No one likes to flush money down the toilet, but most of us do every day.
Even with the prevalence of water-efficient appliances, in many cases, water is getting wasted through cracks, crevices, and leaks in plumbing fixtures that homeowners aren’t even aware of. The average household can waste 180 gallons per week, or 9,400 gallons a year, from household leaks, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. And given the average cost of water, all of these leaks add up to $100 (or more!) in unnecessary water costs every year.
A majority of U.S. states are expected to have significant water shortages in the next decade, so for the good of the environment—and your pocketbook—reducing your water intake should be a priority. Here’s how to identify and fix water leaks coming from your home without investing in heavy-duty equipment or labor.
Check for leaks
Faucets and pipes are common areas for leaks in homes–make sure you check them.
Getty Images
The first step you’ll want to take is to determine how much water your home is leaking.
“Faucets and pipes are common areas for leaks in homes,” says Daniel Carter, a plumbing service provider and founder of Zippy Electrics in San Diego. “To check, turn off all faucets and other water-using appliances. Then, check the water meter. If it is still moving, it means there’s a leak somewhere.”
You can also check your water usage during colder months. A family of four using more than 12,000 gallons of water per month has major leaks, according to the EPA.
Fix a leaky faucet
Fixing a leaky faucet is easier than you might think. All you’ll need are a few tools and a new washer.
Getty Images
A leaky faucet can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water a year—enough to power 180 showers.
Fixing that perpetual drip, drip, drip is easier than you might think. All you’ll need are a few tools and a new washer.
“Turn off the water, and locate the main water valve in your home and turn that off, too,” says Ben Kuhl, CEO of Shelf Expression in Charlotte, NC. “Use a screwdriver to remove the screw that holds the handle in place. That will reveal the valve stem.”
Use pliers to unscrew the nut holding the stem in place, and gently pull it out, Kuhl says. Then, replace the washer, which is found at the bottom of the valve stem.
“Now, put it back together,” he says. “Replace the valve stem, and tighten the nut with pliers. Put the handle back on, and tighten the screw.”
Don’t forget to turn the main water valve back on, then test the faucet.
Fix a leaky toilet
Leaky toilet bowl tanks are very common.
Getty Images
One way to check your toilet for leaks is to add a drop of food coloring to the toilet tank. If any color appears in the bowl after 10 minutes, you’ve got a leak.
“Leaky toilet bowl tanks are very common,” says Andrew Miles, who worked as a plumber for 30 years before retiring to manage a water filtering and plumbing blog, WaterFilter Cast. “When people get a drip from their tank, the first impulse is to tighten the screws as hard as they can until it stops. Most of the time this will do more damage and make the leak worse.”
The overtightening can lead to deeper cracks around the opening, Miles warns.
Instead of tightening the screws, try “draining the tank and adding a water sealant epoxy first,” he advises. “Then add a new washer and tighten it firmly without overdoing it. This is really a simple fix for most that will save on having to call in a plumber.”
Repair a leaky showerhead
A showerhead that releases 10 drips per minute wastes 500-plus gallons per year!
Getty Images
Showerheads often spring leaks, and one that releases 10 drips per minute wastes 500-plus gallons per year—enough to power 60 cycles of your dishwasher, the EPA reports.
Replacing a showerhead with a more efficient one is the most obvious solution, but pros say it might not be necessary.
“In most cases, simply tightening the connections on the showerhead will fix that leak,” says Michael Looney, a home and roofing expert at HUDCO Roofing and Exteriors in Tampa, FL.
While you’re making that repair, you should also check the washer, or O-ring, and replace it as needed.
Revive a leaky garden hose
You can repair a crack or hole in a hose with a garden hose repair kit.
Getty Images
Outdoor hoses and in-ground irrigation systems or sprinklers can undergo damage from frost, freezes, or even animals that may chew on equipment.
If water is leaking at the hose faucet or spray attachment, replace the rubber washers in the female end of the hose or the spray attachment. If the leak is coming from a crack or hole in the middle of the hose, cut out the damaged section and put the hose back together with a garden hose repair kit.
The post Don’t Put Off This Common Home Repair —It Could Save You $100 or More a Year appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.