Is there any explanation for your water bill going up month after month? Or do you find yourself asking where the water is being put to use? It is possible your home is running through gallons of it while you are asleep.

We at Travco Plumbing, Inc. have been putting those questions to rest for Central Illinois homeowners of 1997 and counting. Should you need a professional to put his finger on what is wasting your water, our team can be reached at (309) 467-3583.

For the most part water waste is not so obvious as a burst pipe or a floor in flood. It has a way of hiding: a slow drip behind a wall, something running in the toilet tank, a leak under a fixture that one would not think to check. All these little things put a strain on the environment and before long make for an expensive bill.

But they are not hard to come by if you know the telltale signs. What follows are some of the usual suspects we see in homes in Eureka, Peoria, Morton, Washington and vicinity.

The Toilet That Leaks Without a Sound

You would be hard pressed to find a bigger waster of water than a running toilet, yet you may not hear a thing. A flapper in poor shape will let water pass and head down the drain with no splash to speak of.

Inside the tank a leaking toilet will put hundreds of gallons to waste daily, and most do not realize it until they get their bill. Some indications your toilet is the culprit:

• The bowl is trickling well after you have flushed
• A flapper showing its age, cracked or warped
• The tank refilling on its own
• Water running from a press of the handle
• Bills that are up despite your habits
• Mineral deposits on the flush valve

Faucets and Fixtures That Drip

An occasional drip at the kitchen or bathroom faucet is more than just a bother. One per second and you have lost thousands of gallons by year’s end.

It is normally due to a loose part, a corroded valve seat or washers that have seen better days. And though a single drip is nothing to write home about, have two or three fixtures in the house and the waste is considerable.

When the Pipes Are Leaking Out of Sight

Costly water waste is often found where it cannot be seen. A small leak in a pipe under the foundation or in the walls can go unheeded for months.

Be on the lookout for:

• Discoloration or dampness on a ceiling or wall
• Mustiness in a room
• The sound of water with all fixtures off
• A hot water line making a patch of floor warm
• Paint peeling or drywall bubbling
• Your usage figures jumping for no reason

Left to their own devices these hidden leaks will do water damage in addition to the waste. Better to put a stop to it early.

Fixtures and Appliances Lacking Efficiency

Conservation was not much of a consideration when some of the older toilets, showerheads and appliances were made. An old model toilet will put to use many times the water of a new one, washing machines and dishwashers included.

There is no easier way to reduce waste than to upgrade. We are Green Plumbers Environmental Solutions Certified and take such matters in stride; we can put you on to the right options for your home.

Water Quality and the Waste It Causes

Hard water is a quiet destroyer of plumbing, and over time will cause inefficiency and leaks. Minerals build up and narrow pipes, shortening the life of your fixtures.

To see what is going on in your plumbing we have a 12-point water testing process. It will show you any problems before they require repair and become a source of waste.

Put an End to the Waste With Travco Plumbing, Inc.

A family business out of Eureka, IL, we are licensed (Lic #058-140047) and fully insured, and an A+ rated company with the BBB. Our work comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Hours are 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday and we have same-day availability, frequently mending the problem on the spot. If you have an inkling water is being wasted in the home, there is no need to wait for the bill to prove it. Give us a call at (309) 467-3583 and we will track it down for you.