The heat hasn't let up yet! If you haven't realized already, your water use goes way up in the summer. That means your plumbing system gets a serious workout. Sprinklers, pools, and garden hoses are all in heavy use. Here are some simple tips to keep your plumbing system in good shape. They will save you energy and money, too!
1. USE THE DISHWASHER.
You may think you're doing a good thing by keeping up with your dishes by hand washing them, but the truth is that you're using more water (and your own energy) to get the job done. Today’s dishwashers are efficient. You’ll use less water than washing them by hand. According to research (www.consumerenergycenter.org), a load of dishes cleaned in a dishwasher requires 37 percent less water than washing dishes by hand. You can also save energy by letting the dishes in your dishwasher air dry.
2. BE MINDFUL OF WHAT GOES DOWN THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL.
Avoid putting "stringy" fibrous foods like celery, cornhusks and banana peels down your garbage disposal. These types of scraps can cause clogs. Also be wary of excessively greasy foods. If you do put them in the disposal, run cold water at full pressure for 15 seconds before and after to help make sure it is flushed all the way through.
3. MORE DIRTY CLOTHES, MEAN MORE LAUNDRY.
Workout clothes, uniforms, bathing suits and towels are all in constant rotation throughout the summer. Keep an eye on your washing machine for leaks. Check the hoses for bulges or cracks. Definitely do this before you plan on taking an extended vacation. If your hose bursts, you could come home to a flooded room — or worse.
While you're at it, keep an eye on your dryer vent. Make sure you clean your lint trap regularly. Keep the vent and ducts connected to it free of lint build-up. The leading cause of dryer fires is failure to keep them clean. No one wants an emergency like that when it's so easily prevented. Plus, lint build-up makes your dryer less efficient causing it to work harder and costing you more energy usage. So keep it clean!
4. BE WARY OF SEWER BACKUPS.
Your sewer line can backup for a number of reasons, but they are more likely to cause trouble in the summer. Torrential rains can enter cracks in sewer pipes and cause backups. Tree and shrub root growth from the springtime can find their way to the sewer line too. They follow the trail of moisture vapors escaping from small cracks, holes, or poorly sealed joints seeking nutrients and moisture. If you suspect you may have an issue, it's best to call a professional. We can determine if you have potential problems and assess what the best treatment option is for proper sewer line drain clearing and cleaning.
5. CHECK FOR LEAKS.
Make sure that your home is leak-free. Check faucets, toilets, showers, and fixtures for leaks. Open up cabinets under sinks and inspect for water damage. Look around toilets for any sign of dampness or standing water. Any leak, even the smallest one, can add up to big water waste any time of year, but can be especially burdensome in the summer. A small drip can waste from 50-100 gallons of water a week and add up to wasted money spent on utility bills. Talk about throwing money down the drain!
Another leak to be aware of is a "hidden" leak. This type of leak can be detected by writing down your water meter reading before you go to bed, once you are done using water in the house. Check the water meter first thing when you wake up. If the meter has moved and you haven't used any water, then you have a leak. Contact us to sort things out.