Did you know that plumbing leaks are to blame for more than one trillion gallons in U.S. household water waste every year? The average home wastes more than 10,000 gallons annually, and ten percent of homes have serious leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.
In an effort to curb this water waste, the EPA has designated March 19 through March 25 for their tenth annual Fix-a-Leak Week. Now’s the perfect time to hunt down and repair plumbing leaks because, the longer you wait to call your local plumber, the more water your leaky pipes and fixtures will fritter away.
But just how much money can a common leak cost you in water waste?
Toilet Leaks
How old is your toilet flapper?
Over time, rubber flappers can build up minerals or begin to decay, leading to leaky tanks. Toilets that run constantly create a significant amount of water waste – in many cases, more than 200 gallons is wasted every day.
Faucet Leaks
Leaky faucets are usually the result of old or worn-out washers and gaskets. At the rate of one drip per second, a faucet leak can drain away more than 3,000 gallons per year – that’s enough for more than 180 showers!
Showerhead Leaks
Speaking of showers, leaky showerheads are common plumbing problems.
Even with a slow drip rate of 10 drips per minute, more than 500 gallons go down the drain every year — and all that water could have been used to run 60 dishwasher loads.
Outdoor Leaks
Do you have an in-ground irrigation system? If it springs a leak, you could end up with 6,300 gallons in water waste every month — and that’s enough to fill the average bathtub nearly 80 times.
Garden hose and spigot leaks can create just as much water waste, sometimes more.
How to Find Hidden Plumbing Leaks
Plumbing leaks aren’t always easily visible. Fortunately, there are a few ways to tell if your household is wasting water.
First, check your utility bills, going back at least a few months. The average family of four goes through about 12,000 gallons per month. If your usage is higher, you may have hidden plumbing leaks.
You can also check your water meter after a two-hour period of no household usage. If the meter reading changes at all, you probably have a hidden leak.
According to the EPA, repairing plumbing leaks can save you about 10 percent (or more) on your water bills. If you live in the greater Salt Lake City area and have a leaky fixture or faucet – or if you suspect you might have a hidden leak – contact the professionals at American Plumbing Services.
As Northern Utah’s favorite plumbers for more than a decade, American Plumbing Services is known for exceptional customer service, high-quality workmanship and affordable pricing. Join us in celebrating Fix-A-Leak Week. Contact our Provo office anytime for a free water waste assessment and repair estimate for plumbing leaks.
