Guide · Home care
Saving Water at Home
A friendly, practical guide to saving water every day, from finding leaks and smarter showers to WaterSense fixtures, laundry habits and watering the yard wisely.
Where to start
- Water running or spraying?
Turn off the closest valve if you can do it safely. See if you find a leak.
- Bill suddenly higher?
Try the two quick ways to find hidden leaks.
- Just want to use less?
Work through the saving water checklist.
The short version
Small daily habits and a few smart fixtures save thousands of gallons a year without giving up comfort.
Fix drips and running toilets fast, take shorter showers and run full loads.
Look for the WaterSense label on toilets, faucets and showerheads, and water the yard early and only when needed.
Share leaks or a sudden jump in the water bill in writing right away.
Water rules differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.
Four simple rules
- 1Fix leaks fast
Drips and running toilets waste more water than almost anything else.
- 2Use only what you need
Shorter showers and full loads save water every single day.
- 3Choose efficient fixtures
WaterSense labeled toilets, faucets and showerheads use less water and work great.
- 4Water the yard wisely
Water early, only when needed, and never in the rain.
Saving water checklist
From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Your home is using less water already.
Quick ways to find hidden leaks
- The food coloring test. Put a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank and wait without flushing. If color shows up in the bowl within about 10 minutes, the toilet is leaking. A worn flapper inside the tank is one of the most common causes.
- The meter test. Turn off every faucet and water appliance, note the reading on the water meter, and check it again in an hour. If it moved, there may be a hidden leak. Ask the owner first if you aren’t sure where the meter is.
Listen at night, too. In a quiet home you can often hear a trickle you would never notice during the day.
If you find a leak
- Take a breath. Most leaks are small and simple to fix.
- If water is running or spraying, turn off the closest valve, like the one under the sink or behind the toilet, if you can do it safely.
- Put a towel or bowl under a drip until the repair is done.
- Take a photo or short video of the leak.
- Share it in writing right away.
- If it comes back after the repair, let the owner know.
A burst pipe or water near electrical outlets is an emergency, so call right away. You did exactly the right thing.
Guides that go well with this one
Like it on paper?
The printable checklist for this guide is fillable, with a screen version and an ink saver print version. Keep it on your phone or pin it to the fridge.
How much do you remember?
4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.
Go deeper with The Perfect Efficient Home
A plain, honest guide for residents and owners who want to waste less energy and water and keep bills easier to live with, without giving up comfort.
Keep the full guide handy
The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.
Download the PDFTake it with you
- Bunklow Home Guide 112: Municipal Water Meter Sweep Hand and Low-Flow Leak Indicator AuditsA printable Bunklow guide to municipal water meter sweep hand and low-flow leak indicator audits: plain steps, how often to check, and when to call a pro.See it in the shop
More guides
This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal or plumbing advice. Please ask the owner before changing fixtures. Bunklow does not inspect or repair plumbing.