Checking for Leaks
The average household's leaks can account for nearly 10,000 gallons of water wasted annually, and ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more daily. Common types of leaks are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These are often easy to fix, requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings - as much as 10 percent on your water bill!
To check for leaks in your home, first determine whether you're wasting water and then identify the source of the leak. Here are some tips for finding leaks:
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Review your water usage. Take a look at your water usage during a colder month, such as January or February. There could be serious leaks if a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month.
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Check your water meter. Then wait two hours when no water is being used and check it again. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak.
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Identify toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring (or one of our free leak-detection tablets!*) in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, you have a leak. Be sure to flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank. *Pick up a free leak-detection kit at our Customer Care office.
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Check for surface leaks by examining faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe.
