41 Tips for Saving you Money and Water

1.

Too much pressure can be stressful, not just on yourself, but on your plumbing system too! High pressure showers not only cost more because of the extra water running down the drain, but too much force can actually wear on your fixtures!

60 - 80 psi is the recommended pressure. Anything higher may be costing you money.

2.

Leaky taps are more than an annoyance - they're costing you money! A slow but steady drip can waste almost 50 gallons of water a day.

Over the course of a year, that adds up to 18,250 gallons! And speaking of taps, the latest styles are more than attractive. Look for new models that are designed to conserve water. You can use up to a 1/3 less water, depending on the tap you choose.

3.

It's NOT hip to be funky when it comes to your water. If your water gives off a foul odour during the first few minutes of running the hot tap, it could be due to a faulty anode rod in your water heater.

If the anode rod goes, corrosion results, which can eat away at the inside of your tank. Replacing the rod will extend the life of your water heater.

4.

If you've got a running toilet, it could be leaking. Here's a quick and easy way to test it yourself. Place a few drops of food colouring, powdered drink mix, or instant coffee in the TANK, not the bowl. Leave it undisturbed for 20 minutes. When you come back, check out the BOWL. It there's any discoloration, you've got a confirmed leak.

5.

If you're dealing with clogged drains over and over, rodding may no longer be the best solution. You may need high velocity water jetting to clear out all the clogs.

At 4000 psi, this process literally blasts away years of accumulated scale, debris, hair, and grease build-up on the inside walls of the pipes, clearing them of blockages and avoiding pipe replacement.

6.

Cold weather alone is not the cause of frozen pipes. We've found that it's often the draft blowing across the pipes that causes the problem.

There are many possible solutions to eliminate this potential hazard, including wrapping the pipes in heat tape or insulation.

7.

If your shower head leaks only when you turn it on, you may think it's no big deal. However, it might be leaking behind the wall, causing structural damage. Don't turn a blind eye to a leak. Major headaches often start with minor inconveniences.

8.

If you notice water at the base of your toilet, it may be leaking. If the leak is coming from under the base, it will eventually rot your floor and possibly your sub-floor as well. Nip it in the bud before the damage gets out of hand.

9.

Do you hear an annoying clanging sound in your pipes when you turn off the tap? That irritating bang is called a "Water Hammer," and it damages your plumbing system.

Ever seen the damage caused by an earthquake? Just think of it as a mini-earthquake in your pipes and call a plumbing paramedic. This is one hammer you want to nail down as soon as possible!

10.

If you're one of the many homeowners with a food disposal, avoid putting pasta, rice, carrots, potatoes, and any other water-absorbing items down the sink as they could expand when wet and cause a clog.

Also, every few months, grind a tray of ice to keep your blades sharpened. Follow that up with a 1/4 cup of cooking oil to lubricate the blade assembly. That should keep your food disposal grinding instead of grinding to a halt.

11.

When it comes to laundry, there are far worse concerns than ring around the collar. Did you know that washing machine hose failures cause an estimated £50 MILLION in damages to U.K. homes each year?

Prevent this unnatural disaster by having your hoses inspected regularly. Consider installing stainless steel braided hoses instead of rubber for added safety and protection.

12.

April showers bring May flowers, and flooding too! Protect your home from serious water damage by installing a flood alarm. It's inexpensive and not only saves you money, it saves you heartache as well.

Also consider a sump pump with battery back-up, since severe storms can knock out the power-and traditional sump pumps along with it!

13.

If you think you have tree roots or other obstructions invading your sewer line, get the low-down on these unwelcome visitors with a video camera inspection. It takes all the guesswork out of making a diagnosis and shows you the extent of the problem, if any. Utilizing the latest technology saves you time and money.

14.

Snaps, crackles, and pops may be great for breakfast cereal, but they're sounds you don't want to hear when it comes to your water heater.

These noises are associated with either the enamel liner breaking or sediment deposits building up on the bottom of the tank. Not only can a new energy-efficient water heater save you money, you'll also prevent possible flooding!

15.

To cut costs, only run your washing machine and dishwasher when they're completely full. This one action alone can save you hundreds of gallons of water each month and cut down on your energy bill-saving you money while preserving the environment.

16.

Do you let the water run while you brush your teeth? Believe it or not, you'll save up to 4 gallons a minute just by turning it off until you're ready to rinse. For a family of four, this adds up to 200 gallons a week!

17.

Want to know if your home is truly leak-free? Simply avoid using water for 2 hours, and read your water meter before and after to see if it's registered any usage. Voila! If your meter shows an increase, it's likely that you've got hidden leaks. Call a professional plumber for expert leak detection services.

18.

Everyone likes a sparkling set of wheels. When washing your car, use a bucket of soapy water and then rinse with a hose and nozzle. By turning the water off until you're ready to rinse, you could save as much as 100 gallons.

19.

Do you drain your hot water heater tank every year? This practice removes any sediment that may have built up inside, making it operate more efficiently and extending the life of the equipment. Be very careful-the water may be EXTREMELY HOT, and you may want to call a plumbing professional for safety reasons.

20.

Some like it hot. but not too hot when it comes to your water heater! By lowering the temperature on your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees, you can still enjoy plenty of hot water while lowering your energy costs and saving you money. That's a hot tip that's really cool.

21.

They say that cleanliness is next to Godliness. If you've got a furnace, clean or replace the filters once a month to keep it working at top efficiency.

Also clean your air registers, baseboard heaters, and radiators as needed, and make sure they're not blocked by furniture, carpeting, or curtains. I can't guarantee holiness, but you will save money on your heating bills.

22.

Do you have gas? If you've got a gas furnace or stove, consider a gas hot water heater as well. You'll save money extending the gas line to your water heater, as natural gas and propane water heaters are about 3 times less expensive to operate than their electric counterparts. This is one time when having gas can actually bring you a lot of relief.7

23.

When was the last time you had your water heater professionally inspected? It should be checked out by a Gas Safe Engineer a minimum of once a year. Not only will this keep it in top working order, but your unit should also be checked for possible carbon monoxide leaks.

Carbon monoxide is serious business. It's colourless, odourless, and potentially deadly. Don't take chances with your family' safety. It's more than a money-saving tip, it could be a life-saving tip as well.

24.

Chemicals belong in a laboratory-not down your drain! Chemical cleaners have a triple whammy of disadvantages-they're dangerous to use, harmful to your pipes, and polluting to the environment. A kinder, gentler, yet effective solution to clearing drains is the use of a biologically active drain cleaner.

What does that mean? All-natural, good bacteria and enzymes literally eat away the clogs in your system without damaging the pipes. Sounds gross? Well, unlike harsh chemicals, bio-cleaning products are safe for children, pets, and the planet. So go green and be clean-call us to get hooked up with product.

25.

Yo yo-- this is Plumb Master Snazzy Steve. I might not look like it, but I'm a wrapper. I'm all about hitting the pipe-with insulation that is. See, heat can easily escape from bare hot water pipes, so the water sitting in unwrapped pipes cools down between uses. And wrapping cold water lines prevents the dripping and sweating that comes from condensation.

So if you want to save money and increase comfort in your crib, you should give wrapping a try. Peace out.

26.

Heard of my new favourite boy band? It's called 20 Degrees. That's the temperature you should set your thermostat to all winter long. Why? Because your heating costs will increase by 3% for every degree above that. So if you're set at 22, you'll be hit with a 12% higher energy bill. To avoid singing the blues, the magic number is 20.

27.

Preparing for your next great escape? Well be sure to add this item to your holiday check-list: Turn off your water heater! Why? You can buy a lot of souvenirs for the same cost of heating water that no one will be using while you're gone. See you at the Gift Shop!

28.

Peanut butter and jam. Bagels and Cream Cheese. Peaches and cream. These are all great combinations. But here's a combination that goes beyond awful-in fact, it's downright dangerous! Never pair chemical drain cleaners and plungers!

If there's any drain cleaner caught between the clog and the opening and the plunger's action draws it upward, you risk serious burns to your hands, face, and any exposed skin. Remember, you can't put a price on your family's safety, and this is a twosome you want to avoid at all costs.

29.

Even though they look nothing alike, many homeowners confuse the toilet for a rubbish bin. What's the difference? For one thing, every toilet flush uses between 2 and four gallons of water. If you want to save water and money, use each hole for its intended purpose.

30.

Does size really matter? When you're talking toilets it does! If your house was built before 1992 and your plumbing has never been updated, chances are you don't have a water-efficient 1.6 gallon per flush toilet.

Older toilets literally waste water with every flush, sending your hard earned cash down the drain. Today's toilets combine power with efficiency, giving you the flushing force you need while conserving water.

If you've still got a prehistoric toilet in your home, consider replacing it with a smarter option that saves resources and money.

31.

Use a bowl to wash up rather than running a tap and save £30 a year in energy bills.

32.

Only fill a kettle with the amount of water you need and save £7 a year.

33.

If you have a mains fed shower, fit an energy saving shower head, it could save a family of 4 £67 a year on gas and water, as well as an extra £100 on a meter

34.

Spending 1 minute less in the shower each day could save £10 of your energy bills each year.

35.

More than half the money spent on fuel bills goes towards providing heating and hot water. Having a room thermostat, programmer and thermostatic radiator valves installed could save you between £80-£165 a year.

36.

Corrosion deposits in an older central heating system can cause a substantial reduction in the effectiveness of radiators, and the system as a whole.

The build-up of scale in heating circuits and on boiler components can cause a reduction in efficiency too. Using an effective chemical inhibitor can prevent this.

37.

Power flushing your system first gives it a fresh start and an as nearly new circuit for higher efficiency.

38.

You can upgrade or install heating controls or TRV's without changing your boiler, especially think about this if your controls are over 12 years old.

39.

If you have an old hot water cylinder you could save £25-£35 a year by topping up the insulation.

40.

Fill up empty bottles while your tap is running to temperature, then use for plants.

41.

Fish tank water is an excellent feed for plants.