Doylestown summers are hot, lively, and full of outdoor activity — but all that sunshine also means water use surges. Between watering lawns, filling pools, and keeping cool, it’s easy for household water consumption to spike. As temperatures climb and environmental concerns grow, water conservation is no longer just a good idea — it's a smart move for your wallet and your community. The best part? You don’t have to overhaul your lifestyle or tackle it alone. With a few smart habits and simple plumbing upgrades, saving water can be effortless and effective.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® helps local households to cut down on water waste and reduce pressure on plumbing systems so that every drop of water gets used wisely. Let's dive into some of the easy ways you can stay cool this summer without wasting water and increasing your utility bills.
Call now to book or to learn about our services including leak detection, faucet solutions, plumbing repairs, and more.
Smart Lawn and Garden Practices
Your lawn and garden can be major sources of water use, especially when the summer heat is at its peak. To cultivate a beautiful outdoor space while still practicing responsible water conservation, consider watering your lawn early in the morning before the sun gets high and hot. This is a great way to minimize evaporation and allow the water to soak deep into the soil and reach the roots where it's needed most. You might also let your grass grow a bit longer since taller blades of grass provide shade for the soil, which helps it retain moisture and encourages deeper root growth.
For your garden, a method like drip irrigation can be incredibly effective. This technique delivers water directly to the base of your plants, eliminating the waste that comes from sprinklers casting water where it isn't needed. A layer of mulch around your vegetable plants and flowers also works wonders, keeping the soil cool and slowing down evaporation. If you have the space, setting up a rain barrel to collect runoff is another fantastic way to get free, untreated water for your garden.
Summer Plumbing Maintenance
A quick check of your home’s plumbing is a smart summer habit for preventing unnecessary water waste. Systematically look for slow drips under every sink, paying close attention to the pipes and the shutoff valve. It’s also wise to inspect the hoses that connect to your washing machine and dishwasher, as these components can become brittle and leak over time. Take the inspection outside and check your garden hose spigots for any drips when the handle is firmly off.
While you're at it, you can perform a quick food coloring test in your toilet tank to spot silent leaks. Finding and fixing these small issues throughout your entire plumbing system is a fantastic way to boost your water conservation efforts and protect your home from potential damage.
Water-Saving Fixtures and Upgrades
Upgrading your home's fixtures is a powerful move for long-term water conservation. Modern plumbing technology offers impressive performance while using significantly less water than older models. An older toilet, for instance, can use several gallons of water with every single flush. Replacing it with a new, high-efficiency toilet can dramatically reduce the water consumption in your bathroom.
In the shower, a low-flow shower head can reduce the amount of water you use without sacrificing water pressure. Likewise, installing aerators on your kitchen and bathroom sink faucets is one of the easiest and most affordable upgrades you can make. These small devices screw onto the end of the tap and mix air with the water stream, reducing the volume of water used without you even noticing a difference. Upgrades like these are investments that pay for themselves through lower utility bills and contribute to a more sustainable home.
Pool and Outdoor Water Habits
Summer fun outdoors often involves water, but our recreational activities don't have to be wasteful. If you have a swimming pool, you already know how much water can be lost to evaporation on a hot, sunny day. The single most effective tool to combat this is a pool cover. Using a cover when the pool is not in use can cut water evaporation by a huge margin, saving you the hassle and cost of constantly refilling it. It also helps the pool retain heat, which can reduce your energy costs if you use a heater.
When it comes to outdoor chores like washing your car, your habits make a big difference. Letting a hose run continuously can waste dozens of gallons of water. Instead, use a bucket of soapy water for the main washing and a hose with a shut-off nozzle for a quick rinse. Think about your other outdoor cleaning tasks, too. A broom is often a better choice than a hose for clearing off a patio or driveway. Even our choices about drinking water can have an impact.
How Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® Can Help You Conserve Water
We hope these tips give you some practical ideas for improving water conservation around your home. Plus, we're here to help you every step of the way. We can conduct a thorough inspection of your entire plumbing system to identify any existing leaks or potential problems that could lead to future waste. We can also expertly install a wide range of water-saving fixtures, from a modern, low-flow toilet to a new kitchen sink tap.
Should you discover a leak from a pipe or a faulty valve, we have the tools and experience to fix it properly. We pride ourselves on our professionalism and our commitment to helping our Doylestown neighbors with reliable solutions that help save water and money.
Call for More Responsible Summer Water Use Tips!
Have questions about your home's plumbing or looking for simple ways to save water? Give us a call. We're always happy to help you make smart, sustainable choices that keep your home running smoothly and efficiently while also making a difference for the environment.
