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Water is a scarce commodity whose importance needs no emphasis. Homeowners rely on the colorless resource for multiple uses, be it cooking, drinking, cleaning, showering, or gardening. The plumbing system your plumber installs in homes contributes significantly to water wastage that translates to substantial water bills.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that household leaks account for about 10,000 gallons of water waste every year, with 10 percent of homes having plumbing leaks that waste up to 90 gallons of water or more each day.

If you notice your home in Pantego, TX, calls for a significant amount of water bill payment each month, the culprit could be your plumbing fixtures. The plumbing system facilitates the cleanliness and sanitation of your home and provides comfort and convenience for you and your family.

But if you can’t pay the costly water and maintenance bills each month, plumbing fixtures can become a source of headache, especially if you’re on the low-income bracket.

The bottom line is that your home cannot be homely without plumbing fixtures since you’ll always need a clean water supply. If you are in the dilemma of what to do with the expensive utility bills, you can consider these tips from your Pantego, TX, plumber, and you’ll be a step closer to saving water and money via plumbing fixtures.

Upgrade or replace faucets

Old and worn-out faucet gaskets and washers may cause leaks in drains. A leaky faucet dripping at a rate of one drop per second can cause more than 3,000 gallons of water wastage in a year, an equivalent of the amount of water necessary to take 180 showers. Your taps require replacements if you notice water leaks; and not just alternatives but upgrades to water-saving appliances.

You should call a local plumber to get insight on water-efficient faucets and seek installation services. With the world going green, why not choose to join the cause by purchasing environmentally friendly faucets that can reduce a sink’s water flow by more than 30 percent without ever compromising on performance?

The next time you brush your teeth or wash your hands, you’ll do it gracefully, knowing that you’ve played your part in protecting the environment. Despite the theme of your home, an expert plumber can help you to scout the best water-saving faucets that fit right in.

Get performance showerheads

Do you or anyone of your family members love taking long showers? This is among the causes of colossal water usage that consequently leads to costly utility bills. While standard showerheads use approximately 2.5 gallons of water per minute, performance showerheads can use about 2.0 or fewer gallons per minute.

Water-saving showerheads also feature high spray intensity and water coverage, so you’ll still enjoy a typical shower experience with the added perks of saving water.

Showers are an essential part of everyday routine, and every homeowner should conduct due diligence on shower water usage. Since you can’t prohibit your family or friends from using your shower, it’s the little changes that can contribute to water efficiency.

Whether you want to upgrade your old, inefficient showerheads or reduce water use, it’s time to contact your plumber in Pantego, TX. They will guide you through selecting newer showerhead models and handle installations.

Install high-efficiency toilets (HET)

Thanks to technology, residential homeowners have a variety of toilet options to choose from.

But with recent advancements, you can choose to install efficient toilets to avoid water wastage. That means you can save up 20 percent of the water with modern toilets. And if you’re still using the older, inefficient toilets that feature 6 gallons per flush, upgrading to a water-saving bathroom will save you huge bucks.

Toilets are among the primary sources of water usage in homes, taking up about 30 percent of indoor water consumption. Your home can benefit significantly from high-performance toilets if you choose those with a dual flush option, a half flush for liquids, and a full one for solids.

If you’re looking to remodel your bathroom or simply replace a leaky toilet, water-efficient toilets are worth considering. Always have a professional plumber’s contact handy in case you need HET installation services.

Do not use toilets as wastebaskets

Upgrading to a high-efficiency bathroom would be useless if you’re not careful about what you flush down. The creators of toilets had in mind a flushing system that tolerates toilet paper and contents of the human digestive system.

If you use your toilet to flush anything else, you may create a clogging disaster. And while a regular toilet flush uses quite an amount of water, why not cut down on water wastage by using trash cans to dispose of other wastes. From grease, oil, fat, and solid food to dental floss, bandages, hair, paper towels, and even kitty litter, the safe way of disposing of them is through the garbage disposal.

If you flush non-biodegradable items down the toilets, chances are high; they may affect your piping system hence creating a massive plumbing emergency. Dealing with toilet plumbing only can be easier to handle.

But if the problem persists in the entire piping system, you may have to part with huge chunks of money to enable your Pantego, TX, plumber to tackle the issue. To be on the safe side, simply use your toilets and trash cans responsibly.

Invest in hot water recirculating pump

Your morning shower routine can never be better if you get your home a recirculating hot water kit. These pumps work hand in hand with your hot water tank to promptly convey heated water to showers or faucets. The system creates a loop between the water heater and the valves, and the pump draws back the unused hot water through the loop. That means when you turn on your hot water faucet, you’ll get hot water instantly.

With a hot water recirculating pump, you’ll cut down on water wastage that emanates from cold water flow while waiting for the hot water. You’ll not only save up on utility bills but also run your chores efficiently and on time. To get more on the recirculating system, it’s wise to seek help from an expert plumber. They’ll advise you on the various methods in the market, help you to pick the right one, and handle the installation work. Additionally, the plumbers are always available for regular maintenance services.

Introduce pressure-reducing valves in your home

You may be adamant about reducing the water pressure in your house, maybe because you can’t stand a low-pressure shower or a slow-flowing sink. Taking steps to reduce water pressure may be far from your mind as a homeowner, but did you know that sometimes water coming into your home may be at high pressure and put your whole plumbing system at risk?

Picture yourself getting into a flooded house with busted appliances. Or the amount of money you’ll have to spend on repairs. Rather than deal with the aftermath of high water pressure, why not control water pressure in your home by investing in pressure reducing valves?

Pressure reducing valves (PRVs) are tools that work to reduce the stress of water flow in your residence. You place them near the water main close to the shut-off valve, so that when the mainline releases water, it first passes through the pipes.

The water will pass through a spring and a diaphragm that cause resistance hence lowering water pressure, flow, and usage. The mechanics of how PRVs work can be daunting to an untrained eye, that’s why it’s essential to seek professional help from plumbers.

Moreover, finding services from an experienced plumber would be worthwhile since the installation process involves cutting a section of your water line; you probably don’t want a quack handyman handling your main water line.

Purchase high-efficiency washers

Dishwashers and washing machines are a creation that some homeowners can’t live without. With the time they save from hours of cleaning, it’s no wonder they come at a price. And not just the initial purchase cost but the energy and water utility bills. Technology today has made it possible to have it both ways; get the convenience of washing appliances and benefit from reducing water and energy usage.

High-efficiency washing machines use less water for a load of laundry in each wash cycle. They also feature faster spin cycles to remove excess water and reduce the drying time.

In the same vein, energy-efficient dishwashers utilize less water and energy to heat the water. If you’re still harboring old, less efficient appliances in your home, it’s time to call a skilled plumber to seek the knowledge on efficient washing appliances.

The plumber will not only give you useful information but also offer expert installation services and maintenance tips.

Secure your home a tankless water heater

The traditional water heaters store water in tanks, and they work by heating this water, regardless of whether it’s in use or not. In contrast, tankless water heaters are on-demand or instantaneous water heaters that only heat water when you turn on a faucet and need hot water. If you pair tankless water heaters with low flow showerheads or aerators, you’ll marvel at the amount of water and energy bills you’ll save.

A tankless water heater investment can be costly at first but worthwhile in the long run due to ongoing energy and water savings. When you feel the need to upgrade your old water heater or equip one in your new home, consider getting a tankless water heater.

More importantly, schedule a meeting with an experienced plumber to get an expert opinion on water heaters. Afterward, you may receive purchase assistance and installation services.

Be mindful of your taps

Utilizing your plumbing fixtures to save you money doesn’t necessarily mean upgrading appliances. It’s the simple things you do and the discipline to keep on doing them that counts. You should embrace turning off your taps whenever the water isn’t in actual use.

Don’t let it run down the drain since that could potentially cost you a considerable sum of cash. For instance, the EPA estimates homeowners can save almost 8 gallons daily if they close their taps while brushing teeth. Or if you’re shaving, closing the valve while not in use can save approximately 10 gallons of water. So if you brush your teeth twice a day and shave multiple times in a week, you can save thousands of gallons of water every year.

When you don’t need the water, closing faucets can seem like a simple act, but its impact is humongous. You’ll cut down on the monthly utility bills and can redirect the funds to a pending project.

After all, you’ll always need an extra dollar for one thing or the other. Moreover, you’ll contribute to environmental-friendliness by reducing the strain on water resources.

Mitigate outdoor water wastage

Your home may have a beautiful landscape that could just be the reason for your water woes. Irrigation water will come from your water line, and if you do not check it, you’ll end up with enormous water bills.

You may argue that outdoor water waste could be due to evaporation or winds, but your irrigation system can contribute significantly to water wastage. For your landscape to flourish and, at the same time, be efficient, get help from professional plumbers who work on irrigation controllers and provide training programs. This way, you’ll receive a water-efficient irrigation system design that curbs water runoff.

It’s worth noting that whether your landscape irrigation system is automatic or manual is bound to waste your water without proper maintenance. So it’s important to always secure maintenance services from skilled plumbers who’ll then take care of the piping system running through your lawn.

Work with an expert plumber

The plumbing sector is a crucial player in the residential industry. With plumbers handling the pathway to your water and sewerage system, it’s best to leave the work to professionals to ensure every fluid follows the correct path.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth is a plumbing company that serves the residents of Pantego, TX. Regardless of your plumbing needs, our plumbers are ready to help you. Call us today to get expert services, even during emergencies.