You just might have a toilet with a slow leak and not even know it. But that leak is costing you extra money on your water bills and wasting a valuable resource.
To check your toilet to see if it has a leak, lift the tank lid and add a few drops of food coloring to the water. After an hour or so, if the color has seeped into the bowl, you know you have a leak.
The cause is probably in the flapper valve, or the valve opening that empties water from the tank into the bowl. Check for any cracks that you may find in the flapper, or debris around the valve opening, to ensure there’s a nice, tight seal there.
If cleaning the valve seat and flapper doesn’t stop the leak, pick up a replacement kit for a few dollars. It’s a lot less expensive than the water that’s being wasted.
Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.
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