Good point about leaks—people often overlook them. Another easy sustainable upgrade is installing low-flow aerators on faucets and showerheads. They're cheap, simple to install, and can cut water usage significantly without sacrificing comfort. Just be cautious when removing old fixtures; sometimes corrosion makes them stubborn. I'd recommend using a wrench wrapped in cloth to avoid scratching surfaces, and always shut off the water supply beforehand... learned that one the hard way.
Totally agree about the aerators—cheap and effective. One thing I'd add though: don't expect miracles from low-flow showerheads if your home's water pressure is already weak. I installed one in our guest bathroom, and while it definitely saves water, the experience isn't exactly spa-like. It's fine for quick showers, but if you're someone who enjoys a strong stream, you might feel a bit disappointed.
Also, another overlooked upgrade is dual-flush toilets. They're pricier upfront than aerators, but installation isn't too complicated if you're comfortable with basic plumbing tasks. Just make sure to measure your existing toilet carefully before buying a conversion kit—some older models don't fit standard kits easily. Learned that after an annoying return trip to the hardware store...
And yeah, corrosion can be a pain. A little WD-40 sprayed on stubborn fittings about 15 minutes before you start wrenching usually helps loosen things up nicely.
Good points overall, but I'd caution against relying too heavily on WD-40 for plumbing fittings. It's great for loosening stuck bolts, sure, but it can degrade rubber seals over time. I've found plumber's penetrating oil or even a bit of vinegar soak works better without risking damage. Also, dual-flush conversions can be hit-or-miss—had one tenant who kept complaining about weak flushes until I finally swapped it back out. Just something to keep in mind before committing.
Yeah, WD-40's definitely not the best choice around plumbing seals—I learned that one the hard way myself. For sustainable upgrades, I've had pretty good luck installing low-flow aerators on all my faucets. Easy swap-in job, saves water without losing pressure (at least noticeably), and they're cheap enough to experiment with. Agree about dual-flush kits though...mine never flushed right either, ended up just getting a decent low-flow toilet instead. Way less hassle.
- Good call on the aerators, I swapped mine out a while back too and barely noticed any difference in pressure.
- Curious though, did you try adjusting the dual-flush kit before ditching it? Mine was finicky at first, but after tweaking the float settings a bit, it actually started working pretty well.
- Also wondering if anyone's experimented with greywater systems...seems like a cool idea, but maybe more hassle than it's worth?
