Want to Save Money? Get That Leaking Faucet Fixed! 5 Plumbing Tips to Reduce Utility Costs

Drip . . . drip . . . drip . . . that incessant dripping sound of a leaking faucet is enough to drive anyone around the bend, but it's more than just an irritating noise—it's an irritating noise that's costing you big time on your monthly water bill for every day that your leaking faucet continues to drip. Luckily, your knowledgeable Mississauga plumbers are here to help!

Mississauga homeowners don't want to pay any more than necessary on their utility bill, but you're being charged for every drip—and you're not even using it! Having a leaking faucet is like actually throwing money down the drain! Mississauga leaking faucet repair could save you a lot of money in the long run by lowering your water usage costs, but that's not the only way a professional plumber will help to keep your hard-earned money in your bank account where it belongs.

We'll explain five plumbing tips that actually save you a considerable amount of money over time. If your utility bill has been increasing and you're tired of wasting money on a leaking faucet, rely on the service professionals at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Mississauga to find plumbing solutions that will give your wallet a rest, so you can save your money for more important things. We’ve got services like leaking faucet repairs, and many helpful tips from professional, local plumbers.

1. Get That Leaking Faucet Fixed

If you have a leaking faucet in Mississauga, the first step toward reducing your utility bill is to have it repaired. While leaky faucets aren't going to use as much water as a fully running faucet, that constant, annoying drip does send a surprising amount of water (and money) swirling away down the drain. In fact, a typical slow drip of just ten drips per minute wastes around 32 gallons of water per month, and your particular drip might be going at an even faster rate.

Your problem could be due to buildup of mineral scale from hard water—Mississauga's water supply is rated moderately hard, which can cause faucet plumbing issues—or it could be due to improper faucet installation or normal wear and tear over time.

If you have the correct tools and some plumbing know-how, you may be able to take care of Mississauga leaking faucet repairs yourself, but if you're not sure what to do, or you don't have the right equipment, then you can rely on Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Mississauga to get it fixed quickly and efficiently. If you can avoid using that fixture until it has been repaired, use the fixture shutoff valves to prevent it from dripping in the meantime.

In some cases, like the bathtub faucet visible below, you may need to replace the faucet or parts of it completely. This is usually the case when the faucet has become so worn that it’s beyond the point where repairs will be effective.

What Type of Faucet Do I Have?

If you need help with a leaking faucet, but you're not sure exactly which type of faucet you have installed, that's understandable—many homeowners don't even realize there are differences that go beyond the cosmetic.

Here are the four most common types that are found in Mississauga homes:

• Compression: With a compression faucet, hot and cold lines are controlled by their own individual taps and the water is shut off with a rubber washer that blocks flow when your tap is turned off. This is the traditional type that many homeowners are used to.
• Ball: This variety of single-handle faucets is characterized by a ball-shaped cap on top of your spout that supports a handle, allowing it to be turned in any direction to control water temperature or output strength. Because they are complex and have a lot of moving parts, they can be more difficult to maintain and more prone to damage.
• Cartridge: A cartridge faucet looks identical to a compression version on the outside, but operates differently inside. They are lower maintenance and often feature lever handles that are easier to maneuver, especially for those that have difficulty grasping and twisting a compression faucet.
• Disc: The newest type on the market, disc faucets use two ceramic discs at the bottom of the chamber to control temperature by mixing hot and cold in the chamber before it exits the spout.

My Pull-Out Faucet Drips After It's Turned Off, Does It Need Repair?

If the dripping only lasts for a minute or two after the faucet has been turned off and then stops on its own, that's normal and not a cause for concern. It's just the remaining water from the pull-out hose dripping out of the aerator and is to be expected with that style of faucet. However, if the dripping keeps on going and doesn't stop after a short time, that's a leaking faucet issue that does need the attention of a professional plumber.

Why Is My Faucet Sputtering Instead of Producing an Even Water Flow?

The water used to come out in an even, smooth flow when you turned on the tap—but now it spits out multiple streams going in random directions, or the stream stops and starts in jerky spurts. As irritating as this issue is, there's an upside—it's likely a pretty simple fix that you may be able to take care of on your own.

Your faucet has an aerator at the end of the spout that helps to add the right amount of air into the water output in order to provide a strong, efficient steam of water. When it becomes clogged up with debris and sediment though, it causes that sputtering problem because the water is struggling to get past the build-up.

On most faucets, the aerator can simply be removed by turning it counterclockwise. Clean out any debris that has collected behind it, and rinse the aerator thoroughly until water is able to fall through it freely again, then put it back in place and turn clockwise to tighten it back on to the faucet. Problem solved! If that actually doesn't solve the issue, though, you may be dealing with a damaged valve cartridge or another leaking faucet problem that needs the attention of an experienced plumber.

2. Examine Your Toilets

Next, make your rounds and examine each toilet on your property to make sure it is functioning correctly and flow through the toilet is not continuous. While a constantly running toilet might not seem like much of a problem—at least it's quiet and the leak is contained—a malfunctioning toilet is among the biggest water-wasters in any home. It can use thousands of gallons per year, completely unnecessarily, leaving you on the hook to cover costs on your water bill. Not sure if you need to repair or replace? Check out our guide to toilet repairs and replacement.

3. Test Your Water Meter

Do your faucets, toilets and other plumbing fixtures appear to be in good working order, but your monthly bill has increased and you're not sure why? If the problem is not related to a leaking faucet, Mississauga homeowners may find that they are dealing with a hidden leak somewhere in their water supply pipes. Finding out exactly where in your system the problem is occurring is a job for an experienced plumber, but you can confirm that you've got a leak by checking out your meter, which is typically located on the outside wall of a home.

How Do I Use My Water Meter to Confirm a Leak?

Right before everyone in the house goes to bed for the night, make sure all fixtures and appliances are turned off so there's no water flowing. Then grab a pen and a paper, take a look at your meter, and note the position of the indicator, which is usually a small black or red triangle, or a dial arm. In the morning, before you access any fixtures or appliances, check the meter again. If the new reading is higher than it was the night before or the indicator is actively moving, that's a strong indication that your system has a hidden leak.

How Do Plumbers Handle Leak Detection?

Our experienced plumbers have a number of advanced, non-invasive tools we can use to detect hidden leaks. With video camera inspection, a small camera on a flexible cable is lowered into your drain, where it takes video footage that your plumber can interpret to discover the location of a leaking pipe. We may also use acoustic/sensory devices that can detect slab leaks by measuring the vibrations they cause in the soil.

4. Upgrade Your Water Heater

Did you know your water heater is likely hogging a huge amount of energy? Conventional water heaters use a lot of energy by constantly heating a big tank so it's ready whenever you turn the faucet handle. As the heater ages, it suffers from problems such as mineral buildup and uses more and more energy as it struggles to compensate.

Water heaters only have a lifespan of about 10 years, so if your heater is more than about a decade old and showing signs of trouble, it's time for a replacement. That's not all bad, though—a new, energy-efficient heater can save you as much as 60% of your water heating costs. With those significant savings, it pretty much pays for itself.

Is a Tank-Style or Tankless Water Heater the Best Option to Save Money?

You'll save the most by replacing an old, conventional heater with a tankless heater system that pulls cold water through the pipe and heats it on demand before it exits the faucet. A hybrid system that combines a traditional tank-style with a heat pump for increased efficiency is also an option.

Bonus Tip: Lower the Temperature on Your Water Heater

There's a really simple way to save on your water heating costs—turn down the temperature. Most heaters are set to around 60 °C by default, but is that really necessary? You want a nice, hot bath but you don't want to be scalded, which is why most people mix in cold water when they're filling the tub. Turning the heater down just 5 to 10 degrees can save you money, and the temperature will still be just as hot or hotter than you'd want to use.

5. Install Energy-Efficient Fixtures

Speaking of energy-efficient water heaters, installing other energy-efficient fixtures around your Mississauga home can be a huge help in reducing your utility bill. Manufacturers are constantly working on improving their products, and you can get modern faucets (or other fixtures) that lower water usage while still maintaining comfortable water pressure levels. Plus, those new fixtures will be less likely to have problems like a leaking faucet.

Can My Plumber Install a New Fixture to Replace a Leaking Faucet?

Our installation technicians at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Mississauga have experience with all types of faucets, from kitchen faucets to bathroom sink faucets and beyond. You can also save money with energy-efficient appliances, such as dishwashers and laundry machines.

Do You Need Mississauga Leaking Faucet Repair? Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Mississauga Can Do It!

Whether you're in Fairview, Erindale, Erin Mills, or another part of the Mississauga area, you can trust the skilled plumbers at Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Mississauga to fix your leaking faucet and find other plumbing solutions that will keep your money in your bank account by reducing utility costs. We are confident in the abilities of our plumbing professionals, which is why we back them with a parts and workmanship guarantee—if it's not done right, we'll make it right! You can also rely on our emergency plumbers for emergency plumbing services, any time of the day or night.

Give us a call today at (905) 817-0210 to request service, and we'll show you why our dedicated team of plumbing experts is considered the top choice forMississauga drain cleaning,Mississauga plumbing repairs, drain pipe repair, sump pump installation and other reliable plumbing services!