How to Fix the Three Worst Household Leaks in Your Home
March 02, 2015
March is one of our favorite months of the year. Here at A.J. Perri, we look forward to the beginning of Spring and Fix a Leak Week, which kicks off this month as well. We can't think of a better time of the year to fix the plumbing leaks around your home than during your spring cleaning. You will save a lot more water than you think by fixing your leaks, and you may save up to 10 percent of your water bill.
According to WaterSense, an EPA partnership program and the creator of Fix a Leak Week, you can help save up to 10,000 gallons of water each year by fixing the leaks in your home. You can do approximately 270 loads of laundry with 10,000 gallons of water!
The fact is, many household leaks are easy to fix. We've narrowed them down to the top three most common plumbing leaks that we see in New Jersey homes. We hope you will find the following checklist simple enough to complete on your own. However, we recommend reaching out to a professional plumber if you feel uncomfortable finding and fixing any of these leaks. Give us a call and we'll be right there.
How to Fix a Leaky Faucet
One of the most common leaks that we see, a leaky faucet, could cost you up to 3,000 gallons of water per year. At the rate of one drip per second, wasted water adds up quickly. In fact, you could save 180 showers worth of water each year if you fix your faucet.
Many times you can fix your faucet quickly and inexpensively by replacing an old, worn-out gasket or washer with a new one. Simply take your old washer to the store, match it up with a new one, and search for an online tutorial to walk you through.
How to Fix a Leaky Showerhead
Another common leak that many homeowners underestimate is a leaky showerhead. Ignoring a showerhead that keeps dripping long after you step out for the day could cost you a whopping 500 gallons of water each year.
You could fix your showerhead and save yourself the equivalent of 60 loads of dishes in your dishwasher.
Most often your leaky showerhead is caused by a loose connection. We recommend unscrewing your showerhead, wrapping a bit of pipe tape around the pipe and reattaching your showerhead.
If tightening your showerhead doesn't fix your leak, you may have a leak inside of your fixture. You can save yourself time and money by swapping out your problem showerhead with a functioning one from another shower in your home. If swapping out your showerhead fixes your leak, then purchasing a new one will do the trick.
However, if replacing your showerhead does not fix your leak, we recommend calling a professional plumber to take a look. A.J. Perri is always ready to serve your plumbing needs.
How to Fix a Leaky Toilet
No one wants to walk into the bathroom and see a puddle of water near the toilet. The good news is you may be able to fix a leaky toilet on your own by replacing your toilet's valve seal.
A quick trip to your local hardware store to purchase a new valve seal (also known as a flapper) may solve your problem.
If replacing your toilet's valve seal doesn't fix your leak, you may need to replace your toilet. At A.J. Perri, we can recommend the best water saving toilet for your home and install it for you. Give us a call 24/7 or schedule online to save 10 percent today.
Related Posts: