Save water, and cash, in a flash

I HOPE you had a good break over the festive season.

From my side, Mrs Mac decided there would be no rest and we sorted all the things we had not got around to after our return from Clanwilliam. Boy, am I looking forward to going back to work.

Seriously though, I enjoy using my hands for interesting challenges and because I had time to think, I believe I saved a fair amount of money.

First up was the kitchen door lock which has been sticking for ages.

I removed it, took it into the workshop for an oil, grease and a blow out with the compressor (if you can afford one it is a great piece of equipment to have).

But when I testedthe lock, with the key, there was not even the slightest difference.I was about to buy a new lock – not cheap – when I decided maybe I had missed something.

Being a hoarder I keep two of everything, so I went in search of a duplicate key.

Lo and behold, there was nothing wrong with the lock. The old key was wearing away and not turning the lock.

Lesson? Do thorough checks before replacing anything.

Next on the list was a suspected leak in the swimming pool. Before going on leave I,spoke to my pool man. The first step was to disconnect the fountain as I had heard it can waste a lot of water.

But the pool level continued to drop. The next obvious spot was the skimmer box, but I had my doubts if I could tackle this; anyway I tried. I lifted the brick paving and dug down to the connections, blew away the sand with the compressor and found all the joints bone dry, but the sand on the side of the skimmer box was sopping wet.

An examination of the sides of the box adjacent to the pool wall showed a tiny, 1mm crack between the box and the wall.

A friend on Facebook suggested I put some dye next to the crack and see if it was “pulled in”.

Having no dye, I used a bit of balsamic glaze in a squeeze bottle only to see it drawn into the crack.

I sealed the crack with some underwater epoxy putty – problem solved. I shudder to think what calling a pool company would have cost. I even managed to re-lay the brick-paving

So don’t be afraid to try things yourself. I spent a large part of last month agonising over our water shortage and what can be done to improve the situation.

I wonder how many are aware of how much water is consumed, or what it costs?

Once one uses excessive quantities, cost escalates rapidly.

But as a first thought working on two cents a litre the following is a rough guide:

A five-minute shower costs R6 Flushing the toilet, R0.20 A load in the washing machine, R3

Letting the hose run for an hour, filling the pool, R72.