Although not as tasty or flashy as some national days (we’re looking at you, National Donut Day), National Fix a Leak Week reminds us to pay attention and look for sneaky leaks and water wasters lurking in your home.
The average homeowner wastes over 10,000 gallons of water each year!
That's a lot, and here are the most common culprits and what you can do to stop them.
Dripping Faucets: A leak of a drop per second wastes about 3,000 gallons a year!
Dripping Showerhead: A showerhead that leaks 10 drips per minute wastes more than 29 gallons per month.
Saving Tip: Upgrade to a WaterSense showerhead to save 2,700+ gallons a year.
Hidden Leaks: Not all leaks are easy to spot. There could be leaks around faucet spouts or under the sink where connections to the water supply or drain are located. In addition, water heaters, washing machines, and refrigerators with ice or water dispensers can develop slow leaks where you can’t see them. Hidden leaks waste water and can develop into a moldy mess that could lead to costly repairs.
Leaky Potty: Leaky toilets are one of the top water wasters. The flapper can stick or develop leaks as components age. While some leaks will produce a running water sound, others will be silent. The average leaky toilet wastes 700 gallons of water a year!
Saving Tip: For more savings, upgrade to WaterSense toilets to save 12,000+ gallons of water a year.
Leak Check: Remove the lid from the tank and remove cleaning agents. Flush to clear chemicals from the tank. Add a few drops of food coloring into the water in the tank (colored instant drink powder works too). Wait about 60 minutes. If there is color in the bowl or along the bottom of the toilet – you have a leak. Remember to flush away the colored water from your tank to avoid staining your fixtures.
Plunger 101: Not all plungers are created equal! Are you using the correct plunger to clear your clog? Check out our Plunger 101 video to learn more about how to plunge away problems.