Page 30 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • October 29, 2014 Tips for fixing leaky fixtures around the house People who have slept within steps of a leaky faucet know full well the nuisance such fixtures present. A leaky faucet can make it difficult to sleep at night, but leaks around the house also cost homeowners lots of money. Many leaks are not nearly as noticeable as a dripping faucet, but worn toilet flap- pers or leaky valves can wreak just as much havoc on a monthly budget. Identifying those leaks, many of which are easy to fix, is a great way to conserve water and save money at the same time. Start with the water meter. The hours after everyone in the household has taken their morning showers, brushed their teeth, and had their coffee is a great time to determine if you have a leak. Water is not typically used during these hours, so check the water meter once the last coffee mug has been washed. Then revisit the meter two hours later. If the meter has changed, chances are there is a leak. Test the toilet with food coloring. Toi- lets are a common source of water leaks, as deteriorating toilet flappers slowly waste water via leaks that are not always notice- able. Because toilet leaks can be difficult to notice, homeowners might have to get a little creative. Add a drop of food coloring to the toilet’s holding tank, then wait about 15 minutes to see if the color of the water in the bowl starts to change. If it has, the toilet is leaking. Inspect faucet gaskets and pipe fittings. Faucet gaskets and pipe fittings should not be wet, but wet gaskets and pipe fittings are typically evidence of surface leaks. When washing dishes in the sink, turn the faucet on high. If there is water coming from any- where other than the head of the faucet, there are leaky gaskets. After determining the source of the leak, it’s time to address the situation. Toilets, fau- cets, and showerheads are the most common culprits with regard to water leaks. Toilets: Flappers are the rubber parts in the toilet’s holding tank. Flappers are susceptible to mineral buildup and decay. Over time, that can create leaks. Flappers are inexpensive and easy to replace. When replacing the flapper, take the old flapper to the hardware store to make sure to purchase a new one that is compatible with the toilet. Faucets: When a leaky faucet is the issue, be sure to turn the water supply in the house off before getting to work. If the faucet has any decorative knobs, gently remove these so they do not break. These items can be replaced when the leak has been addressed. From there, remove the packing nut and the stem. Some stems come off easily, while others must be twisted off from the valve. Inspect these parts for damage before moving on. The O-ring and washer inside the valve seat may be responsible for the leak, so inspect these parts and replace them if necessary. Be sure they are an exact fit to avoid having a fresh leak. Once these items have been replaced, reassemble the parts, turn the water back on, and check to see if the leak has vanished. If the leak remains, the valve seat may be corroded or the plumbing might need a professional inspection. Showerheads: If the showerhead is the source of leaks, it may only be neces- sary to tighten the connection between the showerhead and the pipe stem. This can be done using pipe tape. If the problem with the showerhead can be traced to the shower handle and cartridge, consider hiring a professional to fix the leak, as address- ing this problem can be tricky. Those who feel confident about tackling the job will start by turning off the water supply and then removing the shower handle. Some handles are especially difficult to remove, in which case it might be necessary to visit the hardware store to purchase a handle puller. Once the handle has been removed, pull the cartridge, which is likely to prove more difficult than removing the handle. The cartridge may need to be twisted loose with pliers, or it may be necessary to buy a cartridge puller that is compatible with the brand of showerhead. Once the cartridge is out, install the replacement and reassemble the parts that were removed. Water leaks around the house can be costly and wasteful. Addressing such leaks can be done in a matter of minutes, but more complex problems may be best left to a professional.