Don't Flush Your Money Down the Drain

By: Mr. Rooter | 1 Shares 111 Reads

October 03, 2008 // Franchising.com // Waco, Texas – It may sound comical that October is National Toilet Tank Repair Month, but the statistics of how much water is wasted are anything but funny.

A leaky toilet can waste about 200 gallons of water a day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. But water isn't the only thing being wasted; think about all that money just going down the drain.

"Repairing a leaky toilet will not only lower your water and wastewater bills, but it will also ensure your plumbing is in good condition before the holidays arrive," said Mary Kennedy Thompson, president of the Mr. Rooter Corporation. "With a house full of family and friends, your toilet will be working overtime, and you want to make sure it's working properly."

Unlike leaky faucets that are obvious, some homeowners don't even realize they have a toilet leak. Here's a nifty tip to help homeowners, and especially do-it-yourselfers, locate silent leaks.

Put several drops of dark food coloring into the toilet tank. If dye appears in the bowl, replace the water control diaphragm also known as the flapper at the bottom of the tank. The fill valve may need to be adjusted or replaced.

In addition to leaks, some toilets won't flush completely while others run continuously. To help homeowners conserve water and their wallets, Mr. Rooter has this advice:

To prevent a running toilet, replace flappers and fill valves every couple of years.
If water continues to flow after flushing, adjust the chain or the float ball in the tank.
Don't put chlorine-based products in the toilet tank because they corrode the metals
and destroy the rubber seals.
Install an ultra low-flow toilet that requires only 1.6 gallons (6 liters) per flush.

For those who aren't do-it-yourselfers or if the problem is too complicated to fix, be sure to contact a qualified service professional.

About Mr. Rooter®:

Established in 1970, Mr. Rooter is the largest all-franchised, full-service plumbing and drain cleaning company in the world with approximately 300 franchises worldwide. Recognized by Entrepreneur magazine among its "Franchise 500" and Franchise Times Top 200, Mr. Rooter franchisees provide services to both residential and commercial customers. Mr. Rooter began franchising in 1974 and is a subsidiary of The Dwyer Group, Inc. For more information or to find the location nearest you, please visit our Web site at www.mrrooter.com.

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