Plumbing Hints and Tips to Conserve Water this Summer

For most parts of the country, summer is the one season out of the year where the water use both inside and outside of our home goes up dramatically. Unfortunately, summer is also the time of year where droughts are most common. Being conscious of your water consumption and actively trying to use less water is not only good for the environment and your local economy, it’s also great for your monthly utility bills. While there are literally dozens of ways to use less water in and around your home, we are going to look at some of the most common water saving solutions and how you can implement them today.

1) Let your grass grow a little higher than normal. If you set your lawnmower to its maximum height and allow for your lawn to stay slightly longer, the shade will allow your grass to retain more water and stay greener during the summer. Once your lawn is able to retain more water the underlying system of roots will mature and grow stronger, which means even less watering in the future. 2) Make sure you are not watering during the hottest part of the day. When the sun is at its highest point the droplets of water left on your plants can actually act as magnifying glasses, damaging the leaves. It’s best to water in the cooler parts of the day such as early morning or later in the evening. During those cool hours your plants will be able to absorb the maximum amount of water and you won’t have to worry about them getting damaged by the sun. 3) Consider switching to ‘low flow’ fixtures. The most common fixtures that have low flow options are sink faucets, toilets, and shower heads. On average, a shower uses about 17 gallons of water depending on the length. When using a low flow shower head, you can cut water usage by 4 or more gallons. Just imagine how much water you would be saving per year just by switching out the shower heads in your home. The same goes for toilets and sink faucets, if you switch everything over to a low flow option, the savings on your water bill will be noticeable. 4) Be sure to check for leaks and be aware of dripping faucets or running toilets. While a small leak may seem inconsequential, it could be costing you hundreds of dollars every year. In some cases that annoying drip you hear coming from your faucet could amount to 1,500 gallons or more of wasted water every year. If you are unsure about the integrity of your home plumbing or would like a comprehensive inspection, contact our team today! We took a look at 4 water saving tips, but there are dozens more you can research and implement this summer. You can also schedule a consultation with our wonderful team at Jolly Plumbing and get an assessment of your current water usage as well as recommendations for ways to improve.