Finding and Fixing
Leaks
Dripping faucets and leaking toilets are more than a nuisance. They waste
water and cost you money. If your water bill sky-rockets for no apparent reason,
chances are that there's a leak somewhere. Finding and fixing household leaks
can be easy and inexpensive. How much water can a leaking faucet waste?
Check for obvious signs
of leaks
- Do you hear water
running in the middle of the night?
- Does your toilet
fill up when it's not being flushed?
- Do you have a
spot in your lawn that looks greener than the rest of the yard?
- Is your water
bill higher than normal without any unusual activity?
- If so, first check
your toilets. Then your faucets.
Pinpointing Leaks:
Start With The Toilet
Toilets are the most common and unnoticed source of leaks. Follow these steps
to find out if your toilet is leaking:
1. Put a dye tablet in the toilet tank. Wait 20 minutes. DO NOT FLUSH during
test. If colored water appears in the bowl, you have a leak. The flush valve
ball (A) probably needs to be replaced.
2. If the flush valve ball isn't worn, check to see whether it fits into the
flush valve (B) snugly.
3. If this valve
is corroded, clean it. If the ball still won't seat properly, straighten the
guidewire (C) and make sure it's not catching on anything. (Newer toilets
have a chain and "flapper ball" instead of the guidewire and flushvalve
ball.)
4. Sprinkle a small amount of talcum powder on top of the water in the tank.
If the powder moves toward the overflow tube (D), you probably have an overflow
leak. Gently bend the float arm (E) down to shut off the valve before water
spills into the tube. Or, replace the float valve (F).
5. If your toilet whistles, whines, or won't shut off after adjusting the
float ball, you may need a new ballcock assembly (G). Hardware and plumbing
stores sell complete kits with instructions.
Fixing Leaky Faucets
You don't have to be a detective to find and fix leaky faucets. The most common
cause of leaks is a worn washer. Here's how to fix a washer on simple faucets:
1. Shut off the water at the nearest shut-off valve - or at the main shut-off
valve.
2. Loosen the cap nut (H) by turning counter clockwise. Turn the faucet handle
in the direction of opening until it comes off.
3. Lift out the faucet assembly.
4. Unscrew the brass setscrew (I) that holds the washer (J) in place,
5. Remove the old washer. Flush or wipe the cup clean.
6. Select the proper size replacement washer and insert it. Then replace the
setscrew.
7. Replace the assembly. Turn the faucet handle as far as possible to close
it. Then loosen the handle slightly.
8. Replace the cap nut. Close the faucet. Now you may turn on the water to
see if the faucet is properly reassembled.
When should I call
an expert?
If your meter indicates a leak and you can't find it, or if you're reluctant
to tackle these tasks, call a professional.
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