Is your toilet running up your water bill?
With the drought in California stretching into a fourth year, residents may be running out of ways to cut their water use. One perhaps overlooked way—for homeowners everywhere—is to find leaks and fix them. In the average household, 10,000 gallons of water go down the drain every year because of leaks. Here’s how to stem the tide with tips from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Leak detection
If a family of four is using more than 12,000 gallons a month in winter months, they’ve got serious leaks. Before looking for individual leaks, check your overall water usage by monitoring your water meter over a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter keeps inching up, you probably have a leak.
Toilets
Typically, toilets begin leaking when the toilet flapper or valve seal becomes old or worn. To check, put some food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 15 minutes to see if color shows up in the toilet bowl. If it does, you’ve got a leak.
Faucets
Old and worn washers and gaskets are frequently the cause of leaks. Turn the water off under the sink before trying to fix a leak. Close the drain and cover the bottom of the sink or bathtub with a cloth so you don’t lose any small parts.
Showerheads
Make sure there is a tight connection between the showerhead and pipe stem. You can use pipe tape to secure it. You may also need to replace the washer. If you suspect a valve leak, it’s time to call the plumber.
Outdoors
Check your garden hose at the connection to the spigot and, if needed, replace the washer. If you have leaky in-ground irrigation, call a professional.
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This article also appeared in the July 2015 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.
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