FAQs About Water Leaks

Simple tips on how to prevent water leaks

• Periodically you should check all faucets for drips, and replace worn and leaking washers, gaskets, pipes, or defective fixtures.
• Check for leaks on outside faucets, and make sure the valve closes properly.
• Check toilets for leaks - This is the most common cause of high water bills.
• Check the overflow of the tank to make sure no water is running over the float level may be set too high
• The flapper valve in the bottom of the tank is also a location of a possible leaking toilet.

To check for a flapper valve leak, put a small amount of food coloring in the toilet tank after it has been filled.

Do not flush the toilet for at least an hour, or overnight if possible. If the food coloring shows up in the bowl without flushing, you probably have a leaking flapper or plunger ball valve.

Various sizes of water leaks and how much water can be lost

• A dripping leak consumes | 15 gallons Per day | 450 gallons per month
• one-eighth inch leak consumes | 3,806 gallons Per day | 114,200 gallons per month
• one-thirty-second inch leak consumes | 264 gallons Per day | 7,920 gallons per month
• one-fourth inch leak consumes |15,226 gallons Per day | 456,800 gallons per month
• one-sixteenth inch leak consumes | 943 gallons Per day | 28,300 gallons per month
• one-half inch leak consumes | 60,900 gallons Per day | 1,827,000 gallons per month

Studies show that dripping faucets and leaking toilets account for as much as 14% of all indoor water use, equivalent to 10 gallons (38 liters) per person of water lost per day.

Further information or assistance is available from your local plumber.

Local water conservation resources - Clackamas River Water Providers