Find hidden leaks to save money on your water bill
Save water and money by finding hidden leaks in your home.
Drips seem small but can quickly add up to a big expense, experts say. To find out if you have a hidden leak, just check your water meter.
"It will have a numerical reading on the top," said Paul Hope, a home editor at Consumer Reports. "Check that and then come back in about two hours. During that time, make sure nobody in the house actually uses any water. When you get back, if the number has gone up, it means you've got a leak somewhere in the house."
According to Consumer Reports, many leaks are easy and inexpensive to fix. The tricky part is finding them. Start in your bathroom, experts say, since it accounts for more than half of all home water use.
A common offender is the toilet. Check for toilet leaks by adding a drop of food coloring to the tank, and wait 15 minutes.
If color ends up in the bowl, you have a leak.
The leak can be repaired by replacing the flapper or valve seal. If your toilet is more than 25 years old, Consumer Reports recommends replacing it altogether. Some newer models need only a little more than a gallon of water to flush.
To fix a leaky showerhead, tighten the connection with pipe or teflon tape, while the fix for a leaky faucet might be as simple as a new washer or gasket.
Finally, be sure to look under cabinets and on walls, floors and ceilings for any signs of mold or moisture. If you find any of those, it might be time to call a plumber.
After checking the inside of your home for leaks, look outside. If a hose leaks where it connects to the spigot, try replacing the washer to get a tighter connection.
