Is Your Plumbing Using Too Much Water?
Are you having unusually high water bills? Have you tried everything to cut down without success? Your plumbing could be the problem. Paying closer attention to your plumbing could help you reduce water use as well as your water bills.
Signs That Your Plumbing is Wasting Water
Leaky Faucets
It may not seem like much but ultimately, those seemingly few drops of water amount to much. Thousands of gallons of water are lost per household per year due to leaky faucets. A common cause of leaky faucets is high water pressure. If you are handy, you can adjust the pressure yourself.
Use a water gauge to test your water pressure. It should be below 80 psi. Adjust the pressure on the pressure regulator if you have one. If you do not have one, you may need to call a plumber.
Toilet Leaks
These can be internal where water from the tank flows out into the drain through the overflow line. If this is the case, you may need to adjust the level of water in the tank or change the valve or float if damaged. Toilet repair may be needed to improve the mechanics of the toilets and stop up leaks.
Water could also be draining through the toilet bowl. Check the flapper valve for damage and replace it, if worn.
Broken or Cracked Pipes
Broken or cracked pipes may not be readily visible but should never be overlooked. Even tiny leaks can cause serious damage to your ceiling, walls and floors. Because they are not easily detectable, you will need to call your plumber for a thorough check.
Leaks in Supply Line
Leaks in the supply line, buried underground are equally hard to detect. Your plumber will help you detect any leak on the supply line. If the leaking section is between your house and the meter, you will need plumbing repair. Never attempt to fix a supply line leak yourself.
Home Appliances
Your home appliances such as shower heads, washing machines, dishwashers, and flushing systems could be costing you more in water than you imagined. Change to more water efficient appliances. A front-loading washing machine for example, saves thousands of gallons of water per household per year.
Final Thoughts
Plumbing problems can cost you thousands of gallons of water and even your home. You can fix some of the simple and visible problems yourself but for the more hidden or complex problems, you will need plumbing repair.