Thank goodness for indoor plumbing! Were you aware that as of 2014, there were 1.6 million people in the United States without it? Even though indoor plumbing is something to be thankful for, there are times when it is a source of frustration and unanticipated costs.

In addition to leaky faucets, there are other plumbing issues that can cost you time and money. How many hours do you spend in the bathroom every week? Were you aware that over the course of their lifetime, the average person spends at least three years in the bathroom?

Do you stand in front of the sink waiting for the hot water to heat up? Over 9,000 gallons of water can be wasted while doing so. In addition to wasting water this can add 15% or more to your annual heating bill.

Do you have any leaky faucets in your bathroom? Were you aware that over a gallon of water can be wasted when they drip just two times a minute? This can amount to losing 180 gallons a month and 2,160 gallons a year.

There are, however, a few simple things you can do to save water as well as the costs associated with heating water. You can, for example, save approximately 18,000 gallons of water over the course of a year by installing a low-flush toilet. This is beneficial because 38% of the average household’s water is used to flush toilets.

What temperature is your water heater set to? Another easy tip is to set your water heater to 125 degrees Fahrenheit. When your water heater is set to 150 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, it can only take a few seconds to burn your skin. Besides avoiding skin burns, setting your water heater to 125 degrees Fahrenheit can cut down on your energy consumption and utility bills.

Finding a plumber that you can rely on is important. Furthermore, finding a plumber that is available when you need them is even more important. When you do find a reliable residential plumber that you can count on, not only will they be able to address your plumbing issues, they will also be able to respond to your plumbing questions.