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Water Leak Facts

On average 67 percent of homes leak an average of 10 gallons per day or less. While roughly 5.5 percent of the homes surveyed leak more than 100 gallons per day.

The price of water does make a difference! Findings seem to verify that higher prices lead to some degree of voluntary leak detection and correction.

Renters as a group had a lower amount of leakage than non-renters. This may confirm the expectation that landlords seek to minimize costs.

Read Your Water Meter Use your water meter to check for leaks in your home. Start by turning off all faucets and water-using appliances and make sure no one uses water during the testing period.

Take a reading on your water meter, wait for about 30 minutes, and then take a second reading. If the dial has moved, you have a leak.

Check for Leaky Toilets

The most common source of leaks is the toilet. Check toilets for leaks by placing a few drops of food coloring in the tank. If after 15 minutes the dye shows up in the bowl, the toilet has a leak.

Leaky toilets can usually be repaired inexpensively by replacing the flapper.

Check for Leaky Faucets

The next place to check for leaks is your sink and bathtub faucets. Replacing the rubber O-ring or washer inside the valve can usually repair dripping faucets.