Let’s talk toilets! Toilets can be one of the largest water users in your home.
Was your toilet installed before 1992? If so, it uses 3.5 or more gallons of water per flush. Consider replacing it with an ultra low flow toilet that uses 1.6 gallons or less per flush. Ultra low flow toilets come in a variety of styles, colors and models. Some offer the option of dual flush, using .8 gallons for liquid and 1.6 gallons for solid flushes.
Toilets are the biggest source of undetected water leaks. How can you tell if you toilet is leaking? Add a few drops of food coloring in the tank, wait about 15 minutes. If the color starts to show up in the toilet bowl, the toilet is leaking. A poorly functioning flapper is the most common source of the leak. Replacement flappers are inexpensive, easy to install and can be purchased at most local hardware stores. Look for one that is made for your brand of toilet.
Another reason toilets use so much water is they are often used as garbage cans. Toss tissues in the trash rather than flushing them down the toilet.
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