Conserve Water And Save Money: Check For Leaks
In your own household, the key to maintenance of your water supply is up to you. Water leaks and the resulting damage can cause you major financial losses. Anyone can check for water leaks but to fix them you must be able to do some basic repairs.
First of all you need to find out what is causing the leak. Here are several reasons why water leaks occur:
First let’s talk about the kind of water lines you have.
- Galvanized pipes were used many years ago and they corrode and rust and leak especially at joints. These kinds of water pipes have not been used for years and should be replaced throughout the whole house. Repairs to them are not easy, though they can last for a couple of years.
- Copper water lines have been used now for many years and are very good but can leak at joints if it was not soldered properly when installed.
- Plastic lines are now being used a lot and only leak at the joints unless someone punctures it.
Other reasons that lead to water leaks are insufficient supports along the line.
- Most leaks happen at taps where the tap is no longer completely shutting the water off.
- At toilets where the stopper or other internal part needs to be replaced.
- Or at shut offs.
- One major problem in northern climates is your water lines freezing if they are in low heat areas or in exterior walls.
- Another reason for leaks is the use of tools around your water lines, you could inadvertently damage them.
So how do you know if you have water leaks if you are not seeing water on the floor?
1. Learn How To Read Your Water Meter
Being able to do this could well be the easiest way to detect leaks on your own. Start by reading your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a water leak! This could be something as simple as a leaky bathtub faucet, or as horrendous as a leak from a pipe deep within one of your walls, which could be causing untold damage to your home.
2. Leak Detection Tips
In order to detect water leaks, make sure you turned off all of your appliances and faucets that use water. Then read your water meter dial and wait for 20 minutes. If the dials didn’t shift, you have a home with water pipes in solid shape. But if the dials shift, systematically check all of your appliances again. If all are turned off and no drips are visible, you need to look for dampness or wet spots around your sinks and water lines.
3. Food Coloring Technique
Make it a routine to check your toilet. By adding a small amount of food color, to your toilet tank you will be able to know if the toilet is leaking. After 20 minutes or so, if the color appears in the bowl, it is leaking. Try to replace the parts as soon as possible to prevent further problems.
Did you know the average water used in each household is 60 to 200 gallons per person for a day? Are you surprised by how much water you consume every day?
- Remember that every drop of water counts
- Bathrooms account for almost 70% of water used
- Ensure all pipes and faucets are leak-free
By being aware of these causes of water leaks and how to detect them, you will conserve water everyday. Conserve water by finding and fixing water leaks regularly. It will benefit you financially. It will keep your family safe. And it will benefit the people of the future who would be able to make use of this precious resource.
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