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Some potential sources of leaks that owners need to be aware of…
If you begin to notice consistent, elevated monthly charges without any changes in household showering, dishwashing or laundry habits, there may be a cause for concern.
Below are some potential sources of leaks that homeowners need to be aware of to ensure they are not being unnecessarily charged for excessive water usage within their homes.
• Toilet Leak(s). Regardless of how nominal, a leaking toilet can significantly increase your water bill on a monthly basis. In fact, a continuously filling toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water in a day! Check for toilet leaks by listening for running water after a toilet is done flushing and filling. To visibly check for small leaks, place food coloring into the water tank and if the coloring appears in your toilet water, you have a leak that requires attention.
• Dripping Faucets. Even a minor faucet leak can waste up to three gallons of water per day, which over time, can add up. Older sinks and faucets that have leaks will need to have their internal components changed if they start showing signs of failure. These include “cam and packing” components, adjusting rings, rubber valves, ball assemblies and other related parts.
• Underground Leaks. Water leaks that originate before the curbside meter box are the responsibility of the homeowner. Underground pipes that are aged or damaged can be very costly and leak a significant amount of water in a short period of time. Symptoms of underground leaks include unusual wet patches on a lawn, weak water pressure, sputtering water flows (caused by air pockets), and sections of a lawn that are greener than normal.
• Faulty Water Meter. A less common, but possible cause of a high water bill could be the result of a faulty water meter. To learn more about this issue, as well as other helpful information regarding your water bill
Tags: Building Maintenance, Plumbing Articles
Do you know? Or do you think you know?
I call this lack of systems knowledge. Here’s why it’s important.
Every piece of your building is made up of systems. Each system has pathways and pipes that make that system whole. I love when people generalize the term “plumbing”, when there are really multiple facets of systems that make up the plumbing.
There are domestic water systems, storm water systems, sanitary systems, etc.
Now, with that said, are you waiting until you have a major problem with your system to
Look at it? Like a don’t ask, don’t tell type of scenario?
Problem is, these systems almost always find themselves in peculiar locations, level 5 finished walls, columns with marble on them, walls with expensive finishes etc. Like when the kitchen of the tower club is located above the law offices really fancy conference room. (More on that story later).
The design of these systems is like the veins in your body, they hide discretely under the surface of your skin, and as long as everything is running smooth, no reason to investigate or research right?
Wrong.
Each one of these systems has a life expectancy for failure, and the longer the life, the higher the risk. When you wait till the system is failed, it usually always ends up
Costing more in the end.
For this condo in Fort Lauderdale, they unfortunately deferred maintenance, waited until it was too late, and the entire system needed to be replaced, as an emergency.
Had a thorough camera work up and report been done 5 years ago, they could of budgeted for this, and been more prepared.
As the story goes, just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Underground utilities are a part of your buildings critical infrastructure, you must prioritize it, or it will bite you in the ____.