Things You'll Need:
- A flashlight
- A brick or other heavy object
- A plastic bag for the brick or other object.
- Low volume faucet aerator (sold at most hardware stores)
- New water saving showerhead
- Tools for installing new showerhead
-
Step 1
Inspect Your Home
First you want to do an inspection of the plumbing in your home. Check all faucets in the kitchen, bathrooms, utility rooms and outdoors for leaks and/or drips. You may need to replace an old fixture or just replace a washer. Either way, eliminating a drip will cut back on your water usage each month. -
Step 2
Modify Your Commode
This is a simple thing to do and won't cost you an arm or leg. Just find a regular size brick and a plastic bag to slip it in to and place in the holding tank of your commode away from your flush mechanisms. The brick takes up space and therefore your commode will need less water to fill up. Any device that has some weight to it will serve this purpose. The plastic bag will keep it protected and guarantee that no particles will get into your plumbing system. Making this alteration can save the average family 10 gallons of water per day. -
Step 3
Install a Low Volume Aerator on Faucets
You may be asking what an aerator is? That is the screw on piece located at the end of your faucets. They make a low volume aerator that will add more air to your water. The low volume aerators can cut water usage in half and result if a nice difference in your water consumption and monthly bill! -
Step 4
Install Water Saving Shower heads
There are many new water saving shower heads on the market today. Do some research and find one that will suit your needs. Replace your current shower head with a new water saving shower head. This can also save you several gallons of water each day.
Comments
TheGreenPlumber said
on 11/7/2008 NEVER, ever put a brick inside your toilet tank WITHOUT the plastic bag
.
The brick pieces can flake off, and if the piece gets flushed, it could get stuck in one of the flush rim holes. This can greatly reduce that hole's effectiveness at rinsing the solids from the bowl wall, and/or flush strength...
To see the holes, you simply need a compact mirror and a flash light. Lift the lid and seat, and hold the mirror to see the top edge of the bowl wall, where the water comes out when the toilet is flushed. The flash light can help you inspect these holes. Sometimes if a toilet is flushing poorly, i will check these first to see if they are plugged up. If they are plugged up with white buildup, i remove with a very small piece of coat hanger by twisting back and forth, gently. If the debris is too large, you cannot easily remove it....
TheGreenPlumber said
on 11/7/2008 NEVER, ever put a brick inside your toilet tank.
The brick pieces can flake off, and if the piece gets flushed, it could get stuck in one of the flush rim holes. This can greatly reduce that hole's effectiveness at rinsing the solids from the bowl wall, and/or flush strength...
To see the holes, you simply need a compact mirror and a flash light. Lift the lid and seat, and hold the mirror to see the top edge of the bowl wall, where the water comes out when the toilet is flushed. The flash light can help you inspect these holes. Sometimes if a toilet is flushing poorly, i will check these first to see if they are plugged up. If they are plugged up with white buildup, i remove with a very small piece of coat hanger by twisting back and forth, gently. If the debris is too large, you cannot easily remove it....
Feather said
on 8/12/2008 Thanks, Mike. I've never seen those adjustable flappers. Will have to go looking now!
mpodlesny said
on 8/12/2008 The brick is a neat trick. However did you know that they sell adjustable flappers now for like $2.00. A simple turn of the dial and you can regulate how much water your tank will flush at a given time.
jackfrost87 said
on 8/8/2008 Very good information. Love the brick idea too.