Close We use cookies to improve your shopping experience. To give your consent, carry on shopping, or change your cookie preferences here.

How to save water during the dry summer

Posted by Sinks on 27th Jun 2017

As the UK enjoys potentially the driest July for 250 years, many are taking advantage of the unusually lovely weather. However, when dry weather arrives, can hosepipe bans be far behind? During dry spells there are many things you can do to conserve water and it is important not to always take water supply for granted. Not only does conserving water help the environment but, if you are on a water meter, it will save you money too. Look at installing tap aerators and low-flow shower heads to cut down on water usage. Tap aerators should be installed on kitchen and bathroom sinks, where most household water is drawn. Many taps typically run at a rate of 4 gallons per minute when fully turned on. However, by fitting a low-flow aerator, you can reduce the flow to just 2.5 gallons per minute Low-flow shower heads have been in existence for a long time and used to result in complaints about poor water pressure. However, improved technology has enabled them to deliver as little as 1.75 gallons per minute but with a more than satisfactory force. As traditional or old shower heads use up to 5 gallons per minute, a low-flow shower head can cut your usage in half. It is also a good idea to give your toilet, or toilets, a tune up. New plumbing rules have put an end to water guzzling toilets. It is now only possible to purchase low-flow, 1.6 gallon toilets and they are very efficient. If your home still has old-styled toilets, you can still save water without having to invest in new ones. One of the most common sources of toilet leaks is the flush valve, the rubber flapper inside the toilet. To check whether it leaks, add some food colouring to the toilet tank and leave overnight. If the dye leaks into the toilet bowl overnight, it means the flush valve is not fully doing its job. A replacement part can cost as little as 5. Lastly, in dry weather, only water grass when absolutely necessary. Water in the morning as watering during a hot day can burn plants and most will be lost to evaporation anyway.