As you know, this week is Fix a Leak week. The EPA also published some information on identifying leaks that we thought was pretty clever. We’ve broken their article into several posts to make it easier to digest. We’ve add a few notes of our own for some local resources.

Remember, these are guidelines. If you aren’t sure how to do something, call us and we will send a plumber. Trying to fix something you aren’t comfortable with can frequently make things more costly in the end.

Checking for Leaks

To check for leaks in your home, first you need to 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.
• Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak.
• Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe to check for surface leaks.
• The Regional Water Providers Consortium has a video on detecting household leaks that you may find helpful.

Fix a Leak: Faucets

Old and worn faucet washers and gaskets frequently cause leaks in faucets. Many tutorials are available online for how to fix a wide variety of faucets. Here are a couple of examples:

• The Do-It-Yourself Network has a handy reference on faucet repairs. 
• YouTube has numerous video tutorials on how to fix a dripping faucet. 

Tip: Don’t forget to turn off the water line before you start!

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’ve 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, and look for the WaterSense label if you are considering a new toilet or faucet, you could increase your home’s water efficiency.

See a complete list of WaterSense labeled products.