From Drips to Dollars: Detecting and Fixing Water Leaks

10% of homes have water leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day, according to the EPA.

A single hidden water leak can waste thousands of gallons of precious water and — worst of all — quietly cause devastating structural damage to your home. Undetected leaks in toilets and sinks can add hundreds of dollars annually in water bills, while severe leaks in plumbing can lead to repair and remediation costs in the tens of thousands. But here’s the good news: winter is the perfect time to become a water leak detective, and you don’t need expensive equipment to get started. Whether you’re ready to invest in advanced monitoring technology or prefer simple “look and see” solutions, here are effective ways to find costly leaks before they find you.

Quick-Start Leak Detection

Start with these simple, no-cost methods to check for leaks.

Visual Inspection

Spend an hour to check these common problem areas for signs of water leaks:

• Under sinks and around toilets
• Behind washing machines and water heaters
• Along visible pipe runs in basements or crawl spaces