The City is encouraging Winnipeggers to check for plumbing leaks during Fix a Leak Week, March 20 – 26, 2017.
Did You Know?
Plumbing leaks can waste water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can cost customers hundreds of dollars each year. The majority of leaks occur in the bathroom and the most common culprits are toilets and dripping faucets.
In many cases, fixture replacement parts are inexpensive, pay for themselves quickly, and can be installed by do-it-yourselfers or plumbing professionals.
Check your toilets for leaks
The majority of leaks occur in the bathroom and the main culprit is the toilet. Follow these simple steps to check your toilet for leaks:
- Remove the toilet tank lid.
- Add a few drops of food colouring into the tank.
- Wait 15 minutes.
- If the water in the bowl has changed colour, then you have a leak.
The most common cause for a leaking toilet is a worn out flapper valve. This is an easy and inexpensive fix. If you have any difficulty changing your flapper, we suggest you contact a licensed plumber.
Cost of leaks
| Leak size – equivalent to openings of: | 1/16 inch | 1/8 inch | 1/4 inch |
| Cubic metres per day Note: 1 cubic metre = 1,000 litres | 3 | 12 | 50 |
| Cost per day (2015 rates) | $11 | $45 | $187 |
| Cost per bill (2015 rates) | $990 | $4,050 | $16,830 |
More information at http://winnipeg.ca/fixaleakweek.
