This
Neglected Home Repair Can Cost You $100 or More a Year
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency says one in 10 homes has a leak that wastes at least 90
gallons of water per day. Given the average cost of water, that adds up to more
than $100 a year.
“Easy-to-fix household
leaks waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, which is
equal to the amount of water used by more than 11 million homes,” said EPA
Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water Nancy Stoner.
In just 10 minutes,
you can give your home a water checkup. Start by looking at winter water bills
and fixtures for water waste, then twist and tighten pipe and hose connections.
Consider replacing broken or inefficient fixtures with WaterSense-labeled
models, adjusting water pressure, and softening well water. If winter water
usage for a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, it’s likely your
home has a leak problem. Here are some easy tips for finding and fixing it:
§ Check toilets for silent leaks by putting a
few drops of food coloring in the tank at the back and, if after 10 minutes
color shows up in the bowl before flushing, it may be time to make an easy
repair and replace the flapper.
§ Check outdoor plumbing and hoses for damage
from winter frost and tighten connections at the water source.
§ For in-ground sprinkler systems, have a
professional certified through a WaterSense-labeled program inspect sprinkler
heads and pipes for signs of leakage.
§ Check additional plumbing and outdoor fixtures
for leaks. They may just need a quick twist or pipe tape.
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