Stop Wasting Water! Let Our Plumbing Repairs Restore Efficiency and Conservation
11/07/23
We are lucky to have running water and plumbing systems in the modern age. A refreshing shower after a long day can make you feel so much better. Oftentimes homeowners understand the importance of having a solid plumbing system, but sometimes we don’t pay attention to our home’s plumbing until something goes wrong.
Common issues such as leaks and even burst pipes can cause your system to stop running efficiently and cost you a lot of money in wasted water. They might also result in a costly plumbing repair if they are not attended to quickly.
Stop wasting water! Let our plumbing repairs restore efficiency and conservation with these types from Help Plumbing.
Key Takeaways:
- Plumbing problems aren’t just inconvenient, they can waste a lot of water.
- Simple DIY plumbing solutions can keep your system running smoothly and conserve ass much water as possible.
How Wasting Water Affects You
Wasting water through your home plumbing system might sound like a minor problem. But when this happens, it can create problems for you and the environment.
Water Usage
When there is a leak in your pipes and the problem has not been addressed, it will increase your water usage quite a bit. Even a small leak can add up to gallons of wasted water over time, and a much higher water bill.
Poor Water Quality
When your pipes burst or leak underground, it’s possible that dirt and debris will be let into the water system. These materials will then flow into your home and to your cooking, bathing, and drinking water. It’s easy to recognize your water quality has diminished if you find any signs of debris or discoloration in your drinking water.
Low Water Pressure
When your pipes have a leak, you will most likely notice that your water pressure has decreased. This can make doing normal household chores difficult. The first step to fixing your low water pressure is to identify where the leak is coming from and fix it so that the pressure restores to a normal range.
Impact on the Environment
When your home is wasting water, it actually has a larger impact on the environment than you think. Electricity is needed to treat and deliver water to homes. So, when you are using excess water, you’re also wasting electricity in the process.
Our resources are precious and should be treated as such. The best thing that you can do is a plumbing repair to reduce how much of these resources are being taken up by wasted water.
Check for a Water Leak
Before you can fix your leaking pipe, you’ll need to first find out if you have one. This can usually be an easy task because you may notice that there is water pooling under your sink or that your faucet continues to drip. However, some leaks can’t be noticed easily because they are in pipes that are hidden underground.
In that case, you’ll want to monitor your water usage. Take a meter reading and wait a couple of hours without using any water. If the usage has increased, you likely have a leak that you can’t easily see.
Another option is a smart water leak detector. These devices monitor your home’s water usage and will let you know if they find a leak somewhere. It will alert you if there is a problem so that you are able to call a professional for a plumbing repair.
Common Water Leaks and How You Can Fix Them
While you might already be considering calling in a licensed plumber for a repair, there are some common causes of water leaks that you might be able to fix on your own. These easy fixes can help conserve water and allow your system to run more efficiently.
Dripping Faucet
A faucet that drips is one of the more common problems that a home plumbing system can have. And this pesky issue can be caused by a variety of things. Typical wear and tear, debris buildup, and the valve not being tightened enough or too much are all reasons a dripping tap might occur.
If you’re wanting to fix this problem on your own, you’ll want to take a couple of steps. The first you’ll need to do is shut off your water. Once this has been done, remove the faucet and inspect the internal areas including the washer. If you notice there is a lot of built-up debris, clean it out. If the washer appears to be damaged, you’ll need to replace that.
Once you have taken these steps, you can reconnect the tap and test it to see if you’ve fixed the issue.
Leaking Plastic Water Pipe Joint or Pipe
A leaking plastic water pipe joint or pipe might be a quick fix for you to do on your own. You’ll want to ensure that you know where the leak is coming from exactly. Start with drying the area so that you can see if it is the joint or pipe that is leaking.
Once you have identified the true source you can get to work to fix it. Shut off your water first. Then you’ll need to remove the joint or area of the pipe that is causing the issue and replace it. If you don’t have cutting tools, you can opt for a temporary fix. Try silicone or rubber tape or even repair epoxy and use it around the leaking joint or pipe.
The Base of the Toilet Is Leaking
A leak coming from your toilet might be one the worst types of leaks in your home. This is often due to the water being unsanitary. But if you’re noticing that your toilet seems to be leaking from the base, then it might be a quick fix that you can do on your own. It is likely that the rubber seal on the base of the toilet that needs to be replaced.
To perform this on your own, you’ll need to get a replacement ring and an adjustable wrench. Make sure that the toilet is in the correct position and unscrew the bolts to replace the wax ring. If you’re unsure if you can handle this type of job on your own, make sure to call in a Help professional for a plumbing repair.
Leaking Bath or Shower
A bath or shower can have a variety of parts causing a leak. The components of your shower or bath will need to all work together to keep the water from leaking out. To determine where your shower or bath is leaking, you’ll want to first check the seal around the overflow waste and plughole. If this seal breaks, it may be the cause of the leak.
You’ll also want to check the pipes that are connected to the water supply through the shower hose or bath tap. Because with this type of leak, you may need to go through the shower tile or remove the side panel of the bath, it might be best to have a professional called in.
If the seal on your bath has degraded it will create a problem with moisture seeping through. Make sure to seal the bath regularly to prevent this issue.
Efficiency and Conservation Methods You Can Use
Once you have fixed the leak in your plumbing system, it’s important to keep your system running efficiently to conserve water and save money on your water bill. While fixing a leak or burst pipe will do wonders for conserving water, using methods every day can help make an impact as well. Follow these suggestions to help you conserve water.
- Don’t pre-rinse dishes
- Take short showers
- Only run the washer or dishwasher when you have a full load
- Turn your water off when brushing your teeth
- Don’t overwater your garden
- Reuse your water
Making simple changes to how you use your home’s water system can make a huge impact on conserving your water.
Next Steps to Keeping Your Plumbing System Running Efficient
While quick fixes to plumbing leaks can be great as a short-term solution, the goal for your plumbing system is to keep it running efficiently year-round. A plumbing repair might help you do that. It is highly recommended to have a professional assess your system to check for any potential problems that you might not be aware of.
Oftentimes, professionals will have a drain and sewer camera that helps pinpoint any issues with your sewer lines. They can also determine if there are other leaks, corrosion, or weak pipes in your system that might pose a problem for you down the line.
If you’re ready to have your plumbing repaired or want to take the next step to keep your plumbing system working great, speak with a licensed plumber. They will have all the skills, knowledge, and tools to keep your system flowing.
The Help team is the professionals in getting your system running efficiently to help you conserve water and restore your system. We are the experts in all plumbing repairs and services. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!
Posted in: Plumbing
