Finding the leaks and plumbing problems that are sabotaging your budget
Are hidden water leaks making your water bills skyrocket? Try these tips for finding the source.
Trust the Meter
Your water meter is the best tool you have for leak detection. When you suspect you have a leak, turn off everything in your home that uses water and go take a look at the meter. There should be a small red triangle on the face of it, which is known as the low flow indicator. If it’s moving, you have a leak.
Tricky Toilets
“Phantom flushing” in toilets can waste as much as 4,000 gallons of water per day. To test for a toilet leak, drip food coloring into the tank and wait about five minutes. If the water in the bowl becomes colored, you’re likely dealing with a leaking rubber flapper valve. Constantly hearing water trickle inside the tank could be a sign of a problem with the float unit. Adjusting or replacing these parts should resolve the issue.
Drippy Faucets
The constant drip-drip of a faucet can waste hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water per month depending on how much is leaking. Just one faucet dripping once per second can waste over 100 gallons. The same goes for leaky shower heads and outdoor faucets. Fixing an indoor leak may be as simple as replacing a rubber washer, but outdoor water loss may require professional services.
Hidden Leaks
Sometimes leaks develop in the service line that runs between the water meter and your house. To check for this, turn off the water to your house at the main shutoff valve and go back to your meter. If the flow indicator is moving, your leak is in the service line and is likely the source of your high water bills. The presence of unusual wet spots on the lawn can confirm this. Other places to check include your lawn irrigation system, your pool and your water softener or filter.
Some leaks are easy to fix, but others require professional help from specialists like those at ABC Home & Commercial Services. Our Bryan-College Station location is ready to assess and fix any plumbing problems you discover as you check your home for leaks. Visit our website for an overview of the services we offer, or give us a call to set up a service appointment. The sooner you can get a leak fixed, the less you’ll have to worry about your water bills.