Get your detective hat on because Fix a Leak Week is right around the corner! This annual event is observed the third week
of March to raise awareness about wasted water caused by household leaks. Did you know that a leaky faucet can add up to about 3,000 gallons per year? If we do the math, that’s 150 loads of laundry, 180 showers and 48,000 glasses of water!
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average household can waste almost 10,000 gallons of water each year due to unchecked leaks. Leaks can drive up your water bills. The good news? These leaks are often easy and inexpensive to fix. This Fix a Leak Week, Toho Water Authority encourages you to channel your inner detective. Grab your magnifying glass and start looking for leaks!
A quick start is to pause all water use in your home. Then go out and check your water meter. If the little red dial is still spinning, you might have a leak. It’s time for some serious sleuthing! If you are uncomfortable in fixing a leak, contact a licensed plumber.
Where leaks like to hide:
Toilets: Hear that? Sssss —It’s your toilet hissing! This could be the result of a worn or damaged flapper. A running toilet can waste over 200 gallons of water a day, so head to your nearest home improvement store and grab a new flapper to solve the case. They are inexpensive and easy to replace.
Showerheads: A leaky showerhead can waste enough water to run a dishwasher 60 times! If your showerhead is leaking, you can fix it by making sure it’s screwed in tight. Grab some pipe tape to secure a connection between the showerhead and pipe stem, then use a wrench to tighten it.
Faucets: The case of the dripping faucet is a classic. Worn out washers and gaskets are often the culprits, causing leaks that waste over 3,000 gallons of water per year. If you discover a leak, replacing the washers and gaskets can fix it. Also check the pipes underneath for any leaks and get them fixed too.
Outdoors: Leaks can also hide outside! Check your garden hose for leaks where it connects to the spigot. You can fix a leak by tightening the hose with pipe tape or a wrench. But if that doesn’t work, you may need to replace the hose washer. You should also check your irrigation system monthly for leaks, misaligned or broken sprinklers.
If you were able to find any leaks, great job, detective! If you’re still having trouble identifying a leak, Toho will be hosting two community sessions to teach customers how to identify leaks and ways to fix them. For more information on these sessions and to register, visit tohowater.com and click on Fix a Leak Week. Any questions concerning a leak can also be directed to our Customer Service team at 407-944-5000.
