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If you've done everything to determine if you have leaks and find that these step-by-step solutions still haven't resolved your problem, it might be time to replace leaking pipes and products. Consult a professional plumber. Look for the WaterSense label when buying a new toilet or tap; it could increase water efficiency in your home. Illustration of a tap. Try to monitor your water usage during a cool month like January or February. If water usage for a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, you likely have serious leaks. Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period of no water use; if the meter changes, you probably have a leak. Identify leaking toilets by adding a drop of food colouring to the toilet tank. If colour appears in the bowl before you flush, you have a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately after the experiment to avoid staining the tank.) Examine tap washers or seals, and pipe fittings and connections, for water on the outside of the pipe in case of surface leaks. Get the checklist 'Detect and Eliminate Leaks' (2 pp, 2 MB, PDF document). Old, worn-out washers and seals often cause taps to leak and drip. Here are examples of how to repair a dripping bath and shower tap and how to repair a dripping basin tap. Remember to turn off the stopcock before you start.
