Easy Ways to Celebrate Fix a Leak Week in Your Home
*Last updated March 19, 2018.
Each year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense division devotes one full week in March to finding and fixing home plumbing leaks. And, you guessed it — that week has finally arrived! In honor of Fix a Leak Week 2018, the plumbing pros at Barker and Sons have teamed up with the EPA and WaterSense to bring you some of the best ways you and your family can start finding leaks, fixing them and conserving water right in your own home.
“Leaks can run, but they can’t hide!”
Finding leaks can definitely be difficult, but it’s not impossible. Especially if you spend the next week doing everything you can to chase them down… starting with these two simple detective-work tasks:
1. Take a look at your recent utility bills.
Do you feel your water bill has been higher in recent months? If so, those extra few seconds you spend soaking in the warm water some mornings may not actually be to blame. During the colder months, it’s not uncommon for pipes to freeze and burst. In many cases, this will cause major flooding, but in others, the cracks are so tiny that it’s nearly impossible to find them unless you’re searching. According to WaterSense, as a general rule, a family of four’s winter water usage should not exceed 12,000 gallons per month. A spike in your water bill during these months can be your first indicator that something has gone awry.
2. Give your water meter an extra careful read.
If you don’t already know how to read your water meter, you definitely should learn. Depending on your home, your meter can be either inside or somewhere outside, usually closer to the curb. You may want to check with your water supplier or local plumber to be certain if you’re unsure. Once you’ve located it, you’ll need to remove the protective lid, which may require the help of a screwdriver, and take a reading. You should take this reading at a time when no water is being used. Then, go back a few hours later and repeat the reading. If there’s a change in water usage and you haven’t used water since reading…
Eureka! You may have found your first a leak!
While these are two of the best ways to detect a leak early on, they’re certainly not the end-all-be-all! In fact, the EPA’s WaterSense has an entire checklist of items you can look out for to make sure your water is right where it should be — in your plumbing!
Think you may have a sneaky, leaky situation on your hands? If so, you’re in luck! Barker and Sons Plumbing & Rooter has been serving Orange County, CA and the surrounding areas with high quality, 24/7 emergency plumbing solutions for more than 30 years.
To learn more about our 24/7, same-day emergency plumbing services, or to make an appointment, please call 714-630-8766 or fill out our service request form online.
