Drippy faucets are a sneaky money-drainer. More than 500 gallons of water per year are wasted on a faucet with a leak of 20 drips per minute (figure out your drip wastage at the U.S. Geological Survey website). These drips are usually caused by warping or other damage to a small part inside the faucet handle. If your faucet leaks faster, or if you have problems with more than one, your waste is even greater which means higher water bills and more harm to the environment.
The good news is that the fix in many cases is fairly easy, and you can avoid the cost of a plumber. A $1 washer or O-ring from a hardware store is a simple fix and should instantly start saving water and money.
The basic fix-it steps:
- Turn off the water (a handle you can turn clockwise on the water pipe, often underneath your sink)
- Take the faucet handle off (by hand or with a screwdriver)
- Remove the old washer, replace with the new one
- Reverse steps 1 & 2 (replace handle, turn water back on)
 | A LOZO expert posted this tip. |