As your shower head ages, it will start to wear out and leak, or the nozzle holes can become enlarged, which will waste water. In general, shower heads only last around 10 years. If your shower head is older than that, replace it with a newer, more energy-efficient model. Doing so will reduce your water usage by around 50 percent.

 

Periodically inspect faucets in bathroom, kitchen and utility room sink for puddles or drips. If you notice any leaky faucets, make the necessary repairs to save water.

 

Regularly examine the exposed pipes in your basement and under sinks for signs of leaks. If you see rust, buckling or drops of water, it’s time to call the plumber for a professional inspection.

 

Over time, your water heater’s storage tank can develop mineral deposits. This can affect the appliance’s performance or even corrosion, which damages the tank permanently.

Try draining a few gallons of water from your water heater at least twice a year. This will remove any sediment that has accumulated inside the tank and maximize heating efficiency.

 

Replace your water heater if it’s more than 15 years old.  Newer water heaters are far more energy-efficient than older models, this can cut down on water usage and lower your utility bills.

 

Your garbage disposal does not have sharp “blades” as you might imagine. The impeller that spins around is relatively dull – it’s the grinding of food against a platform that really breaks things down. Things to avoid putting in the garbage disposal:  Fats, oils, grease, coffee grounds, pasta, rice, fibrous foods, shells and bones.  These can harm the unit and clog your pipes.

 

Your toilet is not a trash can, don’t flush foreign objects other than regular toilet paper.  The toilet and your piping are not designed to handle other things being flushed besides paper and human waste.