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All homeowners want to save money on their plumbing, and one of the best ways to do this is by hiring a licensed plumber in Mansfield, TX, for repairs, installations, and maintenance. Hiring an unqualified person could lead to a disaster especially when he doesn’t have enough experience or isn’t licensed to perform plumbing repairs. You may end up calling for another repair, and that will cost you more money. Always hire qualified professionals only to avoid extra costs. In this article, we’ll talk about additional tips to help you save money on your plumbing and conserve water at the same time.
How Installing Water-Saving Devices Can Save You Money
You can save up to 30 percent on your water bill by installing water-saving plumbing fixtures for your home. However, buying them may cost you more than getting regular fixtures, but you get to save money in the long run. These types of fixtures use less water, therefore, saving you more money. For installation, please make sure that you only hire a licensed plumbing company to ensure the fixtures or appliances are properly installed.
Water-saving fixtures you can install:
High-efficiency Low Flow Faucet Aerators
Compared to a regular faucet, a low-flow faucet can lower your water usage by about 4 percent while conventional faucets contribute to about 15 percent of water usage in your home. Switching to this type of fixture means you get to save about 500 gallons of water annually. You’re not only helping out the environment but this also adds significant savings. If you’re planning to get this for your home and want to know more, please don’t hesitate to contact one of our plumbers.
Low Flow Showerheads
If you have a conventional shower head installed, you use up to about 2.5 gallons of water per minute. When you shower for about 8 minutes, that means you’re using 20 gallons of water. You consume even more when you take longer showers. A low-flow showerhead, on the other hand, uses only 1.5 gallons and less per minute. That’s more than 50 percent water savings per minute of use. Imagine how much you get to save when you switch — you could save about half of your bills.
Some homeowners may decide to install their own showerheads, but please do this only when you’re certain that you know how to do it. Otherwise, you may only end up having issues with your plumbing. You can also consider installing automatic shut-off nozzles so that the water shuts off when you’re shampooing your hair. Just flip the switch back if you’re ready to use the water again.
Shower Timers
Using smart technology, a shower timer can alert you when you take too long in the shower. You may want to use this if you want to conserve more water or if you want to save time. Get in touch with us if you want to know more about this plumbing fixture.
In addition to water-saving plumbing fixtures, we highly suggest that you also switch to energy-efficient plumbing appliances. Buy energy-efficient washers and dishwashers to help you conserve more water. For installation, ensure that you only work with a licensed plumber in Mansfield, TX.
Rainwater Tanks
If you want to be more resourceful, install a rainwater tank to collect rainwater that can be used for your garden or washing your car.
Switching to Tankless Water Heaters
Several homeowners still use conventional water heater tanks. While these units are okay, they may not be ideal when you’re planning to save more money. If your water heater is several years old, we suggest that you consider buying a tankless water heater instead.
With a tankless water heater, no energy is wasted as you only consume energy when using the faucet or the shower. You use more energy with the conventional water heater tank as the water needs to be constantly heated.
Tankless water heaters may be more expensive than the water heater tank but they also last twice as long. It means you won’t have to get a new replacement every few years or so. Also, you won’t have to worry about flooding in your basement when you go tankless. It’s a great addition, especially for those homeowners that are mindful of their energy usage, and those that want to save more money on their plumbing.
Below are some of the other benefits of installing a tankless water heater. For installation, please make sure that you only hire a licensed plumber in Mansfield, TX. Poor installation may affect the efficiency of your water heater or may lead to leaks in your plumbing. You’d want to avoid these problems by hiring qualified people to help with the installation.
Benefits of tankless water heaters:
Low Maintenance
If you have the conventional water heater installed, it’s important to flush out the sediment buildup in the tank at least once a year. Otherwise, it’s going to affect the efficiency of your water heater and reduce its lifespan. You may also eventually end up calling for costly repairs. With a tankless water heater, low maintenance is needed.
Can Mount It on the Wall
You need extra space if you have a water heater tank. A bigger space will be needed for homeowners with a large-capacity tank. With a tankless water heater, you won’t have to worry about not having enough space as you can easily mount the water heater on the wall. It’s very convenient and it doesn’t take up a lot of space.
You Won’t Run Out of Water
So long as you have the right water heater size, you’ll never run out of hot water with the tankless water heater. To help you determine the right water heater for your home, please contact one of our plumbers for assistance. We’ll also help you properly install the water heater in your home.
Fix Water Leaks
Water damage is a very costly expense as you’ll need to pay for plumbing repairs and home restorations. The good thing is that there are ways to avoid water damage in your home. One of them is to ensure that you don’t ignore water leaks, however small they are. For example, dripping faucets. While they may seem harmless, you waste money as you’re also wasting hundreds of gallons of water.
Also, it’s not just about fixing water leaks. You need to also prevent these from happening. During winter, ensure that your pipes are well-protected. When the temperature reaches below zero and the plumbing pipes are not insulated, the water inside them can freeze. When the water freezes, the pipes can expand and burst. You’re lucky when it’s detected early, not when your home is already flooding.
You can also prevent water damage by flushing the sediment buildup in the water heater tank. They can eventually lead to leaks in the tank, and you’ll have no choice but to completely replace it. That will cost you more money down the road.
In addition to repair and prevention, please be mindful of hidden leaks in your plumbing. They can sometimes lead to costly plumbing emergencies. To avoid this, contact a licensed plumber in Mansfield, TX, for regular plumbing maintenance. With regular inspections, a plumber can thoroughly inspect your plumbing and rule out any problem. You can also get professional leak detection if you suspect there might be leaks in your plumbing.
Detecting Plumbing Leaks
Use these tips to help you detect plumbing leaks:
Always Stay Alert
Sometimes, leaks are visible like a dripping faucet. However, some leaks are not detected right away. But there are signs to look out for. One of the signs is wall discoloration. When you notice that some parts of your wall are discolored, that could indicate a leak behind the walls. Ensure that you address this problem at the soonest possible time or you’ll be facing another problem. Reach out to one of our plumbers for assistance. We’re always more than happy to help out.
Bulging wallpapers, bubbling paint, musty smells, and water spots are signs that there might be leaks in your plumbing. Please contact us immediately so we can do a proper inspection, diagnose the problem, and provide you with the best plumbing solutions.
Monitor the Water Bill
Are your water bills every month more or less the same? If it suddenly skyrockets, there could be a leak in your plumbing. You can check this yourself by turning off the faucets and not using the water for at least 30 minutes. However, you’ll have to check your water meter first and take note of the reading. Make sure that you don’t use the bathroom or the kitchen while checking for water leaks. Look at the water meter again and compare the readings. If they have changed, there is highly likely a leak in your plumbing. We would advise that you contact a professional plumber in Mansfield, TX, immediately for help. Plumbers have state-of-the-art tools that can help them determine the exact location of the leak. Call us and rest assured that we can permanently resolve the issue.
Buy Leak Detection Devices
Leak detection devices are your friends when it comes to plumbing leaks. They can detect temperature fluctuations and can also alert you when there is a leak in your plumbing. It will also automatically turn off the main water supply to prevent further damage. Call one of our plumbers so we can help you properly install these devices in your homes.
Check for Toilet Leaks
It’s easy to check for toilet leaks. Simply drop some food coloring into the toilet tank and check the toilet bowl after 30 minutes. When the water inside the toilet bowl changes, that means there is a leak in the toilet.
Please don’t postpone plumbing issues — contact a plumber immediately to permanently remedy the problem.
Book Professional Drain Cleaning
Homeowners must be mindful of what they throw down the drain to avoid major clogs. Install sink strainers in the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry to catch food debris and hair. We would also suggest that you install a garbage disposal to help you properly manage food waste. Regularly clean your drains with boiling water, or vinegar and baking soda solution to prevent smelly drains and avoid clogs. Never resort to using chemical-based drain cleaners as they can be harmful to your pipes. Most importantly, contact a plumber for professional drain cleaning to ensure that your drains are properly cared for.
Get a Sewer Line Inspection
Another preventive measure you can do is to have a professional inspect your sewer lines. A reliable and trusted plumber can check if there are any clogs or obstructions that might affect the efficiency of your plumbing. He can also help you permanently resolve this.
Take Care of Your Plumbing
As a homeowner, it’s your responsibility to care for your plumbing. Periodically check it for wear & tear, or leaks. Then contact a plumber in Mansfield, TX, if you suspect there might be problems. When you’re buying new plumbing appliances, please make sure that you only hire licensed plumbers to ensure proper installation. Do the same for repairs and maintenance.
Contact a Plumber at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth
If you need plumbing services today, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re happily committed to helping out residents and businesses in Mansfield, TX. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing offers a wide range of plumbing services including a 24/7 emergency service. You can call us anytime if you need immediate assistance, and we’ll quickly dispatch a plumber to your home or business.
Our team of reliable and highly experienced plumbers is licensed and insured. We also have a knowledgeable staff, always willing to educate you or help you make an informed decision about your plumbing. If you need additional help, we would be happy to walk you through our entire process. Do you need help today? Please contact us for an appointment!