Saving water in the shower actually worked for me

Mixing valves are a real game changer for temp swings, no doubt. I hear you on the more parts = more potential headaches, but honestly, most of those valves are built to last if you keep an eye on them like you’re doing. Good call checking it every few months - most folks forget about that until something sticks or leaks.

On the recirc pumps, I’ve installed a handful for people who were sick of waiting forever for hot water. They do give you that “instant” feel, but I wouldn’t say they’re maintenance-free. Some setups are pretty simple and just run off a timer or motion sensor, others get fancy and tie into your smart home stuff. The pumps themselves are usually solid for years, but I have seen issues with check valves sticking or the pump getting noisy after a while.

Water savings? Depends on your setup and habits. If you’re running gallons down the drain waiting for hot water every time, you might see a difference. But yeah, it’s another thing to keep an eye on - just like mixing valves. Personally, I’d say go for it if cold starts drive you nuts, but don’t expect miracles on the water bill side unless your house is really spread out.

Yeah, I get what you’re saying about recirc pumps and mixing valves being another thing to babysit. I’ve had my share of “why is this making that noise?” moments over the years. But honestly, the water savings from just changing up shower habits surprised me more than any gadget ever did.

I used to let the water run forever to “warm up” (old house, pipes like a maze), but after installing a low-flow showerhead and getting in the habit of catching the cold water in a bucket for plants, my bill dropped way more than I expected. Not a miracle, but enough to notice. Plus, my tomatoes are thriving - bonus.

I did look into recirc pumps, but between the extra wiring and the thought of one more thing to maintain, I just couldn’t pull the trigger. Maybe if my house was bigger or I had kids constantly complaining about cold showers, I’d reconsider. For now, a little patience and a bucket seem to do the trick... and fewer moving parts means fewer headaches down the road.

I get the appeal of fewer moving parts, but I’ve actually had a different experience with recirc pumps. The newer models with timers or motion sensors are pretty much set-and-forget, and the wiring wasn’t as bad as I expected - just tapped into an outlet under the sink.

“the thought of one more thing to maintain, I just couldn’t pull the trigger.”

I get where you’re coming from about the recirc pumps. I’ve put a few in over the years - some tenants love them, others barely notice. The newer ones with timers are definitely less hassle than the old setups, but I still find myself double-checking them during turnovers. Maybe it’s just habit at this point.

“the thought of one more thing to maintain, I just couldn’t pull the trigger.”

That’s a real concern. Even if maintenance is minimal, it’s still another thing on the list. I’ve had a pump seize up once after a few years - wasn’t a big deal, but it did mean a call and a replacement part. Not the end of the world, but not zero-maintenance either.

The bucket trick is clever, though. I’ve seen folks use that water for plants or even flushing toilets during droughts. It’s low-tech, but sometimes those simple habits stick better than gadgets. I guess it comes down to what you’re willing to keep an eye on - some folks like gadgets, some just want fewer things that can break. Both ways save water, which is what matters in the end.

Honestly, the bucket trick is what finally got me to stop just letting the water run. I felt a little silly at first, standing there with a big plastic tub, but after seeing how much water I was catching every morning, it started to feel like a small win. I’m not super handy, so the idea of adding a pump or more gadgets kind of stresses me out. Less stuff to break, less stuff for me to mess up, you know? Plus, my plants have never looked better.

Plus, my plants have never looked better.

I totally get the “less stuff to break” thing. I tried one of those fancy shower timers once, but it just annoyed me and ended up in a drawer. The bucket’s way simpler. My kids think it’s weird, but hey, the water bill dropped a bit, so I’m sticking with it.

The bucket’s way simpler. My kids think it’s weird, but hey, the water bill dropped a bit, so I’m sticking with it.

Buckets are underrated. Here’s my quick “bucket hack” if you want to avoid the “eww, cold water” moment: set it in the tub before you turn on the shower, catch that first blast, then just slide it out when you’re ready. I get what you mean about gadgets - last time I tried a fancy timer, it beeped loudly at 6am and scared my cat under the bed. Buckets don’t beep.

Buckets are underrated. Here’s my quick “bucket hack” if you want to avoid the “eww, cold water” moment: set it in the tub before you turn on the shower, catch that first blast, then just slide it out when you’re ready.

That’s exactly what I do! The cold water at the start used to drive me nuts, but now I just catch it in the bucket and use it for watering plants or mopping later. It’s funny, my partner rolled their eyes at first, but when we saw the next water bill, they stopped complaining.

One thing I’d add - if you’ve got a big enough bucket, you can actually save a surprising amount of water. I keep a cheap plastic pitcher nearby too, for rinsing off after soaping up. It’s not fancy, but honestly, those shower timers and gadgets never worked for us either. “Buckets don’t beep.” Couldn’t agree more.

Sometimes I wonder if we’re overcomplicating things with all these smart devices. Buckets might look old-school, but hey... they get the job done and don’t wake up the whole house at 6am.

One thing I’d add - if you’ve got a big enough bucket, you can actually save a surprising amount of water. I keep a cheap plastic pitcher nearby too, for rinsing off after soaping up.

- 100% with you on “Buckets don’t beep.”
- We do the same - catch the cold water, use it for plants or cleaning.
- Honestly, I’ve tried those fancy timers and “eco” showerheads. They either break or just annoy everyone.
- Buckets are cheap, quiet, and actually save water.
- Only downside: sometimes I forget to empty the bucket and stub my toe... but that’s on me.

Buckets are honestly underrated for this. When we moved in, I was all about the “smart” gadgets - timers, low-flow showerheads, the works. My partner hated them. The timer beeped at the worst times (like, mid-shampoo), and the eco-head just made the water pressure sad. We ditched both after a month.

Now, we keep a big old mop bucket in the tub. It’s not pretty, but it does the job. I catch the cold water while waiting for it to heat up, and sometimes even the rinse water if I’m quick. That stuff goes straight to the garden or into the mop bucket for floors. It’s wild how much you collect in just one shower.

One thing I learned the hard way: don’t leave the bucket in the middle of the tub. I’ve kicked it more times than I want to admit. Now I just slide it to the side when I’m done, or dump it right away if I remember.

I do miss the idea of a fancy solution, but honestly, buckets are low-tech and just work. Plus, no batteries to replace or weird noises at 6am. If you’re worried about looks, I’ve seen people use those collapsible camping buckets - they tuck away under the sink and don’t look as clunky.

It’s not glamorous, but it’s practical. And yeah, plants seem to love the extra water.

Buckets are a solid move - sometimes the old-school stuff just works better than all the gadgets. I’ve seen tenants get creative with watering cans too, especially if they don’t want a big bucket taking up space. Curious - has anyone tried catching water from the bathroom sink as well, or is that more hassle than it’s worth?

- Tried the bathroom sink thing a few times, mostly when I was waiting for hot water to come through.
- Honestly, it’s more hassle than the shower bucket. The sink’s smaller, and you end up juggling bowls or little containers. Not super efficient unless you’re really committed.
- One thing I noticed: the water from the sink is usually cleaner, so if you’re using it for plants or rinsing veggies, that’s a plus.
- Space-wise, watering cans are great, but they fill up fast and you end up making more trips.
- Personally, I stick to a small bucket in the shower. Less mess, and I don’t have to babysit the sink.
- If you’re tight on space, maybe a collapsible bucket? Saw one at a hardware store and kinda wish I’d grabbed it.
- In my experience, old-school buckets are just easier to manage, especially if you don’t want to overthink it.

I tried the sink thing too and totally agree - it’s just awkward. I always end up splashing water everywhere or losing track of how much I’ve collected. The shower bucket is way less hassle, especially if you get one that fits in the corner and doesn’t trip you up. Collapsible buckets are a smart idea for small spaces, but honestly, a regular old bucket does the trick for me. If you’re using the water for plants, maybe just give it a quick sniff test first... sometimes shower water can pick up weird soap smells.

I hear you on the sink method - tried it once and ended up with more water on the counter than in the bucket. The shower bucket’s definitely less messy, but I’ve always wondered: does anyone actually use those fancy greywater diverter systems, or is the old-school bucket just easier for most folks? Also, has anyone noticed if certain soaps make the water less plant-friendly? I swear my basil looked offended after I watered it with some leftover shower water...

Those greywater diverter systems look cool in theory, but honestly, most folks I know just stick with the bucket. Less plumbing, less fuss, and you don’t have to explain to your landlord why there’s a new pipe sticking out of the wall. As for soaps, yeah, some of them are a bit harsh on plants - my mint looked like it was holding a grudge after I used a “moisturizing” body wash. I try to stick with the plain, biodegradable stuff now... seems to keep the herbs happier.

- Totally get where you’re coming from with the bucket - sometimes simple just works.
- I did look into installing a diverter, but between the cost and the “what’s that pipe?” questions from visitors, I bailed.
- Agree on the soap thing. I once used a “gentle” shampoo and my basil basically gave up.
- Switching to unscented, biodegradable soap made a huge difference for my plants.
- Honestly, it’s kind of cool seeing how much water you can actually save with just a few tweaks.

Funny how the simplest solutions end up being the most effective, right? I’ve seen tenants try all sorts of gadgets, but a plain old bucket seems to get the job done just fine. The diverter thing - yeah, I get the hesitation. Sometimes it’s more hassle than it’s worth, especially if you’re worried about people asking questions or messing with plumbing. Totally agree on the soap issue, too. I’ve had folks accidentally nuke their herbs with “eco-friendly” products that turned out not so plant-friendly after all. Swapping to a basic, unscented soap is underrated. It’s wild how much water you can repurpose with just a couple of tweaks.

I’ve tried a few of those fancy diverters and honestly, they just made things more complicated for me. Ended up sticking with a five-gallon bucket in the shower - simple, no leaks, no weird fittings. I use that water for flushing or the garden, but yeah, the soap thing is tricky. Had to switch to a super basic castile soap after my basil started looking rough. It’s surprising how much difference that made. Sometimes low-tech really is best.

I hear you on the diverters - tried one in a rental once and it leaked all over the place. Sometimes I wonder if these “solutions” are just ways to sell us more plastic. Buckets are cheap, easy to replace, and you don’t need a plumber when something goes sideways.

Curious though, how do you keep the bucket from getting gross? I had tenants who’d leave water sitting for days and it started to smell... not great. Also, with the soap, did you notice any issues with residue in the toilet tank or pipes? I’ve seen some weird buildup from “natural” soaps before, but maybe castile is different.

Low-tech usually means less to break, which is a win in my book. Still, I’m always half-worried someone’s gonna trip over the bucket and blame me for it. Ever had that happen?

Buckets definitely have their quirks, but I’ve found a few tricks to keep things manageable. I rinse mine out every day or two - just a quick swish with leftover shower water before refilling. If it gets funky, a splash of vinegar and a scrub brush does wonders. Haven’t noticed much soap residue, but I mostly use diluted castile, and it seems to break down fine. The tripping hazard is real, though... I wedge the bucket in the corner, but I still worry someone will kick it over half-awake. Has anyone tried one of those flat, wide bins instead of a bucket? Wonder if that’s less of a toe-stubber.