By taking a few easy steps, you can conserve water and save money without sacrificing comfort.
Turn off your taps (faucets or spigots)
Let’s face it, after turning off the tap, we all habitually refocus on “the next thing.” We assumed we turned it off. But then came the shocker: the faucet continues to drip. And so it does, endlessly. Upwards of (15) gallons a day are wasted every day. Run the numbers and see how much money you could save by shutting off that faucet properly each time you use it.
- Even after you’ve done your homework and switched the handle to “off,” the faucet continues to drip, which indicates it’s time to address what isn’t working properly. A C&M Plumbers technician can arrive out and repair what appears to be a little drip but may lead to something more expensive over time.
Check your toilet for leaks.
Toilets, like other plumbing fixtures, leak. When a toilet is flushed, water from the tank is used in order to refill it. To test your toilet for leaks, mix some food coloring with water and put it in the tank. Wait for 10 to 15 minutes if the color seeps into the bowl of the toilet. When the leak causes the valve to add more tank water at various times during the day or night, you’ll probably hear it fill up. One of the home’s major water wasters may be toilet flushing. Flushing your toilet uses (30%) of your household’s incoming water.
Comply with the garbage disposer guidelines.
(Read the owner’s manual and pay close attention to the “do not” section)
- While these machines have been extensively tested by the manufacturer to provide the longest possible life, even modern disposals can choke on things like bananas, celery, fruit pits, and chicken skin. If you must put these leftovers in the disposal, be careful not to block them or cause unpleasant odors. It should go without saying that items such as “silverware” (metal or plastic) or bones can inflict serious harm. If you can’t chew it, don’t put it in your disposer.
Take care of your drains
Pour a cup of baking soda into the drain followed by a cup of vinegar to keep it clean. (Yes, your kid can bring the sink to school for a science project)
- Drains become clogged over time. They will not “unclog” on their own. If you have a blockage that is larger than you can manage, call C&M Plumbers (916.667.4432). One of our experts will come and repair the flow. We have the skills, methods, and equipment to get the job done correctly. You are not alone in having this problem, so we provide an emergency phone number for your convenience.
- Use strainers to keep soap and hair out of your shower and bathtub drains. Chemical drain cleaners are used less frequently as a result of regular maintenance. Some cleansers are strong, resulting in damage to your pipes, septic tank, and endangering our ecosystem.
Preventative solutions not only detect basic issues before they become costly but also give you peace of mind. Don’t forget the outside drains and gutters
- Autumn isn’t the only time that yard debris might clog up your outside drains and gutters. Spring gardening, summer lawn mowing, and then autumn leaves may obscure what has to be seen. Once you’ve raked, swept, and removed all of the trash, check the pipes for any residual mess. Is there any stubborn garbage still in your yard that’s causing a backflow? The best moment to repair this is after all of your grass verges have been mulched or raked.
- Keep in mind that persistent moisture will cause gutters to rust, resulting in expensive repairs.
- Blockages and clogs in drains can result in serious internal and external flooding.
- Insects love dwelling in damp sentiment-filled gutters or drains.
Check for hidden leaks
- On a daily basis, if you live in an apartment or townhouse, you may notice leaks in the main living areas of your home almost immediately. Many elements of your plumbing system are out of view, however. They are tucked away and tough to find because they are hidden, inaccessible, and require effort. Pick a time when no water has been used and check your water meter before and after a certain length of time to discover any hidden leaks.
- Changes in your water meter might indicate a hidden leak in your home. These hidden leaks are sometimes very costly since their damage accumulates over time, causing harm to interior wood within your walls or flooring.
Keep fats and oil out of your drains.
- When it comes to drains, this is a must-have topic. When you put fats and oils into your drain, they may be liquid at first, but they will quickly congeal and cause a blockage. As a result, do not pour them down your drain anyhow.
- It’s handier to pour hot cooking fat down the sink instead of into a garbage bag. Neither is ideal. The grease hardens and adheres to the inside of your pipes over time, blocking them. Instead, put the hot grease in a can or some other heat-resistant container rather than pouring it down the sink. By putting the container in the fridge, I speed up this procedure considerably.
Dental Floss
- Dental floss, either down a drain or in a larger municipal drainage system, may combine with other debris to form a blockage. It doesn’t decompose quickly in the outside environment. Its chemical composition is probably not harmful to your drains, but it will link other objects together. Take into account the entire journey.
Hair
- Human hair is quite durable. The fibers also have a propensity to intertwine, resulting in an ever-growing clump of indestructible obstruction. Anti-clog treatments aren’t cheap, and visits from a plumber are not uncommon. If you don’t want to spend money on a toilet that backs up, don’t flush your hair.
Go for “low flow”
- According to studies, a 10-minute shower under a standard showerhead consumes approximately 42 gallons of water. It is simple to install a low-flow showerhead, which may save you hundreds of gallons of water each year.