The Top 8 Ways You’re Wasting Water (& How to Fix Them)

Water is essential to our daily lives, yet many of us waste it without realizing. From leaving the tap running to overwatering the lawn, these common habits can add up quickly, wasting both water and money. With water becoming an increasingly precious resource, especially in certain parts of the world, it’s important for homeowners to be mindful of how they use (and misuse) water every day.

In this blog, we’ll explore the top ways you’re wasting water around your home, along with simple solutions to help conserve it. By making just a few small changes, you can reduce your water bill and do your part to protect this valuable resource.

1. Long, Luxurious Showers

There’s nothing quite like a long, hot shower to relax and unwind. But did you know that a 10-minute shower can use up to 50 gallons of water? The longer you stay under the water, the more gallons you’re wasting. Add a high-flow shower head to the mix, and your daily showers are likely one of the biggest sources of water waste in your home.

How to Fix It:

• Install a low-flow shower head. These can reduce water use by up to 50% while still providing a satisfying shower.
• Set a timer for your showers. Even cutting back by 1-2 minutes can save hundreds of gallons each month.
• Turn off the water while soaping up or shaving. You don’t need the water running the entire time!

2. Leaky Faucets and Toilets

Drip… drip… drip. That tiny sound might seem harmless, but a slow drip can waste thousands of gallons of water over time. Toilets are another culprit. A leaky toilet can waste up to 33,000 gallons of water annually! These silent wasters can seriously inflate your water bill.

How to Fix It:

• Regularly check for leaks in faucets, shower heads, and toilets.
• To test a toilet leak, add food coloring to the tank. If color appears in the bowl without flushing, you’ve got a leak.
• For a quick fix, replace the rubber flapper in your toilet tank. It’s a simple DIY job that stops leaks instantly.

3. Overwatering the Lawn

We all love a green, healthy lawn, but overwatering is a major source of waste, especially when done during hot, sunny hours. On top of that, automatic sprinklers often water sidewalks and driveways, sending precious water straight into the gutters.

How to Fix It:

• Water early in the morning or late in the evening to minimize evaporation.
• Adjust your sprinklers so they only water the grass, not your driveway or sidewalks.
• Consider planting drought-resistant plants that require less water to thrive.

4. Running the Tap While Brushing or Washing Dishes

Many of us leave the water running while brushing our teeth or washing dishes, letting gallons flow straight down the drain. This is one of the easiest habits to change, yet it’s something homeowners frequently overlook.

How to Fix It:

• When brushing your teeth, turn off the tap and use a cup of water to rinse.
• Fill one basin with soapy water for washing dishes and another with clean water for rinsing.
• Use a dishwasher instead of hand-washing dishes whenever possible. Newer models use less water per load than washing by hand.

5. Using the Toilet as a Trash Can

Flushing tissues, insects, or small bits of trash may seem harmless, but each unnecessary flush uses about 1.6 to 7 gallons of water. That’s a lot of wasted water just to get rid of a tissue or two!

How to Fix It:

• Throw tissues and small waste in the trash rather than flushing them.
• If possible, install a dual-flush system, which allows you to use less water for liquid waste and more for solid waste.

6. Running Half-Full Dishwashers or Washing Machines

Your dishwasher and washing machine use the same amount of water whether they’re full or only half loaded. This means running a half-empty load wastes gallons of water unnecessarily. Not only does this waste water, but it also wastes energy.

How to Fix It:

• Wait until you have a full load before running your dishwasher or washing machine.
• If you must run a smaller load, adjust the settings on your machine to use less water.

7. Pre-Rinsing Dishes Before Using the Dishwasher

Many homeowners still pre-rinse dishes, thinking it will help the dishwasher do a better job. In reality, most modern dishwashers are designed to handle dirty dishes without the extra rinse. Pre-rinsing is just an extra step that wastes water.

How to Fix It:

• Skip the pre-rinse and simply scrape leftover food into the trash or compost bin.
• Let your dishwasher’s advanced sensors and sprayers take care of the rest!

8. Ignoring Outdoor Water Leaks

Outdoor leaks are often harder to notice, especially if they’re small. But a tiny leak in your garden hose or irrigation system can add up to gallons of wasted water every day. Left unchecked, outdoor leaks can cause serious water damage and run up your water bill.

How to Fix It:

• Inspect hoses and sprinklers regularly for leaks.
• Check for wet patches in your lawn or garden that could indicate a hidden leak in underground pipes.
• When watering plants, consider switching to a drip irrigation system or soaker hoses, which use water more efficiently.

---

Key Takeaways

Saving water at home doesn’t have to be difficult. By addressing some of the most common ways you’re wasting water—like long showers, leaky faucets, and overwatering the lawn—you can significantly reduce your household’s water usage. Not only will you lower your utility bills, but you’ll also be doing your part to conserve water for future generations.

FAQs About Water Waste and Conservation

1. How much water does a leaky faucet waste?

A leaky faucet that drips once per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year. Fixing leaks promptly can prevent this unnecessary waste.

2. What’s the best time of day to water my lawn?

The best time to water your lawn is early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler. This helps reduce evaporation and ensures more water reaches the roots of your plants.

3. Can I really save water by using a low-flow showerhead?

Absolutely! Low-flow showerheads can reduce water usage by up to 50%, saving hundreds of gallons per month without sacrificing the quality of your showers.

4. How can I check for hidden leaks in my home?

You can use your water meter to check for hidden leaks. Turn off all the water in your house and check the meter. If the meter continues to move, you likely have a leak somewhere.

5. Is it better to hand-wash dishes or use a dishwasher?

In most cases, using a dishwasher is more water-efficient than hand-washing, especially if you run it only when it’s full. Newer dishwashers use as little as 4 gallons per cycle, while hand-washing can use up to 20 gallons per load.

By making these simple adjustments, you’ll not only conserve water but also save on your utility bills. Every drop counts! Hopefully this blog helped you identify some of the top ways you’re wasting water at home, and the simple steps you can take to fix them.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber 

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need any plumbing, drain cleaning, water damage, or excavation service. 1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.