While summer brings more outdoor fun, children off from school, gardens requiring constant watering, and more clothes washing due to weekend adventures outdoors, the increased activities during summer can unknowingly boost your water consumption.
However, an elevated water bill does not always mean you have used a lot of water. It could also mean that there is some unseen problem with your plumbing system that is costing you extra money.
If you have maintained the same water-using habits and yet you see an increase in the water bill, you should consider checking other possible causes for the rise in your bill.
At Putman Plumbing, we assist homeowners in making plumbing changes that cut down water wastage and save utility bills.
Start With the Water You Never Intended to Use
Most people think that their largest water usage is through taking long showers or watering their lawns. In reality, water leaks often become the most significant contributor to water consumption.
While that dripping faucet may not be noticeable, those drips will continue on and on day and night. The toilet that silently operates after each flush could be using even more water than you know.
Before your plumbing fails, notice other signals like:
- Consistently rising water bills without any change in household practices
- Continuously running toilets after flushing
- Dripping faucets, even occasionally
- Moist spots around the area of sinks
- Hose connection leaks after being turned off
Taking care of these problems not only saves your water. It will save you trouble caused by extra wear on the plumbing parts that work unnecessarily.
Your Plumbing Fixtures Can Do More With Less
A lot of old plumbing fixtures were installed before there were water-saving technologies. They do the job right, but they use much more water than necessary.
Modern high efficiency plumbing fixtures ensure the same level of comfort and performance but with lower amounts of water used.
Simple upgrades may include:
- Install low-flow shower heads
- Install water-efficient bathroom faucets
- Install high-efficiency toilets
- Install modern kitchen faucet aerators
If you want to upgrade all the fixtures in your house, choosing water-efficient plumbing fixtures will help you reduce your daily water use.
Water the Yard Without Wasting Water
Outdoor watering is perhaps the most significant source of increased summer water bills. In many households, lawns and landscaping use up more water than indoor plumbing in summer.
A few smart watering habits include:
- Watering early in the morning before the temperatures heat up.
- Avoid watering on windy days.
- Make sure the irrigation goes directly into the soil around the plants rather than the pavement areas.
- Seasonal adjustment of your sprinklers.
- Check sprinkler heads regularly for any malfunctioning issues.
Learning a few outdoor water conservation practices can help you maintain a healthy lawn while avoiding unnecessary waste.
Don’t Forget the Outdoor Plumbing Around Your Home
Summer is not only a busy season for your indoor plumbing but also for your outdoor plumbing components!
During hot weather, garden hose connections, hose bibs, irrigation valves, and outdoor faucets are put to use. Any little leakage in these parts is mostly overlooked as the leaked water goes directly into the ground.
It only takes a few minutes every month to check for:
- Any dripping in your outdoor faucets
- Worn-out washers in your hose connections
- Leaks in your irrigation lines
- Damaged seals on sprinkler heads
- Any damage to your exposed pipes.
Routine inspections help catch small issues before they become expensive repairs.
Vacation Plans? Protect Your Plumbing While You’re Away
While going on a trip in the summer is fun, not being at home puts your plumbing system in danger.
It takes just a little leakage for several hundred gallons of water to go to waste when there is nobody at home to see it. It may also be wise to turn off the water flow in the house if you are gone for some time, but only after taking care of appliances that need water to function.
Getting your plumbing ready for vacation is essential to avoid both losing water and getting a leak upon your return. A simple vacation plumbing checklist could save you from coming home to water problems or unexpected high bills.
Water Conservation Also Helps Your Plumbing Last Longer
In addition to saving water, water conservation efforts save your plumbing from unnecessary wear.
This is because:
- Wear and tear on faucets and valves will be minimized
- There will be no unnecessary cycling of the toilet
- Decreased work for the water heater
- Plumbing fixtures function more efficiently
- Problems are discovered early, before they need extensive repair.
Small conservation habits often lead to fewer plumbing issues over the long term.
Build Better Habits That Save Water Every Day
Some of the most successful strategies for conserving water do not involve any sort of equipment replacement at all. Instead, they are habits that you incorporate into your everyday life.
Examples of water-conserving habits include:
- Closing the tap when brushing your teeth
- Operating dishwashers and clothes washers on full loads
- Cleaning driveways with a broom rather than with a hose
- Washing cars using a shut-off spray nozzle
- Checking your water bill for unusual increases each month
Make Water Conservation Part of Preventive Plumbing Care
While conserving water may save on utility expenses, it is also one of the most straightforward ways of keeping plumbing in tip-top condition during what could potentially be a difficult time for the plumbing system.
At Putman Plumbing, we assist property owners in detecting hidden water leaks, fixing worn-out plumbing parts, installing water-efficient plumbing fixtures, and making sure plumbing systems are running effectively regardless of the season.
If you have noticed that water bills have been going up or if plumbing fixtures are acting up, contact us to schedule a plumbing inspection or service. We’re here to help you conserve water while protecting your home’s plumbing system.