HOW TO SAVE WATER DURING THE SUMMER

When your children are home during the summer break, this often means time for sprinklers, pools, and water balloon fights. The extra time at home may also mean extra baths, showers, kitchen usage, and more. For homeowners, this can translate into significantly higher water bills than you may experience during the rest of the year. Thankfully, water conservation and eco-friendly plumbing solutions can help you save money while enjoying the summer fun.

Water Heater Flushing

Have you noticed your water taking longer than necessary to heat up for cleaning purposes, cooking, showers, baths, and other warm water necessities? All of the time spent waiting for warm water is costing you extra money while sending clean water down the drain. So why does water take so long to heat up? It could be sediment buildup in your water heater. A water heater flush can clear out that sediment, effectively protecting your unit and reducing the time it takes to heat your water.

Upgrade Your Home’s Plumbing Fixtures

Perhaps the most foundational place for homeowners to start saving water is their plumbing fixtures. On an average day, members of your household likely use each of your sinks, showers, and toilets multiple times. Every one of these visits to the kitchen and bathroom provides a water-saving opportunity.

If your home is older, chances are that you are running on dated plumbing parts and fixtures. Manufacturers continue to make innovations for increased plumbing efficiency each year, meaning you may be missing out on potential water and money-saving upgrades. By working with an expert to revitalize the plumbing in your home, you can begin saving water and experiencing the benefits of newer plumbing systems.

Fix Running Toilets | Raleigh Toilet Repair

When you have a running toilet, it will flush extensive amounts of money right down the drain. This is important to monitor year-round, but with children home for the summer, toilet risks generally rise during this season. In a functioning toilet, the tank fills after each flush with the necessary amount of water and holds it until the next flush.

When a toilet runs, water continuously drains from the tank into your toilet bowl, essentially creating an internal leak. It is often easy to detect a running toilet based on the continuous sound of running water; however, subtle leaks may be harder to notice. If you suspect a toilet is running, consider opening the top of the tank well after flushing. Place a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Wait 20-30 minutes and then look in the toilet bowl. If the dye leaked from the tank into the bowl, you know you have a running toilet. Shutting off the water supply to the running toilet and having an expert plumber visit your home can put an end to this water waste and the high bills it creates.

Finding and Repairing Leaks in Your System

Even the smallest of leaks can add up significantly throughout the summer and year-round. It is essential to keep an eye out for leaky faucets both indoors and out. You can detect leaks by looking for any signs of water stains, extra water near your fixtures, and the sounds of dripping water after your facet has turned off.

Leaks can show up in many different areas of your plumbing, some easier to find than others. If you are having trouble detecting leaks or suspect your home may be wasting water, consider talking with an expert plumber. A professional can help you check for water damage and signs of inefficiency to lower your bills and make the most of the water you use in your home.

Reduce Water Usage: Water Conservation Tips

For additional help saving water, you can consider taking advantage of both simple and creative water conservation solutions. While the possibilities are endless, here are a few ideas to consider:

• Try to encourage your family to take quicker showers and lower baths
• Consider turning the sink off while brushing your teeth or shaving
• Wait for full loads before running your dishwasher or washing machine
• Don’t hand wash if you have a dishwasher, as these units tend to be the more efficient option
• Collect rainwater for plants

These are just a few water-saving ideas you can implement at home for free. Do you have any additional conservation ideas? Share them with us here!

Expert Raleigh Plumbers | Newcomb and Company

When you are ready to save money and water, contact Newcomb and Company. Our Raleigh plumbers are skilled in everything ranging from small leak repairs to complete bathroom renovations. We proudly serve surrounding areas, including Cary, Durham, Clayton, Garner, and beyond. Make an appointment with our Raleigh plumbing experts to get started today!