5 Ways to Save Money on Your Plumbing Bill

Regular plumbing maintenance should be on the list of significant things every homeowner has to prioritize. Your plumbing system is one important part of your home that needs regular care and inspection so your daily household activities go smoothly. However, having problems such as leaks and/or clogged drains is unavoidable and always expected in homeownership.

Yes, dealing with plumbing issues is downright annoying and troublesome. It can cost us our time and, most importantly, can result in a serious financial burden especially when the damage has turned into a major catastrophe or beyond repair.

Importance of Plumbing Maintenance

One key to effective plumbing maintenance is to be mindful of the condition of your toilet, sink, tub, shower, pipes, water heater, sewer line, and other parts of your plumbing system. If you have spotted some issues or red flags (i.e. reduced water pressure, moldy spots, water stains, slow drain, the foul stench from the drain), you have to take action immediately and as much as possible call a plumber to have your plumbing inspected. Otherwise, you will have to hire plumbing professionals and spend on major repairs that will surely cause you an arm and a leg.

Plumbing Bills and Smart Ways to Deal with Them

Frugal homeowners handle their finances rationally and carefully. They practice proper ways to use and take care of household items particularly those that entail the consumption of water and energy sources. As much as possible, they find ways to save money and lower bills, including plumbing bills. You can take a look at the following tips on how you avoid unnecessary plumbing expenses:

• Properly turn off faucets.

Dripping faucets are among the reasons for water wastage inside your home. Besides the annoying noise made by the constant dripping, you will also suffer from paying for unexplained increases in your water bills. Neglecting this problem is like spewing money down the drain. Every time you turn off your taps, make sure you do it all the way. However, if the leaking continues, then it’s time you repair or replace your faucets.

• Use low-flow toilets and showerheads.

If you want to budget, then it is best that you replace your ordinary toilets and showerheads with those low-flow models, which allow for reduced daily water consumption. Low-flow toilets, for example, will let you save 15-20 percent of water usage per flush. In addition, to further lessen your water bills, you can set a time restriction in the duration of using the shower at home.

• Fix leaks including the hidden ones.

Leaks are the most common plumbing issue inside a household. While some leaks can be easily detected, other leaks are hard to locate simply because they are buried or hidden somewhere underground or behind walls. To test if you have hidden leaks, you need to turn off your faucets and other equipment and then watch your water meter if it continues to run. If so, then you have hidden leaks. It takes expertise to locate hidden leaks; therefore, you must hire a plumbing professional to find and fix the problem.

• Clean drains.

Our negligence is often the cause why we damage our drains. Food debris, hair, cooking grease, and other objects we allow to go down the drain causes clogs or obstructions. This will lead to buildups which will then eventually break your pipes. Major pipe repairs may inflict a big dent in your savings. A simple solution to unclogging your drains without damaging your pipes is the baking soda-vinegar mixture. Simply pour a cup of vinegar and a cup of baking soda into your drains regularly, like once a month, to remove the buildups. Moreover, make sure you install strainers over the drains of your bathtub, sink, and shower so that any debris, items, and residue won’t reach your pipes.

• Look after your toilet.

Another plumbing fixture you need to always pay attention to is the toilet. Always be alert when it comes to toilet issues such as leaks or gurgling sounds. To test if your toilet is leaking, pour food coloring into the toilet tank and, after several minutes, see if the water in your toilet bowl is tainted with color. If so, you have a leaky toilet. Your toilet making some gurgling sounds indicates that you may have problems with your main drain.

As long as you observe these five ways to take care of your plumbing system, you will definitely save a great deal of money on your utility bills. It is just a matter of discipline and patience on your part so that your plumbing fixtures remain in good condition while keeping your finances healthy.