Protect your Plumbing

Protecting My Plumbing



Moisture is Money


60 drops per minute equates to 192 gallons each month - almost 5 loads of laundry!

Use your senses to save you cents:

Look - Do you see any dripping faucets? Check all of your taps, including kitchen, laundry, bath, and even outside spigots.

Listen - Does your toilet make a noise or hiss when no one is using it? Identify toilet leaks by placing a few drops of food coloring into the tank, wait 10-15 minutes; if you see coloring in the bowl, there is a leak.

Feel - Can you feel moisture around any pipes under sinks? Some leaks can be stopped by simply tightening fittings.

Check for Toilet Leaks - Listen to the toilet tanks for a small hissing sound. That could indicate the flapper valve is passing water. Check the toilet tank or the proper water level. There is a level mark in the tank which provides the optimal flushing without wasting water. If the water level is too high, the excess water will run through the overflow tube in the tank into the toilet bowl continuously. If still unsure, you can perform a Dye Test - Place a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank, after 10 minutes, check the water in the bowl for color. If you see color in the bowl, you have a leak.

Check for Faucet Leak
Turn off the faucet completely and place a glass under the fauce
Check glass in 15 min., 1 cup = 300 gallons a month.
Check faucet for aerators by placing finger against water spout.
If you feel a screen, unscrew the aerator for cleaning or replacing.

Check for Landscape Leaks
Check for leaks around the hose and sprinkler connection.
Look for standing water on the surface near irrigation system spray heads.
If you see areas of the lawn that are brighter green than others, you may have a leak.

How much water does a toilet or shower really use?



An average residential home uses 7 Ccfs (5,236 gallons) a month.
Average person uses 80-100 gallons of water a day, mostly in the bathroom.
Two people typically use 4,480-5,600 gallons a month.

Flush the toilet
  • 3.5 - 7 gallons per flush. 6 flushes a day = up to 1,176 gallons a month
  • 1.6 gallons with a water saving toilet = up to 268 gallons a month

10-minute shower
  • 3.0 gallons a minute 3 showers a day = up to 2,520 gallons a month
  • 1.2 gallons with a low-flow showerhead = up to 1,008 gallons a month
  • Tub bath minimal water level = 10 to 15 gallons

Washing Machine - 40.9 gallons per load 6 loads of in a month = 245.4 gallons a month
Dishwasher - 9.3 - 20 gallons per load 6 loads in a month = 55.8 -120 gallons a month
Kitchen Faucet - 10.9 gallons a day = 327 gallons a month

What Should I Put Down the Disposal?
  • YES– small amounts of everyday small scraps and pitless fruit
  • NO– bones, peels, animal fats, left-over grease, olive oil, vegetable oil, motor oil, eggshells, coffee grounds, noodles, rice, pasta, flour, fruit pits, corn husks, celery, potato skins (peels), avocado skins, artichoke leaves, shrimp shells, or asparagus or other fibrous foods.

Sink disposals, if used like trashcans, will clog over time and cost a lot to repair. Please put leftover food in trash.

Things that should NEVER go down the drain or be flushed down a toilet:
  • Prescription drugs
  • Paper products other than toilet paper (paper towels, diapers, mail)
  • Toys
  • Leftover cleaning supplies