Your water system is one of the most important systems in your home. Water is imperative for a wide range of everyday tasks, from cooking and cleaning to bathing and laundry. It's not an exaggeration to say that most of your appliances require water to function. Depending on where you live, you may even rely on your water access to maintain your lawn and landscaping. For reference, according to Comfy Living, American households of four use an average of 400 gallons of water every single day. Since water plays such an important role in your home life, it's important to make sure that it runs efficiently. An inefficient water system could cost you a lot of money, and it can even be a sign of serious issues in your pipes and drains. Here are a few things to look for when determining whether your water system is running well or not.

Examine Your Drains for Issues

The most common issue homeowners face with their in-home water systems is drain clogs. Unfortunately, clogs can begin to form for any number of reasons. There may be dirt and debris accumulating within the pipe from the outside. It's also possible that members of the household have mistakenly put things down drains that shouldn't go down them. There's also the possibility of serious damage like a tree root growing through your main drainage pipe. Be sure to check how water drains in your sinks, toilets, and showers regularly. If they seem slow to drain, there could be a clog forming. Dealing with the clog sooner rather than later can save you time and frustration down the road.

Check for Leaky Faucets and Toilets

One of the biggest sources of water inefficiency is the slow dripping of water from leaky pipes and faucets. Oftentimes, these drips can be solved by simply tightening some bolts or replacing an inexpensive pipe. However, that doesn't mean you can be complacent. You'll need to actively check to find the leaks before you have the chance to resolve them. To that effect, be sure to check places that aren't obvious, like under sinks and in cabinets. For example, your bathroom drainage pipe could leak for months without it being obvious. The same is true for garbage disposals. Check these areas regularly to identify leaks and fix them! You may run the risk of growing mold in hidden places otherwise. This can be very dangerous to humans and pets in your family alike.

Compare Your Water Bills

Another way to identify water efficiency issues is to check your bills every month and compare them side by side. The water bills in question should show your water usage each month. You can compare that to your usage during similar timespans to identify abnormalities as they appear. If your water usage shot up considerably with no reasonable explanation, a leak or other inefficiency could be the cause. Many people pay their water bills without looking at all, meaning they go without noticing the issue developing right under their own noses. Be sure to check your bills consistently to find signs of issues early on.

Check the Model's Efficiency

Appliances like dishwashers, washing machines, water heaters, and much more are primary users of water in most homes. Is the model you're using particularly energy efficient? It may be that, from a baseline level, your system could be better. As such, you can improve your water efficiency by improving your appliances. Today's appliances are notably more efficient with both water and energy than those from even a few years ago. Look for Energy Star appliances that can offer the greatest efficiency levels. Also, try to look for low-flow faucets and shower heads that can reduce the amount of water you use regularly.

An inefficient water system is sometimes just a sign of inefficient appliances and fixtures. However, it can also be a sign of a serious issue that requires assistance from plumbing services. Need help with your water system? Give us a call today at The Witmer Company to learn more about our services. We'd be happy to help!