Leaks, unseen or ignored, can result in hundreds, even thousands, of gallons of water wasted. Leaks at faucets are usually obvious and should be repaired as soon as possible. Toilets, however, are notorious for hidden leaks; undetected they can waste hundreds of gallons per day. These leaks occur when the toilet is out of adjustment or when parts become worn, so it is important to check periodically.

     Most toilet leaks occur at the overflow pipe or at the plunger ball. If it’s at the overflow, the water level is too high, although sometimes the overflow pipe may leak below the water level.

     Plunger ball leaks are not easily spotted. One way to check is to drop a little food colouring into a tank full of clear water and wait to see if it shows up in the bowl. If it does, you probably have a leak at the plunger ball. The ball either needs replacing or the mechanism is out of alignment. If you are an experienced do-it-yourselfer you can make the necessary repairs or adjustments. Otherwise call a plumber.