Clearing out the gutters can make a big difference.

Spring is in full swing now, and many of you will have done your spring cleaning. But did you ever consider that your plumbing system could do with a good clean as well? Although the winter we’ve had wasn’t the coldest, your heating system will still have been used, and now it’s getting a little warmer (or at least it’s meant to be!) you have the opportunity to get rid of the build up that has inevitably occurred over Christmas and the New Year.

It is a lot easier than you would think, and a lot of water can be saved by undertaking a small amount of maintenance work, so we highly recommend having a once over of your home’s plumbing and heating. However, should you feel as though you are not able to undertake the steps outlined below, or you uncover leaks, please do not hesitate to contact a professional who will be able to carry out the necessary repairs.

We are always happy to help you keep your plumbing in top condition, and so Bernard from BBS Plumbing can offer a few tips that are simple to follow but produce great results:

• Keep the area around your water heater tidy (be especially careful of flammable things) and ensure the temperature is less than 120 degrees F.
• Drain a couple of gallons of water from the heater in order to clear out any sediment that could potentially damage your central heating system.
• Inspect your cold water storage tank to assess for damage or leaks.
• Check your taps and toilets for leaks as well, and try adding a few drops of food colouring to your toilet bowl to see if it’s flushing away properly.
• The shower head can be cleaned by leaving it in a bowl of vinegar overnight, and then removing the limescale deposits using an old toothbrush.
• Guttering needs clearing of leaves, moss and anything else that could clog them up, and drains can be flushed out to stop bad smells.

By following these simple steps you can save both money and water, and with the important messages put across during World Plumbing Day you can feel good knowing that you are doing your bit to help.

Solving several small leaks saves megalitres

Mr Baker says that the figures for water waste do not consider the large amount of water that is lost through leaky taps and home plumbing. Waterwise, an organisation set up with the intention of reducing water waste, estimate that as much as 5,500 litres a year can be wasted by a single leaky tap.

The problem with small leaks in taps is that they waste a deceptively large amount of water. Many homeowners may be reluctant to get the leak fixed because it to them it is not a very big problem, but it is a significant part of the water wasted in the UK.

Mr Baker says that he believes it is partly the responsibility of the water companies to see that this type of wastage is stopped, even within the home. He suggests that water companies that are trying to reduce waste should subsidise the fixing of taps in the local area and share the cost with the homeowner.

Local plumbers will be the network of support here as they stay vigilant to instances of leaky pipes and support the initiative by springing into action and solving wastage.