Seal That Leak

Take a leak…and fix it like a pro. Listen up for a simple how-to:

Drip, drip, drop goes the leaky faucet, sending more than just a few drops down the drain. (via Tomwsulcer)

Why settle for leaky faucets when sealing ’em up can be as easy as one, two, three? Karen Wirth of the EPA’s WaterSense program explains the problem—and the simple solution.

“An American home can waste on average more than 11,000 gallons of water every year due to things like running toilets, dripping faucets, and other common household leaks,” she says.

Her handy three-step solution? Repeat after us: Check, tighten, and replace.

If you have a water meter, one way to check for leaks is to read it before leaving the house and when you get back. If it ran while no one was home, then Houston, you have a leak.

Toilets and faucets are likely culprits, of course, but remember to look outside, too, at things like irrigation systems and spigots.

Once you find the problem, twist and tighten any leaky valves. Finally, replace worn-out parts or appliances. Then, give yourself a pat on the back for having become a true leak-sealing pro.