Water leaks and basic repairs

When it comes to residential and household leaks, toilets and faucets are the most common culprits, although any water using device can eventually leak.

Learn more about how much water an average person uses and find tips for saving water and money in your home. Visit Saving Water in Your Home.

Together we can make every drop count by using water wisely and checking for water leaks.

Homeowner Water Guide

Discover a library of tips and tools for creating a water-efficient home. Visit our Homeowner Water Guide.

How to check for leaks

Most leaks are silent, which means you may not see evidence like a large puddle. Make sure to check for leaks – indoor and outside – every six months.

Toilets are the number one source of residential water leaks. If you suspect your toilet may be leaking, take the Leaky Toilet Test:

  1. Drop - Put drops of food colouring into the toilet tank and wait 10 minutes.
  2. Peek - Look in the bowl. If the water changes colour, you've got a leak.
  3. Repair - If the water changes, your toilet is leaking and needs repair.
  4. Save - By repairing just one toilet, you will save water and money.

Use your water meter to check for leaks. In Calgary most water meters are installed inside the house where the water pipe enters your home. This is usually in the basement, near your main water shut-off valve.

  1. Turn off all taps and water appliances (dishwashers, washing machines).
  2. Watch the flow register on the face of the meter. The register could look like a gear (round or triangular, black or red) or a needle depending on the model of meter you have.
  3. If it keeps turning, you have a leak somewhere in your house.
  4. Check all water devices, such as your taps, humidifier, hot water heater and water softener. Use our High Water Consumption Investigation Checklist.

What to do when you find a leak?

  • Follow our toilet repair or faucet repair steps if those devices are the issue.
  • Visit a hardware store for repair tips and parts.
  • Search for related YouTube videos or how-to books with detailed instructions.

If you aren’t able to fix the leak yourself, or have trouble finding the leak, hiring a professional plumber is the best solution.

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