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Fix Leaks- Save Water And Money
The EPA states that more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from homes nationwide every year. That’s equal each year to over 3,000 gallons for every person in the U.S. Slow drips of water can add up quickly and can cause extensive damage to a home before it is even noticed. A toilet that “keeps running” after you flush or a sink that drips after it is turned off can waste thousands of gallons of water a year. If the drip is hot water, you are paying for wasted energy too. You can go to the USGS website (U.S. Geological Survey) to find a calculator that tells us, “how much water does a leaking faucet waste?”
You should fix leaks as soon as you find them- they won’t go away on their own. Water is still so inexpensive that many people procrastinate to fix leaks. However, the decision to fix a leak should not only include the cost of the wasted water and repair, but a consideration for the true value of water as one of our most valued natural resources. Also leaks generally get worse over time and the best course of action is to fix a leak when it is first noticed.
Let’s talk about different types of water leaks, how to check for leaks and ways to detect and prevent leaks.
Types of Leaks
- Leaking faucets. A leaking faucet is usually the result of a bad rubber washer. The washer on a sink is typically located under the handle. A washer is relatively easy to replace, if you have the right tools. It does require shutting off the water under the faucet, and removing the handle. If you don’t feel comfortable doing the repair yourself, contacting a plumber is your best option.
- Toilet leaks. These are by far the most common type of leak. An easy test to see if your toilet leaks is to put several drops of food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 15 minutes. If the colored water appears in the bowl, you have a leak. A leaky toilet can be caused by a couple of things. If you remove the tank lid you might be able to identify the cause, correct the problem and try your leak test again. In most cases you may be able to replace the toilet flapper (the rubber thing at the bottom of the tank that keeps water in the tank) and/or the filling mechanism. Again if you don’t feel comfortable doing the repair yourself, contact a plumber.
- Outdoor leaks. The most common outdoor leak occurs where a garden hose connects to a spigot. If it leaks while you run your hose, try tightening the connection between the hose and the spigot. If that does not work, replace the rubber washer inside the hose connection. Leaks also may occur in the irrigation valve system that control the flow to a sprinkler head and drip systems. Grains of sediment get stuck in the valve allowing water to continuously leak out. This type of leak is detectable on your water meter and you will sometimes notice a wet spot in the landscape.
How to check for a water leak
- Locate the water meter. It should be near the street under a metal, plastic or concrete lid. The water meter is your indicator of water use. When water is not being used, nothing on the meter should be moving. Water meters have numbers or spinning dials, which record usage. Most meters also have a small “leak detector” arrow, which senses the lower volumes of water common with leaks.
- Turn off every water-using item inside and outside the home. This means turning off showers, sinks, washing machines and any appliance that uses water. If you have a sprinkler irrigation system, turn off the controller and manually shut off the two valves at the double check assembly (DCVA) to isolate the irrigation system.
- Check the meter. Watch the meter for a minute or more. If the leak detector dial or arrow is moving, you have a leak. In some cases, it may move back and forth very slightly, as water pressure in the street fluctuates. If it moves forward continually, even at a slow rate, you have a leak. You may also want to check the main meter reading (numbers) at a set time, and then come back an hour later, after you know no water has been used. If it has a higher reading, there is a leak. If you suspect a toilet may be the culprit, turn the water off from the toilet shut-off valve (on the wall, under the toilet) and check the meter again.
- If you still can’t locate the leak, find the shut-off valve for your home. It can be indoors or outdoors, but should be near the location where the water line enters your home. If you don’t know where the shut-off valve is, follow a straight line from the water meter to your home, and look for it.
- Confirm the location of the leak. If the main shut-off is closed and the meter has stopped, the leak is not between the meter and your home. If the meter still runs with the main water shut off, your leak is between the meter and your home. Since outdoor leaks are relatively rare, be sure to double-check that all indoor fixtures and outdoor hose and irrigation lines are off. Contact a plumber to fix underground outdoor leaks or any water leaks that occur along a pipe. This is a difficult fix and should not be attempted by anyone who is not a professional.
Detection and Prevention
- Pay attention to your monthly water bills. If you see an increase in your water bill that is an indication of a water leak. You may need to compare past water bills to see a change.
- Once you suspect you have a water leak follow the steps above to check/confirm where the leak is coming from. If you are not sure how to proceed contact a plumber.
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