Having a dripping faucet or shower head seems like a minor problem. The fact is, leaking plumbing fixtures around the home can add up to a lot of wasted water and cost you money in higher utility bills. If a water leak is hidden under a sink or behind a wall it can cause unhealthy mold and structural damage to the house.
Consider these water facts from the EPA.
- 10 percent of U.S. homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more each day
- A leaky faucet dripping at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year
- Minor water leaks account for more than 1 trillion gallons of wasted water each year in the U.S. – an amount equal to the annual water use of 11 million homes.
- A shower leaking at 10 drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons per year
So what can you do to prevent water waste in the home? Start with the simple repairs by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and replacing them as needed. If toilets are leaking, have them repaired. If you’re replacing an old toilet, water heater or other plumbing appliance or fixture, choose a model with the EPA’s WaterSense rating.
Need help repairing water leaks around your home? Grand Lake Plumbing and Heating can help.
