Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018
15 ways that you can conserve water
Conserving water isn’t just good for the planet, it’s also great a great way to limit wear-and-tear on your plumbing that can lead to repairs. And reducing your water usage can also help you save money on water bills, which tend to be higher in the summer months when we use water outdoors for things like watering our lawns.
Luckily, there are many easy ways to conserve water. Below are our tips for saving water at your home. Once you get into the habit of following these small steps, you’ll save money, be doing your part to help save the planet, and you’ll give your plumbing a break, too.
1 – Use your sprinklers early morning or later in the evening. Generally, the hotter the temps, the quicker water evaporates. Water your lawn or set your sprinklers to run when it’s cooler outside. We recommend early in the morning (before 9 a.m.) and or after 6 p.m.
2 – Keep the grass a little higher. When mowing, adjust the mower to a higher setting to shade the roots. This will require you to water your lawn less.
3 – Inspect your irrigation system. Look for any leaks, breaks, or blocks in the irrigation system. Alternatively, if you don’t have an irrigation or drainage system, consider building one. There are simple ways to create an efficient yet simple drainage system that conserves water.
4 – Get a low flow toilet. One of the biggest uses of water in the home is the toilet. Older toilets use between five to seven gallon per flush. That’s a lot. Low flow toilets only use about 1.6 gallons of water.
5 – Check for toilet leaks. Here’s an easy way to check for leaks: put a little food coloring in the tank. If the color appears in the toilet bowl before a flushing, you’ve likely got a leak. That’s when you should give us a call.
6 – Don’t let the faucet run needlessly. Seems easy enough, but how many times have you multi-tasked while cooking and let the faucet run between jobs? Take a second to turn the faucet off. It’s a habit that can save you gallon of water (per meal!)
7 – Don’t use water to defrost frozen foods. Not only is this bad for water conservation, it’s not safe. We recommend defrosting foods in the refrigerator (and food safety experts do, too).
8 – Use leftover water. Keep a bucket in your kitchen to dump left over drinking water and from washing fruits and vegetables. Then, when it’s full, use it to water the lawn.
9 – Invest in a dishwasher. It’s not only more convenient to use a dishwasher (rather than washing by hand), it saves water. In fact, energy efficient dishwashers only use about 4.5 gallons of water per job. Handwashing takes about 20 gallons of water.
10 – Don’t take long showers. We know you don’t want to hear this, but long showers are a culprit when it comes to higher water bills. We recommend limiting your shower time to one single song (as in a pop song, not a symphony).
11 – Install low flow faucet aerators. These can save you gallons every time you use the tap. Low flow faucets use only about 1.5 gallons of water per minute.
12 – Turn off the water. When you brush your teeth, or while you’re getting spruced up for a night out, keep the faucet off.
13 – Use baths sparingly. Start thinking of baths as an indulgence. The average bath can use up to 50 gallons of water.
14 – Full loads only. Limit your washing machine use to full loads of clothes only.
15 – Check for leaks. We saved one of the most important tips for last. Did you know that a simple water leak – like a leaky shower or toilet – can waste nearly 3,000 gallons of water a year? Examine your washers and gaskets for leaks. Simple pipe tape can help a leaky shower head, but if can’t be fixed with a wrench it’s probably time for a new one.
Following these simple tips can preserve your plumbing and help you save money, too. Call or Contact the at Allied Reddi-Rooter, 513-396-5300. We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.