Saving water in the shower actually worked for me

If you’re worried about leaks after cleaning, just run the shower for a minute and look for any sneaky dribbles around the threads.

That’s usually my move too, but I’ve had a couple where the leak only showed up hours later - like, why does it wait? Ever tried using silicone instead of plumber’s tape? I’ve wondered if it’d hold up better with all the hard water we get.

Ever tried using silicone instead of plumber’s tape? I’ve wondered if it’d hold up better with all the hard water we get.

I’ve actually tried a dab of silicone once when I was out of tape, but honestly, it felt kind of messy and didn’t seem to seal as well. Maybe I just did it wrong? Plumber’s tape is weirdly reliable, even with our crusty water. Those delayed leaks drive me nuts though - like, are they just waiting for me to leave the house?

Plumber’s tape is weirdly reliable, even with our crusty water. Those delayed leaks drive me nuts though - like, are they just waiting for me to leave the house?

Honestly, I’ve seen way more callbacks from folks using silicone instead of tape. Silicone just doesn’t bond right on threaded fittings, especially if there’s any movement or pressure changes. Plumber’s tape is cheap and does the job, even with hard water buildup - just gotta wrap it tight and enough times. Those sneaky leaks always show up at the worst times, don’t they? I’ve had a few pop up days after thinking everything was fine...

Those sneaky leaks always show up at the worst times, don’t they? I’ve had a few pop up days after thinking everything was fine...

Tell me about it. Last year I swapped out my old showerhead for one of those “eco” models, and I thought I’d done everything right - plumber’s tape, hand-tightened, then a little extra with the wrench. Felt pretty smug until I found a slow drip about a week later. Turns out, I’d wrapped the tape the wrong direction (rookie move). Had to take it all apart and redo it. At least it was just a drip and not a flood.

I’m with you on the silicone. Tried it once because a buddy swore by it, but it just made a mess and didn’t seal worth a darn. Plumber’s tape is way easier to control, and you can always add another layer if you’re paranoid about leaks. My trick is to wrap it 5-6 times, pulling it snug as I go, and making sure it’s going with the threads - not against them. If I’m feeling really cautious, I’ll run the water for a few minutes and then check back an hour later. Still, like you said, sometimes those leaks are just waiting for you to relax before they show up.

On the water-saving front, I was skeptical at first. Figured a low-flow showerhead would feel like standing under a leaky faucet. But honestly, it’s not bad - pressure’s decent and my water bill actually dropped a bit. Only downside is it takes a little longer to rinse out shampoo, but that’s a trade-off I can live with.

If anyone’s thinking about switching to a water-saving showerhead, here’s what worked for me:
1. Turn off the water supply (learned that one the hard way).
2. Remove the old showerhead with an adjustable wrench - wrap a rag around the fitting so you don’t scratch it.
3. Clean off any old tape or gunk from the threads.
4. Wrap plumber’s tape 5-6 times in the direction of the threads.
5. Hand-tighten the new head, then a quarter turn with the wrench.
6. Run the water and check for leaks - don’t trust it until you’ve checked again later.

It’s not rocket science, but those little steps save headaches down the road. And yeah... still waiting for that perfect leak-proof install, but at least my showers are cheaper now.

I hear you on the plumber’s tape - learned that lesson the hard way myself. First time I swapped out a showerhead, I figured “more is better” and wrapped it so thick the darn thing wouldn’t even screw on straight. Had to start over and do it right, which was humbling. I’ve never had much luck with silicone either. It always ends up everywhere except where I want it.

Funny thing about those eco showerheads: my wife was convinced we’d be stuck with a trickle, but the one we picked actually has a pretty solid spray. Water bill dropped by about $10 a month, which adds up over time. Only thing is, our teenage son takes even longer showers now - go figure.

Curious if anyone’s tried those shut-off valves you can install right at the showerhead? Supposedly you can pause the water while you soap up without messing with the temp. I’ve thought about adding one to squeeze out a few more bucks in savings, but not sure if it’s worth the hassle or if they’re just another thing to leak down the road...

Shut-off valves at the showerhead can be handy, but they’re a bit of a mixed bag. They’re great for quick pauses - most don’t mess with your temp much, just reduce flow to a trickle. I’ve seen a few cheap ones start to drip after a year or two, though, especially if the threads aren’t sealed right. If you go for it, make sure you get a decent brass one and use just enough Teflon tape - sounds like you’ve learned that lesson already. It’s not a huge hassle to install, but yeah, another potential leak point down the line. Still, for some folks, the savings are worth it.

Yeah, I’ve had mixed luck with those shut-off valves too. The brass ones definitely hold up better - had a plastic one that started leaking after just a few months, which was a pain. One thing I always worry about is if you forget to open it all the way, you can end up with weird pressure issues or even mess with the water heater if you’re on tankless. Still, for quick “navy showers,” they do save a surprising amount of water. Just gotta keep an eye out for drips over time.

I hear you on the plastic valves - had one crack on me mid-shower and it was not a fun surprise. Swapped to brass after that and haven’t looked back. I do get a little paranoid about leaving it half open, though. Once, I thought my water heater was busted because the pressure was so weird, but it turned out I’d just left the valve halfway. Navy showers really do cut down the bill, though. Just takes a bit of getting used to, especially in winter...

Brass valves are definitely worth the extra bucks - learned that the hard way after a cheap plastic one leaked all over my bathroom floor. I still can’t get used to those navy showers in winter, though... feels like punishment. Does anyone actually enjoy them?

Brass valves are definitely worth the extra bucks - learned that the hard way after a cheap plastic one leaked all over my bathroom floor.

Totally with you on brass valves. I’ve seen way too many plastic ones crack or just fail after a year or two. It’s wild how often people try to save a few bucks and end up paying more in repairs.

About navy showers - yeah, I get what you mean about them feeling like punishment, especially in winter. I’ve tried them a few times and honestly, I just end up grumpy and cold. I know it saves water, but I’d rather fix leaks and swap out old fixtures to cut down on waste than freeze every morning. Maybe I’m just soft, but comfort wins for me most days.

I get the whole “comfort over savings” thing, but after moving in and seeing my first water bill, I started looking at every possible way to cut back. I tried a navy shower and yeah, it’s not exactly spa-like, but I guess I got used to it after a while. I also swapped out the old showerhead for a low-flow one, which made a bigger difference than I expected. Has anyone tried those thermostatic mixing valves? I’m curious if they actually help with both safety and efficiency or if it’s just another gadget.

Thermostatic mixing valves are actually pretty useful, especially if you’re worried about sudden temp changes or scalding. I put one in after my kid nearly got burned when someone flushed the toilet mid-shower - never again. They keep the water at a steady temp, so you don’t have to fiddle with the knobs as much, which can save a bit of water too. Installation wasn’t too tricky, but you do need to shut off the main water and follow the instructions closely. Not a miracle for efficiency, but definitely a win for safety and peace of mind.

I’ve seen a lot of folks swear by those valves, especially in older houses where the plumbing’s a bit unpredictable. I’m curious - did you notice any drop in water pressure after installing it? I had a client once who complained about that, but maybe it was just their setup. Also, do you think it actually cuts down on shower time, or is it more about not having to mess with the controls? I’ve always wondered if the water savings are significant or just a nice side effect.

- Noticed a tiny drop in pressure, but honestly, nothing major - could just be my old pipes.
- For me, the main perk is not having to fiddle with the temp every time. That’s what saves time, not so much the valve itself.
- Water savings? Maybe a bit, but I wouldn’t call it dramatic. It’s more about convenience than anything else, at least in my setup.
- Had one friend say their pressure tanked after installing, but I’m guessing that was more about their ancient plumbing than the valve.

I get what you mean about the convenience factor - having the temp set is a real time-saver, especially when you’re half-awake in the morning. I’ve noticed that tiny pressure drop too, but in my case it was barely noticeable, and honestly, my house is a patchwork of old copper and newer PEX, so who knows what’s causing what. I do think the water savings are there, just not as dramatic as some folks claim. Still, every bit helps, right? And yeah, old plumbing can be a wild card... I’ve seen some setups where even a new showerhead throws everything off.

I do think the water savings are there, just not as dramatic as some folks claim.

Funny thing - I've seen setups where switching to a “low-flow” showerhead actually made folks take longer showers because they missed the old firehose pressure. I once had a customer who swore he was saving water, but his teenage kids just doubled their shower time. Sometimes the real wild card isn't the plumbing, it's the people using it. Still, I’ll take a tiny pressure drop over waking up to a geyser under the sink any day...

Honestly, I’ve wondered about this too. I swapped out our old showerhead for a WaterSense model last month and tracked the numbers:

- Water meter readings before/after showers (yeah, I’m that guy)
- Average shower time for me and my partner (we’re both pretty quick, under 10 min)
- Noticed about a 20% drop in water use per shower, but only because we didn’t change our habits

I get how if someone’s used to high pressure, they might linger longer just to feel clean. For us, the lower flow didn’t really bother either of us, but I could see it being a dealbreaker for teens or anyone with long hair.

Curious - has anyone tried those “eco” shower timers or even just a waterproof clock in the bathroom? Wondering if that actually helps keep people from zoning out under the hot water...

I’ve seen a few folks try those sand timers that stick to the wall, but honestly, most people just ignore them after a week or two. A waterproof digital clock seems more effective - at least you can see how long you’ve been in there without feeling nagged. I’ve also noticed some families swap to “navy showers” (water on to get wet, off to lather, on again to rinse), but that’s a tough sell for anyone who likes their hot water. Has anyone tried those push-button shower valves that shut off flow temporarily? Wonder if they actually help or just end up being one more thing to break...

Tried a few things myself, and here’s what actually stuck:

-

“Has anyone tried those push-button shower valves that shut off flow temporarily? Wonder if they actually help or just end up being one more thing to break...”

- Digital clock in the shower - yep, did that too. Works better than the sand timers, but only if you actually pay attention. My kids ignore it, but I use it to keep myself under 7 minutes.

- Navy showers... tried to get the family on board. Didn’t last. Too much grumbling about cold water and “ruining the shower experience.” Not worth the hassle for us.

- Swapped to a low-flow showerhead. That’s probably made the biggest difference, honestly. Less water, still feels decent.

If you’re looking for something low-maintenance, I’d say the low-flow head is the way to go. The push-button’s a nice bonus if you’re motivated, but it’s not a game-changer for everyone.

“Has anyone tried those push-button shower valves that shut off flow temporarily? Wonder if they actually help or just end up being one more thing to break...”

I’ve installed a bunch of those push-button valves for clients over the years, and honestly, I’ve seen more of them hold up than fail. Like you said, they’re not fancy, but if you buy a decent one and don’t go for the cheapest plastic option, they’re pretty reliable. The main issue I run into is people forgetting to use them - habit is tough to change, especially before coffee.

Low-flow heads are where you really see the difference, though. I swapped mine out at home and nobody in my house even noticed except for the lower water bill. Navy showers... yeah, that’s a hard sell. Most folks just aren’t willing to give up their hot shower time, especially in winter.

If you want something that doesn’t need babysitting or reminders, low-flow is the way to go. Those timers and gadgets are fine if you’re motivated, but most people just want to get in and out without thinking about it too much.