As you begin to look for small DIY projects and upgrades around your home to save money and increase efficiency, be sure to consider your plumbing system. Not only will these repairs and upgrades save you money, but it will also help you to preserve a precious natural resource. And knowing that your home is leak-free will provide you with peace of mind that you will not face any surprise repair expenses from water damage.

Replace Old Faucets And Shower Heads

Most of us turn on kitchen and bathroom faucets without ever really looking at the fixtures that we are using. And as long as the water flows when you want it and then turns off quickly, you don’t think about making an upgrade. But there is undoubtedly a benefit to installing new faucets as many of the latest eco-friendly models use much less water than older models. The most efficient options will reduce water consumption by a full 30%. And that is in the case of an old faucet that had no leaks or drips. So if you had even a tiny drip from an older faucet, you would see significant savings in the amount of water that you are using. And that also means savings on your water bill each month.

Take A Look At Your Outdoor Water Meter

If you have an outside water meter located in a small meter box in your yard, be sure to pop open the lid from time to time to inspect for water leaks. A small leak at the meter or any of the pipe fittings could be unnoticed for months or even years if you do not regularly check for leaks. And while you have the box open, you can also verify that there are no leaks anywhere in your home.

To do this, turn off all of the faucets, showers, and appliances in your home that use water. Then look at your water meter. The meter should be completely still if no water is flowing inside your home. In the case of a digital meter, the numbers should not increase. Older meters have a triangular dial that will spin when water is flowing. Make sure that the dial is stationary for a few minutes to be sure that you have no leaks in your home. If you think there is a leak call (301) 278-8786 to schedule an appointment with A Better Plumber licensed plumber to inspect your home for leaks.

Check Your Basement Regularly

In some areas of the country, it can be challenging to check your meter box regularly due to the weather. But you can do a visual inspection of your basement or crawl space every month. Look for puddles on the flood, signs of water discoloration on walls and floors, and condensation along pipes. All of these can be indications of a small leak.

In addition to wasting water and money, these drips can provide a moist environment that mildew and mold need to flourish. If you discover the greyish powdery substance known as mildew, this is a sign of a leak. Mildew is a fungus that produces spores that often cause an allergic reaction, much like hayfever. Mold can be anything from a black color to bright red or green and can also cause very serious breathing issues.

If you discover any of these issues in your basement, it is critical that you call (301) 278-8786 to schedule a leak detection appointment. The sooner you find and correct any leak, the more cost-effective the repair. And a fast fix will also limit the potential for water damage, which often requires costly repairs.

Check Out Your Water Heater

Tiny leaks at your water heater can easily be repaired by the licensed plumbers at A Better Plumber. But if left unrepaired, there is a good chance that the water will cause corrosion or rust on the tank. Once the tank is compromised, the only solution is a replacement.

Checking for these small leaks is the best way to avoid costly water damage repair or replacement of a fixture or appliance that was completely avoidable. Investing a small amount of time can save you a great deal of money.