So far this year, rainfall in Tulsa sits below average. That places us in moderate drought status. According to the EPA, the average US household wastes as much as 180 gallons of water per week. That translates to thousands of gallons per year for each household. We cannot afford to ignore this fact if we want to help alleviate water waste. Early detection and repair of water leaks not only helps thwart water waste but also keeps costs and damage to a minimum. Here are a few ways you can check for leaks in your Tulsa home.
How to Check for Sneaky Water Leaks
Review Your Water Bill
Perhaps the first place you find evidence of water leaks somewhere in your Tulsa home is when you look at your water bill. If the amount you owe increases without you consciously using more water, you may have a leak somewhere. Review several of your most recent bills. If the usage increases without a change in your family’s habits, you need to check your pipes for leaks. If you cannot identify a leak visually, you may need to call in a professional to check it out. Sometimes, a leak may come from an underground pipe.
Monitor Your Water Meter
The water meter provides another important information source for hidden water leaks. First, turn off all water in the house. Second, make sure the dishwasher and washing machine are not in use. Then, look at your water meter. If it shows a change right away, you have a major leak somewhere. But if nothing happens, wait a couple of hours and check again. If you see a change at that time, it means there is a small leak somewhere on the property. However, if nothing changes, you most likely have nothing to worry about.
Dye Job
Food coloring is for more than decorating cakes and dying Easter eggs. It provides a visual marker for a leaky toilet. Since approximately 30% of our household’s water usage stems from the use of toilets, you need to check for leaks here. Add a few drops of food coloring inside your toilet’s tank. Then, wait 10 to 15 minutes. After that, lift the lid of the toilet bowl. If you see the same color inside your bowl, that means that you have a leak. Sometimes, simply changing out the interior of the tank (the ballcock and float) is enough to stop any leaks. This takes minimal skills, costs only a few dollars, and takes just a few minutes to complete.
Perform a Spigot Check
Finally, the sprinkler system makes up about 30-50% of a household’s water usage. So, head outside to check for leaks. Replace broken sprinkler heads right away. Attach a garden hose to your exterior spigots. Then, turn on the tap. If you see water seeping through the connection, you may have a dried up rubber gasket or loose connection. Replacing gaskets costs pennies. Tightening connections costs you nothing. If you still see water leaks, call in a pro.
Lori Cain, REALTOR®, Serving Midtown and the greater Tulsa, OK area. Call 918-852-5036.
