During September, the nation observes National Preparedness Month with the goal behind this monthly campaign being “to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. National preparedness is important year round, but September is an ideal time to start getting ready and plan out your preparations. In the most likely scenario, an emergency situation would occur after a severe weather event. While it’s wise to prepare for as many severe weather events as possible, depending on the time of year and on predicted weather forecasts, you should be able to prioritize which events to plan for in advance.
In Washington State, Summers can get pretty hot and dry. This past May was the hottest on record and combining that with an early Summer start, a statewide drought advisory was announced in July. Droughts are often prevalent during this time, but as temperatures continue to rise each year, droughts are more likely to occur and last longer as time goes by. The easiest way to prepare in advance for a drought is by conserving water as often as you can. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can save water at home by keeping an eye on your plumbing system.
Fix Leaks
The first step that you can take towards conserving water is by finding any active leaks. Leaks, even small tiny drips, can lead to thousands of gallons of water wasted each year and if you have multiple leaks at home, that adds up to quite a bit of water. If you find any leaks, repair them as soon as you can. Oftentimes the leak can be fixed quickly by tightening a faucet or replacing a washer, but if you’re unable to solve the issue on your own, then hire a professional plumbing company to take care of it for you. Leaks can also spring up deep in your plumbing system or somewhere else that’s not easily accessible. Plumbers have special tools that they use to detect hidden leaks and offer repair services as needed.
Use Low Flow Bathroom Fixtures
Another useful water conservation consideration for drought preparedness is to use water efficient bathroom fixtures like low flow toilets and shower heads. Using a low flow toilet can reduce the amount of water you use with each flush by less than half and a low flow shower head will drastically cut down on the amount of water wasted while showering. Not only will making the switch to low flow fixtures and appliances help during times of reduced rainfall and drought, but you could also save some money in the process. Many cities in Washington, including Renton, offer special rebates for home or business owners who install water efficient appliances and low flow bathroom fixtures.
Installing a new bathroom fixture might be too advanced for many homeowners and it would be best to seek out professional assistance. Trusted Plumbing & Heating in Renton are excellent providers of leak detection, leak repair fix, and bathroom fixture installation. If you want to get your plumbing system in order before the next drought and stay prepared, call Trusted Plumbing & Heating at (425) 333-2559 for all of your Renton plumbing needs.
