All Texans know that we, as a state, are prone to dry spells. Recent years have seen their fair share of droughts due to changes in the weather, which is why water conversation is more crucial than ever.
Did you know that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated that households in the country waste around 90 gallons of water per day?
In Texas, where the weather is really dry, we need more water for agriculture, lawns, gardening, and even landscaping.
We can’t afford to waste water when drought comes knocking at our door every few seasons. So let’s talk about saving water.
You can save gallons of water by using some handy water saving tips. The following tips can reduce your household’s water usage and aid with temperature crises like droughts.
1. Be Mindful of Water Use in the Bathroom
Don’t waste too much water while using the bathroom. Take shorter showers, and if the weather is warm, opt for cold showers. Ok, less warm 🙂Â
A shorter shower saves energy and about 60 gallons of water each month. When bathing, fill half of your bathtub, as full baths waste unnecessary water. You can also install a tankless water heater if your household sees frequent showers with multiple members. This heats water on demand, using less during the waiting and running process.
Don’t keep your water running while brushing your teeth, while you gather items for the shower, or shaving. Speaking of shaving, you can also fill a portion of the sink with water to rinse your razor. It will save you 5 to 10 gallons a minute.
Don’t flush things like kleenex down the toilet that can be thrown away. It wastes about 1.6 gallons of water per flush, also increasing the possibility of clogging your toilet.
Immediately step into the shower after the water becomes warm.Â
2. Use Efficient Bathroom Fixtures and Faucets
Replace your regular shower head and toilet with low-flow shower heads and low-flush toilets. These will reduce 50% of water waste alone. If you pay a water utility, it will also save your bill.Â
Use toilet water savers to minimize water consumption in each flush. These go into the toilet tank to save water on flushes.
Install plumbing fixtures and faucets with the WaterSense Label. The United States Environmental Protection Agency certifies plumbing products with this label to show that the product saves water 20% more efficiently than others.
3. Save Water By Fixing Leaks
Running toilets with defective flush can waste up to 500 gallons of water daily. You can of course fix these leaks if you know how, or call a licensed and professional plumber to repair them for you. This will help to save water and decrease your monthly water bill.
You can easily inspect for leaks in your toilets. The best way to check is by adding some food coloring to the tank. If you notice colored water in the toilet bowl after a few minutes without flushing, you have a leaky toilet.
A leaky faucet can waste 3,000 gallons of water annually. You should replace a defective washer, gasket, or rusty valve seat or repair a loose O ring to fix the dripping faucet. These are minor plumbing repairs most homeowners can muster.
While some leaks are noticeable, others are more hidden such as under slab leaks in your foundation. Often a silent water waster, if you notice wet areas on your floor without explanation or discoloration on your exterior foundation, give us a call today.Â
Our licensed plumbers will use the latest leak detection equipment to help identify any possible leaks without causing disruption to your flooring.Â
4. Run Dishwashers & Washing Machines Only When Full
Scrape the food off the plates and quickly rinse water before placing them into the dishwasher.Â
Use your dishwasher when you have a full load. Not super dirty? Use the fast wash or light-duty option on your washer to save energy, water, and money!
Load your washing machine only when you have a larger pile of clothes that makes for a full load.
If doing laundry is necessary for a small clothes pile, use the low water level option to save water. Moreover, use hot water for washing only when necessary because cold water often works just as well.
Replace your old clothes washer with a highly efficient and eco-friendly one. It minimizes the amount of water for each wash and is quieter.
5. Water Conservation in the Kitchen
You can save a lot of water in the kitchen if you are mindful about how much water to use for various tasks. Let’s look at a few kitchen water conservation tips.
- A faucet aerator helps use 30% less water than a faucet without one. It also provides water efficiency for rinsing dishes and washing hands. Moreover, you will save a significant amount on your water bills.
- Use garbage disposals only when needed.
- Rinse your dishes without keeping the water running. You can also fill the sink and use the water to soak pots and pans.
- Use a bowl of cold or hot water to defrost your food instead of running water over it for minutes.
- Use cold water in a large bowl to rinse your vegetables and fruits. Then you can reuse it to water your plants. You can use the same technique with pasta water!
6. Use Watering Cans For Gardening
Replace your hose with a watering can when you water plants. It will save a significant amount of water.
Use watering cans for potted plants and vegetable or flower beds. You can give the plants enough water to thrive without overwatering and wasting water.
If your plant soil seems moist to the touch, you don’t need to water them. Use organic compost around plants’ soil so they hold onto water for longer.
7. Use Efficient Car Washing Tools
If you wash your car at home, use a large bucket of soapy water and an automatic shut-off nozzle hose. It will reduce your water usage by up to 50%.
You can also sweep your driveway after each car wash instead of hosing it down. It will keep your driveway cleaner with friction, and also give your water meter a rest and save water.
Give your car a “dry car wash,” which uses waterless lubricated sprays to clean off dirt. This method is faster and more efficient.
Use a microfiber cloth to clean your car, as it can clean your car efficiently without needing water. Give your car frequent cleaning with the fabric to get the best results.
If you go to a car wash to clean your can, visit an automatic car wash service in Texas that recycles water.
8. Utilize Smart Lawn Maintenance Methods
Water your lawn early in the morning to avoid rapid water evaporation.
Obviously, you don’t need to water your garden or lawn when it’s raining. Use “rain shut-off devices” to automatically shut your sprinklers in the rain.
Change your sprinkler settings for each season to avoid unnecessary water use. If you use automatic sprinklers, set a specific timer for it so it shuts off without wasting additional water.
Adjust your sprinklers so they don’t water the pavement. Create a buffer zone between the hot pavement and your lawn. It will create a barrier and not let the water runoff.
Use compost around your yard to retain water in the soil much longer. Limit the amount of fertilizer because additional fertilizer may increase the water requirement.
Use a “wick watering system” or drip irrigation system for shrubs, trees, vegetable beds, and flower beds.
Keep grass at least 3 inches tall by fixing your lawnmower setting. You will face rapid water loss problems with shorter-height grass. You can also mulch the grass clippings on the lawn to hold extra moisture.
Instead of grass, use drought-tolerant ground cover for your lawn to tackle the heat of Texas summer. It will require less water than other grass.
Final Thoughts on Water Saving Tips
We all unconsciously use (waste) a ton of water daily. In Texas, water shortage can be a prominent problem, so we must be more mindful of water waste.
Our water conservation tips will help you conserve water and make a difference in Arlington, or anywhere else in DFW. Just one simple water conservation act can make a big impact in the long run!
Remember, if you notice a leak or plumbing issue, call and schedule an appointment with All Masters Plumbing.Â
Call All Masters Plumbing today:Â (817) 200-4703
