Water is a precious commodity. It is a privilege to have fresh, clean water at our disposal anytime, anywhere. Due to climate change, decreased rainfall, and water shortages, the need to conserve water is a priority. Oftentimes, the idea of a beautiful, lush, and healthy garden seems unattainable if water must be conserved. With some know-how and a few tricks, your garden will thrive without using as much water.
If planning the layout of your yard or garden for the first time, consider using plants that are designed for the climate you live in. Some drought-tolerant plants are hollyhock, aloe, tulip poppy, and lavender. There are also shrubs, such as sweet fern, morning glory bush, and lily of the Nile. All varieties of pine, elk, and oak trees are drought-tolerant and would add curb appeal to your home. Group plants together by their watering needs. For example, lawns, container plants, and plants that need lots of water should be put in close proximity together. When a plant that needs a lot of water is placed next to a plant that is drought-tolerant, the same amount of water will be used to water the drought-tolerant plant because they are next to one another. Consider converting a section of your lawn into a patio, a walkway, or a nice little picnic area. This will eliminate the need for watering it and will be an attractive addition to your yard.
Consider laying a thick layer of coarse mulch to your soil. Opt for organic mulch that is made from leaves and bark and free of chemicals and additives. The nutrients in the mulch will help improve the condition of your soil. The ideal amount would be three or more inches to reduce the amount of evaporation of your soil. Applying mulch helps regulate a steady soil temperature and also protects the roots from the summer heat. Mulch will also prevent weeds from growing because it blocks the seeds from receiving any sunlight. Plus, preventing weed growth will stop them from competing for the moisture in the soil. Although mulch is good for your plants, it is best to keep it away from trees and shrubs because it can promote root and crown diseases.
Fertilizers are okay to use as long as the right amount is used. Putting too much fertilizer can actually stunt your plant's growth. Use fertilizer in small doses or use a slow-release formula to prevent increased water consumption.
How To Conserve Water
In your own household, the key to maintenance of electronic and water supply is in your hands. Water leaks and damages could cause you major financial and supply losses. In order to check water leaks on your house, you must know basic water repairs. Be aware of the causes of leaks. There are several reasons why water leaks occur:
1. Your Pipelines
Incorrectly made pipelines or insufficient support could lead to water leaks. Excess numbers of pipelines could also be a reason because the base may not be able to handle the pipe's weight. Second, be concerned about the materials of your pipelines. When buying these materials, make sure to purchase the appropriate supplies without defects because failing to do so could lead your pipe to rust. Lastly, make sure not to use equipment that may harm your pipelines. Too much pressure caused by hammers could bring about water leaks. Depending on your geographic location, you may want to make special precautions for your pipes to ensure they can withstand very cold temperatures such that, during the winter months, water does not freeze within the pipes and expands, causing pipes to burst.
2. Learn How To Read Your Water Meter
Being able to use this could very well be the absoloute easiest way to detect leaks on your own. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a water leak! This could be something as simple as a leaky bathtub, or as horrendous as a leak inside a pipe deep within one of your walls, causing untold damage to your home.
3. Leak Detection Tips
In detecting water leaks, make sure that all of your appliances inside your house that make use of water are turned off. Then inspect the status of the meter dial and wait for 20 minutes. If the dials didn't shift, you have a home with water pipes that are stable. But if the dials shift, check all of your appliances that makes of use water. If all are turned off, there might be a leak in your underground pipes. The reading on your meter should be greater than your bill from the time when you have used your water since the meter was read.
4. The Lawn Method
Another method to check water leaks is by opening lawn water. If you have a hose, or a water sprinkler, open it and start to watch the water meter's movement for a minute. The whole rotation of the meter hand stands for 7.5 gallons of water. Add up the number of rotation the hand meter completes for each minute and multiple it by 7.5 to know how much gallons of water you consume every minute, every hour, every day and every week. If you know how much water you use up, you will know whether you are paying the correct bills or not. If your bills exceed the computation, you may be having water leakages.
5. Statistics
The average water used in each household is 60 to 200 gallons per person for a day. You will be surprised on how much water you consume every day. By being aware of these causes of water leaks and how to detect them, you will conserve water everyday.
- Remember that every drop of water counts
- Bathrooms take up almost 70% of water used
- Ensure all pipes and faucets are leak-free
6. Food Coloring Technique
Make it a routine to check toilet tanks. By adding a small amount of food color, you will be able to know if the toilet is leaking. Add food color to the tank. After 20 minutes or so, if the color appeared on the tank, it may be leaking. Try to replace the parts as soon as possible to prevent rust. Conserve water by being aware of water leaks. Learn to save water by checking your own pipes. It will benefit your financial needs. It will benefit your family's safety. And it will benefit the people of the future who would be able to make use of the wonders of water.
Both Rachel Yoshida & are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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