3 Ways You May Be Wasting Water at Home
Believe it or not, one of the most common plumbing “crimes” that many homeowners commit is the act of wasting water. While it’s not actually against the legal system, using much more H2O than needed is a matter that should be taken seriously. However, some homeowners might not know they’re wasting water in the first place. Here’s what to consider:
1. Overwatering Your Property
During the summer months, it’s not uncommon to find a sprinkler running at full force on one’s property. However, there is such a thing as overwatering a property — and, roughly, doing this can hanker away at a third of your home’s overall water waste.
Solution? Start watering your yard during the morning (preferably before 11 AM). Doing this will allow the soil to absorb the water before the sun’s rays have the chance to evaporate it. Another tip to keep in mind: consider introducing more drought-resistant plants. This will help cut back on the amount of water you’ll use overall.
2. Still Using an Old Toilet
Sure, as long as your “throne” works, there won’t be a need to replace it — wrong. Unfortunately, toilets manufactured before 1993 use a startling amount of water per flush, approximately up to six gallons of H2O.
To help cut back, consider having a dual flush toilet installed in your home. These toilets provide users with two flush-force options: one offers a gentle flush, while the other offers a more forceful flush (for the obvious).
3. Running the Tap When You Brush
We’re all guilty of this: letting the water run when brushing our pearly whites. While it may seem like the best solution to help decrease the amount of toothpaste “leftovers” from sitting at the bottom of your sink, you’re wasting gallons of water in the process.
In a conscious effort to help cut down on the amount of H2O you’re wasting, consider only running the water twice during your brushing session: once to fill up a rinse cup and wet your brush, the other to wash away any excess toothpaste and saliva.