Back to school is a time for adjusting to new routines, preparing lunches and dinners, and participating in other routine activities that require the use of water. Think of the actions you or your children will take when getting ready for school — brushing teeth, showering, making meals and more. Whether it’s just you and your child getting ready or a family of six getting ready for the day, that’s a lot of water usage coming from the water supply and it’s happening all at the same time! To improve your water usage and prevent adding stress to your plumbing, check out these three tips from the Gainesville plumbers!
Implement & Practice Good Plumbing Habits
Take the time to consider your family’s morning routine. Showers, brushing teeth, cooking and making coffee are all daily activities that can have profound effects on your home plumbing system. Talk to your family about good plumbing habits, including what can and cannot be put down the drain. For parents, remember not to dump coffee grounds down the drain when you’re preparing that much-needed cup of coffee in the morning! As a reminder, the following items cannot be flushed or poured down the drain as blockage may occur:
- Grease and oil
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
- Flour
- Hair
- Feminine hygiene products
- Cotton swabs and balls
- Paper towels and napkins
- Baby wipes
Make Water-Saving Changes
As everyone in the household showers and brushes their teeth, a lot of water is being used and all in a similar time frame! This puts a lot of stress of the plumbing system. You can save water and ease the stress on the system by turning off the water while teeth brushing. Also, consider purchasing a low-flow shower head — and don’t forget, showers are typically a better option than baths.
Another tip from our plumbers in Gainesville, FL, is to plan meals ahead of time. We’ve all been there — it’s time for dinner but the meat is still frozen. In these instances, you can thaw the meat relatively quickly by using batches of cold water. However, that creates water waste. By planning meals a few days in advance, you can avoid this last-minute headache while your meats thaw in the refrigerator.
As for water usage with dishwashers, there tend to be two schools of thought: either run the dishwasher once a day no matter the load size, or wait until the dishwasher is completely full. There are pros and cons to each situation, but if you’re looking to conserve water, wait until the dishwasher is full before running it.
Inspect The Water Heater
Make the start of the school year a time to inspect your water heater. Be on the lookout for scale or corrosion on the heating element as this negatively impacts the efficiency of the unit. While a damaged element is a cheap fix, a tankless water heater is always a great energy-efficient solution. For regular inspections and plumbing services, schedule service today!