Ten Ways To Save Water In Your Home

The world’s water resources are severely limited, and we all should make an active effort, not to wastewater. So what can you do to save water in your home? Here are some tips from one of Melbourne’s top experts in plumbing.

Plumbing In Melbourne: Top Ten Tips To Save Water

1. Replace old appliances that use a lot of water with more modern types. For example, nowadays, toilets are made with a dual flushing facility that will allow you to do either a large or a small flush. When you press the lever or button and then release it, you’ll get a part-flush; but you’ll get a full flush when you hold the lever down.
2. Change the old showerhead in your shower for a water-efficient type. Doing this can save thousands of litres of water per person every year. There are various showerhead exchange programs in Australia to swap out without paying a cent. And when you shower, do so as quickly as possible. Showering for just one minute less than you usually do can save three buckets of water.
3. Don’t leave the water running when you brush your teeth and wash the dishes. That is perfect drinking water going down the drain.
4. When taps start dripping, fix them immediately. Commonly drips are caused by worn-out washers. Washers are not challenging to remove and replace, but if you aren’t sure what to do, instead call in a reputable handyperson or plumber to help you. You’ll be surprised how much water a dripping tap can waste – and how often this happens to taps and plumbing in Melbourne.
5. Service and maintain water pipes regularly to prevent problems. If pipes start leaking, fix them or get them repaired by a plumber. Be warned that many people are unaware of leaking pipes, especially those buried beneath the ground. If your water bill suddenly soars, check the water line for leaks.
6. Maintain and clean kitchen grease traps (that catch the grease from pots, pans and so on) regularly. If you don’t, you’re likely to end up with blockages and overflows that will wastewater.
7. To irrigate your garden, use stormwater and greywater from baths, showers, basins, washing machines, and dishwashers. Greywater isn’t straightforward and clean like tap water, but it isn’t polluted like the water flowing from our toilets (black water). And the experts say that between 50% and 80% of the wastewater that comes from our homes is greywater. Many experts also say that we should use greywater for below-ground irrigation rather than water lawns and other plants. You can either siphon off the grey water yourself or ask a plumber to install a greywater system.
8. If you have a sprinkler system in the garden, install timers to control water usage. Whether you have a sprinkler system or do the watering by hand with a hosepipe, try to water later in the day when temperatures are generally more relaxed.
9. Mulch garden beds to reduce evaporation and prevent water from running off surface soil. And grow water-wise plants in your garden that doesn’t need an excessive amount of water to thrive.
10. Consider installing your metre to check how much water you are using. If you keep a constant check on water usage, you’ll be more aware of how much is wasted, which should motivate you and your family to cut down.

The team of professionals at Precision Electrical and Plumbing is here to help you save water. We regularly assess plumbing in Melbourne homes and advise our clients on the best steps they can take. Call us today for a free quotation.