We all need to save money and avoid paying high water charges every month. Where previously we might have put up with a small leak or dripping tap, now we need to be vigilant and sort these things out quickly.
We've been looking at a few common house leaks that people may not be aware of and ways in which they can be resolved. The average water use per person is estimated at 150 litres a day, but leaks can result in thousands of litres being wasted. A considerable amount of water can be lost through a dripping tap over a 24-hour period!
Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10% on their water bills.
In many cases, homeowners are not even aware they have leaks.
Most household leaks are found around the stopcock of fittings however they can also be in the pipe itself which means the pavement / garden has to be dug up and the pipe replaced. Older houses, serviced by metal pipes, are more likely to leak.
A leaky tap that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. That's the amount of water needed to take more than 180 showers! Leaky taps can be fixed by checking for wear and replacing faulty elements if necessary.
A showerhead leaking at 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons per year – that's the amount of water it takes to wash 60 loads of dishes in your dishwasher! Most leaky showerheads can be fixed by ensuring a tight connection using pipe tape and a wrench.
Likewise, water can be wasted through a leaking toilet. Often the cause is an old, faulty toilet flapper. Over time, the rubber part can decay. It's usually best to replace the whole rubber flapper-a relatively easy, inexpensive DIY job. To test if your toilet is leaking, place a dye tablet or a few drops of food colouring into the toilet tank. If colour appears in the bowl without flushing, there is a leak. (Be sure to flush this away promptly to avoid staining)
Keep your home leak-free by repairing dripping taps, toilet flappers and showerheads. In most cases, replacement parts do not require a major investment. Water damage caused by leaks can cause serious damage over time if not treated. Equally any wastage of water will mean additional costs to your household water bill so repair promptly!