Water Leaks In Tampa Bay - Lessening Water Damage Through Proper Fixtures

By Author: Leo Nov
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Tampa Bay Florida states that a quarter of water is wasted in the home because of leaks. One top source is from malfunctions in the toilet flapper. In order to alleviate this problem, Tampa Bay has an ongoing "Put A Lid On Leaks" program. The purpose of this is to inform residents on water damage in Tampa Bay and how to solve them by properly maintaining fixtures.

Most leaks stem from toilets so a large part of the program focuses on the improvement of toilet flappers. Water closets feature rubber mechanisms known as flappers. These are used to hold the water inside the tank until they are ready for use. With regular use, the flappers wear down and malfunction. As a result, water damage in Tampa Bay can occur.

Leaky flappers can lead to water waste - up to hundreds of gallons each day. Toilet leaks that come from the flapper are difficult to detect because they do not emit sound. The damage can only be detected through the use of dye tablets.

In this aspect, the water damage in Tampa Bay can be reduced through a program that increases education among residents. The Tampa Water Department regularly distributes ...
... brochures to communities. There is also a door hanger designed to give details on how to inspect the toilet for flapper leaks. Given out to communities, schools, environmental associations, and neighborhoods, these hangers are packaged with dye tablets. Residents have access to the tools they need to check for leaks.

Aside from making sure that the flappers work properly, there are other methods to improve water performance in properties. Retrofitting is a technique that makes use of installed devices to modify already existing fixtures. They can either restrict flow or alter the volume to function.

Replacing old fixtures is a simple and efficient method of making sure that the drinking water is safe. It also decreases the probability of damage from flooding. Retrofitting is especially important if the property was constructed more than 15 years ago. Plumbing at that time was not required to have water conservation fixtures. With the National Energy Protection Act of 1994, water-saving plumbing fixtures are required to be used in structures.

Toilets can undergo retrofitting because they use water the most in the home. Any existing five-gallon tank can be replaced with something that consumes less water. Another way of retrofitting the property is through the showers. An average showerhead can make use of up to ten gallons of water. By replacing a showerhead with a low-flow model, residents can save six gallons of water per minute. This represents 40 to 65 percent in savings.

Bathrooms or kitchen faucets have an average flow of three gallons per minute. Through the use of faucet aerators, water consumption can go down by up to 50 percent. There is also less probability of overflows that tend to lead to flooding. The Tampa Water Department is able to provide individuals with faucet aerators at their request.
Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS.com, a leading service provider for fire and water damage cleanups. To learn more about water damage Tampa Bay and water leaks, visit RestorationSOS.com.