Written by Plumbers of Perth
on 3 April 2023
Plumbing is something that no one wants to spend their hard-earned money on, but problems will inevitably crop up from time to time. The good news is that there are ways to cut costs when it comes to your plumbing, which we know that any homeowner will appreciate following. To help you save some money on plumbing, we’re going to share some of our top tips to reduce your spending in this area.
Make Sure Your Plumbing Is Properly Installed to Begin With
When it comes to replacing your current plumbing system, you need to make sure it’s installed properly in the first place. This will save you a lot of money in the long run, but it’s one of the things that we often see homeowners overlook. While it can be tempting to find the cheapest plumber on the market, this really isn’t the best technique. When you have it installed properly in the first place, your plumbing will have a much lower cost over the next few years. Make sure you work with a plumber that has good reviews and knows exactly what permits could be required for your work. This is especially important if you are investing in a large plumbing job, as this could be one of the most costly mistakes you have ever made.
Choose More Affordable Fixtures
While it can be so tempting to splash out on the fanciest plumbing fixtures, this isn’t always necessary. The amount you spend on your pipes and installation is a huge percentage of any plumbing project’s costs. Luckily, there are many more affordable solutions on the market today, which can save you a fortune in the long run on plumbing. We recommend taking the time to shop around and find the most affordable plumbing fixtures. There are some great online stores as well now, which will help to keep the costs down. Of course, make sure you don’t cut back on the quality too much, but in general, you don’t need the most costly fixtures in order to enjoy reliable plumbing for years to come.
Turn Off a Dripping Faucet
One of the simplest ways to save money on your plumbing is to make sure your faucets aren’t dripping. You might think that barely any water would be wasted in this way, but in fact, you can lose up to 15 gallons a day with a constantly dripping faucet. This helps to save money on your water bills and protects the environment. Make sure you check all of the taps in your home on a regular basis and immediately switch off any that are dripping. If you do notice that a tap continues to leak, then there may be something more seriously wrong. In that case, it’s time to call a plumber who can suggest if you need to repair or replace a part to make it useable in the future.
Switch to Low-Flow Shower Heads
Another area where you can make a simple switch with your plumbing is to move over to using a low-flow showerhead. This will reduce the amount of money you spend on water on a daily basis, and they are easily found in any hardware store today. To keep your bills down even further, think about the length of the shower that you have each day. Consider using a timer to alert you when it’s time to get out of the shower so that you don’t overspend on your water bills.
Search for Hidden Leaks
Some water leaks are extremely obvious, but others are hidden and may require you to do a little more investigating to find the source of the problem. To check if you have any hidden leaks in your home, start by turning off every tap and appliance and then checking your water meter. If you see that it’s still running, then there is clearly a leak somewhere in your home. From that point, you’ll need to work with a plumber who will have the tools and experience to identify the leak and resolve the issue.
Keep Your Drains in Good Condition
A lot of homeowners forget to look after their drains, which costs them a fortune in the long run when more issues appear. You’ll find that the drains become clogged more often when you don’t regularly maintain and clean them. The best way to keep them in top condition is to pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar into them each month. We don’t recommend using drain cleaner too often, as they often contain very harsh chemicals. This can cause damage to your pipes and also to the environment, which is something no one wants to do. To help avoid a build-up of hair in the first place, make sure you add a strainer to your sink or shower, which will stop hair and soap from going into the pipes.
Keep in mind that you should never put cooking grease or other heavy oils down your drains. Once the oil becomes solid, it will stick to the inside of the pipe and then build up over time. This results in a clogged drain, which will need further attention from a plumber. If you need to pour away your grease, let it solidify in a pan and then dispose of it in that state.
Investigate Gurgling Sounds From Your Toilet
The toilet is one of the parts of your plumbing system that uses the most water. This is where you need to focus your time and energy if you are really looking to save money. As soon as you hear any type of gurgling or unusual sound coming from the toilet, make sure you work with a plumber to resolve the issue. This can help to save you a fortune in the long run and avoid further issues with your plumbing.
As you can see, there are many ways to save money on your plumbing. By following the tips we’ve shared above, you can ensure you don’t waste unnecessary money on your home, which could be spent on far more exciting and important areas of your life.