Is Your Toilet Flushing Money Down the Drain?

Have you noticed the price of your water bill slowly creeping up? While many might dismiss the issue as increasing rates, the actual cause of the problem may be right under your roof. In fact, your toilet could be “flushing” hundreds of dollars away each year.

The EPA estimates that a leaky toilet can account for nearly 200 gallons of wasted water every day – That amounts to nearly 6,000 gallons each month.

Most of us have experienced the constant drip of a leaky faucet or showerhead, but what about a toilet? What are the signs that you might have an issue? The first sign of a leak is a toilet that constantly runs water or requires a jiggle of the handle to stop. This is often a sign of a bad flapper in the tank. How can you know for sure? Place a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. If the color starts to seep into the bowl after you flush, you might have a more serious problem (be sure to flush the food coloring away right after the test, or you might stain the inside of your toilet bowl). Additionally, water around the base of the toilet could also signal a leak (be aware that humidity in your home can also cause condensation puddles).Another cause of high water bills is an inefficient toilet.

The federal mandate for new toilets is 1.6 gallons of water per flush, however, if you have an older toilet, you could be flushing upwards of 3-1/2 gallons of water with each flush. You would not pour three gallons of water down your sink, so why would you flush it down the toilet? If you have an older toilet model your best option is to install a low-flush or dual flush unit to help to reduce your bills and conserve water

.If you are not sure what is causing the increase in your water bill, it is best to leave the diagnosis to a plumbing professional. The experts at JTM Plumbing Services, in Gretna, NE, offer a free analysis of your current toilet and will provide a reliable price quote if it requires a rebuild or the installation of a new model.