When the Wisconsin summer heat sets in, we tend to use a lot of extra water to stay cool and hydrated. From maintaining a lush lawn to filling your swimming pool, water use and utility bills can skyrocket in the warmer months.
A few strategic plumbing upgrades and mindful habits can keep your home running efficiently. We’ve put together some practical summer plumbing tips to help you cut costs and save water both outdoors and indoors.
Check Outdoor Faucets & Hoses for Leaks
Wisconsin winters can be tough on plumbing, especially outdoor spigots and hose bibs. Issues like cracked pipes or loose fittings can be difficult to spot and waste gallons of water daily.
Take some time to inspect your outdoor faucets and hose connections carefully. If there’s water spraying out or the water pressure seems weak, you may have a leak that needs repair or replacement.
Install a Rain Barrel
Rain barrels are an eco-friendly way to collect and reuse rainwater. Rain barrels reduce your dependence on municipal water for landscaping and outdoor use and provide naturally soft and chemical-free water that plants love.
A single Wisconsin summer storm can fill up a 55-gallon barrel in no time, which is perfect for watering your garden or washing your car. For maximum use, position your barrel under a downspout and add a screen to keep debris and mosquitoes out.
Water Your Lawn & Plants Wisely
Your lawn doesn’t need to be watered daily—especially in Wisconsin. Cooler nights can keep soil moist longer, and light summer rains help supplement the need for extra watering.
To minimize waste and unnecessary watering, water early in the morning to minimize evaporation. You can also track and adjust your watering schedules based on temperatures and weather forecasts.
Smart and water-saving sprinkler systems are also a great option, as these can adapt based on your needs and focus watering on specific areas, like your garden.
Upgrade to Water-Saving Indoor Plumbing Fixtures
For many of us, summer means that kids are home from school, more people come to visit, and we’re taking advantage of the longer daylight hours. That means your showers, dishwashers, and toilets see more daily use and your water consumption goes up.
Water-saving plumbing fixtures can help keep water bills in check, even with increased usage. Consider these indoor upgrades for your Fox Cities home that conserve water and reduce energy use.
- Low-flow showerheads use up to 50% less water without sacrificing water pressure
- Dual-flush toilets offer full or half-flush options that minimize water waste
- Updated high-efficiency toilets can use less than 1.5 gallons of water per flush compared to 3-5 gallons for older toilets
- Water-efficient faucets and aerators can reduce flow rates
- Energy Star dishwashers and washing machines are designed to use less water and energy per cycle
If you’re interested in any of these upgrades, come visit our plumbing showroom in Menasha. You can see the latest plumbing fixtures from top plumbing brands like Kohler and Delta, and work with our experienced plumbing and remodeling team.
Use a Swimming Pool Cover
If you have a pool in the Fox Cities, you know it can have a huge impact on your water bill and overall water consumption. One of the main ways to keep things in check is to use a pool cover when not in use.
In addition to keeping debris and critters out of your pool, the pool cover also helps prevent water evaporation. As a result, you’ll need to use less water over the course of the summer to continuously fill your pool.
Similarly, you can use covers or tarps to cover up hot tubs and kiddie pools to prevent frequent refills.
Schedule a Summer Plumbing Inspection
A professional plumbing inspection can uncover hidden leaks, inefficient appliances, or outdated components that are costing you money. At Watters, our seasonal maintenance inspections check both outdoor and indoor systems to make sure your Oshkosh or Appleton-area home is in good shape.
Join the Watters Premier Club, our exclusive plumbing membership program for homeowners in Northeast Wisconsin, for an annual plumbing inspection at no additional cost.
Contact the Appleton, Oshkosh, and Fox Cities Plumbing Experts
Our team of plumbing experts are here for you all summer long. We offer plumbing services throughout Northeast Wisconsin, including Oshkosh, Appleton, Neenah, Menasha, Winneconne, Kaukauna, and more.
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