Useful extras

January 11, 2010

Check for leaky toilets

By Kashi Read more daily challenge, eco-friendly, and energy savers
Challenge Yourself for: 24 Hours

Do you have a leaky toilet? If you do, you probably don’t know it.

A quick and easy way to find out is to add food coloring to your toilet tank and then wait 30 minutes. If you see any color in the bowl, you have a leak.

The good news is that this problem is easily fixed. Simply take your toilet flapper to your nearest hardware store and buy a matching replacement.

It’s a good idea to buy a new flapper every 4-5 years. However, if you use chemical cleaners you may need to do this more often.

Today, check to see if your toilet is leaking. If it is, schedule a day for replacing the flapper.

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  1. User_48
    GRAPEHUYNH commented on this. about 2 years ago

    thanks , it is a good idea to save money and reduce waste

  2. User_48
    cbutcher commented on this. about 2 years ago

    AEJ is right on the money. why waste all that water? my wife and i switched to a compost toilet this summer and had no complaints about odor and wasted no water at all.

  3. User_48
    cmccarthy816 commented on this. about 2 years ago

    a leaky toilet cost me about $400 in a huge water bill hit! I now monitor my thrones frequently!

  4. User_48
    AceCorr commented on this. over 2 years ago

    I just got a new toilet, so there shouldn’t be any leak! I really enjoy my new toilet since it has a pump within another pump! Don’t have to worry about leaks, or the toilet overflowing anymore! BTW, hey AEJ why don’t you flush every time? Are you trying to save money on water? I wouldn’t do what you do cause I would not like to breathe in all the urine odors.

  5. 48_officeart
    AEJ commented on this. almost 3 years ago

    I try not to flush each time the toilet is used. Does anyone else do this?

    1. User_48
      cmccarthy816 over 1 year ago

      I don’t intentionally but my 5 year old never remembers to flush. She’s so naturally green! lol

  6. 48_blue-rose
    Aimee_Aken commented on this. over 3 years ago

    Great idea! I will have to check this out tonight!

  7. User_48
    beachplumfarm commented on this. about 4 years ago

    I had to empty my toilet to get the sand out of the tank—we get alot of fine sand in our water, even with 2 filters to catch it. This weekend I cleaned them out and double checked to make sure everything was in good working order.

  8. 48_renee_010
    ReneeBazan commented on this. about 4 years ago

    This was a great idea. I had two leaky toilets and they both were easily fixed!