The Stuff Making Your Utility Bill Worse: Part 3 - Water Waste You Don’t Notice
Hey there, Salt Lake Valley homeowners! We’ve been talking all week about the "silent thieves" stealing money from your wallet through high utility bills. We’ve covered air loss and HVAC killers, but today we’re diving into the one that literally goes down the drain: water waste.
When people think about saving water, they usually think about shorter showers or turning off the tap while brushing their teeth. While those help, the biggest culprits are often the ones you don’t even notice. In fact, household leaks across the country waste nearly a trillion gallons of water every year. That’s a lot of wasted cash!
If you’re looking for a Salt Lake handyman to help plug these leaks, here is what you should be looking for in your own home.
Slow Leaks Under Sinks
The space under your kitchen or bathroom sink is often an "out of sight, out of mind" zone. We cram them full of cleaning supplies and spare trash bags, which makes it easy to miss a slow drip.
A slow leak from a P-trap or a supply line doesn't just waste water; it causes wood rot and mold. If you live in Herriman or Riverton, you know that our dry climate can make homeowners less likely to notice moisture issues until damage has already started. Regularly clear out your cabinets and check for dampness or water stains. If you see a drip, don't wait: cheap fixes can turn into expensive water damage problems if left alone.
The "Phantom Flush": Running Toilets
We’ve all heard it: the toilet that randomly starts filling up in the middle of the night. This is often called a "phantom flush," and it’s usually caused by a worn-out flapper valve. It might seem like a minor annoyance, but a running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day, which adds up fast on your monthly bill.
If you’re in Sandy or West Valley City and your water bill spiked for no reason, this is the first place I’d look. A simple way to test this is to put a few drops of food coloring in the tank. Wait 20 minutes without flushing. If the color shows up in the bowl, you’ve got a leak that needs a expert in home repair in Salt Lake to swap out those internal components.
Outdoor Hose Bib Drips
As the weather warms up in the Salt Lake Valley, we start heading outside. However, winter can be brutal on exterior plumbing. If you forgot to disconnect your hoses last fall, there's a good chance your outdoor faucet (hose bib) has a small crack or a failed washer.
A drip from an outdoor faucet often goes unnoticed because the water just soaks into the ground. But if that faucet is leaking every second of every day, it’s adding up on your monthly statement. Check your exterior fixtures in Magna and throughout the valley to ensure everything is tight and dry.
Stop the Waste Today
At Your Handyman Pros, we’re all about helping you keep your home efficient and your bills low. Whether it’s fixing a stubborn leak or performing a full home maintenance inspection, we’ve got your back.
Don’t let your hard-earned money leak away. If you need a handyman that Herriman residents trust, give us a shout! We are a licensed and insured contractor.
Stay dry and stay savvy, Salt Lake!
