During times of drought one thing that each and every home owner can do to help the community is to conserve water in their homes. By conserving water you can help the environment and you can also help the cost of your water bill as well. If you’re on a system where you are supplied water by your local government or water supply company you’re likely to get a water bill each month and you are charged for each gallon of water you use in your home. For rural homes that have wells that provide water, these tips can help a well last longer by using less water from it. You can also save on energy costs of pumps with the well being used less. I’ve outlined some tips in this article that can help you conserve water in your home.
How to Conserve Water at your Home (Plumbing Tips)
Although you may need a plumber to make some of the changes listed in this article, most of the tips should be able to be completed by the home owner. The majority is going to be testing some of your home’s components to make sure they are working properly and using as much less water as possible.
Make Sure the Faucets Have Aerators Installed
Most kitchen and bathroom faucets will have an aerator installed. An aerator is basically a small fitting that is attached to the faucet that breaks that stream of water from a solid stream into a stream with more air inserted. This actually gives the appearance of much more water coming out the faucet and can also regulate the amount of water that comes out. A proper running faucet should allow no more than 2.5 gallons per minute while running with the faucet completely open.
Check Your Sprinkler System
Sprinkler systems can be the culprit for a lot of wasted water. This is especially true for sprinkler systems that operate on a timer system. By setting the timer wrong on your sprinkler system you can make it run for hours when it doesn’t need to. Be sure to check the sprinkler system from time to time and make sure it’s working properly. You may also need to call a landscaper to replace the timer if it is malfunctioning.
Check Your Toilet Flush Capacity
If you have an older toilet installed you may want to get a plumbing contractor to install a new one. Older toilets can use up to 5 gallons of water per flush whereas newer models use less than 2 gallons per flush. Removing the top of the back of the toilet will usually have the flush capacity stamped into the interior. You can check the capacity there and see how much your toilet uses by looking at this tag or stamp.
Check Your Shower Head for Proper Water Flow
Like other faucets in your home the shower head is regulated to only allow up to 2.5 gallons per minute. A great way to check how much water your shower allows is to measure the water with a bucket for one minute. If you have over 2.5 gallons you’ll likely need your shower head replaced. Many of the newer shower heads will let you change the settings so that it feels like there is more water than there actually is.
Your Washer Could be Causing Excessive Water to be Used
Home appliances such as your washer can also use a lot of water. Many home owners will set a washer load on large capacity and never change it. Make sure that you always use the proper water level for the amount of clothes you’re washing. Remember a washer will fill at least twice when running through a standard wash so it uses excessive water both times if the setting is wrong. There are also newer model washers that use less water and may be an option for you.
Get Your Plumbing Checked
It’s always best to have a certified plumber do an inspection of your home and look for these problem areas. For home owners that live in the Downriver Michigan area one of the best plumbing companies in Downriver Michigan is the Downriver Plumbers company. Give them a call if you want to be absolutely sure about your water usage and locating any problems with your plumbing.
