Ask the Expert

• Plumbing Glossary
  A-Z index of plumbing definitions you need for around your home.
• Plumbing FAQ
  Common questions we receive about plumbing problems in general.
• Plumbing Tips
  Here are some helpful tips for home plumbing repairs.

Save Water, Your Wallet and the World

You would be surprised at how much water you can conserve by checking your plumbing fixtures.

For example, a leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water a day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. In honor of Earth Day, look for leaks. Your wallet with thank you!

If you are wondering how to spot a leak, follow this advice from Mr. Rooter service professionals:

• If water continues to flow after flushing, lift the tank lid. Adjust the chain if the flush valve flapper is hung up and not sitting down properly. If that doesn’t work, adjust the float ball so it doesn’t go down as far.
• Replace flappers and fill valves every couple of years to avoid a running toilet. A new flapper will seal properly, and a new fill valve will stop overfilling or filling too slowly.

Home repair stores carry these parts. For those who aren’t do-it-yourselfers, contact a qualified plumber to diagnose and fix the problem.

If you are willing to spend money on a new toilet, it will actually save you money each month on water and wastewater bills. Low-flow toilets only use 1.6 gallons per flush, and ultra low-flow toilets use just 1.28 gallons per flush.