Water Conservation Tips

Indoors:  

•  Keep a pitcher of drinking water in the refrigerator instead of cooling the water by running the faucet.
  
• Recycle water that would otherwise go to waste. Place a bucket in the shower to catch extra water and use it to water a plant or brush your teeth while waiting for the water to warm.
  
• Make sure your house is leak-free. If your water meter is moving even though all faucets are off, your house most likely has a leak somewhere.
  
• Repair or replace the handle on your toilet if it is prone to sticking. A plumber may not be necessary since repair kits are available at most hardware stores and they are fairly simple to install.
  
• Take shorter showers or consider installing low-flow shower heads. Shower systems that allow the water to be turned off without adjusting the temperature settings are now available. This enables you to turn off the water while lathering and maintain the same temperature.
  
• Repair all leaky faucets and, when possible, update to low-flow faucets.
  
• Check toilet tank for leaks. Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and wait for thirty minutes. If the tank is leaking, you will see food coloring in the toilet bowl.
  
• Install toilet displacement devices or dams. This will reduce the amount of water needed for every flush.
  
• Use the dishwasher to wash your dishes. The dishwasher generally uses less water than hand washing does.
  
• Fill the dishwasher and washing machine completely before using them.
  
• Insulate your hot water pipes. It will take less time for the water to heat; therefore, less water will be wasted.
  
• Install an instant water heater in your sink. This will eliminate the waste of waiting for tap water to heat up.
  
• Do not flush your toilet unnecessarily. Throw your facial tissues in the trash instead of in the toilet.
  
• Turn off the water while shaving or brushing your teeth.
  
• Avoid using the garbage disposal; instead dispose of food scraps in the garbage.
  

Outdoors: 

• Check all outside faucets and hoses for leaks. Promptly repair any leaks found.
  
• Water in the early morning or in the late evening. Avoid watering during the heat of the day since this is when evaporation is at its peak.
  
• Do not water when it is windy or when there is a chance of rain.
  
• Water only your yard. Concrete sidewalks and gutters don't grow. This may require adjusting your sprinklers or watering some areas by hand.
  
• Do not over water. This means watching for puddles or runoff.
  
• Water your lawn no more than every three to five days. Watering it more often is not beneficial, in fact, it may actually harm your lawn.
  
• During the summer, accept a "less than perfect" lawn. Brown grass only means that it has become dormant and extra watering will not help it to "green-up."
  
• Use mulch around plants and flowers. The mulch reduces evaporation and helps keep water near the roots of the plant where it is most beneficial.
  
• Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation wherever possible.
  
• Practice Xeriscaping. This method of landscaping uses plants which are native to your area or are naturally drought resistant.
  
• Replace grasses with groundcover whenever possible. Groundcover requires much less water than lawn grasses do.
  
• Mow as infrequently as possible and when you do mow, set the mower on its highest setting. Cutting the grass too short causes stress when the summer heats up, forcing the roots to work harder and use more water.
  
• Remove the weeds from your lawn. Weeds rob your lawn of moisture and nutrients.
  
• Use a bucket to wash the car and when rinsing, use a hose with a shut-off nozzle.
  
• Always sweep your driveway and sidewalks clean and do not use water from a hose to remove debris.
  
• Cover your pool. This significantly reduces evaporation and the need to refill it.
  

The Linda Snelling Team, Realtors

United Real Estate of Dallas
5430 LBJ Freeway, Ste 280
​Dallas  Texas 75240 ​​

Linda:  (817)480-2744
Jim:      (817)480-2735

Linda@lindasnelling.com
Jim@hotmail.com