Indoor plumbing is believed to date back a few thousand years to 2500 B.C. Since then, there have obviously been quite a few improvements. Despite this, bathroom and kitchen faucets, toilets, and other essential household plumbing occasionally spring a leak.
Were you aware that toilets account for 25% to 30% of your household water usage? If you think your toilet may be leaking, the Environmental Protection Agency has a great tip to find out for sure. Basically, all you need to do is drop a bit of food coloring in the tank. Let’s go with green. Keep watch for ten minutes, and if the water in the bowl turns green, then you have a leak.
Did you know that ten percent of homes throughout the United States have leaks? Due to these leaks, 90 or more gallons of water are wasted every day. Even a leaky faucet that just drips twice a minute can waste more than one gallon of water over the course of a week. If this leak continues for months on end, then this can really add up. When you get those leaks taken care of as soon as possible, however, you’ll be able to see a difference on your overall water bill. Furthermore, when these are easy-to-fix leaks, you can potentially save ten percent.
You may be surprised to learn that over the course of a year, a trillion gallons of water is wasted. This is due to running toilets, leaking faucets, and other types of leaks. The monetary value of all this water is $6 billion! Needless to say, that money could be put to a much better use.
Then there’s your home’s water heater. These, too, can leak, or worse, burst. If this occurs, not only will the surrounding area flood, the water can also flow or seep into carpets and flooring. Furthermore, a burst water heater can obviously cause other types of property damage. If you don’t recall the last time your home’s water heater was replaced, or if you know it’s been about ten years or even longer, it’s time to have a new water heater installation. Water heaters generally account for roughy 18% of your home’s energy usage. When you have your existing water heater inspected, you may want to ask your repair service about having an energy-efficient water heater installation.
Whether you have a few minor leaks or a water heater that makes unpleasant sounds, it’s important to contact your local repair service at your earliest convenience. While those leaks may be an easy fix, and you don’t believe you need a new water heater installation, it makes sense to have the professionals make that final assessment. When they come to your home, you can also ask them how to save more on your water bills along with additional tips on weatherizing your home.
