It is important to be conscious of water usage because most of the time we end up using so much more water than we actually need. Thanks to technology, we have multiple ways to help control our daily water consumption and we know exactly where to keep water feature in the house. Given below are some tips which will help you save water.
Avoid Clogging Your Drains
Frequent clogging of drains can severely affect the plumbing system. If it gets serious, you can even end up clogging the main sewer line and experience sewer backup in your sinks and tubs. Given below are a few ways you can avoid clogging your drains,
- Stop dumping solid food waste like egg shells, vegetable peels, seeds, rice and similar items in the sink. You should also avoid pouring oils and greasy liquids down the drain.
- Do not flush feminine hygiene products, wipes or toilet paper down the toilet.
- Clean your drains regularly from hair and other debris.
- Use strainers and other drain catchers while washing dishes.
Don’t Ignore Water Leaks
Many people tend to ignore water leaks in their homes, especially minor ones. Leaks can contribute to a loss of many gallons of water per day and this can add up to thousands per year. Imagine all the water people could be saving if they started paying attention to water leaks. If your shower or faucet drips constantly, it could be due to a number of reasons,
- Worn out valves which need to be replaced
- Corrosion in the pipes or internal parts of the faucet/shower.
- Loose faucet joints and parts.
- High water pressure.
If you are experiencing a major leak, call an emergency plumber to look at the issue at once.
Use Low – Flow Shower Heads
Many people are not conscious of the amount of water they waste during a shower. Most of the water ends up going down the drain unused. A low – flow shower head is more efficient that a normal shower head. This is because it uses 1.5-2.5 gallons of water per minute compared to old shower head models which use more than 4 gallons per minute. These shower heads won’t make your shower less enjoyable by reducing the water pressure.
Install Faucet Aerators
Faucet aerators are an inexpensive way to cut down on your water consumption. They reduce the amount of water which comes out of your faucets by breaking down big streams into multiple small streams. Water is saved by reducing the amount of splash which occurs when big streams hit the sink. These tiny devices are attached to the tips of faucets and they facilitate the mixing of air and water. You can cut down the water consumption to less than 2.3 gallons per minute with faucet aerators.
Insulate The Plumbing Pipes
Hot water pipes lose their heat very fast if they are not insulated. You will have to run the water for some time before you finally receive heated water and this leads to unnecessary wastage of water. Insulation can also increase the temperature of water by 2°F – 4°F. This can help you set your water heater at a lower temperature setting which will make it more energy efficient. You can insulate your pipes using pipe wrap, pipe sleeves or tubular foam pipe. Rubber based insulation is also effective. If you are unsure of the process, have an experienced plumber do the job for you.
Low – Flush Toilets
Low flush toilets help you to save a lot of water by significantly reducing the amount of water which is utilized for each flush. These are also known as low – flow toilets. Toilets account for more than 25% of water usage in the home so upgrading your toilets will give you a significant reduction in your water bills. Compared to old toilet models which use 3 to 7 gallons of water per flush, these toilets use less than 1.7 gallons per flush. Call for plumbing service if your toilet swirls but doesn’t flush.
Conclusion
Implementing simple water saving habits every day like turning off the tap while brushing or turning off the shower while shampooing can make a big difference. You don’t need to spend a lot of money or use fancy devices to reduce water consumption in your home.
