If you are one of the millions of homeowners who are (and becoming) environmentally conscious – you may be considering how to make the plumbing systems in your home more eco-friendly.

Here are our tips on how you can achieve that goal:

  • Start by doing all you can to use less water. Installing a tankless water heater, upgrading your appliances and timing your showers are just a few ways that you can begin using less water. Read our 20 tips on how save money and water here.
  • Low Flow toilets and low flow gadgets in your showers and sinks can also help to reduce the amount of water that you use.
  • Update your faucets to touchless faucets to decrease the amount of water you use.
  • Insulate your pipes as much as possible. This helps you to save on the amount of energy you use and of course, protects your pipes as well.
  • Get an assessment from your plumber to determine if the pipes in your home are the right size for what they are being used for.
  • Use trenchless systems for pipe and sewer repair work. It’s less disruptive on the environment and should cost you less than traditional digging and repairing.
  • Be smart about what you flush down your toilet. This helps to prevent damage to your pipes which can cause adverse effects on your immediate environment.
  • Also be smart about what you put down your garbage disposal. Again – you want to prevent damage to your home’s plumbing pipes.
  • Keep a home maintenance log and work diligently to maintain your home’s plumbing system so that it can last you for many, many years.

What Is A Green Plumber?

The Green Plumber Program is an accredited national training program for plumbers to give them the additional knowledge and skills in the new advances in plumbing that can help environmental causes such as saving water, energy efficient appliances, etc.

How Does Plumbing Affect The Environment?

Poorly installed plumbing or the use of inappropriate plumbing material can both contribute to negative effects on your health and the health of your property.

Old copper or lead pipes that have corroded can leach into your water (and yes, copper and lead are toxic) which can result in issues with your health. Of course, using this water in your food garden in your backyard would not be good for you or for your environment either.

Poorly maintained plumbing that ends up causing leaks contribute to not only a higher water bill but also uses more than your share of water which is becoming more of a precious resource every year.

Is PVC Pipe Eco Friendly?

Yes – PVC pipes are considered to be an eco friendly plumbing solution. The reason is that the PVC material is generally resistant to corrosion and it does not contain any toxic substances so there is no danger of any dangerous chemicals leaching into the ground if that were to ever happen.

PVC material however can be softened and deteriorated if subjected to very high temperature water if it is exposed to that on a regular basis. So we recommend that you DO NOT pour boiling hot water down your drain if your home is equipped with PVC pipes.

If you have any questions about eco-friendly plumbing, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-505-8570. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.