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Being handy around the house doesn't have to be difficult. Common types of leaks found in the home are leaking toilet flappers and dripping faucets. These types of leaks are easily correctable, in most cases requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings. |
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Every Drop Counts
Did you know that an American home can waste, on average, more than 10,000 gallons of water every year due to running toilets, dripping faucets, and other household leaks?
Nationwide, more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year. That's why WaterSense is promoting Fix a Leak Week from March 15 to 21, 2010, to remind Americans to check their plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.
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To check for leaks in your home, you must first determine whether you're wasting water, then identify the source of the leak.
· Take a look at your water usage during a colder month, such as January or February. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there are serious leaks or water waste occurring.
· If you suspect that your home has a leak, schedule a free Leak Check with the Public Works Department. A city employee will check your water meter and water use. For assistance, please contact the Public Works Department at 972-292-5800 or send us an email.
· To help identify toilet leaks, pick up a few leak detection dye tablets at the City of Frisco’s Public Works Department located at 11300 Research Rd. Place a tablet in the toilet tank, wait a minute, and if any color shows up in the bowl before you flush, you have a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.)
· Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe to check for surface leaks. |
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Toilets
A common reason why toilets will leak is an old or worn out toilet flapper (sometimes called a "valve seal"). Flappers are inexpensive rubber parts that can build up minerals or decay over time. Replacing them can be a quick and easy fix for your water woes. To fix this leak, consult your local hardware store, home improvement retailer, plumber, or one of the many online resources on how to replace your toilet's flapper.
Tip: Take the old flapper to the hardware store for comparison to make sure you buy a new flapper that fits your toilet model. |
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Faucets
Old and worn faucet washers and gaskets frequently cause leaks in faucets. Don't forget to turn off the water line before you start.
Tip: There is a wide variety of faucets on the market. Many tutorials are available online; on different types of faucets and how to repair them.
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Showerheads
Most leaky showerheads can be fixed by making sure there is a tight connection between the showerhead and the pipe stem and by using pipe tape to secure it. Pipe tape, also called Teflon tape, is available at most hardware stores, is easy to apply, and can help tame unruly leaks.
Tip: It's also a good idea to check and, if needed, replace the washer or "o" ring inside the showerhead while making this repair. |
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Outdoors
If you have an irrigation system, check it each spring before use to make sure it wasn't damaged by frost or freezing during the winter.
Finally, check your garden hose for leaks at its connection to the spigot. If it leaks while you run your hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer to ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.
Get a handle on your leaks and schedule a Free Irrigation Check-Up with the City of Frisco's Irrigation Specialist. A check-up may help identify irrigation leaks and increase your water use efficiency outdoors. Call 972-292-5844 or send us an email.
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Leaks Still Flowing Overboard?
Have you done all that you can to try to eliminate leaks from your home but still can't nip that drip in the bud?
If you have already determined you have leaks and you find these step-by-step solutions aren't enough to stop them, it might be time to replace your leaking fixtures. If you consult with a plumbing professional, look for a WaterSense labeled product if you are considering a new toilet or faucet. You could significantly increase your home's water efficiency.
Courtesy of EPA WaterSense. |
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