Spring is a time to renew our commitment to our quest to save money for the year and look at our home as an investment. Below are 15 money saving plumbing tips that will help you throughout the year if you start early this spring!
- Ensure toilets flush properly. If you must hold handle down for a complete flush or jiggle to stop the water from running, you may need to replace the worn tank parts. Contact Mike Wilson Plumbing today, you will notice a lower water bill in the long run.
- If you have a water heater more than 15 years old, consider replacing it this year. The first four numbers of the serial number represent the month and year it was made. Newer water heaters are more energy efficient and will save you money.
- Check toilets for hidden leaks throughout your house. Add six drops of food color to the toilet tank. If the toilet does have leak, color will appear in the bowl within 30 minutes.
- Pour a gallon of water into infrequently used drains including floor drains. This will fill traps and prevent odors from entering the house. Slow floor drains should be snaked by a professional like Mike Wilson Plumbing, to ensure they will carry away water quickly in an event of a flood.
- Check exposed pipes under sinks and in basements for signs of existing leaks.
- If you have a sump pump, make sure its properly working. Pour a few buckets of water into the sump pit. It should quickly turn on, discharging the water then shut off without any problems.
- Install a backflow valve in the floor drain if you live somewhere the sewers sometimes back up into homes. The device will help prevent future backups in the sewers.
- Ensure that all of your drains have strainers to prevent any debris from clogging the drain lines.
- Inspect the toilet tanks and bowls for cracks and leaks new and existing.
- Check the temperature setting on your water heater. It should be set no higher than 120F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use, ultimately reducing your bills.
- Make sure your yard drains, gutters, and downspouts are cleaned out, open and free of all debris.
- Exercise water supply valves under toilets and sinks to prevent them from sticking.
- Check all faucets in your home for drips and leaks to make repairs in advance to save water and decrease your water bills.
- Carefully drain several gallons from the water heater tank to flush out any corrosion causing existing sediment, which will reduce heating efficiency and shortens the life of the water heater.
- Check faucets and hose bibs to make sure water is flowing freely. If any outdoor faucet drips or you find a leak inside your home the first time you turn on the hose, you may have had a frozen pipe that cracked and needs to be replaced by a professional.
Do these Plumbing Tips help you? Still Need A Plumber?
Contact Mike Wilson Plumbing at 641-6570 or visit www.mikewilsonplumbing.com/contact to contact an estimate.