Did you know that, according to the EPA, water leaks in homes waste over a trillion gallons of water every year? A leaky faucet is often the culprit when it comes to a water leak, and they can be extremely bothersome not just because of their cost, but also because of the noise they make. After all, who wants to hear a faucet drip all day?
Whether you’re fixing it to save money, or you’re opposed to the environmental waste it causes, it’s a good idea to leave the repair of a leaky faucet to a professional. But there are a few things you can do before a plumber arrives to keep a leak from being a total waste.
Identify the source of the leak
There are a few places a water leak can originate from. For instance, a leak can come from the faucet itself. Water can also leak from knobs and handles that control water temperature. In order to figure out exactly where a leak is coming from, dry up any standing water and take a good hard look at where the water is flowing from. This can help you narrow down the source and allows you to take steps to make sure water isn’t leaking into other areas besides your sink or bathtub.
To save money, shut off water to the faucet
This is a quick fix that will ensure you don’t need to hear the dripping of a leaky faucet all night long. And by shutting off the water supply to the sink or bathtub with the leak, you can also guarantee you won’t be losing money down the drain.
To save water, catch it in a pitcher or bucket
If you aren’t comfortable shutting off the water yourself before a plumber arrives, you can always make use of whatever’s leaking out — that is, as long as it’s easy to collect in a container. Water from a leaking faucet can be used to water plants, or can be poured into your pet’s water bowl so that it’s still being used for something productive.
Visit HRI plumbing to learn more about dealing with a faucet leak or call (217) 334-4545. HRI Plumbing provides a full range of plumbing services.
