Conserving water is important for many reasons: it lowers your water bill, benefits the planet, and reduces the risk of water damage in your home. Although most people are aware of leaks in their home, there are many common ways you could be wasting water without even realizing. We have narrowed down the most common plumbing leaks that you may experience and educate you on what to do if you find a leak in your home so you can focus on conserving water.
At Your Sinks
One of the most common places for plumbing leaks to occur within the home are sinks. Whether the faucet is leaking or there is a faulty pipe underneath, plumbing leaks in and around your sink can waste at least a gallon of water a day if not taken care of promptly. The actual amount of water wasted is ultimately determined by what type of plumbing leak and how long it has been leaking, but if not caught early on a sink, leaks can cost you a lot of money when it comes to your utility bills. Sometimes, home owners are blissfully unaware of a sink system leak until they get a noticeably higher water bill and then they find out they have had a leak in the back of their cabinet for a month. For plumbing leaks in or around your sink that are hard to see or access, you run the risk of major water damage which can become quite expensive to remedy. We recommend doing a thorough inspection of your sinks, faucets, and pipe systems regularly to ensure that you are not accidentally wasting water due to a plumbing leak. Likewise, you should regularly upgrade your sink and faucet fixtures to ensure that you have the most efficient set up possible.
In Showers and Tubs
Similar to sinks, showers and tubs are one of the most common areas of your home that you could be wasting water. Because showers and tubs have two faucets, they are twice as likely to have plumbing leaks that can waste substantial amounts of water and cost you a lot of money. In the United States alone, showers account for more than one trillion gallons of water usage every year. It is no secret that showers and baths take up a considerable amount of water each time they are taken, but there are many steps you can take to reduce the amount of water wasted in your shower or tub.
When it comes to your shower fixtures, you want to choose the highest quality parts you can find. Investing in a showerhead that has multiple waterflow settings is the first step you can take to reducing the amount of water being wasted in your shower, as these models allow you to conveniently shut off the water flow when it is not needed without having to completely shut off your shower and lose your perfect water temperature. Similarly, you want to make sure that your tub drain and plug are functioning properly to reduce the amount of water wasted during use. Once you have guaranteed that your showerhead and fixtures are all in proper order, you will also want to routinely check for plumbing leaks that could be hiding in plain sight. Spotting a plumbing leak from your shower could be as simple as hearing the drip drop of the faucet or as complicated as finding a water spot on the ceiling. Due to the complex nature and the fact that all of the plumbing work is within the walls and floors of your home, if you have found or suspect that you may have a shower or tub leak it is best to contact a professional plumbing company.
Appliances
Aside from sinks and showers, our household appliances are the other major source of wasted water within your home. Dishwashers and clothing washers are the most common culprit when it comes to water waste and leaks, as they require large amounts of water to get the job done. One of the most common ways you could be wasting water when it comes to your appliances is by running them when they do not have a full load in them. Running your dishwasher only when it is completely full can save the average US family around 320 gallons of water a year. Many dishwasher models have settings that allow for different types of washes, some of which include a “quick wash” feature. Although the purpose of features such as quick wash and small load settings are supposed to make dishes and laundry more pain free for users, they usually use only slightly less, if not the same amount of water as a regular load. You should only operate your water reliant appliances when you are able to make the most out of your water and material usage by completely filling them.
Appliances also present the issue of being another hotspot for plumbing leaks. Washers and dishwashers both require a connection to a water line, which creates another point of leakage as well as an entire other piping system to maintain and monitor. Just as with shower and tub plumbing, the water lines and pipe systems that both provide water and drain used water are typically behind the walls or under the flooring. To spot plumbing leaks associated with your appliances before they get out of control, keep a close eye on your water bill as well as the result of its operation. If clothes are coming out of the washer and not fully rinsed, that can be an indicator of a plumbing issue! Often, plumbing leaks associated with appliances such as washers and dishwashers can be complex and concern technological components that can be easily damaged by water and incorrect service. If you come across signs that your water reliant appliances may have a leak, you should contact a professional plumber with experience working on your appliance model to avoid the risks of flooding and water damage in your home, as well as costly water bills.
When in Doubt, Call a Professional!
If you are trying to reduce the amount of water wasted in your home, you must be prepared to take a multi-method approach. Adjusting your habits such as turning off the water in your shower while you shampoo or only running your dishwasher when it’s completely full, can reduce the amount of water wasted in your home – enough to save you a decent amount of money on your bill. However, guaranteeing consistent water efficiency requires careful monitoring for plumbing leaks, and quick action when a water leak occurs. Upgrading your faucets and fixtures to models that are designated Water Sense certified can result in about 20% more water efficiency while performing the same, or better, than standard models. If you suspect you may have a plumbing leak or are looking to upgrade your fixtures and appliances to increase the water efficiency of your home, give the professionals at Daigle Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling a call to get started the right way!
About Daigle Plumbing, Heating & Cooling
Founded over 40 years ago, Daigle Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is family-owned and operated by the Daigle family. We are proud to provide quality, dependable plumbing, heating, and cooling services for our customers in Derry, NH, and the surrounding areas. Daigle Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is your partner for all your plumbing, heating, and cooling needs. Call us today at 603-434-6353 for a free estimate.
