Australasia & Africa territories.

Please select the best design of your choice at our Catalogue on-line Faucets: bathroom kitchen taps,bath tub shower & basin mixers, and avail of this excellent cooperation for the Prosperous 2007 & beyond.

You will be served by our Product Specialists at the first time always, if you could have any time to contact us and leave us your precious request.

We look forward to receiving your enquires soon.
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With best regards,
Donald Shane

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