leaky faucet

The City of Calgary says leaks can account for over 10% of the average water used in a home—that can mean a lot of wasted money too.

Early detection of leaks can save money and often advert potential disaster and avoid expensive insurance claims. Here are some tips to make sure your home is leak free.

Check your water meter

One of the best ways to tell if you have a leak in your plumbing system is to check the water meter. To do this, you'll first have to turn off all the water in your home. Shut off all faucets, and make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are not running. Next, watch the meter and see if it begins to change. If it does, you likely have a fast-moving leak. If the meter doesn't change immediately, wait a few hours and check it again. If it has changed despite all the water being off, you may be dealing with a slow leak. The leak could be anywhere after the meter, or perhaps even underground. Keep in mind that all piping after the meter is the homeowner’s responsibility.

Grab some food colouring

Leaky toilets are among the most common sources of water wastage in homes. You can easily check to see if your toilet leaks with these easy steps:

  1. Remove the tank lid of your toilet.
  2. Drop several drops of food colouring into the toilet tank, wait 20 minutes.
  3. Look into the toilet bowl, if the water changes colour, you have a leak.
  4. Get your toilet repaired, and you could save $100 with one fixed toilet!

Inspect cabinet interiors

Regularly check inside cabinets and under sinks for any sign of mold and foul smells that might indicate a leak. Inspect all the connections to the faucets and look for oxidization.

Don't forget the exterior

Leaks occur outside as well. Check your hose bib connections, make sure the seals are tight and working as they should. Have an irrigation system? Consider having a professional check it on start up in the Spring to insure its leak free and there was no damage caused over the winter. Often, sprinkler heads and drip lines can break or be accidentally damaged from the lawn mower, take the time to make sure they are working as they should.

If you suspect a leak anywhere in your plumbing system, call in a professional to make a repair as soon as possible. Don’t wait until it gets worse and you end up with a real disaster to deal with.

Posted by Kirby Cox on

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