What is sewer gas?

Sewer gas is a byproduct of gases produced when natural human waste breaks down. It is typically produced by the action of anaerobic bacteria, a type of bacteria that does not require oxygen, on sludge and sewage. It typically consists of ammonia, methane, hydrogen sulfide, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and other inorganic gases.

What causes the sewer smell?

The rotten egg or sewer smell is usually due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Although there is also ammonia mixed in the gas, it is only in rare cases that it’s the culprit. Most of the elements contained within the sewer gas are odorless. Typically, a human will smell the hydrogen sulfide if the concentration is between at least.001 and 0.01 ppm (parts per second).

How is hydrogen sulfide produced?

When there is no oxygen or oxidants in the sewer, a reaction where the sulfate radical is reduced to water and hydrogen sulfide. According to some studies, it takes around two to three days for fresh wastewater to produce hydrogen sulfide. More commonly it is already through the wastewater treatment plant.

Nevertheless, there are some environments in the sewer where H2S can be produced. Once place is the layer of slime and the sludge stuck below the sewer pipe. When the sewer is fully or partially clogged, preventing wastewater to flow freely.

Is sewer smell harmful to people?

Hydrogen sulfide, in high concentration, is a toxic to humans. Because of the low concentration of hydrogen sulfide in residential units, they hardly harm humans. sewer gas only becomes toxic under extremely rare cases. And while some studies suggested that hydrogen sulfide has a depressant effect, but only in concentrations above 150 parts per million. Sewers are incapable of producing gas with high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide. But while the sewer has is not deadly, it can be quite unpleasant and unbearable.

Why do I smell sewer gas in my house?

A plumbing issue is normally the culprit as to why you smell sewer gas inside your home. More commonly, because of untrapped floor drains in the utility room or basement. Although it is quite uncommon, sewer gas may also leak inside your house because of a dry trap in the drain line. When the water evaporates, the trap seal breaks. A cracked or damaged trap that does not trap water also loses the trap seal, which in turn allows the sewer gas to leak.

Sewer gas also leaks when the drain line between the trap and main sewer is broken or cracked since there is nothing preventing it from leaking through these cracks. In many cases, a broken drainpipe also allows wastewater to leak into the basement or crawlspace under you home. This will also be a reason why your house smells of sewer odor.

What can we do to keep H2S from forming in the sewers?

Oxidizers are often added to the sewage to prevent hydrogen sulfide and sewer gas from forming. Commonly, chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, oxygen, and permanganates are used as oxidizers. Sometimes, flushing the sewers is done if the issue is with the sewage collection system. This increases the flow rate of wastewater and gets rid of clogs and other sediments. It is not a practical and permanent solution though and can only be done to remedy serious issues.

How can I prevent sewer gas from entering my house?

The best way to keep sewer gas out of your home is by locating your plumbing issue and having it fixed by a licensed plumber. At this point, it is best to leave it to a licensed emergency plumber in order to avoid aggravating the plumbing issue even further. A well-seasoned licensed plumber will be able to find the problems in your plumbing system and provide further solutions to prevent sewer gas from leaking inside your home.

Remember, if you encountered any plumbing emergency such as blocked drains, blocked toilet, blocked sink, or if you need drain cleaning in Melbourne, contact us on 0412 738 874 or you can leave a message on our contact form.

Common Causes of Poopy Smell

There are a number of reasons as to why your bathroom always smells like poop, even after all the cleaning and disinfection you did.

Drain Obstruction

One of the common reasons is drain obstacle or drain clogs. An block in the drain will often prevent water from flowing freely through the pipes. Oftentimes, the water become stuck along with other solid materials. And once these materials start to rot or decompose, it produces a poop-like smell.

Full Septic Tank

When your septic tank is full, the draining becomes slow. As such, the smell from your tank may be passing through your pipes. Nevertheless, you have no way of finding this out for yourself. Instead of trying to check your septic tank by yourself, it will be best to call in a licensed plumber or a septic pumping company.

Worn Out Wax Ring

The wax ring at the foot of the toilet could be causing the poopy smell. As time passes by, this wax ring deteriorates. Once this happens, the gas in the sewer will start to leak out from under your toilet. If you own some basic plumbing tools in your home and you can lift the toilet yourself, then you can replace the wax ring without calling out a plumber. But if you want to be free of all the hassle, of course, it is still best to leave it to the professionals.

Sewer Roof Vent Blockage

Fallen leaves, bird’s nest and frost are just a few things that could get into your sewer roof vent. And once there is a blockage in your sewer roof vent, a foul smell will start to develop. Luckily, it is easy to tell if there is something obstructing your roof vent – it drains slowly and creates a gurgling sound. Just to make sure, you can climb up your roof to check it. Then run your drain snake all the way through the vent, down to your bathroom.

Dead Animal

There are times when people think that what they smell is poop, but in reality, what they’re smelling is the rotting corpse of a dead animal that is either stuck on the walls or squished in the cabinets. So, make sure to check every corner and crevice of your home. Maybe your problem is the stench of a dead animal.

Dry P-trap

The “P-trap” of a tub or shower drain often becomes dry, especially when they are not used frequently. When people often use a bathroom, the water is able to act as a p-trap vapor seal. But if the bathroom is not used often, the water evaporates, which also allows the sewer gas to leak into the bathroom. But instead of smelling like a poop, what you actually smell is similar to a rotten egg or a sewer.

Among the common causes of foul smell in the bathroom this is probably the easiest to fix. All you have to do is to run water through the drain for a bit or use mineral oil. This will keep the p-trap moist for several months. You can also do this routinely if you are not going to use the bathroom for a long time.

Blocked Tub or Shower Drain

There are all sort of materials that can get trapped in your drain. You’ve got dirt, calcium deposits, rust, and all sorts of debris. You also have hair, soap scum and other personal hygiene particles. As these materials accumulate, they create a blockade; preventing water to pass through and producing a bad odor, although not technically poop-like, but still a foul odor. A good old drain cleaner will help unclog the drain and get rid of the foul smell. You may also try pouring hot water to get rid of the remaining particles on the wall of the pipes.

Keeping You Bathroom Smelling Fresh

After dealing with the bad smell, there are some thing you can routinely do to prevent your bathroom from smelling like poop.

Take your cleaning regimen to the new level

Instead of cleaning your bathroom once or twice a month, do it on a weekly basis. If you have many users or if there are kids, you can do it more often. Pay close attention to areas that are hard to reach and where sludge and residue from wastewater usually collects. These areas usually include the fissures under the toilet seat and under the toilet rim. You may completely remove the toilet seat so you can give it a good scrub.

Give your bathroom proper ventilation

Install a vent fan or tell everyone in your home to open the window before using the toilet for number two. If you have a fan, make sure that it is working just fine. Also make sure to clean your vent fan regularly or at least every 6 months.

Do a courtesy flush

While people flush after dropping the bomb, it would help to flush it once or twice before you finish doing your business. This will help keep the odor from wafting into the air. The less time the poop floats around the toilet bowl, the less likely for the smell to leak. Nevertheless, this is not environmentally friendly as it uses a lot of water.

Odor eliminators and essential oils

Using an odor eliminator before and after using the toilet can prevent poop smells. You can use essential oil or products with essential oils such as Air Scense and Poo-pourri. There are also some products like Just a Drop, which are made from blending disinfectants, fragrance and plant extracts. These are also effective in preventing poop smell from escaping the bowl and wafting to the air.

Light a scented candle or a match

When you light a candle, the burning match will produce sulfur dioxide which will help reduce the stench. Though it will not completely eliminate the smell, it will help mask the odor. In addition, if you use a scented candle, the smell in your bathroom will be at agreeable or even pleasant.

Remember, if you encountered any plumbing emergency such as blocked toilets, drains or if you need drain cleaning in Melbourne, contact us on 0412 738 874 or you can leave a message on our contact form.

Properly and routinely maintaining the pipes is essential. But on the other hand, there are certain things that you should never do when maintaining your pipes. Avoiding these will ensure that your drains and faucets will continue working properly. Here are the four things that you shouldn’t do to your pipes.

Pouring Bleach into your pipes

There are people who believe that regularly pouring bleach into the pipes or down the drains will help remove all the gunk that have accumulated in the system. While the reason behind this thought may be well-meaning, it is wrong.

Bleach needs to be used properly and with great precaution since it is a powerful and toxic solution. Pouring it down the drain is not good because it can cause a reaction with other substances within your pipes. These reactions can release fumes and end up clogging the system even more. Using bleach to clean out your drains and pipes can end up causing more harm than good. Instead, look for eco-friendly bleaches or make use of home drain cleaning solutions to clean your pipes.

Forcefully thawing the frozen pipe

Pipes freeze during the winter season, which is a big nightmare for homeowners. Dealing with a frozen pipe is not only dangerous but expensive as well. Nevertheless, trying to speed up the thawing process of the pipes is wrong.

There are some people who think that using a propane torch can forcefully release the water that’s stuck in a frozen pipe. While it is true that heat is the best way to deal with ice, using propane torch can end up melting the pipes. In addition, your pipes may contain combustible materials that can ignite due to the heat of the torch.

Disposing fats, oil and grease down the drain

Fats, oil, and grease are often dumped into kitchen drains either accidentally or intentionally. Nevertheless, doing so can be bad for your drain and pipes. At some point, you may have also been tempted to pour it down the drain. But unlike wastewater or soda, oil and fats do not get broken down easily. You may not be doing it frequently, but still, over time, they will build up and completely prevent the flow of liquid in your pipes. Regular soaps are unable to break down fats, oil, and grease. On the contrary, using soap will only hardens the FOG.

But let us just say that the oil and grease happen to make it all the way to the sewers. Such a situation is still not good. Grease alone is already bad for the environment. When combined with other chemicals and even soap, it can stick to pipes and cause sewer overflows. This is one of the main reasons why public utility companies and environmental organisations advice people to dispose fats, oil, and grease properly. And your sink is not a good place to dump these.

If there is no other way to dispose your grease, then instead of using hot water, flush it with cold water to solidify it. This will prevent grease from sticking to the sides of your pipes and allow it to flow freely all the way through the sewers. Using hot water will melt the grease and keep it in semi-liquid state. As it travels through the pipes, the grease will start to solidify and stick to the sides of the pipes, which will start to build up and form a blockage.

Disposing food down the drain

Leftover foods are one of the easiest things to get rid of. For most people, all they do is smash the food particles down the drain. But on the contrary, this is actually the worst way to dispose of leftover foods. Just like grease and oil, no matter how tiny you smash food particles down, they will still accumulate overtime and form a clog that will prevent water from forming freely into the pipes.

In case you are unaware, there are certain foods that the garbage disposal unit cannot shred. One example is beef, which often gets wrapped around blades. Small bones are also a problem for garbage disposal units. Throwing these into the drain will make the blades of the garbage disposal unit dull over time. Thus, the unit will fail to properly break down food.

Starchy foods such as pasta and rice will also make the garbage disposal blades slimy.  Continuously disposing these starchy foods into the disposal unit will render its blades ineffective or clog the system entirely.

Instead of throwing food down your drain, it will be best to designate another trashcan for food scraps. This will ensure that your system is properly protected from clogging.

Remember, if you encountered any plumbing emergency such as blocked drains, toilets, sink, or if you need drain cleaning in Melbourne, contact us on 0412 738 874 or you can leave a message on our contact form.

Here are some of the few ways on how to unclog a drain without a snake:

Run Hot Water

If you have a clog in your kitchen or bathroom drain, you can try pouring hot water in it for about 5 to 10 minutes. This should help loose the clog, which is often fats, oil and grease; that is partially blocking the drain. It will also loosen food particles, soap scum or makeup residue that’s attached to the walls or sides of your pipes. Although this will not totally clear the entire clog and it only works for partially blocked pipes. If doing this repeatedly has not removed all the blockage, it helps. So, it is worth mentioning.

Pour Chemical Drain Cleaning Solution

Chemical drain cleaners such as oxidizing drain cleaners, caustic drain cleaners, and acids, have been proven effective against many sorts of blockages. You may also try commercial drain cleaners that contain smaller amounts of muriatic acid. These cleaners will break down anything that is clogging your pipe. What these chemical drain cleaners do is to alter the chemical composition of the clog and then create a reaction that breaks the clog down and carry them through the pipeline. Nevertheless, no matter what chemical drain cleaner you use, make sure to follow the directions and safety precautions provided by their manufacturer.

Use a Plunger

Another safe way of dealing with clogged drain is using a plunger after you poured hot water or drain cleaners into the drain. Using a plunger, you can apply more pressure to the clog inside the pipeline. When you use this in conjunction with running water, it will help loosen the clog from the walls of the pipes and free it entirely.

High Pressure Water

Applying high pressure water into the plumbing line is also another efficient method of drain cleaning. However, this must be done carefully as you don’t want your pipes to get damaged. To start with, locate the clean out plug and connect the high-pressure nozzle to your garden hose. Then slowly start to open the hose and allow the water to flush through. This will prevent the water from backing up and flooding your home. As you progress, slowly build up pressure by opening the bit by bit until the pipeline is clear.

Take note that while these remedies are efficient against many types of clogs, they don’t work on all types of blockages. Some blockages such as tree roots require the skills, knowledge and equipment that only licensed emergency plumbers can provide. So if you have a persistent clog or if you think that the plumbing issue is beyond your skills, don’t hesitate to call in an expert.

Remember, if you encountered any plumbing emergency such as blocked toilets, drains or if you need drain cleaning in Melbourne, contact us on 0412 738 874 or you can leave a message on our contact form.

What is Drano?

To start with, Drano is a household drainage cleaning product. It is commonly available in different forms that contains a variety of sodium chloride (NaCI) or salt, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or lye, sodium hypochlorate or bleach, sodium nitrate (NaNO₃), and shards of aluminum. These are in crystal form and are added to water to release and remove hydrogen. Among these ingredients, lye is the main ingredient.

How does Drano work?

Pouring Drano down your drain will start various chemical reactions. Lye, its main ingredient will start to decompose organic matter including fats, hair, oil and grease. The small shards of aluminum within this anti-clog solution will then have a strong reaction that will generate heat at almost boiling temperatures. In theory, it is believed that this will speed up the process of decomposition.

If you add tap water into the drain, it will react with the lye to create more heat, further softening the deposits lining within the drain. Then the lye will again react with the softened grease to create soap, which can be dissolved by pouring hot water into it. After which, hydrogen bubbles will start to form due to the shards of aluminum. This will loosen the clog particles that will create a space, which will allow the hot water to carry the particles down the drain.

Imagine, with a simple pouring of this liquid, as well as tap and hot water, you get intense heat, soap making, bubble formations, and clog and grease breakdown. With so much to offer, it is hard to imagine anyone hating this product. So why do plumbers hate Drano?

Dangers of Drano

The main issue why plumbers hate Drano is that it poses a several dangers. First of all, Drano can damage pipes. As this lye-based household drainage cleaner sits in the pipes, it has the tendency to dissolve and continuously react and generate heat. Because of this, it can cause cracks on toilet bowls. The heat generated from the reaction also tends to soften PVC pipes until eventually they break. If you have old pipes that are a bit corroded, Drano can also quickly dissolve the glue that’s holding them together. As such, instead of providing long-term solutions to you blocked drain problem, it has the tendency to shorten the service life of your drains.

Another major concerns that plumbers have when dealing with Drano is that it can easily burn skin, cause eye irritation and lung damage. Drano burns and corrodes organic tissues by means of different chemical reactions. The gas produced by these reactions are harmful to humans as well.

Lastly, Drano cannot be combined with other products or plumbing equipment. Doing so will cause unpredictable and possibly harmful effects. A tiny drop of Drano that remain in the drain, when it splashes up because you used a plunger or auger, when it gets into contact with your eyes or skin can cause burns and irritation. Furthermore, if you used Drano and it doesn’t work, you will need to wait at least 24 hours and make sure that all of this chemical is flushed down your drain, before trying a different drain cleaning solution. If even a tiny amount of Drano is left inside your pipes and you happened to add a different drain cleaning solution – this can cause chemical reactions and generate toxic fumes.

Final Words

It is always best to use products that are safe and environmentally friendly. We at Blocked Drain Plumbers never use harmful chemicals to deal with blocked drains, toilets or sinks. We believe that they don’t provide long-term solution. Instead, we address plumbing issues using our skills, experience and highly effective equipment.

Remember, if you encountered any plumbing emergency such as blocked toilets, drains or if you need drain cleaning in Melbourne, contact us on 0412 738 874 or you can leave a message on our contact form.

Just bear in mind though that most licensed plumbers get called regarding simple plumbing issues that became worse due to the homeowner’s tampering. So, if you think that your plumbing issue requires more skills and technical equipment than you can give, be sure to contact a licensed plumber.

Once you encounter a clogged drain there is an unconventional method that you can use to help unclog your drain – this method is using cola. Yes, you’ve read it right, cola! Either Coke or Pepsi will be great in removing a clog. Even Diet Coke!

Diet Coke for Unblocking Drain

Have you heard about how a glass of cola can dissolve a nail over time? Well, although we know this is a bit of an exaggeration, we all know that cola is perhaps better that most commercial chemical anti-clog formulas, because it contains strong dissolving ingredients.

Phosphoric acid, one of the components of diet Coke is commonly used by the construction industry to remove cement smears and mineral deposits. Thus, it is believed that sodas like Coke and Pepsi are able to remove even calcium buildup inside pipes.

Advantages and Disadvantages

One of the great advantages to using Diet Coke or Pepsi is that they are completely safe. Unlike Hydrochloric or Muriatic acid, they will not cause skin irritation and burns when they get in contact with your skin and eyes. It also does not produce foul smell and does not require too many precautions. You can buy it in almost any convenience stores near you.

A disadvantage of using Coke or Pepsi though is that it takes a longer amount of time to work. Hydrochloric acid or those with highly corrosive ingredients can remove clogs much faster. As for soda, you may have to let it sit in the drain for about 24 hours if you have a stubborn blog.

How to Use Coke or Pepsi to Unclog A Drain

To get started, purchase 2 liters of either Diet Coke or Pepsi. If you got your soda from a fridge, allow it to sit and adjust to room temperature. Once it reaches the right temperature, pour it down the drain and allow it to fizz. Let it sit in the pipes for about an hour or two, while you heat or boil water.

After 1 to 2 hours, if your pipes are made of metal or iron flush the drain with boiling water. If your pipes are made of PVC, pouring hot (not boiling) water will do. If the flow of water is still slow, repeat the process. If clog is persistent, then you may have to allow the soda to sit in the drain for 24 hours before flushing with boiling or hot water.

If after all of these, you still haven’t removed the clog, then it may be time for a licensed emergency plumber in Melbourne to step in. It may seem like a simple clog to the untrained eye, however, there may be an underlying issue that needs the attention of a professional.

Remember for any emergency plumbing Melbourne such as blocked toilets, drains or if you need drain cleaning in Melbourne, contact us on 0412 738 874 or you can leave a message on our contact form.

There is one plumping problem you might be able to repair yourself and that is a clogged toilet Melbourne. Of course, serious clogs may require professional plumber intervention but there are a few things you can do before you call a plumber. If your situation is urgent and you do have an emergency plumbing Melbourne problem you can contact us on 0412 738 874, or send an email.

The plunger your number one tool to go to when fixing a clogged toilet Melbourne

You should always have at least one plunger in your home as this is the item you use first to fix a clogged toilet Melbourne. You shouldn’t wait until your bathroom is flooded with dirty water until you buy your first plunger. The first thing you should do before using the plunger is to take the toilet tanks’ lid off and push the flapper in order to prevent the water from flowing into the bowl. After that you should start plunging to check if you are able to fix the problem. Don’t fret if there are no result from the first few times of pumping the plunger as robust pumping and elbow grease may be necessary to finish the job.

Snakes are next to fix a clogged toilet Melbourne

If there is no result from using the plunger, you should snake the drain. This is an item that is quite cheap and easy to find in almost all hardware stores. You should put the snake into the toilet bowl and carefully push it down the pipe to fix clogged toilet Melbourne. You will notice some resistance as the snake reaches the clog. When you do, you should rotate the snake clockwise in order to break up the clog with the tip of the snake.

Call Blocked Drain Plumbers to help fix a clogged toilet Melbourne

Sometimes plungers and snakes won’t solve the problem and this calls for professional help. The clog can be caused by the debris that has built-up in your toiler but it can also be caused by objects which have been dropped in by child or clumsy guests. At this point you should reach out to a professional plumber as they will be able to clear the pipe or make the needed repairs without causing more damage. A thing to keep in mind is arranging an annual inspection by a plumber to prevent a blocked toilet Melbourne. This will help in keeping the efficient work of your toilet and also keep all other bathroom pipes in excellent condition, free of clogs and leaks. If you require professional help …? Blocked Drain Plumbers, we are always ready to help with you plumbing emergency of your clogged toilet Melbourne. Just call us and we will do everything to unclog the toilet and get it back to more efficient state.

For many people the water heater is a complete mystery as they know they have hot water in their house, but beyond that, they know little else.

There are a number of things that you should be aware of when it comes to your water heater. What type of fuel does it use? Or if it is storing water in a tank?

In emergencies, you will need more information to provide the technicians with as this is an important appliance that requires professional help. If you want to be ready for those unpleasant situations, read through to meet your water heater.

Shape and Size are a Start

The capacity of the heater’s storage is one of the easiest things that you could determine. A water heater either has tanks in which water is stored and heated or they are pulling the water from the pipes and flash heat it. The size of your heater cannot determine its storage capacity as many tank heaters are both small and productive. You should, instead, look at its shape.

No matter the capacity of the storage, a water heater that has a tank has a round shape. The devices that don’t have tanks are attached to the wall and represent a square panel. Tank-less heaters could also be put in the basement or in the utility closet on the wall. Those devices are heaters for the whole house. Also tank-less heater will be put in closely to the appliance they are serving (e.g. shower, tub or a dishwasher).

Hybrid Water Heater

A hybrid water heater unit is most commonly represented by a small circular section and a panel. Though they are storing a smaller amount of water, they are able to heat it quicker than other models. Its design – panel and small tank – it very easy to see.

Electric or Gas?

This is the next thing that you should be aware of – what is the fuel source of your water heater. The most common options are electric and natural gas, but you could also see devices with solar power or thermal energy though they are less common.

Checking the name plate is the simplest way through which you can find out if your water heater is electric. The plate is most commonly located at the bottom of the panel or tank and it has a lot of information to give like:
• liter capacity – it shows how much water does the heater hold
• Dimensions
• Energy Efficiency rating
• Recovery rate – shows how long does it take for the water in the storage tank to be heated

Other things that you will notice if your water heater is electric is the wattage capacity and the voltage measurement. If there is voltage listed on the name plate, then your water heater is electric.

Sometimes the name plate is missing and in those situations, you must search the front of the unit for screws. You should be able to remove the panel of a storage water heater and then you should look for a blue frame. Usually, this is an indication that your heater is using gas. You should be careful when doing this operation.

Other Kinds of Water Heater

Most of our houses are equipped with either an electric or a gas water heater. But there are several other types that should be mentioned.
• Solar water heaters – Some of the energy in your home is coming from solar panels.
• Heat pump water heaters – Those usually move the heat around in order to generate the energy that is needed to heat the water up. Your heater is a heat pump, if your house is equipped with geothermal cooling and heating.
• Indirect water heaters – This type of heaters is relying the heating of the house on fuel to heat the water and are not equipped with a separate heat source.

You should take in mind the source of energy that your home is using in order to find out what heater you are using (when you do not have electric or gas water heaters).

If you want to learn more, you should visit our FAQ page where you will find more information that answers all of your questions.

And if you are thinking of upgrading your current system, give us a call on 0412 738 874! We are able to provide your with a thorough diagnosis and checkup of your home or business system.

An efficient bathroom is something that all owners, both business and home, want as they can save money and preserve water. We are fortunate to be in a position where we can control the amount of water that is being used daily in the bathroom. Here are some ways through which you can make your bathroom work more productively for you, your family or your employers.

Efficient Sink

You can determine the rate at which a tap is flowing by putting an 8-cup measuring cup in your sink and open the tap at its full power. You will gain more if you replace it with an aerated tap in a case where the cup is filled in less than 15 seconds. The normal flow rate for a bathroom tap is ranges between 2 and 5.5 litres per minute.

If you have replaced your tap, you should use your new one more efficiently. For example, when you are shaving, don’t leave the tap open – plug the sink and rinse the razor in the tank of water. Or turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth or while lathering the soap when you wash your hands.

You should also mind all leaky taps. Even a drip a second can waste around 22 litres of water a day. If you notice a leak, you should repair it as quickly as possible and if you are not able to do it yourself, call a plumber.

Efficient Shower and Tub

Placing a 3-litre bucket below the stream of water and timing it for about 20 seconds, will help you measure the rate at which a showerhead flows. You should replace the showerhead with a model from the low-flow type as you should keep the rate under 10 litres per minute – that is in the case when the bucket is filled completely in the given 20 seconds. The low-flow showerhead models are one of the most important components in every efficient bathroom.

And as in the case of the sink, we should learn to use the new equipment more efficiently. Something you might want to consider trying is cutting your daily showers down to five minutes or less. Cutting your shower with just two minutes will save about 600 litres of water per month. If you want to preserve even more water, try shutting it off while lathering your hair or scrubbing your body.

If you prefer taking a bath to a shower, you can use your bath more productively if you plug the tub before turning the water on. Also, instead of having the water pour down the drain while you are regulating the desired temperature, do this while the tub is filling. Use less water by only filling your bath halfway.

Efficient Toilet

If the flapper that is parting the tank from the bowl isn’t sealed accordingly, you might get yourself a toilet leak. These leaks may cause the so called “phantom flushes” – that is a situation in which the toilet is running for a brief moment for no known reason. Those leaks could also be silent. If you want to examine if there is a leak in your toilet, you should place some food colouring in the tank. If you see the colour seeping into the bowl within around 15 minutes, you should consider fixing the leak by changing the flapper.

Toilets that were installed before 1992 usually are older models that are using 13 or more litres of water for one flush. You are in the position of conserve more if you decide to replace your old toilet with a new, low-flow one as they are using about 6 litres per flush. If you choose a dual-flush toilet, you will be able to save more as they offer the option of flushing away liquid water with less than 3 litres. The bathrooms with the most productivity have this type of toilet installed.

If you decide to make no changes in your toilet or flappers, you should try to use your current one more productively. You must not use your toilet as a garbage can, throw away your tissues in the trash; you can also teach the kids that saving water is important so they don’t need to flush more than once.

You have learnt all the things you could do in order to have more efficient bathroom. Use this knowledge for good, share it with your family or your employees. If you want your bathroom to save water, you must be sure that everyone is engaged in your efficiency plan.