Fixing Leaks Around the Home

Being handy around the house doesn't have to be difficult. Common types of leaks found in the home are leaking toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are easily correctable, in most cases requiring only a few tools and hardware that can pay for themselves in water savings.

Checking for Leaks
Drip... Drip...10 percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.

To check for leaks in your home, first you have got to determine whether you're wasting water, then identify the source of the leak.

* Take a look at your water usage during a colder month, such as January or February. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there are serious leaks.

* Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak.

* Identify toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl before you flush, you have a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.)

* Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe to check for surface leaks.

Fix a Leak: Toilets
A common reason why toilets will leak is an old or worn out toilet flapper (sometimes called a "valve seal"). Flappers are inexpensive rubber parts that can build up minerals or decay over time. Replacing them can be a quick and easy fix for your water woes. To fix this leak, consult your local hardware store, home improvement retailer, plumber, or one of the many online resources. Here's one example.

Tip: Bring the old flapper to the hardware store for comparison to make sure you buy a new flapper that fits your toilet model.

Fix a Leak: Faucets
A leaky faucet or showerhead that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.

Old and worn faucet washers and gaskets frequently cause leaks in faucets. Here's an example on how to repair a dripping tap. Don't forget to turn off the water line before you start.

Tip: There is a wide variety of faucets on the market. Many tutorials are available online on different types of faucets and how to repair them.

Fix a Leak: Showerheads
Nip that drip...A showerhead leaking 10 drips per minute wastes enough water in a year to run the dishwasher 60 times.

Most leaky showerheads can be fixed by making sure there is a tight connection between the showerhead and the pipe stem and by using pipe tape to secure it. Pipe tape, also called Teflon tape, is available at most hardware stores, is easy to apply, and can help tame unruly leaks. Here's an example learn how.

Tip: It's also a good idea to check and, if needed, replace the washer or "o" ring inside the showerhead while making this repair.

Fix a Leak: Outdoors
Don't be nickle and dimed...An irrigation system at 60 psi with a leak the thickness of a dime can waste about 6,300 gallons of water per month.

If you have an in-ground irrigation system, check it each spring before use to make sure it wasn't damaged by frost or freezing.

Check your garden hose for leaks at its connection to the spigot. If it leaks while you run your hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench. Here's an example on how to make additional repairs.

Leaks Still Flowing Overboard?
Have you done all that you can to try to eliminate leaks from your home but still can't nip that drip in the bud?

If you've already determined you have leaks and you find these step-by-step solutions aren't enough to stop them, it might be time to replace your leaking fixtures. If you consult with a plumbing professional, and look for the WaterSense label if you are considering a new toilet or faucet, you could increase your home's water efficiency.

Retrofitting the house with WaterSense labeled fixtures could save a family of four approximately $2,000 in water bills over the lifespan of the products.