Did you know that leaking taps and running toilets contribute to over 2 million litres of water lost each year?
A few drips per minute may not seem like much, but once you multiply this figure by the number of hours in a day followed by the number of days in a year, it's easy to realise just how precious those few drips are. The volume of water lost by a dripping tap will vary depending on the severity of the leak, however, it has the potential to waste more than 150 litres per day, that's almost as much as having an extra person living in your home!
How to tell if your home has a leak
Checking your water meter is a great way to find hidden leaks around your home, as some leaks may be hidden or difficult to detect. Follow these simple steps to check if your home has a hidden leak:
1. Before you go to bed, turn off all the taps and water-using devices, but make sure the meter tap is on.
2. Check your meter reading and write down the number (note that white dials are kilolitres and red dials are litres).
3. Check your meter reading again in the morning, has it changed?
4. If your meter numbers have changed, you may have a hidden leak in your home. Give a licensed plumber a call to investigate this further.
Dripping taps
Dripping taps mainly occur when fixtures are continuously turned off too tightly and, over time, the pressure on the washer causes it to deteriorate.
Replacing a tap washer is quite simple, however, if you have a hot water system in your ceiling, it is recommended you contact a licensed plumber. Find out how to replace a tap washer below:
How to check if your toilet is leaking
A continuously running toilet can waste up to 96,000 litres of water per year, yet toilet leaks often go unnoticed as the water trickles down the back of the bowl. Toilet leaks are often a result of the rubber valve in the cistern deteriorating. You can contact a licensed plumber to fix this for you.
It is important to check your toilet for leaks every few months so you can be sure it is not wasting any water.
Follow these simple steps to check if your toilet has a leak:
