How Fixing Small Leaks Can Prevent Big Utility Bills in Pasadena, CA

The common places where leaks in your home spring from are usually right in front of you: dripping faucets, worn toilet flappers, and damaged irrigation systems. Regular inspections help you spot these likely culprits early, before they have a chance to escalate into more serious—and far more expensive—repairs.But even when we do look, understand, and maintain as best we can, sometimes problems crop up anyway. So we could say that leaks are poor problem solvers, and they're reasons enough to talk about the maintenance of Pasadena's older homes.

Minor leaks may appear negligible, but over time they can amount to a significant loss of water and money. Take a look at these figures.Even a drip of water from your faucet can waste a tremendous number of gallons and a substantial amount of money over a year, if not more. And just imagine how many drips there are in a month, a week, a day, or an hour!In fact, a tiny leak that goes unfixed and unnoticed over a significant period of time could conservatively waste at least 5,000 gallons. You could take about 35 or more showers, and you would waste more water in the time it takes to fix that little drip.

Small leaks can be repaired with relatively simple do-it-yourself methods, such as replacing washers or tightening connections. These are quick, inexpensive fixes that can save homeowners the hassle and expense of calling in a plumber. 1. The first way to repair a plumbing leak is to simply find ways to tighten connections. Sometimes, the source of the leak is not a washer or other part that needs replacing but rather a joint or connection in the plumbing that needs tightening. 2. If you're not comfortable with any of these methods or if they seem like they might be too involved, call a plumber. 3. Good to know: these methods will not work on some types of leaks. If you have a leak due to a corroded pipe, for instance, that's a situation where you will have to either replace the pipe or do a more involved repair. If any part of your plumbing system is in walls, floors, or ceilings, you may have to cut through some material to reach it.Nevertheless, particular circumstances might necessitate the talent of a professional plumber, especially when the situation involves hidden leaks or when attempts at do-it-yourself solutions have failed.Setting up routine expert checkups lets you truly know, without a doubt, that your plumbing is performing efficiently and is free of any surprises that might wreak havoc on your water bill.

Repairing tiny leaks not only helps lower your utility costs but also has a beneficial effect on the environment and the Pasadena community.In California, where water supplies are stretched, saving every drop is vital.You are helping to manage the state's water resources sustainably when you take the initiative to repair leaks. The benefits accrue not just to the community but also to the ecosystem. This is true even if the majority of repairs that you make are to your own plumbing.