How to find and fix water leaks

Water is becoming scarcer, yet many homes have leaks that nobody has noticed. Leaks can be inside or outside the house, and over time they waste a great deal of water. That harms the environment and your budget, so it is worth looking for them and repairing them.

Even a small leak, such as a dripping tap, wastes a surprising amount of water. Fix leaks as soon as you find them.

Start with the water meter. If you do not have one, buy a meter key to open the meter box; the meter sits in the middle of it. Turn off every water appliance, including automatic ones like ice makers. If the red dial on the meter keeps turning clockwise, you very likely have a leak.

Next, check that no tap is dripping, and look for water around the base of each tap. A dripping tap wastes a lot of water over the months. You can call a plumber or repair it yourself by changing the washer or other worn parts.

Toilets are another common source of leaks, and they are easy to test. Make sure the tank and bowl contain only clear water, then add some food coloring or instant coffee to the tank. Wait 30 minutes without flushing. If color appears in the bowl, the toilet leaks. A leaking toilet can waste huge amounts of water and cost hundreds of dollars a year, so have it repaired quickly.

If the taps and toilets are fine but the meter still shows a leak, check around the shower and bathtub, as well as the outdoor taps. If you still cannot find the source, call a plumber.

Leaks waste a lot of water, but they are often simple to fix. The earlier you deal with them, the more water and money you save.