Water conservation is a big issue, with many homes across Australia using more water than they need. It’s estimated that over 10% of household water use could be saved by making simple changes around the home. Here are some steps you can take to improve your household water efficiency:
Check for leaks.
The best way to check for leaks is to use a leak-detecting device. You can find these at hardware stores and home improvement stores. The device should have a small light that flashes green when it detects a leak, or an audible sound that sounds like a basic doorbell or alarm clock (you don’t want to get too fancy with these things).
To start, test your water meter at the beginning of the month and again at the end of the month. If there are no changes in how much water you’re using, then it’s likely there aren’t any leaks in your system. However, if you’ve used more water than usual during those 30 days—say around 20% more than what’s normal—then this might be indicative of an undetected leak somewhere in your house.
There are also many other ways besides testing with a special tool to find out if you have any leaks: checking faucets for drips; looking under sinks; inspecting toilet tanks; checking outside plumbing fixtures like hoses or sprinklers; looking inside walls around pipes (make sure not
to touch anything wet); checking roof flashing and gutters for cracks or missing shingle sections where moisture can seep into them from above; etc.)
Install blocked drains and Moonee ponds
Blocked drains and Moonee ponds are a great way to improve water efficiency in your house. A blocked drain is a simple contraption that stops water from flowing down the drain and instead allows it to pool at the bottom of the sink or bathtub. This prevents household waste from entering our sewer systems, which can lead to clogged pipes and other issues. You can make a blocked drain using items you may already have in your home or buy for less than $5 at any hardware store:
- A bucket or other container that fits nicely over your drain
- A thick towel (you’ll want one big enough to cover most of the opening), or plastic wrap if you don’t have any towels handy
- Rubber bands
Renovate your kitchen
A kitchen renovation can be a great way to reduce water usage. You can check your sink, taps and dishwasher for leaks. Also, look at your appliances and showerheads. If they’re dripping that’s wasting water.
If you’re not equipped with the skills to do renovations yourself – or if you simply want to make sure everything is done right – it’s worth contacting a kitchen renovation contractor in your area who can help out with any major repairs or replacements.
Check vacuum excavation
If you’re lucky, the leak is not in the pipes themselves but on their surface. This is usually the result of a crack or breaks in the concrete or asphalt around your pipes, which allows water to seep through and into whatever space lies below it. The cause could be anything from the ground shifting to tree roots up above.
According to Subsurface Utility Solutions which provides vacuum excavation in Sydney, if you find evidence of vacuum excavation, call a professional plumber right away to repair it. Otherwise, your home will continue to lose valuable water through this type of leak until it’s repaired properly—and that means more money out of your wallet.
Regularly check for leaks throughout your house and yard by running water through all faucets and drains overnight while no one is home; if any drop occurs during this time (which may be subtle), then there’s likely an undetected leak somewhere within that system—and if left unchecked long enough can lead all other areas where there are no leaks yet (such as underground) eventually begin leaking themselves over time as well due being exposed continuously without being able (or knowing) how much pressure there really needs to.
check if smoke alarms work well with the water system
Before you hire a plumber, make sure the smoke alarm system is working well with the water system. This will ensure that your house is safe when an emergency happens. You can also check if there are any problems in your home that need to be repaired and replaced.
In case of fire or other emergencies, it is important to have a smoke alarm system installation at strategic locations throughout your house so that everyone can escape safely from danger. The key components of a good system include:
- A sensor – detects smoke particles in the air and sounds an alarm when any amount reaches it
- An interconnecting wire which connects all sensors together
Conclusion
The overall objective of these water-saving tips is to reduce water wastage in your house. By following the steps above, you will be able to save a lot of money on your energy bills and help our planet stay green.
