Water is one, if not our most valuable resource. We pay for its consumption, and most of us know what constitutes a reasonable water bill. If you have noticed an increase in consumption, it may be time to perform an inspection to be sure that water is not being wasted.
As a rule of thumb, the average family of four uses 400 gallons of water a day. If a home has one or more leaky faucets, a drip rate of one drip per second will waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year. Leaks can be found by reading the water meter before and after a two hour period when no water is being used. If the meter doesn't read exactly the same at both readings, there is probably a leak somewhere. This problem can usually be fixed by replacing any worn faucet washers. On the bottom of a faucet stem, a screw holds a rubber washer in place. Unscrewing the washer and replacing it with a new washer of the same size may eliminate the leak. Washerless faucets have O-rings instead of washers that provide a seal, and a cartridge, ball or disc mechanism that controls the water flow. These leaks can usually be fixed by pinching the O-ring on the stem and pulling it off.
A leaky toilet also presents a problem by wasting about 200 gallons of water every day. A toilet leak can be diagnosed by placing a drop of food coloring in the tank. If the color shows in the bowl without flushing, there's a leak. If the toilet was purchased prior to 1992, it is probably an inefficient model that uses 3.5 to 7 gallons of water per flush. New and improved hogh efficiency models use less than 1.3 gallons per flush, which is at least a 60 percent reduction in water usage. Retrofitting homes with high efficiency toilets can save a family of four about $1000 over 10 years without compromising performance.
Other plumbing fixtures in a home that may experience leaks include exposed pipes as well as pipes that run through walls or the foundation. Green stains around brass and copper may signal corrosion.
Water pressure is an important function of a propery working water system. Low pressure can indicate a problem with a line or sediment build-up in a faucet aerator or shower head. In bathrooms, tiles in the shower area and around sinks should not show cracks. A tap on a tile may reveal loose or hollow tiles indicating water leaks.
If no distinct cause of increased water consumption can be found, it may be time to consult with a licensed plumber, who can inspect incoming and outgoing service lines as well.
Water is and will continue to be a precious resource. Don't let your water and money flow down the drain!
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