We all know the movie “The Money Pit.” Shelley Long and Tom Hanks are hapless first-time homeowners who go more than a little crazy trying to keep their lovely country home from crumbling to the ground.

One of our favorite scenes has to be when the bathtub crashes through the floor. We know that laugh Tom Hanks made. In the plumbing business here in Southwest Florida for almost 20 years, we definitely know that exasperated laugh.

Your home is very likely the most important investment you will ever make. Taking care of it is part of the ongoing costs of investment – and you are rewarded with things like equity, resale value and a great home for your family.

But you still need ways to save money. You can’t break the bank, going cash-poor to remain house-rich. So, from your professional plumbers here in Fort Myers and Cape Coral, here are some smart home plumbing tips to avoid draining your bank account:

Gallons are dollars.

Use water conservatively. Essentially, when you need water, turn it on; when you don’t, turn it off. Do not allow the water to pour out for every moment that you’re brushing your teeth or washing the dishes. Also, look into investing in water-efficient toilets and shower heads.

A water-saving shower head can save about five gallons in a minute (and you still get clean).

Use Energy Star-rated washing machines and dishwashers.

Look for the familiar blue insignia on your residential or commercial appliances. According to EnergyStar.gov, a new dishwasher with an Energy Star certification will save an average of 3,870 gallons of water during its lifetime.

Have your system’s pipes inspected to ensure they can handle our part of Florida.

Codes for installation of sewer, septic and well piping are very strict here in Lee County and across South Florida. Around here we need to deal with sandy soil that shifts pipes and salty air that corrodes metal. To avoid an unbelievably costly re-piping catastrophe, get your whole indoor and outdoor plumbing system on a regular maintenance schedule.

Be flexible! Use flex tubing instead of copper.

One of the latest advancements in plumbing technology is the material from which pipes are made. Considering Fort Myers was the winter escape of both Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, it’s fitting that this area should embrace technological improvements – especially when they can save money over the life of your plumbing system, versus standard copper piping. At Lee County Plumbing & Well Service, we specialize in Viega Pex Press plumbing systems.

Planning a major renovation or build-out project? Plan ahead.

Being in the plumbing industry since 2000, we’ve been fortunate to be part of large-scale construction projects and remodels from Estero to Lehigh Acres. New outdoor showers, new pierside spigots, new guest houses. The money-saving tip for remodelers: Call us early. We’ll plan the installation of the various plumbing components on the best schedule for your overall project, keeping with your timeline and your budget.

It’s cheaper to maintain than it is to replace – usually much cheaper.

A pound of prevention is worth – in the case of many plumbing problems – thousands of dollars’ worth of cure. Let’s clean those drains before it causes a backup. Let’s solve that low-pressure problem before it becomes a clogged pipe. Let’s look into that foul smell or suspicious noise before it becomes a plumbing emergency – and your savings go down the drain.

Every building’s plumbing circumstances are unique, so the best ways you can save money could be different from high-density areas like LaBelle and pristine neighborhoods around Bonita Springs. Let’s see what tips are best for your Southwest Florida home or property.

Call us when you need service – actually, better yet, call Lee County Plumbing & Well Service LLC long before you need service.