As August brings some of the hottest temperatures of the year to Utah County, homeowners often see their water usage and utility bills climb. Lawns need more irrigation, families spend more time outdoors, and plumbing systems work harder to keep up with increased demand. Fortunately, a few simple plumbing maintenance steps can significantly reduce water waste while lowering your monthly utility costs.

At Bert’s Waterworks, we help homeowners throughout American Fork, Lehi, Pleasant Grove, Highland, Alpine, Cedar Hills, Lindon, Orem, Provo, and surrounding Utah County communities keep their plumbing systems running efficiently. Whether you’re dealing with hidden leaks, outdated fixtures, or aging water heaters, our experienced plumbers can help you save both water and money.

Visit bertswaterworks.com or call (801) 756-5846 to schedule professional plumbing service.

Why August Is the Perfect Time for Plumbing Maintenance

Late summer places extra demands on residential plumbing systems. Increased irrigation, higher household water usage, vacations, and hotter weather all contribute to higher water consumption.

A plumbing inspection in August can help identify:

• Hidden leaks
• Running toilets
• Dripping faucets
• Inefficient fixtures
• Water heater problems
• Irrigation-related plumbing issues
• High water pressure
• Underground water line leaks

Addressing these problems now can reduce utility bills while helping prevent expensive repairs later.

Check for Hidden Water Leaks

One of the biggest causes of high water bills is a leak that goes unnoticed.

Many leaks occur behind walls, under slabs, or inside crawl spaces where homeowners rarely look.

Common warning signs include:

• Unexpected increases in water bills
• Wet spots in the yard
• Damp drywall
• Mold or mildew odors
• Low water pressure
• Constant sound of running water
• Water meter moving when no fixtures are being used

Even a tiny leak can waste thousands of gallons of water each year.

Professional leak detection can quickly locate the source before serious damage occurs.

Repair Dripping Faucets Immediately

A faucet that drips once every second may not seem like a major issue, but over time it wastes a surprising amount of water.

Dripping faucets can:

• Waste thousands of gallons annually
• Increase utility bills
• Damage sinks and countertops
• Lead to mineral buildup
• Wear out plumbing fixtures faster

Most faucet repairs are inexpensive compared to the cost of years of wasted water.

Stop Running Toilets

Toilets are one of the most common sources of water waste inside Utah homes.

Many homeowners don’t realize their toilet is constantly running because the sound is subtle.

A worn flapper, faulty fill valve, or improperly adjusted float can waste hundreds of gallons every day.

Test your toilet by:

• Adding several drops of food coloring to the tank.
• Wait 15–20 minutes without flushing.
• If color appears in the bowl, you have a leak.

Replacing worn toilet components is a simple repair that can dramatically reduce water usage.

Install High-Efficiency Plumbing Fixtures

Older plumbing fixtures use considerably more water than modern high-efficiency models.

Consider upgrading:

Low-flow showerheads

Modern showerheads provide strong water pressure while using significantly less water.

Water-saving faucets

New faucet aerators reduce water usage without sacrificing performance.

High-efficiency toilets

Older toilets may use 3–6 gallons per flush.

Modern EPA WaterSense toilets typically use around 1.28 gallons per flush while maintaining excellent flushing performance.

These upgrades often pay for themselves through lower monthly water bills.

Inspect Outdoor Hose Bibs and Spigots

Outdoor plumbing receives heavy use during Utah summers.

Check for:

• Leaks around hose connections
• Cracked hose bibs
• Loose handles
• Constant dripping
• Damaged shut-off valves

A leaking outdoor faucet can waste hundreds of gallons before it’s noticed.

Inspect Your Irrigation Connections

Many irrigation systems connect directly to your home’s plumbing.

Problems such as:

• Broken sprinkler lines
• Faulty backflow preventers
• Underground leaks
• Constant sprinkler drips
• Poorly adjusted sprinkler heads

can significantly increase water usage.

A plumbing inspection can verify that irrigation connections are operating safely and efficiently.

Flush Your Water Heater

Sediment naturally builds inside water heaters, especially in areas with mineral-rich water like much of Utah County.

Sediment buildup causes:

• Higher energy bills
• Reduced hot water capacity
• Slower heating
• Premature tank failure
• Increased wear on heating elements

Annual water heater flushing helps improve efficiency while extending equipment life.

Check Water Pressure

Many homeowners assume stronger water pressure is always better.

However, excessive pressure can:

• Waste water
• Damage plumbing fixtures
• Wear out appliances
• Increase leak risk
• Shorten pipe life

A plumber can measure your home’s pressure and install or adjust a pressure-reducing valve if necessary.

Insulate Exposed Pipes Before Fall

Although August is still warm, it’s an excellent time to prepare for cooler weather.

Pipe insulation helps:

• Reduce heat loss
• Improve hot water delivery
• Lower energy costs
• Protect pipes before winter
• Reduce condensation

Preparing early avoids the rush once temperatures begin dropping.

Upgrade Older Plumbing Fixtures

If your home is more than 20 years old, your plumbing fixtures may no longer be operating efficiently.

Replacing aging:

• Faucets
• Toilets
• Shut-off valves
• Supply lines
• Water heaters

can improve performance while lowering both water and energy consumption.

Monitor Your Monthly Water Bill

Your water bill is often the first sign that something is wrong.

Watch for:

• Sudden increases
• Seasonal spikes larger than expected
• Unexplained water usage
• Changes in average consumption

If your bill rises without explanation, professional plumbing diagnostics can identify the cause before it becomes a costly repair.

Schedule Preventive Plumbing Maintenance

Preventive maintenance is one of the smartest investments homeowners can make.

Routine inspections help identify:

• Small leaks
• Corrosion
• Water heater wear
• Drain problems
• Pressure issues
• Fixture deterioration

Fixing small problems early helps avoid emergency plumbing repairs while keeping utility costs lower year-round.

Why Choose Bert’s Waterworks?

Homeowners throughout Utah County trust Bert’s Waterworks because we provide honest recommendations, quality workmanship, and dependable plumbing solutions. Whether you need leak detection, water heater service, fixture replacement, drain cleaning, pipe repairs, or a complete plumbing inspection, our experienced team is committed to helping you save water and protect your home.

We proudly serve:

• American Fork
• Lehi
• Pleasant Grove
• Highland
• Alpine
• Cedar Hills
• Lindon
• Orem
• Provo
• Saratoga Springs
• Eagle Mountain
• And surrounding Utah County communities

Our goal is to help every homeowner enjoy reliable plumbing, lower utility bills, and peace of mind.

Save Water and Money This August

Small plumbing problems can quietly waste thousands of gallons of water every year. By repairing leaks, upgrading fixtures, maintaining your water heater, and scheduling routine plumbing inspections, you can significantly reduce water consumption while lowering your monthly utility bills.

If you’re ready to improve your home’s plumbing efficiency, trust the professionals at Bert’s Waterworks.

Website: bertswaterworks.com

Phone: (801) 756-5846

Contact Bert’s Waterworks today to schedule your August plumbing inspection and start saving water, energy, and money before the busy fall season arrives.