Did you know garden sprinklers can use as much as 1000 litres of water per hour? Even watering your garden by hand with a hose can cause wastage from overwatering and runoff. To help you save money and the environment and continue on from our last water-saving post, we’ve come up with top tips from a Brisbane plumber for saving water in the yard and garden.
Brisbane Plumber water-saving tips:
1 – Use greywater for watering
Using greywater is one of the easiest changes you can make to reduce the amount of tap water you use in the garden. Any Brisbane plumber will tell you a lot of the water we use is still clean enough to water garden plants. For example, the water you use to wash your veggies or the rinse cycle on your washing machines. You can even buy greywater-friendly clothes and dish detergent so you can use washing water in the garden beds. To use greywater, a Brisbane plumber will tell you to collect greywater in a bucket, or you can even redirect your washing machine outlet to the entire garden.
2 – Water your plants during cooler parts of the day
A Brisbane plumber will see it all the time, and people leave it to the hottest parts of the day to water their drought tolerant plants. The trouble is, this causes water to evaporate at a faster rate, leaving your container plants thirsty and your water wasted. A Brisbane plumber will tell you to water your potted plants early or late in the day rather than in the middle. Early morning is best before the sun is in full force, and it will even help prevent the growth of harmful fungus.
3 – Use a bucket to wash your car
Washing your car with a hose, especially during hot parts of the day, can waste hundreds of litres of tap water. A Brisbane plumber will tell you you can greatly reduce your water usage by using a bucket to wash your car and only using a hose to rinse. Another Brisbane plumber tip is to use a spray nozzle on your hose or even a watering can. Whatever the case, don’t use your hose 100% of the time when washing your car.
4 – Choose less thirsty plants
Depending on the purpose of your garden, decorative versus production, there are types of plants that use less water. A Brisbane plumber may not be a gardener, but they’ll still tell you that drought-tolerant and native plants are a great way to go for water saving. Native plants will save you on water and maintenance because they’ve evolved to the Australian climate.
5 – Position your sprinklers carefully
If you can’t avoid using sprinklers, a Brisbane plumber will remind you to place them where they’re most effective. The best way to do this is to place your sprinklers where the water only reaches the lawn and drought tolerant garden plants, not the pavement. Also, a Brisbane plumber will tell you not to use a hose or sprinklers to clean the pavement. Sweep away roughage with a broom, and only use water when absolutely necessary.
6 – Get unusual lawn growth inspected
When a drain has burst underground, there are two key signs to spotting it: water puddles (when there’s been no rain) or patches of long grass. If you see either of these, contact your local Brisbane plumber. If a drain or pipe is leaking, it’s costing you money on your water bill. Make sure you get a Brisbane plumber to come and check it out, so you’re not wasting money or water. Installing a rainwater tank can help keep your garden alive during water restrictions and reduce your dependence on tap water.
Using organic matter like pea straw can help retain moist soil in your garden bed, protecting the soil surface and supporting the natural environment. Monitoring your water meter will ensure efficient water use, which is one of the key ways to save water, a precious resource. Adding drought-tolerant plants and optimising your irrigation system can further reduce your water bills. Remember, many plants thrive with less water when soil is rich in organic matter, preventing waste water.
Experiencing plumbing problems around your house?
Now that you know how you can save water in your yard, who do you call if you’re experiencing a plumbing problem or emergency? If you’re experiencing a plumbing emergency in the Brisbane region, contact the Brisbane plumbers immediately. We have reliable fixed costs and will be there within 60 minutes. For all things plumbing and gas related, anytime, any day, contact the Brisbane plumbers on 0450 932 850.