We ended up buying a new dishwasher this week. Our old one decided that it only wanted to run the rinse cycle and not actually wash the dishes. We bought a Bosch which is a brand we haven’t had before. It is quieter than our old one, as advertised. Hopefully, it is using less energy as well although that is harder to judge.

I talked with the installer about dishwashers and I’ve talked with repairmen in the past. These are the tips that I have picked up.

• Did you know that dishwasher soap can expire?? I didn’t and the installer told me it only lasts about 3 months. I looked at the giant box of detergent that I had been using and it had an expiration date on it. It expired last fall! I guess it’s time to buy new detergent.
• He also told me to buy soap that has a Phosphorus level over 5. I looked and this was marked on the box I had as well. He said the higher the number the better because our water is so hard.
• I’ve run vinegar in my dishwasher before to help clean it out. He said that was good and suggested that I put 2 cups of vinegar in a bowl in the bottom rack. He said that way it won’t all run out with the first rinse water. I buy a gallon of white vinegar at a time at Costco for this purpose and it is very inexpensive.  He said to run it once a month with vinegar.
• He and other dishwasher repair people have told me to run the water in the kitchen sink until it gets hot before starting the dishwasher. My understanding it that if the water isn’t hot enough the soap doesn’t activate properly. I know this is wasteful of water so I try to save water for plants or do some hand wash/soaking with the water until it gets hot. Of course, I don’t always manage to do that.
• Eventhough the slot for dishwasher soap is fairly large, you are only supposed to use a small amount of detergent. I was told a small plastic spoonful, not heaping. My new manual comes with a chart showing how much soap to use based upon water hardness.

Having said all of that, I should say that I am not a dishwasher expert. If you have a water softner or your water is not as hard as ours then maybe these things won’t matter. Always check the manual for your dishwasher.

Fix a Leak Week in Phoenix

The EPA’s Watersense site has lots of information on how to save water including information to consider if you are purchasing new toilets, faucets, or showerheads.

When to change your air filter or clean it.

More information about flood insurance and link to Maricopa County 100 Year Flood Plain Map

There are some roadways that have washes instead of bridges. These washes may only be full of water a few hours a few days of the year when we get heavy rain and flash flooding. If you encounter a flooded wash, do not attempt to drive through it. The Flood Control District of Maricopa website indicates that many cars will float in 2 feet of water. Don’t take chance, take another route or wait for the wash to be clear of water.

• A child 6 years or younger must be living in the home
• The home must be owner-occupied
• Families must demonstrate financial need
• Special circumstances will be considered
• Family must reside in Maricopa County

For more information or to complete an application go to United Firefighters SaveRKids website http://www.saverkids.org/.

• Top 10 Remodeling Projects
• Homeowner information on Tax Credits & Rebates for Remodeling & Appliance Replacement
• Home Maintenance Tips
• Information for Home Buyers

But, before you buy them, you should read about CFL’s and their proper disposal. Yes, if one breaks you need to clean it up properly for your safety. Just don’t sweep or vacuum the mess up.

To learn more, go to SRP’s web page about CFL’s.

I found this informative page on the Chandler, AZ website:

How to check for a water leak

Finding water leaks can save you water, which means saving money on water and sewer bills. Follow these easy steps to determine if you have a leak in a home or irrigation system.

Step 1. First, locate your meter box. It is generally located near the sidewalk in front of your home in a direct line with the main outside faucet. It’s important to make sure the meter box lid is uncovered and visible at all times. A black circular disc on the lid provides the signal to the meter reader with an electronic signal – a ‘radio read.’

Step 2. Turn all water-using appliances off so that no water is being used. This means turning off all water inside and outside the house including showers, sinks, washing machines, ice makers and any appliance that uses water. If you have an automatic irrigation system, turn off the controller.
In leaky toilets, the flapper valve often needs to be replaced.

Step 3.Carefully remove the meter box lid by using a tool such as a large screwdriver. Stand back. There are sometimes ‘critters’ inside the box that will be startled when the lid is removed. Give them a chance to get out of the way. The meter uses a straight-reading dial which is read similar to a car’s odometer. The meter measures water use in thousands of gallons. (Photo at right.) The small pointer or dial near the center of the meter is the flow indicator and should not move if you are not using any water inside or outside the home. If the flow indicator is moving, you may have a leak.
If there is no indicator and the actual meter dial hand is moving, water is running somewhere in your system and you have a leak – go to step 4.
If the hand is not moving, note the position of the hand and wait 10 minutes. Check the meter again, if it has moved, you have a slow leak – go to step 4.
If no movement is recorded, you probably don’t have a leak. The meter may not be able to detect leaks irrigation systems.

Step. 4.To isolate the leak, turn the water off to your house. Your home’s valve is usually located under the outside faucet near the front of the house. With all water turned off in the house, there should be no movement of the small pointer or any of the dials on the meter. (see photo)

Step 5.If the leak indicator or dial hand is still moving, water is flowing between the meter and the shut-off valve. That means you could have a leak between the meter and the valve where water enters your home. This is called the ‘service line’. Consider that movement in your meter can also be caused by things like an automatic pool filler, a leaky irrigation valve, or an evaporative cooler.

Step 6.Check your irrigation system. If you have leaks in your irrigation system, they may not be noticeable unless your system is running. Turn your controller on manually and walk your property looking for broken sprinkler heads, missing emitters (which will produce small streams of water) or breaks in irrigation piping or tubing. Check for leaks inside the house including toilets, washing machines, faucets, etc.

Step 7. To check a toilet for a leak: Add 2 or 3 drops of food coloring to the water in the reservoir or tank (as shown in Figure 1). Wait 15-30 minutes. If the water in the bowl changes colors, the rubber flapper needs to be replaced. In leaky toilets, the flapper valve often needs to be replaced.

Step 8. Congratulate yourself! You’ve just completed a leak-detection investigation. If you have questions or need help, our Water Conservation Specialist can visit your home and perform a free water audit. Call 480-782-3580 for more information or to set up an appointment.