Now that colder weather is here, it’s time to really take advantage of being inside more, and get some projects done. If you’re tired of wasting energy, start with your toilet.
Dye-test your toilet. Plumbers say most people whose toilets are wasting water don’t even know it. In fact, a toilet that is constantly running wastes a lot of water and could cost little to repair. Put five drops of food coloring in your toilet’s tank, wait 10 minutes and see if the color comes into the bowl. If it does, you know you have a leak. The most common cause for a leak is a defective flapper, the rubber mechanism that allows water to exit the tank when you flush. That 10 minutes of your time could end up saving you a lot of money on your water bill.
If you have old faucets, replacing them is a good way to save water. This is a perfect cold weather project because it’s not that time consuming, and you can do it the your warm, comfy home. A professional at your local hardware store can help you determine which faucet fixture will be the correct fit for your sink and be sure you have the right tools for the job. Bringing a picture of your sink is also a good idea to make sure you get a perfect fit! Always remember to turn off the water source before attempting any repair. Experts say no special skills are needed to tackle this project. The cost for a bathroom faucet ranges from less than $10 to well over $100. It will take you a couple of hours, after you have the new faucet and all the tools.
Another great winter project is replacing your old, toilet. Toilet’s nowadays are typically lower flow toilets that use less water, which will save you money. Experts say, while a homeowner could complete this task himself, it requires a strong body to lift a toilet. Toilets are made of china and can easily cut someone, so you need to be careful when working with a toilet. Experts do not suggest trying to change out a toilet by yourself unless you are committed to spending a lot of time and have someone to help you. Keep in mind that toilets cost from less than $100 to well over $2,000 for fancy, designer models. Good luck.
Dye-testing the toilet is a great idea and a sure way to check for toilet flusher leaks. Flusher can really use up a lot of water. In our house, we use a big dipper to flush our toilet and if that is not enough, we fill up our pail half way and flush the toilet.