Conserve Your Water

Whether your area is currently in or subject to drought conditions, everyone can institute some basic water conservation measures to not only help save water, but also to cut down on the associated costs. It is estimated that every household could easily save 100-150 gallons of water each day if the following suggestions were implemented:

1. Don’t let faucets run continuously. Letting the water run when shaving, brushing teeth or rinsing the dishes is common practice, but an open faucet can allow 5 gallons to pass in as little as 2 minutes.

2. Use water-saving showerheads and faucets. High-flow showerheads can provide a water flow of 5 or more gallons a minute. Flow restriction devices can cut flow in half or more without reducing the water pressure.

3. Water your lawn and plants early in the day. This practice will reduce the loss of water due to evaporation. Late watering also reduces evaporation. During the summer, water your plants slowly and infrequently. Consider soaker hoses or drip irrigation for garden areas to add water just where it is needed.

4. Check for drips and leaks. A dripping faucet can allow up to two gallons per hour to be wasted. Toilets are also prime suspects. To check for a leaky toilet tank, simply drop some food coloring into the tank (not the bowl) and wait 15 minutes before flushing. If colored water shows up in the bowl, you have a leak from the tank to the bowl.

5. Replace your old toilet. Old toilets are the largest water users in many homes, typically using 3 or more gallons per flush. If your home was built before 1992 and the toilet has never been replaced, then it is very likely that you do not have a water-efficient low-flush toilet. You can check the age of your toilets by looking for a date stamp inside the tank. Lift the lid and look at the back of the tank for the manufacturer’s imprint of the make, model and date of manufacture.

6. Replace old clothes washers. Next to old toilets, an old washing machine generally is the next largest water user in a home. New Energy Star™ rated washers such as the newer front-loading ones use 35-50% less water and 50% less energy per load. You’ll have an upfront cost but a modern, energy efficient unit saves money on both water and energy bills.

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Note: These tips are only general guidelines. Since each situation is different, contact a professional if you have questions about a specific issue. More home safety and maintenance information is available online at www.housemaster.com. John Bosonetto is a certified FHA/HUD inspector with additional certifications from ASHI and NIBI Please visit www.hmainspect.com for additional information about John and HouseMaster