Find and fix home water leaks for Fix a Leak Week: ICC

Simmy Wood
·2 min read

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Fix a Leak Week has officially begun, lasting until March 24. The Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) is using the opportunity to encourage checking for leaks in your household plumbing and irrigation systems.

The ICC says each year, one trillion gallons of water are wasted across the U.S. due to leaks. Luckily, cheap fixes can help conserve water and wallets. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Fix a Leak Week aims to bring attention to just that.

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“The average American household loses more than 10,000 gallons of water each year from leaking faucets, running toilets, and dripping showerheads. That’s enough to fill a swimming pool,” ICC Chairman Doug Scott said. “Fix a Leak Week reminds consumers to find and fix leaks that with minor fixes, can conserve water and save consumers up to 10 percent on their utility bills.”

How can I prevent household leaks?

Officials from the EPA provided several helpful tips on how you can prevent water leakage in your home:

  • Look at cold weather month water bills. If your family of four or less sees more than 12,000 gallons in water usage a month, you likely have a serious leak. You may also have a severe leak if you see spikes on your water bill from previous months.

  • Read the water meter before and after a two-hour period without water use. You may have a leak if there are changes to the meter.

  • Place food coloring into your toilet tank. A few drops should do. If the color shows up in the bowl after ten minutes, you have a leak.

  • Replace old and worn-out toilet flappers to stop a running toilet.

  • Make sure there is a tight connection between your showerhead and pipe stem. You can buy Pipe tape or Teflon tape at any hardware store and easily apply it to stop minor leaks. For serious showerhead leaks, call a licensed plumber.

  • Replace worn-out faucet washers and gaskets to stop faucet leaks. Always turn off the water line before starting repairs.

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If you’re uncertain about following the above tips on your own, minor leaks can be fixed by following online tutorials. Otherwise, you can contact a licensed plumber or experienced handyman to help mend the problem.

For more information on Fix a Leak Week, including tips on how to find and fix indoor and outdoor leaks, visit the EPA’s website.

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