That’s right! Don’t take a leak! A water leak that is. Based on some statistics from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an average household will waste 10,000 gallons of water each year due to simple leaks in the home. Think about it. That’s 10,000 full-gallon milk jugs just sitting in your home are wasted each year. That’s enough to fill an entire standard-sized backyard swimming pool! Not only that, but one out of every ten homes in the US has leaks that waste an upward of 90 to 100 gallons per DAY! That home MIGHT be yours, and YOU might be overpaying a hefty amount on your monthly water bill because of it! Let us help you determine if you have any leaks!
Leak detection is the key! Most leaks occur around major fixtures and appliances in the home, such as toilets, sinks, showers, bathtubs, refrigerators, washing machines, garden hoses, etc. Many of these leaks are actually very easy to find and correct, and the best part is, by fixing them, the average household can save more than ten percent (10%) off their monthly water bill! Let us help you find out if you have any leaks!
The most obvious signs of leaks are easily detected by simply using four out of your five senses:
- LOOK for visible signs of water damage on walls, floors, or even ceilings. This may be discoloration or warping near any major appliances or water lines.
- LISTEN for sounds of running water or drips coming from any major fixtures or appliances.
- SMELL for mildew or mold in places near any major fixtures or appliances.
- TOUCH to see if you feel dampness behind or underneath any major fixtures or appliances.
Generally, these are the first indicators of a problem, but all too often none of these indicators are present, which is why so many household leaks go unnoticed each year. Another way to assess if you might have a leak is to run a check of your water meter. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour time frame where no water will be used in your house. If the meter does not read exactly the same after two hours, mayday! You have a leak!
A third easy check to run is on your toilets. Running toilets are one of the biggest culprits of wasted water each year. Place a drop of food coloring in your toilet tank. If within 15 minutes it appears in the bowl without flushing, yikes! You have a leak! (NOTE: Just make sure to flush your toilet immediately following this experiment to avoid color-stained toilet bowls!)
Now, once a leak is detected, most often it is something that just requires a quick twist to tighten, but if you’re not sure of the cause, or suspect a leak that you cannot find, it’s always best to call a professional. Local plumbing companies, like Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer, can often detect a leak in a matter of minutes and figure out a quick remedy to make it stop. Most household leaks just require a simple part replacement which can be taken care of very easily. However, with many older fixtures and appliances, we always recommend retrofitting to newer more efficient ones that will help save you more than what they even cost to have installed!
So don’t sit around and wonder why your water bill is so high, don’t take a leak! CHECK, TWIST, REPLACE!
- CHECK near all of your fixtures and appliances for signs of a leak
- TWIST any loose fittings or washers to ensure a tight connection
- REPLACE if your fixtures or appliances are out-of-date or if you notice any worn parts, have them replaced as soon as possible for a quick money saver!
If you’d like more facts about Water Sense, a program designed by the EPA to help save water and save you money, visit them online by clicking on this link EPA Water Sense Program or visit our website at DanielCordovaPlumbing.com to find out how we can help! If you are interested in an entire home leak detection check-up today, give us a call at (626) 968-0885. Don’t take a leak! Get it fixed quick!