Start with a Leak Audit
The first step toward a more water-efficient home is finding where water is escaping. Some leaks are easy to spot; many are not.
Do a quick self-check:
- Look at every faucet and showerhead for drips — even a slow, steady drip wastes thousands of gallons a year.
- Test your toilet by adding a few drops of food coloring to the tank. Wait 15–20 minutes without flushing. If color shows up in the bowl, the flapper is leaking.
- Inspect pipe joints under sinks and in crawl spaces for moisture or discoloration.
If you find anything suspicious, call a plumber. Waiting only makes it worse.
How Plumbers Find Hidden Leaks
Leaks behind walls, under slabs, or in your yard are nearly impossible to find on your own. Our technicians use two proven methods:
- Pressure testing — We temporarily shut off the water supply and pressurize the pipes with air or water. A pressure drop indicates a leak somewhere in the system.
- Acoustic listening devices — These tools pick up the sound of water escaping through a pipe, even when it's buried or enclosed in a wall, letting us pinpoint the exact location before we open anything up.
Finding and repairing hidden leaks quickly protects your home's structure and stops silent water waste in its tracks.
Upgrade to Water-Efficient Fixtures
Replacing old plumbing fixtures is one of the highest-return improvements a homeowner can make. Here's what to look for:
Toilets
Older toilets can use 3–7 gallons per flush (GPF). High-efficiency toilets (HETs) certified by the EPA's WaterSense program use 1.28 GPF or less — at least 20% less water than standard models.
Showerheads
Conventional showerheads can push out 5 gallons per minute (GPM). WaterSense-certified low-flow models deliver 2.5 GPM or less without a noticeable drop in pressure.
Faucets and Aerators
Old faucets can flow at 3–5 GPM. Modern WaterSense faucets run at 1.5 GPM or less. If you're not ready to replace the whole faucet, a low-flow aerator screwed onto the spout is an inexpensive fix that immediately cuts flow without affecting water pressure.
A licensed plumber can recommend the right products for your home and install them correctly the first time.
Insulate Your Hot Water Pipes
Pipe insulation is a low-cost upgrade that reduces the wait time for hot water at your tap. When hot water pipes lose heat between the water heater and the fixture, you run the tap longer — wasting water and energy. Insulating pipes in unheated spaces like basements, garages, and crawl spaces is especially effective in Idaho's cold winters.
Water Softeners and Filtration
Hard water is common in the Treasure Valley. Mineral scale builds up inside pipes and on fixture components, reducing flow and cutting the lifespan of appliances like water heaters and dishwashers. A whole-home water softener removes those minerals before they cause damage.
Whole-home filtration systems tackle sediment, chlorine, and other contaminants, improving taste and protecting your plumbing — without the ongoing cost of bottled water.
Keep Your Water Heater in Shape
Sediment accumulates at the bottom of a traditional water heater tank over time, forcing the unit to work harder and consume more energy. Flushing the tank once a year removes that buildup and helps the heater run at peak efficiency. If you notice rust-colored water, unusual noises, or inconsistent hot water, have a plumber inspect the unit before a small issue becomes a full replacement.
Outdoor Water Use Matters Too
Outdoor irrigation can account for a large share of a household's total water use, especially during Treasure Valley summers.
- Water lawns and gardens in the early morning or evening to reduce evaporation.
- Check sprinkler heads and irrigation lines for leaks seasonally.
- Install a rain sensor so your system shuts off automatically when it's already raining.
- Consider drought-tolerant native plants and mulch to keep moisture in the soil longer.
Greywater Recycling
For homeowners looking to take water efficiency further, greywater systems collect wastewater from showers, sinks, and washing machines and redirect it for non-potable uses like toilet flushing or landscape irrigation. Installation costs are higher upfront, but water savings add up over time. Ask us whether a greywater system makes sense for your property.
Ready to cut your water bills and stop wasting a valuable resource? Call American Rooter & Drain at (208) 366-5771 or book online to schedule a plumbing efficiency assessment for your Treasure Valley home.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check for leaks myself?
Look at every faucet and showerhead for drips, test your toilet by adding a few drops of food coloring to the tank and waiting 15–20 minutes without flushing to see if color shows up in the bowl, and inspect pipe joints under sinks and in crawl spaces for moisture or discoloration.
How do plumbers find hidden leaks?
Using pressure testing, where the water supply is shut off and the pipes are pressurized with air or water to detect a pressure drop, and acoustic listening devices that pick up the sound of water escaping through a pipe even when it's buried or enclosed in a wall.
How much water can high-efficiency toilets save?
Older toilets can use 3–7 gallons per flush, while high-efficiency toilets certified by the EPA's WaterSense program use 1.28 gallons per flush or less — at least 20% less water than standard models.
Why should I insulate my hot water pipes?
Pipe insulation reduces the wait time for hot water at your tap. When hot water pipes lose heat between the water heater and the fixture, you run the tap longer, wasting water and energy.
What is greywater recycling?
Greywater systems collect wastewater from showers, sinks, and washing machines and redirect it for non-potable uses like toilet flushing or landscape irrigation. Installation costs are higher upfront, but water savings add up over time.
