- link Copy Url - [ Share on twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Fix a Week Leak: The Home Depot and WaterSense Show How to Check Your Home for Silent Water Leaks https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1253341?absolute=1&via=3blnews "link to 3 B L Media's Twitter") - [ Share on linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1253341?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Linkedin") - [ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1253341?absolute=1 "link to 3 B L Media's Facebook") - [ email Share via email ](mailto:?subject=Fix a Week Leak: The Home Depot and WaterSense Show How to Check Your Home for Silent Water Leaks &body=ESG News from The Home Depot https://www.3blmedia.com/markdownify/node/1253341?absolute=1 "Share via email") [Environment](/CSR-News/environment-0) # Fix a Week Leak: The Home Depot and WaterSense Show How to Check Your Home for Silent Water Leaks Mar 18, 2024 10:40 AM ET Campaign: [Operate Sustainably](/news/campaign/operate-sustainably) ![Fix a Leak Week. EPA and WaterSense.](/sites/default/files/2024-03/FixALeak%20Week_The%20Home%20Depot_3.18.24E.png) ▶ Video ![The Home Depot: Fix a Leak Week. March 18-24, 2024.](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/2024-FixALeakWeek_The%20Home%20Depot_3.18.24A.jpg) ![The Facts on Leaks: 10% percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.A leaky faucet dripping at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.Did you know? Minor water leaks account for nearly 1 trillion gallons of wasted water each year and is equal to annual household water use in nearly 11 million homes.A shower leaking at 10 Drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons per year.Repair leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and replacing ](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/FixALeak_The%20Home%20Depot_3.18.24B.png) ![Fix a Leak Week. EPA and WaterSense.](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/public/2024-03/FixALeak%20Week_The%20Home%20Depot_3.18.24E.png?h=f5d40c70) ![The Home Depot: Fix a Leak Week. March 18-24, 2024.](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/public/images/2024-FixALeakWeek_The%20Home%20Depot_3.18.24A.jpg?h=ba05df38) ![The Facts on Leaks: 10% percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day.A leaky faucet dripping at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.Did you know? Minor water leaks account for nearly 1 trillion gallons of wasted water each year and is equal to annual household water use in nearly 11 million homes.A shower leaking at 10 Drips per minute wastes more than 500 gallons per year.Repair leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and replacing ](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_thumbnail_x2/public/images/FixALeak_The%20Home%20Depot_3.18.24B.png?h=c5558693) [Originally published on Built From Scratch](https://corporate.homedepot.com/news/sustainability/leaks-can-run-they-cant-hide-check-your-home-silent-water-leaks) As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ongoing [We’re for Water](https://corporate.homedepot.com/newsroom/world-water-week) campaign, Fix a Leak Week takes place March 18-24, 2024. It encourages Americans to help put a stop to the nearly 1 trillion gallons of water wasted from household leaks each year. The average home may lose almost 10,000 gallons of water every year, and 10% of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. That’s enough water to wash 300 loads of laundry. As a [WaterSense partner](https://corporate.homedepot.com/news/sustainability/epa-names-home-depot-2023-watersense-partner-year), The Home Depot is encouraging consumers to find and fix leaks to save water in our community. “The most common leaks in the home that waste the most water include dripping faucets, dripping shower heads, and running toilets. Regular Maintenance can avoid losing thousands of gallons of water, and they’re easier projects than you might think” says John Hembree, associate product development merchant for faucet and toilet repair at The Home Depot. Fixing these common leaks can save about 10% on the average water bill. Here's how to identify if you have a hidden leak and ways to fix the most common culprits. **Do You Have a Leak?** The first step is identifying the problem. Check your water meter before and after a 2-hour period of no water usage. If the meter changes, that means water is running somewhere and you have a leak. Toilet leaks can be subtle and quiet. Place a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank and wait 10 minutes. If any of the coloring appears in the toilet bowl, then your toilet flapper is leaking. **Fix a Leaking Faucet** Inside of faucet handles are mechanisms called cartridges. These regulate the water supply line as it flows out of the spout. Cartridges include washers or “O-rings” that create a seal to prevent dripping. Over time, O-rings can wear out and will need to be replaced. If replacing the washer does not fix the problem, try replacing the cartridge with a [faucet repair kit](https://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Plumbing-Parts-Faucet-Parts-Faucet-Repair-Kits/N-5yc1vZc6ak). For single-handle bathroom sinks, you’ll likely need to replace the [ball valve assembly](https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-repair-a-ball-faucet/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90791a3293) instead. Here’s a step-by-step guide on [how to replace a bathroom faucet](https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-replace-a-bathroom-faucet/9ba683603be9fa5395fab901f6128117) if the problem persists. **Fix a Leaking Shower Head:** The source of leaking shower heads and bathtub spouts is similar to faucets. The water flow is regulated by a cartridge behind the faucet handle(s) on the wall. Check the washers, O-rings other internal components for rust and excessive wear and [replace the bathtub cartridge](https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-fix-a-leaking-bathtub-faucet/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90b290310b) if needed. **Fix a Running Toilet:** The most common failure point on a toilet is the [flapper](https://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Plumbing-Parts-Toilet-Parts-Toilet-Flappers/N-5yc1vZc69o). It’s the rubber valve seal that holds water in the tank and releases water into the bowl after each flush. Failing flappers can often leak silently, causing you to lose thousands of gallons of water a year before you even notice an issue. WaterSense recommends proactively [replacing your toilet flapper](https://www.homedepot.com/c/ah/how-to-fix-a-leaky-toilet-flapper/9ba683603be9fa5395fab90cfc478fc) every 5 years. While other types of leaks in the home are possible, these are the most common. If your in-ground irrigation system is leaking or if you have a leaking pipe, contact a licensed plumber to identify and fix the problem. **THE FACTS ON LEAKS** - **10%** percent of homes have leaks that waste 90 gallons or more per day. - A leaky faucet dripping at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than **3,000 gallons per year**. - **Did you know?** Minor water leaks account for nearly **1 trillion gallons** of wasted water each year and is equal to annual household water use in nearly **11 million homes**. - A shower leaking at **10 Drips** per minute wastes more than **500 gallons** per year. - **Repair** leaks by checking faucet washers and gaskets for wear and replacing them if necessary. - **Replace** old toilets with WaterSense models & save **13,000** gallons of water savings for the average family. - **Homeowners** can save 10 percent on their water bills. - Look for: **WaterSense** - Meets EPA Criteria! For more information and tips about how to save water during Fix a Leak Week, visit . The Home Depot offers helpful tutorials here on [Eco Actions](https://ecoactions.homedepot.com/blog/projects/fix-leaky-faucet-save-water/), and check out [HomeDepot.com](https://www.homedepot.com/b/Plumbing-Plumbing-Parts-Faucet-Parts-Faucet-Aerators/WaterSense/N-5yc1vZcf5lZ1z1wh7x) for WaterSense-labeled plumbing parts in and around your home. Keep up with all the latest Home Depot news! [Subscribe](https://corporate.homedepot.com/node/1444) to our bi-weekly news update and get the top Built from Scratch stories delivered straight to your inbox. 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