Nine out of ten complaints most water companies receive about high water bills can be traced to a leaking toilet in their home. Household water leaks cost the average homeowners approximately 12 percent of their water bill through problems such as worn-out toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and leaking valves. Checking your toilets periodically for leaks can save you money on your monthly utility bills and help our environment by conserving our most precious resource - water.
Just how much can one little leaking toilet cost me? Well, one of our customers' knew she had a toilet that had been leaking but was not certain she wanted to spend the money for the repair. She kept noticing her water bill was edging up higher and higher each month but thought it was because it had been dry and she had been watering her plants. Her toilet was leaking more and more. Finally she was not able to ignore the issue any longer and turned the water supply off to the toilet. A few days later her sewer and water bill came. She was absolutely stunned to see her current month bill leap to a staggering $639. She had used over 39,000 gallons of water during that 3-month period than in previous 3 months.
If you are handy, changing out the 'guts' to your toilet can be an inexpensive do it your self project. If not, a call to your local small plumbing contractor will quickly solve the issue before your water bill goes through the roof.
Things You'll Need: Dye capsules OR tablets OR Food Coloring OR Powdered Drink Mix
Instructions:
NOTE: A properly operating toilet will store water in the tank indefinitely without any water running into the bowl.
Tips & Warnings
Visible sure-fire signs your toilet is leaking:
The plumbing experts at Michaels Plumbing Service can repair or replace your leaking or malfunctioning toilet, water closet and plumbing fixtures. Call us today or schedule your appointment online for fast leak service!
*Published with permission - this article was originally published on October 18, 2009 under the byline Katrina Derrico as How to Check Your Toilet for Leaks: The Dye Test eHow.com.
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