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.
Why hard water is bad for your home’s plumbing and heating systems
Have you ever taken your glasses and silverware out of the dishwasher only to find spots or film all over them? The culprit is likely hard water, caused when calcium carbonate and magnesium heats up and adds solid residue on your dishes.
But hard water isn’t just a nuisance, it can also cause damage to your home’s plumbing, especially when the calcium builds up on pipes and restricts water flow.
While Cincinnati has clean tap water, most home owners find steps are needed to soften their water, because while our tap water may be safe, it’s also known for carrying high amounts of magnesium and calcium than many other cities. Basically, Cincinnati has a hard water problem.
Take a look at our article below that explains hard water, why it’s bad for plumbing, and what you can do to make sure your home’s water doesn’t amount to costly plumbing repairs.
What is hard water, anyway?
Basically, when we use the term “hard water,” we’re talking about water that his high in dissolved minerals. Usually, we’re talking about calcium and magnesium that, while safe for consumption, can build up in pipes over time.
Why is hard water a problem?
Hard water is bad for a variety of reasons. At the very least it means your soap and detergent will be less efficient, so you’ll use more of it. But the bigger concern comes when water gets heated, which you probably do on a daily basis for anything from dish washing to showers to heating your home, so hard water can adversely affect our water pipes and our heating systems, too.
Here’s a breakdown of issues hard water can cause, in order of seriousness.
- The need to use more detergent or soap for washing everything from dishes to clothes
- Soap or shampoo residue on hair, which can make it look dull
- Unsightly soap buildup on tile, bathroom and kitchen fixtures
- Spots on glasses and dishes after they’ve been washed
- Build-up in water pipes that reduces the flow of water
- Build-up in water heater systems that can cause them to use nearly 40% more energy to work
How do I know if I have hard water?
There are a few ways to test if your home has hard water or not. This simplest way is to add a little dish soap to a glass of water. Close the glass, give it a shake, and see if it produces a lot of suds. If it doesn’t you probably have hard water.
You could also ask your municipal water department for a water report on your neighborhood, which will show you levels of minerals in your water. Other options are to have the water tested by a private company, or with water hardness test strips you can find in your local home improvement or hardware store.
My water is hard. What do I do?
There are several water-conditioning products out there that will work on one part of your house, for example a water filter on a faucet. However, your best bet is to install a home water softener system for your whole house. We can help match you with the best one for your home.
Remember: when you test your water and make sure it’s soft, you’re not only increasing the quality of your life and helping your health, you’re helping to avoid costly plumbing repairs, 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.