Leaking plumbing can wreak havoc on your wallet. Next time you get your water bill, take a look at your usage. If it’s more than 12,000 gallons a month for a family of four, you’ve got some leaks. That means you’re paying for water that’s going right down the drain. The EPA recommends checking your home for the most common causes of leaks. Here are some tips.
Before checking 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. The good news is that many common leaks are easy and inexpensive to fix.
Toilets. Typically, toilets begin leaking when the toilet flapper or valve seal becomes old or worn out. A good way to check is to put some food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 15 minutes to see if it color shows up in the toilet bowl. If it does, you’ll need to fix the leaky toilet.
Faucets. Old and worn washers and gaskets are frequently the cause of faucet leaks. If you attempt to fix this leak yourself, remember to turn the water off under the sink before you start. You should also close the drain and cover the bottom of the sink or bathtub with a cloth so you don’t lose any of the small parts. If you have no plumbing experience, you may be better off calling a licensed plumber.
Showerheads. Some leaky showerheads are easy to fix while others may need professional attention. Make sure there is a tight connection between the showerhead and pipe stem. The washer may also need to be replaced. If you suspect a valve leak, that’s the time to call the plumber.
Outdoor faucets. Check your garden hose for leaks at the connection to the spigot. If it leaks, try replacing the washer to ensure a tight connection to the spigot. You can also use pipe tape and a wrench. If you have in-ground irrigation, you should to check to make sure it wasn’t damaged by frost or freezing during winter. If it leaks, you most likely need help from a professional plumber.
Top-rated replacement fixtures
If these simple fixes don’t work, it may be time to replace your toilet, faucet, or showerhead. Replacing your old fixtures with WaterSense models not only saves water but money too. WaterSense models, including toilets from American Standard, AquaSource, Toto, and Kohler. Check these out and get a toilet that will save you water for years to come.
Recommend models for low-flow showerheads from Moen, American Standard, and Waterpik have very good or better shower feel and hot water delivery.
For more information on fixing leaky plumbing, contact Greater Boston Plumbing and Heating.
Consumer Reports
