Three Ways to Improve Your Home's Water Usage as the School Year Begins

ROANOKE, Va., Aug. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern Trust Home Services, a leading HVAC, plumbing and electrical company in Roanoke owned by Contractor Magazine's Contractor of the Year winner Ted Puzio, is offering timely ways to reduce the new school year's impact on homeowners' water consumption.

According to the EPA, the average family in the United States uses more than 300 gallons of water per day, and an estimated 70 percent of that usage occurs indoors. More than half of that usage happens in the bathroom.

"Roanoke County Schools start back on August 13, and in the hustle and bustle of getting the kids ready, many parents may ignore the toll the new schedule is taking on their water consumption," Puzio said. "Even if time and money is tight in early August, there are some inexpensive, easy and beneficial steps you can take as a homeowner to help your plumbing and utilities bill survive the return to school season."

Puzio and the Southern Trust Home Services team recommends tending to the following as the new school year begins:

• Practice good plumbing habits – When an entire family is attempting to access the water supply around the same time, even small blockages can have a large impact on everyone's schedule. Make sure that grease and coffee grounds are not being poured down the sinks, hair is being removed from the shower drains and that only toilet paper is being flushed. If a block is detected, try to opt for a more natural drain cleaner that is less corrosive to the plumbing or use a pipe-friendly snake tool. Call a professional if a stubborn blockage cannot be cleared.
• Make small adjustments that will save a lot of water – During the morning rush, make sure that both adults and children are turning the water off while brushing their teeth rather than allowing it to run. Encourage more showers than baths, but still keep a close eye on shower time, be efficient and consider installing low-flow shower heads. Planning meals ahead can even save water, as frozen items can be thawed in the refrigerator overnight rather than under warm running water. After meals, opt for the dishwasher instead of washing by hand and only run it once it is full.
• Inspect the water heater and consider an upgrade – When school starts back, the entire household will be showering, brushing teeth, eating breakfast and more at the same time. If the water heater has a buildup of corrosion or scale on the heating element, its efficiency will be reduced and so will the supply of hot water. Inspect the element, and if it is corroded or covered in scale, replace it as soon as possible. Elements are generally inexpensive and will make a noticeable improvement in efficiency. If the entire unit is nearing the end of its lifespan, it might be wise to consider an upgrade to a tankless water heater. A tankless water heater delivers hot water faster, more efficiently and will pay for itself in time with energy and water savings.

"We know that parents have a lot to worry about already at the beginning of the school year," Puzio said. "We want their homes to be a worry-free refuge, not an additional stressor, so we recommend following these tips to enjoy a smoother return to the books."

For more information about ways to help your home survive the upcoming school year, please contact Southern Trust Home Services by calling 540-343-4348 or visiting www.southerntrusthomeservices.com.

About Southern Trust Home Services
Founded in 1995 as Southern State Electric, Southern Trust Home Services provides residential plumbing, electrical and HVAC services, including 24/7 emergency repairs, to homeowners in more than 60 cities throughout southern Virginia. Roanoke's first to offer a lifetime guarantee on all recommended repairs, Southern Trust Home Services staffs dedicated, certified, licensed and insured, drug and criminal background checked technicians who provide timely, same-day services for a variety of home repairs, installations, and maintenance. A Better Business Bureau accredited company since 2006, Southern Trust Home Services has financing available including 0 percent for 18 months, and Lifetime Repair Guarantee on stated repairs. To find out more, call 540-343-4348 or visit www.southerntrusthomeservices.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
865-977-1973
[email protected]

SOURCE Southern Trust Home Services

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http://www.southerntrusthomeservices.com

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