Indoor Water Savings

Ask Danny, Interior, Plumbing, Video by Danny Lipford

A plumbing leak can cost you hundreds of dollars a year in wasted water. A simple toilet leak can use 50 extra gallons of water a day. Since many areas are concerned with water shortages, using some of these common sense tips can benefit us all.

  • Check your water meter before and after a 2-hour period when water hasn’t been run in your home. If the reading isn’t exactly the same, you’ve got a leak.
  • Place a few drops of food coloring into the toilet tank. If the color leaks into the bowl, replace the flapper.
  • Get those dripping faucets repaired. Usually it’s a simple matter of replacing worn washers.
  • Don’t use the toilet as a wastebasket or ashtray…and
  • Install faucet aerators to slow the flow of water.

Practice these few tips and you’ll not only save water, you’ll save on your monthly water bill as well.

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7 Comments on “Indoor Water Savings”

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  1. Dave Says:
    May 19th, 2007 at 20:25

    I have replaced the flapper on the toilet, but I still have a water leakage. The water refills every ten minutes for about 30 seconds. The flapper seal is hard plastic, should I try a soft putty seal on top of the Plastic ?

    Dave

  2. Official Comment:

    Allen Says:
    May 22nd, 2007 at 15:05

    Dave, I think putty would cause more problems than you want. It might be a better idea to use a neoprene seal instead. However, it may be less of a headache to simply replace the inner workings of the toilet completely. FluidMaster makes a great kit and it’s not too difficult, even if you’re not a plumbing guru.

  3. Virginia Says:
    May 28th, 2007 at 19:26

    I have a drip in my bathroom sink. I tried to turn off the water completely from underneath so I could replace the washers. The hot water keeps dripping. Is that indicative of a washer problem or something else?

    Thank you

    Virginia

  4. reising Says:
    May 28th, 2007 at 20:07

    Where is the info on the detector or valve that shuts off water if washing machine leaks.
    thanks

  5. Official Comment:

    Nicholas Roussos Says:
    May 29th, 2007 at 08:55

    Reising, You can find more information on the FloodSafe Auto-Shutoff Connectors at the bottom of the episode description where they appeared, (630) Affordable Interior Updates. It’s listed under Best New Product.

  6. Official Comment:

    Allen Says:
    May 29th, 2007 at 09:41

    Virginia, if the water keeps dripping after you’ve shut off the water at the valve, it sounds like it is simply an obstruction between the washer and the line of flow. A lot of the time, small bits of debris will get into the lines. When you are replacing the washers, before re-assembling the faucet, very GENTLY open the water valve—not full force—to allow the water to flow and try to clean out the debris. If the water is dripping too much to even attempt replacing the washer, then shut it off at the street.

  7. Faucet Aerator Guy Says:
    August 15th, 2009 at 18:27

    If you are going to install faucet aerators just make sure that you use low flow faucet aerators. Here is a video and write up on them on danny’s site here http://www.dannylipford.com/home-improvement-video/low-flow-faucet-aerator/

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