Chances are, if there is a leak in your home, you haven’t thought too much about it. Sure, sometimes you can hear the faucet dripping, but that just happens sometimes, right? It’s true that leaks are incredibly common and will occur in any home at one point or another, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t cause for concern that should be addressed promptly. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.” This waste is not only terrible for the environment, you are seeing the consequence of your leaking plumbing in your water bill. Therefore, it is in your best interest to learn the most common household leaks, and how you determine if you have them.
Faucets are perhaps the most obvious places where leaks occur. Over time, the more you use your sink, shower, and tub, the more the internal components that prevent leaks wear down, making leaks more frequent. Fortunately, it is pretty apparent when your faucets are leaking; you will hear dripping from the bathtub, sink, or shower when you aren’t using them.
Another common household leak is a toilet leak. However, unlike faucet leaks, toilet leaks can be virtually undetectable. Without the telltale “drip, drip, drip” that comes with other leaks, you could have a leaky toilet right now and not know it. Toilet leaks are often slow, making them hard to identify, or they happen very suddenly and dramatically. Either way, you’re in for some trouble.
You can check your toilet for leaks by using food dye. Remove the lid to the toilet tank, and drop about 10 drops of food coloring into the tank. Replace the lid, then wait (don’t flush!). If after 15 minutes, there is food coloring in your toilet bowl, you have a leak. If you can’t, then you don’t.
The washing machine requires a lot of water to get its job done, which means that it is quite typical to see washing machine leaks in your home. A washing machine leak can be particularly devastating because it can lead to a flood on your laundry room floor, potentially leading to extensive water damage. If you are certain you have a washing machine leak (which is obvious by the puddle of standing water on your floor), it’s likely due to a clog in the line. In this case, turn off the water main that leads to the machine, wipe up the water, and call us!
Because your water heater is hidden in your basement, garage, or closet, you probably don’t give it much thought. That is, until it breaks down; then, you can think of little anything else. It’s imperative that your water heater is regularly maintained to ensure that you do not have to pay for costly repairs down the road. If you have not had a plumbing company come and perform a leak inspection in recent history, give us a call at Hubbard Plumbing. We can also periodically flush out your tank to prevent sediment build up and to extend the life of your water tank.
When you are in need of a plumbing company in Suffolk County, contact Hubbard Plumbing. We are a family-owned and operated company that has been serving the area since 1979!