These days appliances are becoming more and more cost efficient. As any Los Angeles resident knows, green or environmentally-friendly domestic machines can be real money-savers. From Beverly Hills to Santa Monica, if your home is equipped with a tankless water heater or efficient showerhead, then you most likely will see a reduced water bill every month. But what about washing machines? Certain technological advancements have been made, making them more energy efficient, sure. However, at the end of the day, if the machine gets clogged or isn’t draining properly, then no amount of sophisticated technology can help you.

Instead, you’ll need to rely on good old-fashioned plumbing strategies. If you experience a fundamental problem with your washer, here are a few ways to fix it that will provide convenience while reducing your water bill.

Add an extra sink

Many families go through loads and loads of laundry on a regular basis just to keep up. Whether you live near the The Staples Center or in the San Fernando Valley, small laundry machines can be a good way for homeowners to save money or conserve space, but their limited size can’t match the demand for a family-of-four’s clean clothes. As a result, an extra large laundry machine may be necessary. However, the improved size will put a greater strain on your plumbing, especially if you have an older home with, say, copper piping.

You’ll have to accommodate the increased water flow to avoid a possible flood. But that doesn’t mean you need to spend tons of money on new pipes. Instead, add a utility sink in the laundry room to catch the run-off. It’ll relax the demand on your home’s pipes.

Prevent lint back up

While adding a utility sink may require the help of the best plumber Los Angeles has to offer, some money-saving washer tricks can be handled on your own. Clogs can be a common problem. Whether you run the machine on a daily basis or just haven’t cleaned it in a while, lint will eventually build up in the machine and cause a clog. Fortunately the solution is fairly easy. All you have to do is install a lint-catcher.

Unlike a clogged drain or backed-up sink – both of which may require buying additional parts – a washing machine stoppage requires the simple removal of lint. Whether you reside in the South Bay or Hollywood, you can find them at many major home improvement retailers. Just attach the lint catcher around the drain with a plastic strip, and you’re done.

Use the right tools

If you find that the cause of your clog is more complicated than lint, you may have to use a more enhanced method of removal. Snakes can be helpful here. Similar to how you may’ve used them to unclog your sink, snakes for washing machines work by sending them through the drain. Remove any lint that you can access with your hand, insert the snake, and pull out any deeply buried debris.