FIX A LEAK WEEK
Fix a Leak Week is an annual reminder for people to check household plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems for leaks.
The Facts on Leaks:
The average household’s leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, or the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry.
Households leaks can waste more than 1 trillion gallons annually nationwide. That’s equal to the annual household water use of more than 11 million homes.
Ten percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.
Common types of leaks found in the home include worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and leaking showerheads.
Fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills.
Keep your home leak-free by repairing dripping faucets, toilet flappers, and showerheads. In most cases, fixture replacement parts don’t require a major investment.
HOW TO OBSERVE #FixALeakWeek
Take a look at your water usage during a colder month, such as January or February. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there are serious leaks.
Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak.
Identify toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, you have a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.)
Examine faucet gaskets for any water on the outside of the pipe to check for surface leaks.
Use #FixALeakWeek to share on social media.
FIX A LEAK WEEK HISTORY
Since March 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency has sponsored and organized Fix a Leak Week.
