How Can I Save Water: Doing Your Part

Did you know….the average household leaks nearly 10,000 gallons of water every year? Did you know…10% of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons of water daily? Easy-to-fix water leaks account for nearly 1 trillion gallons of wasted water annually in the U.S.

Don’t let this be you! Here are some ways you can conserve water and save some money, too.

Typical Household Leaks

Common types of leaks found in the home include worn toilet flappers, dripping bathroom and kitchen faucets, and leaky shower heads and hoses. Hot water tanks can also rupture and should be inspected yearly. Leaks can also occur in outside water supply lines. These types of leaks are often easy to fix and can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills.

How to Hunt Down Leaks

Here are some tips, courtesy of the EPA, to help you locate leaks in your home.

Take a look at your water usage during a colder month. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there are serious leaks.
Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you likely have a leak.
To find toilet leaks, put a drop of food coloring in the tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, you have a leak.
Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe. This could indicate a surface leak.

Conserve Water Indoors

All of us can do our part to preserve our nation’s water resources. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your indoor water usage.

The bathroom. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth. Showers use less water than baths, but don’t take a long one. Use a low-flow shower head and faucet aerators.

The kitchen. When washing dishes by hand, plug the sink or water basin. Use a dishwasher only after it’s fully loaded. Scrape dirty dishes instead of pre-rinsing them.

The laundry room. Wash only full loads of laundry. Pick the proper load size and water level on your washing machine. Wash clothes in cold water.

Save Water Outdoors

U.S. households use an estimated 29 billion gallons of water daily. About 30%, or nearly 9 billion gallons, is used outdoors. The number can be as high as 70% during a hot summer. Here are some ways you can cut back on outdoor water use and save a little money, too.

Don’t overwater your lawn or water it during peak periods. Install a rain barrel for outdoor watering, or plant a rain garden to catch stormwater runoff.

Sweep driveways, sidewalks and steps. Don’t hose them off. Wash the car with a bucket of water, or take it to a car wash that recycles it. Cover your pool to reduce evaporation when it’s not being used.

Install Water Efficient Products

Look for energy efficient products and appliances. They save water and help reduce your energy bills. Heating water takes a considerable amount of energy. Homes with electric water heaters spend one-quarter of their electric bill just to heat water. The WaterSense program certifies products for water efficiency, while the ENERGY STAR program certifies products for energy efficiency. Look for these on the product label.

Ready for an Outdoor Space Facelift?

If you are ready to spruce up your outdoor space, the professionals at Peak Power Wash can help. We can clean your home exterior or tackle your deck, sidewalk or driveway. We use a technique called “soft wash”, which uses a much lower amount of pressure and reduces potential harm to surfaces. Contact us at 443-686-WASH or visit our website to request a free estimate.