Smart Ways to Save Water This Summer

Summer in Minnesota is a time for lush lawns, refreshing dips in the pool, and enjoying the great outdoors. But with all that summer fun often comes a noticeable increase in your water bill. From keeping your garden vibrant to filling up the kiddie pool, our water usage tends to climb.

The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice your summer enjoyment to save money and conserve water. By implementing a few simple, smart habits and making minor adjustments around your home, you can significantly reduce your water consumption and keep more cash in your pocket. Let’s dive into some practical water-saving tips for a more efficient summer!

Outdoors: Where Most Summer Water Goes

A significant portion of summer water use happens outside your home. Here’s how to make a big impact:

• Water Wisely, Not Wildly:
  • Time it Right: Water your lawn and garden early in the morning or late in the evening. This minimizes evaporation from the sun and wind, ensuring more water reaches your plants’ roots.
  • Deep and Infrequent: Instead of daily shallow watering, water deeply but less often. This encourages deeper root growth, making your plants more drought-resistant.
  • Targeted Hydration: Consider using drip irrigation systems or soaker hoses for gardens and flower beds. These deliver water directly to the roots, dramatically reducing waste.
  • Mulch is Your Friend: Apply a layer of mulch around plants and trees. Mulch helps retain soil moisture, reduces evaporation, and suppresses weeds, meaning you’ll need to water less.
  • Smart Sprinklers: If you have an automatic sprinkler system, install a rain sensor. This device will automatically turn off your sprinklers when it’s raining, preventing unnecessary watering.
• Take Care of Your Pool:
  • Cover Your Pool: When not in use, cover your swimming pool. This simple step can reduce evaporation by up to 90%, saving thousands of gallons of water (and chemicals!).
  • Check for Leaks: Keep an eye out for leaks in your pool or its filtration system. Even small drips can add up to significant water loss over time.

Indoors: Small Changes, Big Savings

Even with outdoor activities, indoor water use still accounts for a large part of your bill. Here’s how to be more efficient inside:

• Fix Those Pesky Leaks:
  • Drips Add Up: A single dripping faucet can waste hundreds of gallons of water per year. A running toilet can waste thousands! These aren’t just annoying; they’re costly.
  • Toilet Leak Test: Add a few drops of food coloring to your toilet tank. If, without flushing, the color appears in the bowl within 10–15 minutes, you have a leak that needs fixing.
  • Don’t Delay Repairs: Address any leaks immediately. Our master plumbers at Robillard Plumbing can quickly diagnose and repair leaks, saving you water and preventing potential water damage.
• Use Appliances Carefully:
  • Dishwasher & Washing Machine: Only run your dishwasher and washing machine when they are full. Modern appliances are designed to be most efficient with a full load.
  • Choose Wisely: Opt for energy-efficient models when replacing old appliances. They often use significantly less water and electricity.
• Shower Smarter, Not Longer:
  • Shorter Showers: Aim for shorter showers. Even cutting a minute or two can save gallons.
  • Low-Flow Fixtures: Consider installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. These devices restrict water flow without sacrificing pressure, giving you the same experience with less water.
• Turn Off the Tap:
  • It sounds simple, but it’s often overlooked: Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth, shaving, or scrubbing dishes. Don’t let water run unnecessarily.

Your Plumbing Health Matters

Beyond daily habits, ensuring your home’s plumbing system is in top shape can also contribute to water savings:

• Regular Check-ups: Scheduling periodic plumbing inspections can help identify hidden leaks or inefficiencies before they become major problems.
• Water Softeners: If you live in an area with hard water (like many parts of Minnesota!), a water softener can indirectly save water by making your appliances more efficient and reducing the need for excessive soap and detergent.

Enjoy a Water-Wise Summer!

By adopting these water-saving habits, you’ll not only contribute to environmental conservation but also enjoy noticeable savings on your utility bills. Every drop counts, and even small changes can make a big difference for your home and your wallet. Concerned about a leak, or want to explore water-saving upgrades for your home? Robillard Plumbing is here to help! Contact us today to schedule service.

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Winter Plumbing Maintenance Checklist

Regular maintenance keeps your plumbing system, and by extension, your home, healthy and functional. Plumbing maintenance is especially important during the winter, when cold temperatures can lead to burst pipes and water damage. But by following this simple checklist, you can protect your plumbing from winter’s harsh conditions.

Insulate Exposed Pipes

Freezing temperatures can cause the water inside pipes to freeze and expand. This, in turn, can cause pipes to burst, threatening your home and belongings with water damage. Exposed pipes are especially vulnerable to the cold. You can protect your pipes by wrapping them with pipe sleeves or foam insulation. You can also protect your plumbing by opening cabinet doors beneath the kitchen and bathroom sinks. This allows warm air to reach these pipes. Insulating your pipes from the cold is especially important if you’re going to be away from home for an extended period of time. When you’re not actively using your plumbing, the water in your pipes is not flowing, making it more prone to freezing.

Check for Leaks

Leaks can occur throughout your plumbing system due to ruptured pipes and general wear and tear. Some leaks are obvious, like a dripping faucet, but others are more hidden. Signs of a leak include discoloration on your walls or ceiling, peeling paint, and wet spots in your drywall. You may even see water dripping from A/C vents or hear it dripping behind walls. Finding and repairing these leaks promptly is crucial for protecting your home from devastating water damage and preventing your water bill from rising significantly. If you need help locating or patching a leak, we are happy to assist you.

Seal Gaps and Cracks

Small gaps are common around pipes, phone lines, and cable lines where they enter the home or pass through walls and floors. You may also find cracks in unfinished areas of your home, such as the basement or garage. These gaps and cracks can allow cold air into your home, lowering your home’s energy efficiency and leaving your pipes vulnerable to freezing. Fortunately, it’s easy to seal these gaps. Just pick up some spray foam, caulk, or weather stripping and carefully fill any pesky openings.

Rely on Robillard Plumbing

Protecting your pipes from cold temperatures and addressing possible issues immediately will go a long way toward keeping your home safe this winter. If you need help with winter plumbing maintenance or have any questions, feel free to contact the experts at Robillard Plumbing. We are happy to help!

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