Small Plumbing Leaks Could Be Costing You A Fortune

That tiny drip, drip, drip you’ve been ignoring in the bathroom sink may be costing you a lot of money.

Studies show that the average home loses anywhere from 2,000 to 20,000 gallons of water per year due to those tiny drips we tend to ignore. And that’s just from the leaks you can see. Every home has potentially dangerous situations lurking behind the walls or in crawl space. These are the tiny drips that can go undetected for years.

Water is one of the most powerful forces on earth. Left to its own accord, it will go where it wants, destroy what it wants. In our homes, we are safe if we keep it under control. But if those tiny drips are allowed to flow freely, they will break free, wear away connections, and weaken your home over time.

The only way to ensure this doesn’t happen is to check for leaks on a periodic basis. You can do this one room at a time, or perform a whole house test to ensure your home is safe and secure.

Faucet Leaks

Faucet leaks are one of the most common leaks in a home. You usually find them through the dripping you see and hear in your bathrooms and kitchen. Fixing the leak depends on the faucet and the problem at hand. Faucets are designed using one of four systems: compression valve, cartridge, ceramic disk, or ball. If you as a homeowner have any home maintenance repair skills in place, the fixture is usually fairly easy to fix.

Toilet Leaks

Toilet leaks often go unnoticed for longer periods of time because they are silent and out of view. When you hear a gurgling or hissing sound, and the toilet is not in use, it’s a sign a leak might be in place. Remove the tank lid and inspect the float mechanism. Where is the water level? The water level should never be higher than one inch over the overflow tube. If it is, the float might be damaged, or the refill valve may be worn. You can also perform a simple dye test to check for leaks. Drop a couple of drops of food coloring in the tank. If the water moves to the bowl, the flapper valve may be worn.

Line Leaks

The water line that connects into your home is usually buried three feet below the ground. If a leak occurs between the meter and the house, it is usually the homeowner’s responsibility. Leaks in the pipe from the meter to the main are the responsibility of the utility company. If you begin to notice pooling water around the meter box, or around the supply line where it enters your home, it may be a sign of a leak.

If you suspect a larger leak that is impacting your entire home, you can start with a meter test to see if you have a problem. Start by ensuring all water is turned off in your home, both inside and outside. Verify automatic equipment such as a sprinkler system will not turn on during the test. Then record the water meter reading and wait 15 minutes. Check the meter reading again. If the number have changed during the test, it may indicate a leak.

Call R.S. Andrews for Plumbing Service in Atlanta

How safe is your home from potential water leaks? Call R.S. Andrews for find out!