How To Prevent Leaks That Cause High Utility Bills

One of the causes of high utility bills that are least recognized in a house is water leakages. Individuals always think about ways of turning off the tap or using low-flow equipment; however, in the process, they overlook the silent dripping that results in their consumption of more water. Such unspoken problems that might look minor or unimportant can cause an unexpected level of waste and cost in the long run.

The breaks caused by old worn-out pipes, water running out of the taps, problems with the toilets, and broken connections might not be seen but the effects are very real. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) predicts that the loss of water of at least 10,000 gallons per year can occur even in average households when taking into consideration only the issue of the leak. It may look expensive environmentally as well as financially, considering the cost of wasting such products.

Common Sources of Unnoticed Water Loss

A toilet is one of the most frequently silent leaks. It can be silent and unnoticeable to the eye, but hundreds of gallons of water a day can go down the drain through a slow trickle of the tank to the bowl caused by a worn flapper or defective fill valve. Being hard to notice in most cases, homeowners usually learn of these leaks when they notice an unusually high water bill.

Another culprit is the water heater or washing machine. The leakage behind such appliances may happen in mere small drips or seeps which may take months before detection. It can be so easily that by the time mold, musty smells, warped flooring etc. manifest themselves the damage is usually already done. Regular check up is necessary and there are times that even this does not ensure that all is picked on time.

The Financial Impact of Silent Leaks

Although a drop of water does not sound like a lot, in the long run, this will translate into actual dollars. A dripping tap which dribbles once a second may cost you over 3,000 gallons annually. Since water charges are on the increase in most urban areas, this form of wastage is literally being translated into more costs on a monthly basis. Include the possible expenses on repairing the water damage, and the weight of the financial burden is even greater.

There is much more than just the cost of water in the bill, there can be a far-reaching damage to the structure of the house since it is being damaged due to the leaking. Water may undermine drywall, destroy floors and encourage the presence of molds that can result in expensive remedial work. It may happen that insurance may not cover damage which is incurred due to prolonged negligence and, therefore, the homeowner will have to pay the entire financial burden of his repair work.

Modern Solutions for Leak Detection and Prevention

The field of technology has enabled this monitoring to be easier than before, allowing potential disasters in the form of blocked pipes to be detected and prevented. Examples of such devices include the smart water valve which can determine anomalous water movement, stop the water supply, and alert the home owners. This enables a quick reaction to possible leaks limiting the amount of water wasted and the extent of damages.

A good example of such systems in the market is FloLogic which monitors your plumbing system in real time. It is capable of differentiating even the slightest fluctuations in water flow and it can cause the supply to be disconnected to avoid flooding. As opposed to the simpler types of flow sensors, FloLogic is an around-the-clock system that provides an additional degree of security and thus proves a worthy investment in case homeowners are interested in peace of mind.

Steps to Protect Your Home from Leaks

Water leak protection is still a big part of maintaining a home and regular maintenance is required. It can be checked each few months by looking under sinks, around the toilets, behind appliances and may help to identify the problem at the early stage. Monitor your water bill and see what is causing an abrupt rise in your water consumption. You may not notice a leak or hear water at all, but an increase in your bill can also spell trouble.

Along with the smart technology, it is possible to apply these efforts in place of damaging leaks. A smart water valve system such as FloLogic offers around-the-clock protection that can otherwise never exist when using manual inspections. Combined with contemporary equipment, proactive maintenance can put homeowners in the driving seat and keep them off their roofs as well as off the bank account ledgers where unseen flooding can be costly.