13 Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Plumbing
We’re all looking for ways to make our money stretch a little further these days — and that goes for home maintenance and bills as much as anything else. The good news is, there’s actually a lot you can do to save money on your plumbing, and we’ve made a comprehensive list based on our decades of plumbing experience. From small shifts that will help lower your water bill to preventative maintenance that will help keep you from having to pay for a call-out, there’s so much room for reducing your expenses. Here are 13 of our favorites!
13 plumber-approved ways for saving money on home plumbing
Keep up on your preventative maintenance
It’s a classic for a reason: the more you keep on top of your preventative maintenance, the less likely you are to find yourself with a costly plumbing repair job down the road. Make sure you regularly inspect anything that has to do with your plumbing –– from drains to water heaters and everything in between –– for wear and tear, and take care of little problems before they become big problems. Not sure where to start? Look at the things you use every day, like your toilets, shower, sinks, dishwasher, and washing machine. When’s the last time you did a deep clean or repair on any one of them? If the answer is “too long ago!” then you’ve got your check-list for preventive maintenance right there.
Learn some basic DIY repairs...
The good news is, you can take care of a lot of smaller plumbing problems on your own by learning to do some basic DIY repairs. Whether that’s learning how to unclog a drain like a pro, replacing a leaky faucet, or changing out your own shower head, there’s a lot you can do at home with a few tools and a couple of online videos. If you really want to get into it, consider taking a workshop –– many community centers or similar agencies offer entry-level courses for very little money, and knowing how to do work like this can save you on your plumbing bills in the long run. We’ve even put together a list of how to troubleshoot 10 common plumbing problems that can help, so check that out too!
... but know when to call in a pro.
That being said, it’s important to know when you’re out of your depth, and call in a pro before you end up causing an expensive issue. A good rule of thumb here is if there’s something that takes a specialist tool you can’t easily find at a local hardware store, or if you’re seeing an issue with something expensive, like a pricey appliance, then you’ll want to call a professional in. Similarly, if you’re installing new plumbing, consider at least talking to a plumber. If nothing else, they can help you get a handle on local plumbing permits and codes so you don’t end up with a fine, or having to redo a project.
Be mindful of water efficiency
Letting your water run is (literally) money down the drain, so pay attention to how much you use. Most water companies show you your usage on your monthly bill, and you’d be surprised how much you can lower it by taking simple steps to use less water. Water efficient fixtures can also save you a lot of money over the long run, so consider installing things like low-flow shower heads, faucets, and toilets. A lot of times they’ll reduce your water consumption without you even noticing!
Pay attention to water pressure
Along those same lines, be mindful of your water pressure. If you live in an area where you’ve got high-pressure water coming into your home, consider installing a regulator. They’re not expensive, and they can help prevent or relieve strain on your plumbing system that can eventually lead to leaks or worse, burst pipes.
And while you’re at it, look at your water hardness
This may not be a concern depending on where you live, but hard water can cause a lot of issues with your pipes. (If you have hard water you’ll probably see mineral build-up on your shower heads or faucets. If you’re still not sure, you can test your water with a DIY kit cheaply and easily.) If you do live in an area with hard water, consider installing a water softener. This will keep minerals from building up in your pipes, which makes them less efficient, and can cause clogs and issues over time.
Insulate your pipes
This is a key one for us given how our winters go! Make sure your pipes are well insulated, and check the insulation before and after each winter to see if it needs any repairs or replacement. It’s such a simple step, but it can save you hundreds of dollars (not to mention a really inconvenient winter day) by keeping your pipes from freezing or bursting.
Take care of your drains
Nobody really pays attention to their drains until something goes wrong, but giving your drains a little love on a regular basis can help prevent costly problems down the road. Be mindful of what you put down the drain, and avoid washing or flushing items that can clog your pipes. (Think: food waste like rice or coffee grounds, items like feminine hygiene products or dental floss, etc.) Use drain screens to catch debris, and regularly clean your pipes with a gentle solution of water and baking soda. Don’t put harsh chemicals like Drano down your drains on a regular basis, as this can cause issues with your pipes over time. And, if you do get a clog, treat it right away. The longer you leave issues like this, the more the clog will build up, and then you’re looking at an expensive visit from a plumber.
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Repair leaks and running toilets ASAP
Fix leaks as soon as you notice them, even if they’re small. The same goes for running toilets. This will not only save you money (because you’re not wasting as much water), it’ll also help keep the problem from becoming even bigger. The last thing anybody wants is to have to tear up your ceiling or floor because a leak got out of control. You can also consider using leak detection devices or smart water meters. These can give you a heads up on abnormal water usage patterns that you might not have otherwise noticed, letting you address leaks quickly.
Take care of your water heater
Hot water heaters do so much work, and they take so little maintenance, but a lot of people just don’t know how to take care of them. Sediment build-up in your water heater can make it less efficient over time, which increases your energy costs, and eventually can cause the heater to break down entirely. Flush your water heater annually to keep it working at its best, and check out our tips for making your water heater last longer so you can avoid the expense of replacing it as long as possible.
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Upgrade to eco-friendly plumbing fixtures if you can
This one involves a little expense up front, but it’s worth it over time. If you have the budget to invest in eco-friendly plumbing fixtures, do it. Products with a WaterSense label on them are designed to conserve water and use less energy, so they can significantly lower your utilities, especially if you’ve been using older models up until now.
Consider rainwater harvesting
If you’re really into DIY or homesteading, or just want to find a way to save money on your water bill, consider rainwater harvesting. It’s pretty easy to get started, and you can install a rainwater collection system fairly cheaply. The main thing to know here is that you can’t just use that rainwater for anything, you still need treated water for cooking and cleaning. But as far as flushing toilets or watering your garden goes, it’s great. If you do want to expand and use your collected water for cooking, cleaning, and bathing, you’ll need to install an additional treatment and purification system. It’s a little more involved, but still a great way to save on your water bill over time.
Consider a home warranty or plumbing insurance
Lots of plumbing issues are fairly easy fixes, but every now and then something catastrophic will happen. If that’s something that really worries you, or if you’ve had issues with plumbing in the past, consider getting a home warranty or plumbing insurance, or making sure your home or renter’s insurance has some sort of plumbing policy attached to it. It’s usually not too expensive, and it can save you a lot of money if the worst does happen.
Bonus tip: Hire local plumbers!
When you do need to call in the pros, look for local plumbing companies that have a good reputation, and experience working with the kinds of plumbing issues people in your area face. If you’re in Maple Grove, Bloomington, Edina, or Minnetonka, that’s us! We’ve been serving the Twin Cities area for 40+ years, and pride ourselves on providing our customers with full-service options at hometown pricing.
Whether you’re looking for a little extra help with your preventative maintenance or you need someone out there fast to take care of a plumbing emergency, we’re happy to help! Find out more about what we do and how we can solve your plumbing problems right here.
