Have you ever got your water bill, and you just wanted to scream? The first thing we think about is our teenagers must be showering too long. Maybe you thought we need to cut back on our outdoor watering. You may even compare water bills, checking for increases. The last thing on our minds is a water leak. We will spend a month or so keeping a keen eye on water usage until that second bill arrives, then we go through the roof. Most households run their finances on a tight budget, so we’re determined to get to the bottom of these high water bills. Below are some interesting facts that the Environmental Protection Agencies (EPA) WaterSense program revealed regarding water leaks.
- Each year, leaks in the average home can waste more than 10,000 gallons of water, that is the same amount of water required to wash 270 loads of clothes.
- Every year, residential house leaks squander more than 1 trillion gallons of water in the United States. That’s equivalent to the yearly water consumption of more than 11 million households.
- 10% of houses have water leaks that lose at least 90 gallons of water each day.
- Leaks caused by old toilet flappers, leaky faucets, leaking shut-off valves, and outdoor spigots are all common. All of which are simple to repair or replace.
- By repairing these common residential water leaks, homeowners may save around 10% on their water costs annually.
- Maintain a leak-free environment in your house by fixing leaky faucets, toilet flappers, and showerheads. Generally, fixture replacement components are not a significant expense.
- You may avoid the majority of leaks by upgrading a home with new WaterSense-certified labeled fixtures and other energy-efficient equipment.
Leaking Shower Heads and Faucets
- A leaking faucet or shower head dripping at a pace of one drop per second can squander almost 3,000 gallons of water each year. That is the same amount of water required for almost 180 showers!
- You may repair faucet leaks by inspecting and replacing worn faucet washers and gaskets. When shopping for a new faucet, look for the WaterSense label.
- A shower head that leaks at a rate of 10 drips per minute uses almost 500 gallons of water each year. That is the quantity of water required to run the dishwasher washer 60 times.
- The majority of leaky shower heads may only need some pipe tape to stop the leak. By using pipe tape, it will ensure a secure connection. If you’re in the market for a new showerhead, reach for one that has the WaterSense designation.
Fix Leaking Toilets and Replace Old Ones
- When a toilet leaks, the most common reason is an old, defective toilet flapper. This low-cost rubber component degrades or accumulates minerals deposits over time. Generally, it’s better to replace the entire rubber flapper—a pretty simple, cheap do-it-yourself fix that quickly pays for itself.
- If you must replace the complete toilet, inquire about a model that is WaterSense certified. If an average household updates their old, wasteful toilets with new WaterSense-certified models, they may save up to 13,000 gallons of water every year. Installing new WaterSense labeled toilets throughout your home could save you as much as $2400 throughout the life of your toilet.
Find The Leak And Get Your Water Bill Under Control
Where do we start to search? If it is a water leak, you have two places to start with – your home and your irrigation. Below is a full list of instructions to determine how to locate your leak.
- Turn off all the water inside your home.
- Go to the water meter, located in the front of your house close to the street.
- Write down the reading on your water meter.
- Wait for one hour without using any water.
- Recheck the reading on the water meter. If it’s moved up, then you have a water leak.
- Don’t stop there, now take the new reading from your water meter and turn off your irrigation valve, usually located in the front yard or garage.
- Wait for 30 minutes and recheck your meter.
If your meter stops while your irrigation valve is turned off, then the leak is in your irrigation. If it continues to go up, then the leak is in your home.
The Search For The Leak Begins
If the leak is in your home, then the search begins. Start by checking for faucet leaks, running toilets, damp spots on your carpet, and discolored tiles. Wet spots on your carpet, discolored tiles, and dark spots on the concrete floor in the garage floor are all signs of a slab leak. On the outside of your home, you can check for puddling water. If you have an irrigation leak, you can investigate the zone valve. Whatever the case, consult your Big B’s Plumbing professionals; we’re licensed, bonded, and insured. They have leak detection specialists ready to locate and repair any leak in your home while providing the value and service you deserve.
