Conservation is an important theme in many areas of our world, and water is one of the single most important. And because water is a regular part of plumbing setups in homes and buildings alike, there are actually many ways that your overall water consumption can be lessened to help with sustainability and costs alike – and many of these involve assessing any wasteful issues you have.
At City Creek Plumbing, we’re happy to provide numerous plumbing services, from general kitchen and bathroom plumbing to water softeners, water heaters and much more. We’ve assisted many clients with assessing their plumbing water usage and looking for ways to improve their conservation, and we’ll do the same for you. In this two-part blog series, we’ll discuss several potential risks of wasted water in a plumbing setting, plus how you can avoid these concerns.
Tracking Your Water Usage
Before we get into the various risks of wasted water, it’s important to note that you should be tracking your water usage on a regular basis. A water meter or tracking device can help you get an idea of where your water consumption is at and what measures need to be taken in order to reduce it.
In other cases, you can simply check your monthly water bill to see how much water you’re using. By tracking your usage, you’ll be able to better identify problems or issues that may need to be addressed in order to reduce your overall consumption.
Overdoing it With Long Showers or Baths
One of the simplest and most easily avoidable issues of water waste involves taking excessively long showers or baths. Though it’s common to want to relax after a long day with a shower or bath, the truth is that each minute in the shower uses up more than five gallons of water – and this can add up quickly if you take an extra-long shower.
To combat this issue, try setting a timer for yourself to limit the amount of time you’re spending in the shower. You can also install low-flow heads or aerators on your existing fixtures to reduce overall water usage, even when taking long showers.
Pipe Leaks
On the flip side, certain water waste issues aren’t the fault of the user – but rather, the plumbing itself. In particular, pipe leaks can become a major source of water waste if they’re not addressed properly. Pipe leaks (especially those in hard-to-reach areas) often go unnoticed until water bills suddenly increase or other signs appear.
Leaking pipes should be identified and fixed as soon as possible to avoid further water waste. In addition, it’s a good idea to have your pipes inspected periodically to ensure there are no underlying issues that could lead to future leaks.
In part two of this blog series, we’ll discuss a few more potential sources of water waste in plumbing settings and how you can help combat them. Stay tuned!
For more on how you can assess water waste in your plumbing, or for assistance with other plumbing services, contact City Creek Plumbing today. We’re here to help!