Household leaks can waste nearly 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, a fact highlighted during the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Fix a Leak Week, which runs through Sunday. 

Common types of leaks found in the home are worn toilet flappers, dripping faucets, and other leaking valves. These types of leaks are often easy to fix and can save homeowners about 10% on water bills. To check for leaks, determine whether you’re wasting water and then identify the source of the leak. Here are some tips: 

• Take a look at your water usage during a colder month, such as January or February. If a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, there could be serious leaks. 

• Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak. 

• Identify toilet leaks by placing a few drops of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl after 10 minutes, you have a leak.  

• Examine faucet gaskets and pipe fittings for any water on the outside of the pipe to check for surface leaks. 

• Use the EPA checklist to keep track of your search for leaks: Detect and Chase Down Leaks at Home Checklist