The Mistake You're Making With Garden Hoses That's Hiking Up Your Water Bill

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Do you spray your patio or driveway down with your garden hose to clear fallen leaves and debris? You're far from alone. It's a go-to method that definitely makes life easier. However, it could also be landing you in hot water financially. U.S. homeowners' water use is two to four times higher during the summer. A lot of this can be attributed to increased lawn- and flower bed-watering — turfgrass needs light, frequent watering to survive the heat, and your flowering plants and vegetables need more water to make up for increased transpiration.

While it's generally understandable to provide your lawn and garden with extra water in hot weather — provided you do at the right time of day — where you really waste water is turning the hose on everything in your yard at the same time. When you already have the hose out, it can also be tempting to give your landscaped surfaces a quick wash, too. Do you really need to hose down your swimming pool deck, patio, and car? Fun in the sun also contributes a sizable splash when it comes to your water bill. Think of all the times you spent a hot day attaching your hose to a sprinkler or using it to fill an inflatable pool.

"A lot of these habits don't feel expensive in the moment, but then when you see the bill at the end of the month, you realize how much extra water you've actually been using," said Igor Bystrika, master plumber and owner of Rx Plumbing & Drain to Better Homes & Gardens. Thankfully, there are lots of alternative solutions and easy ways to conserve water in your home — and, perhaps more importantly, around it. You may even get a bit of exercise while doing some of them!

Feel like you're watering too abundantly? You can take steps to stem the tide. One of the easiest ways to get a less expensive water bill is resisting the urge to spray away the debris that inevitably collects on patios, decks, and other outdoor hardscaping. Instead, break out the yard broom — this 24-inch Pbhepj Outdoor Heavy-Duty Push Broom costs less than $22 and is perfect for concrete, wood, and stone — and sweep your driveways, sidewalks, and porches clear. You can still wash these surfaces, but do it seasonally, in spring and fall, rather than all the time, and use a bucket instead of your hose.

An estimated half of the water used outdoors is wasted due to overwatering runoff, wind whipping away water before it reaches the soil surface, and — importantly for watering timeframes — evaporation. If you spray your turfgrass during the hottest part of the day, you can expect the highest levels of evaporation. That's why early morning is the best time to water your lawn for luscious grass. Keeping your grass long could save you money on your water bill, too — it protects the soil from drying out.

It also pays, quite literally, to keep your eye on what you're spending each month on water. A big change in your utility bill total without a reasonable explanation — for example, several hot summer days of having all of the neighborhood kids running through your sprinklers — could indicate a leak or other problem. It's a smart time to check in with a plumber. Also, check your outdoor spigots, underground irrigation systems, and pool or hot tub for leaks once a month.