With Fix a Leak Week coming in spring, it’s time to start thinking about stopping leaks right in their tracks. Wondering where to start? Just follow three simple steps: check, twist, and replace. Since toilets are the main source of residential water use, accounting for nearly 30 percent of what we use at home, they’re a likely culprit you can catch during Fix a Leak Week, March 18 through 24, 2019.
 
First check if your toilet is leaking by putting a few drops of food coloring into the tank at the back. Wait 10 minutes, and if you see the color in the bowl before flushing, chances are your toilet has a leak and could use a new flapper. You can buy toilet flappers at any hardware store for just a few dollars. Don’t forget to twist off the water before you do it yourself!
 
Remove the old flapper, and replace it, following the easy steps in this WaterSense “bath hack” video. And if you find you need to replace an older toilet to really lick that leak, make sure you look for the WaterSense label to ensure your new commode is independently certified to use less water and perform as well or better than a standard model. Check out our rebate finder to see if there are any WaterSense labeled toilet rebates available in your area.
 
For more fun flush facts, visit www.epa.gov/watersense/residential-toilets, or learn more about finding and fixing leaks during Fix a Leak Week.