Reducing your home water usage also means requiring fewer residential plumbing services because the more water you use, the more wear your plumbing system has. Cutting down on water usage is good for the environment and your wallet, and you do not have to make any huge sacrifices to do it. We put together these 5 ways to reduce your home’s water consumption without scheduling rooter service, and you can probably think of a few of your own.
1. Repair Drips and Leaks Leaky faucets, running toilets, and worn plumbing valves waste a lot of water and may cause permanent drip stains in your sinks or tub. If you are not comfortable with making repairs yourself, schedule residential plumbing services to get the job done for you. Also look out for slow draining sinks, which indicate the opposite of a leak: clogged pipes. 2. Wash Only Full Loads Whether you are talking about dishes or laundry, you can save a lot of water by only washing full loads. Washing machines and dishwashers are designed to function efficiently when they have full loads, plus you will reduce your use of detergents and other add-ins by having fewer loads. 3. Showers Over Baths A shower is more efficient than a bath, saving water and time. A long shower now and then is a welcome luxury, but most of us only need around 5 minutes to wash and shampoo. You can also reduce water by not opening the hot and cold water valves all the way. That is one method of controlling water pressure, but we will get to another shortly. 4. Reduce the Water Pressure Even though it is rarely mentioned, one of the most dramatic ways you can reduce your home water use is by reducing the water pressure coming into the home. Just as you can reduce pressure at the sink or tub valves, you can reduce the pressure available throughout the plumbing system by partially closing the incoming water line to the home. This is usually a hand valve on homes with a water pump but may require a special tool if you are using municipal metered water. 5. Trick Your Tank You can add a handful of pebbles to a 1-liter bottle, and then fill it the rest of the way with water. Put a cap on the bottle and place it in your toilet tank so that it doesn’t interfere with the flush mechanism. In an average home, this idea will save 5 or more gallons per day, and that adds up quickly. If you suspect a plumbing issue such as a broken pipe that is causing you to use more water than you should, you can get the problem diagnosed and necessary repairs made by qualified, residential plumbing services.
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One of the renovation options you may want to discuss with your home remodeling contractors is whether a walk-In shower or tub is right for you. There are situations unsuitable for a walk-in shower or tub enclosure, but most people decide that the convenience and durability alone are worth the upgrade.
Improves Home Value A walk-in shower or tub has a wonderful impact on your home value. If you are calling in home remodeling contractors now but plan to sell the home in a few years, adding this feature gives your home a whole new selling point and buyer appeal. And if you are already remodeling, making the upgrade now is the most affordable way to go. Walk-Ins are Versatile Walk-in showers and tubs can be fitted to most bathroom configurations without any major refitting. From one-piece drop-in units to more spacious custom designs, a walk-in shower fits perfectly. Whatever the available space may be, there will be a walk-in option available. Walk-ins Use Less Space Because they are available in many different sizes and configurations, including custom designs tailored to the space available, a walk-in tub can save space in the room for other remodeling options such as a linen shelf or backlit vanity. Many Styles and Options Available Walk-in showers and tubs fit well into almost any type of home decor. Your home remodeling contractors can talk to you about the many options and styles you can choose from. Water jets in the tub and directional shower heads are two examples of ways to customize your walk-in shower or tub, but walk-ins are versatile enough to accommodate almost any feature you want to add. Easier Access for Seniors For homes where seniors are aging in place, alone or with relatives, a walk-in tub or shower can be a huge benefit. It allows them to be more independent and improves their hygiene and self-care routines. Walk-ins also reduce the risk of falls, and you can add additional fall protection equipment if necessary. For some seniors, a walk-in tub enclosure may even be a medical necessity because it allows them to get in and out without stepping up or over anything. Unless your home remodeling contractors cannot install a walk-in unit for some reason, making one a part of your bathroom remodel is probably a great idea. Depending on the enclosure and features, many walk-ins are comparably priced with regular shower and tub models. For the price, you really can’t beat the performance and functionality. One of the big projects The Conco Companies recently provided a full range of concrete services for was the Salesforce Tower in downtown San Francisco. Now that the silvery curtain-wall panels have completely covered the outside of the 1,070-foot tall building, it can be seen for miles in and around San Francisco. This is probably not surprising as the peak of the building stands 200 feet taller than the city’s previously tallest building, the Transamerica Pyramid. The 61-story building consists of 900 feet of occupied space with spacious office floors that boast ceiling heights of almost 14 feet. The remaining 170 feet above the top floor of the building is mainly empty space but does house some mechanical equipment.
To get a feel for the size and beauty of the mostly completed building, visit the Salesforce Tower’s facebook page to see several newly posted videos and pictures. One interesting video from September 15th includes a conversation between the project’s developers, Executive Chairman of Boston Properties, Mortimer Zuckerman, and Gregory Hines, the Founder and Chairman of Hines. They discuss how the Salesforce Tower is destined to become the iconic San Francisco building and how the architect, César Pelli has created a building that is beautiful to look at on the outside and works wonderfully on the inside. There are also a couple of spectacular pictures of lightening striking the Tower during a recent storm in the Bay Area that the National Weather Service reported produced over 800 lightning strikes. Another picture is from the 34th floor of the building and provides an impressive view of the Bay Bridge. You will also find a picture of the solar ellipse alongside the skyscraper. Please visit The Conco Companies website to see a portfolio of many of the other remarkable projects we have had the honor to be a part. We pride ourselves on delivering quality work and have the reputation of bringing projects in on time and on budget. Conco is a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western United States. We have built our reputation with superior concrete formwork, reinforcing, place and finish, shotcrete and other ancillary services that benefit from our vast experience. Our concrete services include commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects and highways. One of the mysteries that continue to baffle scientists and engineers is how the ancient Romans produced the strongest concrete in the world. Typically modern concrete buildings last about 50 to 60 years while ancient Roman concrete structures have survived through 2,000 years of environmental damage.
We know that the formula used to produce the ancient concrete is unique but no one knows for sure why it is so durable, but a group of scientists thinks they may soon find some answers. Geologists and biologists will travel to the Surtsey Island in Iceland to see if they are right. Since ancient Roman concrete was made from volcanic ash and seawater, Surtsey is a good place for answers as the entire island is made of volcanic ash and seawater caused by an underwater volcanic eruption in 1963. In 1979, researchers drilled a hole 181 meters (593 feet) deep into the volcanic rock in order to study the microbial life. The hole has been monitored since it was drilled and temperatures have cooled from 140 °C to about 130 °C. On their upcoming trip they plan to drill two more holes, one that is parallel to the original hole and another at an angle. The new holes will be deeper that the one from 1979 and is expected to penetrate 190 meters (623 feet) down to the original ocean floor before the eruption. The scientists plan to study the rock and mineral formation of the volcano and try to determine what makes the volcanic material so durable. Researchers explain that Surtsey is “unique because when it formed the mixture of heat, volcanic material, and seawater created hydrothermal minerals that strengthened the rock.” The island is much more durable than other volcanic islands as the volcanic rock is less porous and almost impervious to erosion. The hope is that by analyzing the rock from Surtsey, it may provide clues to the volcanic ash that went into ancient Roman concrete. The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in the Bay Area in 1959 by offering clients the best value on a wide range of concrete services and products. Since that time, we have taken a leading role as one of the top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Colorado. Source:concreteconstruction.net/business/scientists-hope-this-volcanic-island-holds-the-answer-to-stronger-concrete_c Tilt-up construction, also known as tilt-slab or tilt-wall, is a construction technique in which concrete wall panels are cast-on-site and tilted into place. It was first used in America around 1905, and patented in 1908 by Robert Akin during the concrete construction of the Schindler House in West Hollywood, CA.
In the last fifty years a large number of buildings throughout North America have been designed and constructed using the tilt-up building method. The Structure Magazine website references the ACI Tilt-Up Construction Guide (ACI 551) with the following quote, “Tilt-up panels are generally handled only once. They are lifted or tilted from the casting slab and erected in their final position in one, continuous operation. Tilt-up panels are generally of such large size and weight that they can only be constructed on site and in close proximity to their final location in the structure.” The document further states that tilt-up concrete construction “is a unique form of site-cast precast construction and, as such, has its own specialized set of design parameters and construction techniques.” Tilt-up construction offers the advantage of fast construction, low-cost, and advanced architectural treatments. To ensure success, the project requires careful preparation from beginning to end including a thorough evaluation of the: site; the size and height of the building; its intended purpose; and how easy will it be to get materials to the jobsite. After the site preparation work is complete and the floor slab or casting surface has cured, the forms are built on top typically using a plywood or fiber board, or in some cases steel or aluminum forms. The forms include all door and window openings as well as other architecture features, and are anchored to the pad. When the rest of the prep work is completed including the construction of a rebar grid inside the form, the concrete is poured. After the concrete is cured the forms are removed and a crane lift tilts the panel (in some cases lifts) into place, which is secured with braces while the roof is being completed. A couple of years ago, Conco provided services on a concrete parking garage and a concrete tilt-up structural frame building, the 100 Grand, in downtown Oakland, CA. The structure is now a contemporary apartment building that offers spectacular views of the city and includes lofts and 1 and 2-bedroom units as well as spacious 3-bedrooms. The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in the Bay Area in 1959 by offering clients the best value on a wide range of concrete services and products. Since that time, we have taken a leading role as one of the top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Colorado. Sources: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilt_up structuremag.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/C-GuestColumn-Smith-Apr091.pdf A recently constructed 20,000 sq. ft. home located on Miami’s Coconut Grove bay is an excellent example of integrating a man-made structure into the natural surroundings. Designed by the filmmaker Alejandro Landes, the massive concrete and glass-walled villa is his first architectural project. Throughout the beautiful home, Landes used a selection of tropical materials such as salvaged teak wood, rattan, bamboo, handmade linen and more.
Situated on a .94 acre lot, the raised structure (to avoid flooding and comply with strict hurricane construction codes and FEMA’s national ordinance) features an exposed concrete frame and columns that add to the 3-story building’s durability as well as to its sleek, modern look. The raised ground level provides a huge, shaded courtyard for lounging. Also shallow reflection pools are located beneath a large concrete plinth that wraps around the house. The white, floating staircase is composed of shell-reef slabs and “gently slopes up to the double-height main living space.” In addition the homes floor-to-ceiling windows are double-paned and hurricane proof. Landes says that the hanging concrete staircase, which lightly hangs as through glass, takes something heavy and makes it seems like it floats, while adding a new fragility to it. The $50 million, seven-bedroom project also consists of a 73-foot-long infinity lap pool, steam room, four kitchens, and a 12-person elevator. Furthermore, the home boasts a climate-controlled wine cellar as well as an eight-car garage, and the neighboring guesthouse offers a large theater. Landes states that the construction of a house as unique as this one was a collaborative art form and very much like a film. The Conco Companies are one of the foremost suppliers of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in 1959 in the Bay Area by offering clients the best value on a broad range of concrete services and products. Since that time, we have taken a leading role as top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and Washington. Source: builderonline.com/design/projects/modern-miami-villa-is-a-concrete-oasis_o The 1 Bligh Street office tower in downtown Sydney received a "6 Star/World Leadership"-certification, which is the highest score from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). The tower was designed by Ingenhoven Architects + Architectus, who won an international contest commissioned by the property owner, Dexus Property Group, in 2006.
Right from the earliest design elements, the 30-story building was geared toward energy efficiencies and nature inspired features starting with its elliptical shape to the orientation that takes advantage of the serene Sydney Harbor views. The tower is the first high-rise in the country to have a double skin façade and natural ventilation. As tall as the building, the atrium is the central focal point and allows natural daylight and ventilation into the office space as well as the balconies that look out to the atrium. The glass elevators in the atrium offer a great “spatial experience” with each ride. In addition 1 Bligh Street has an outdoor terrace on the 15th floor and a large rooftop terrace that offer views of the harbor. Other energy efficient features include a combined cooling, heating, and electric power generation system as well as a vacuum tube solar collector that produces electricity. Furthermore, the building has a dedicated water filtration plant with the capacity to clean more waste water than the building creates. This is especially important in Australia as water is a precious commodity. Construction materials include using more than 20% recycled aggregate and replacing almost 41 percent of the cement with industrial waste by-products. Data on the construction also reports that “ninety percent of the structural steel has a recycled content of at least 50 percent, and, all timber used was either recycled or from an FSC-certified source.” While not the tallest building in the city, 1 Bligh Street strives to set new standards for “site consciousness and sustainability.” The building’s ground level is only 40 percent enclosed with the rest open to the public and includes an open-air café, meeting areas, and a children’s play area. The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in the Bay Area in 1959 by offering clients the best value on a wide range of concrete services and products. Since that time, we have taken a leading role as one of the top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Colorado. Sources: archdaily.com/169173/1-bligh-office-tower-ingenhoven-architects skyscrapercenter.com/building/1-bligh-street/10711 Extremely tall buildings over 600 meters (around 2,000 feet) have been designated as “megatall” by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). One example of a megatall skyscraper currently under construction is “The Tower,” which will surpass the 2,716 feet high Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building, by a “notch.” The Jeddah Tower is another mind-bogglingly megatall skyscraper that will reach the architectural height of 3,280 feet (1,000 meters, or one kilometer) tall, once it is completed in 2020. By 2020, The CTBUH predicts there will be at least eight such buildings internationally.
However a recent article from CNN Style asserts that the most likely trend for new skyscrapers in the future will not be “freakishly tall designs.” Rather they speculate that modern skyscrapers will be highly efficient, versatile building that “will be essential to cope with growing urban populations and keep cities running.” New energy efficient skyscrapers with carbon-neutral footprints are being called the “fifth generation” of skyscrapers by architects. These modern buildings feature things like “renewable energy generation, solar shading and double-skin facades with natural ventilation.” They also may have landscaped atriums, underground heat storage and water catchment systems as well as recycling, and linear induction elevators. Modern skyscrapers are being constructed with vertical urban farms and green areas along with facades and roofs used to generate electricity. One prime example of a skyscraper of the future is the Council House 2 (CH2) in Melbourne, Australia. As part of the city’s commitment to achieve zero emissions for the municipality by 2020, the CH2 office building was designed “to be a holistic system with its occupants as participants. The design follows a model that promotes a more interactive role between the city and nature, in which all parties depend on each other.” The building’s facades are nature inspired and help to moderate climate with tapered ventilation ducts that integrate day lighting. An undulating concrete floor plays a key role in the building’s heating and cooling system. The CH2 was the first commercial building to meet and exceed the Green Building Council of Australia’s six star rating. Conco is one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offers a wide range of quality services and products. While we tackle projects both big and small, our experience includes providing the entire cast-in-place concrete for the Wilshire Grand, the tallest building west of the Mississippi, along with other notable projects. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada. Sources: cnn.com/2016/12/08/architecture/rise-of-glass-skyscrapers/index.html archdaily.com/395131/ch2-melbourne-city-council-house-2-designinc From the deconstruction of the old hotel on the site that began in Oct 2012, to the bottoming-out ceremony that took place a little over a year later, the 73-story Wilshire Grand is now receiving the final finishing touches. Throughout much of the construction, The Conco Companies have been honored to be a part of the exciting project, and now look forward to the scheduled opening in March.
To get a good idea of how the skyscraper has taken shape of the last several months, take a look at the incredible pictures and videos of the progress on the Wilshire Grand’s facebook page. One amazing example is a series of pictures covering the placement of the spire that topped the building’s height out at 1,100 feet. The short video of the spire’s eye view of the September 6, 2016 installation that made the Wilshire Grand the tallest building in the West United States is fascinating. Also be sure to check out the picture of the Grand’s beautiful front lobby that was added to facebook in October 2016. The selection of videos includes a short introduction to the building and mentions many of its highlights and features including the fact that it will exemplify an outdoor and indoor connection for an authentic Los Angles’ experience. It also talks about the plaza that will be a portal to the city-wide transit system, the sports and entertainment corridor, and the financial district as well as the historic 7th Street. With high-speed elevators to take passengers up to the 70th floor sky lobby complete with a signature restaurant, rooftop pool and observation deck in just 45 seconds, the Wilshire Grand is sure to be one of L.A.’s top tourist destinations. Please visit Conco’s website to see more about the construction of the skyscraper as well as other projects in our extensive portfolio. Our broad experience includes commercial, industrial, educational, healthcare, parking structures and other construction development. The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western U.S. We got our start in the Bay Area in 1959 by offering clients the best value on a wide range of concrete services and products. Since that time, we have taken a leading role as one of the top concrete contractors in the region. We have four regional offices serving California, Nevada, Washington, Oregon and Colorado. Over the last several years The Conco Companies have had the opportunity to be involved in the construction of the two tallest skyscrapers west of the Mississippi, the Wilshire Grand in Los Angeles and the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco. This experience got us to wondering who was responsible for measuring and recording the world’s newly constructed skyscrapers as they continue to push the envelope in terms of their towering height.
The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) is the world’s leading resource for professionals focused on the inception, design, construction, and operation of tall buildings and future cities. The CTBUH is also responsible for developing the international standards used to measure tall buildings’ heights and is the recognized official organization for bestowing the title of the ‘The World’s Tallest Building.’ The height of tall buildings is measured by three criteria that includes: the height to the architectural top; the highest occupied floor; and the height to the tip. The height to the architectural top is defined as the height measured from the level of the “lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the architectural top of the building, including spires, but not including antennae, signage, flag poles or other functional-technical equipment.” The highest occupied floor is officially defined by the CTBUH as the measurement from the lowest significant pedestrian entrance to the highest occupied floor in the building. The third criteria again starts at the “lowest level” as defined earlier to the highest point of the building “irrespective of material or function of the highest element (i.e., including antennae, flagpoles, signage, and other functional-technical equipment).” In addition to tall skyscrapers the CTBUH also recognizes a fairly new category of “supertall” and “megatall” buildings. They define a supertall building as being over 300 meters or 984 feet high. Buildings over 600 meters or 1,968 feet tall are considered to be megatall. Their statistics show that as of June 2015, there were 91 supertall and 2 megatall buildings that were fully completed and occupied across the globe. In addition there are several more extremely high skyscrapers currently under construction. At The Conco Companies, we are one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products. Our experience includes providing services for commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada. Source:ctbuh.org/TallBuildings/HeightStatistics/Criteria/tabid/446/language/en-US/Default.aspx |
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