Watch Out for These Common Water Leaks!

According to the Environmental Protection Agency , the average household’s water leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water lost every year. These leaks are often caused by simple problems that can be easily fixed. The pros at Manzo Plumbing and Heating, Inc. have prepared a list of common water leaks and what you can do to troubleshoot and prevent them!

If you’re dealing with a toilet leak, you are most likely dealing with a worn-out flapper. The flapper is the seal between the toilet tank and bowl. Whenever you pull the flush lever, the flapper lifts and water drains from the tank into the bowl. However, if the flapper is deteriorated, water might continue to leak in the bowl, long after you have flushed. To fix this problem, all you need to do is replace the flapper with a new one from your nearest home improvement store!

If the base of your toilet (where the toilet meets the floor) is leaking, you might be dealing with a damaged wax seal. The wax seal creates an impermeable barrier between the toilet and floor and keeps flushed sewage from seeping onto the floor. So, if your toilet base is leaking, it’s important to fix it fast. Fortunately, this is something you can fix yourself though you will have to purchase a new wax seal and remove the toilet. Here’s a quick guide on how you can do it!

According to the EPA, a showerhead leaking at 10 drips a minute wastes up to 500 gallons a year. So, if your showerhead is leaking, make sure to troubleshoot it as soon as possible. A showerhead leak might easily be caused by a loosely attached showerhead. Tighten the showerhead to the stem to make sure it is secured properly. For extra precautions, use Teflon tape.

Your garbage disposal can leak from several places. Here are some of the most common areas on your garbage disposal that are prone to leaks!

The main drain line is the larger pipe under your disposal that leads to the sewer. If your garbage disposal is leaking from there, you can try to tighten and reseal the connections on the drain line. If this does not work, the gaskets on the drain line might need to be replaced. You will have to turn off the disposal, disassemble the pipe and add new rubber gaskets.

The metal sink flange is located at the opening of the garbage disposal. If the flange is leaking, there is a chance it has not been sealed properly. First, be sure to tighten the screws at the bottom of the flange. If this doesn’t fix the leak, you might have to add new plumber’s putty to properly secure the flange.

If the line between the dishwasher and garbage disposal is leaking, tighten the screws in the metal clamp connecting the two appliances.

If you want to learn more about how you can prevent common water leaks, get in touch with the pros at Manzo Plumbing and Heating, Inc.! Call us today at 516-783-0490 or schedule a service online !

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