Go Back

Keep the Plumbing From Getting Pinched on St. Patrick's Day

Three Tips to Keep Money in the Pot Under the Rainbow

Every homeowner is like a leprechaun because they have a nest egg hidden away that they make every effort to protect. Maybe it’s not hidden at the end of a rainbow, but most homeowners continuously look for ways to keep their bills from stealing their pot of gold. 

A great place to start when it comes to protecting their pot of gold is to look at the house’s plumbing. In most cases, there are many things homeowners can do to stop wasting money by keeping from needless water usage. Here are a few tips from local plumbers to help. 

Use Less Water by Turning Off the Tap tap

The first tip to reducing water usage around the home may seem too obvious, but the advice is simply to turn the tap off. The trouble comes when people have a habit of running water when it isn’t necessary. These are the real opportunities to save water. 

Keep an eye out for water-wasting habits like:

  • Running the water while brushing teeth or shaving
  • Using the toilet as a wastebasket and flushing items instead of putting them in the trash
  • Turning on the shower to heat the bathroom
  • Running small loads of dishes or laundry instead of waiting for a full load
  • Not installing rain sensors on irrigation systems
  • Neglecting dripping faucets, taps, and hoses 

By adopting just a couple of these strategies, homeowners can greatly reduce their water bills. 

baths vs showers

Take a Shower Instead of a Bath

Which uses less water, showers, or baths? This is an age-old debate, but there is a correct answer as long as homeowners adhere to a few principles. In most homes, showers use less water than bathing. For homeowners looking to reduce their water usage, taking showers is the better option. 

Showers can use less water because they don’t need a minimum amount, as with baths. Where the trouble comes in is how long showers last and what kind of showerhead is used. The longer a shower lasts, the more water it wastes. So, it is best to try and keep showers under 10 minutes to maximize water savings. 

Along with taking shorter showers, low-flow showerheads can greatly reduce water usage. A quality, water-saving showerhead enhances the shower experience and provides adequate comfort and cleaning power while saving water. 

Don’t Flush the Wrong Items

A clogged toilet is a great example of needless waste of water. When a toilet starts to run slow, the first impulse is to continually flush it to try and knock the clog loose. This can run up a water bill quickly. To prevent water waste in a toilet, pay attention to what gets put down it. Toilets are only designed to safely handle waste and toilet paper, so all other debris should be dealt with in other ways. Items that one should discard elsewhere include: 

  • Wipes
  • Hygiene products
  • Paper towels
  • Cotton swabs
  • Diapers
  • Q-tips

 

About Plumb Perfect Plumbing

With over 20 years of experience, Plumb Perfect Plumbing offers service 7 days a week, flat-rate pricing, and financing. Call today for plumbing service in Fredericksburg, VA