Communities across the country are feeling the effects of the economic downturn, and the greater Atlanta area is certainly not immune to the pressures caused by the downturn. While curtailing on dining out and other simple luxuries may seem like a practical way to cut costs, businesses and residents may be surprised to find out that large amounts of money may be running or trickling through their water meters.
One in every 318 homes or buildings has a leak. What does this mean for members of the north Georgia area? At the very least, it means many residents are unknowingly washing hundreds of dollars down the drain.
“Local residents looking to save money should first focus on saving water,” said Alan King, Operations Manager at American Leak Detection (ALD), who notes that a leaking toilet may use up to 90,000 gallons of water in 30 days. By choosing not to address water leaks, residents are wasting water, which is a precious natural resource, and are setting themselves up for lofty water bills and potentially costly home repairs. With water rates and sewer usage charges increasing, reducing water consumption and eliminating water loss through leaks may yield immediate measurable results. Detecting and repairing leaks requires an investment, but the return on investment is significant and the payback time is typically only a few months, while the savings continue for years!
Local residents looking to save money should first focus on saving water
Mr. King states the most common leaks found in the home include leaking toilet flappers, dripping faucets and other leaking valves. “Each of these leaks is easily detected and corrected,” said King. The EPA estimates that by fixing these types of commonplace leaks, homeowners can save more than 10 percent on their water bills.
Saving water is like any other habit – the more you do it, the more natural it becomes. Homeowners may want to check all faucets for drips and install flow restrictors or other conservation devices on all spigots. By installing a flow restrictor on a showerhead alone, local residents can cut their water use from roughly five to ten gallons per minute to as low as three gallons per minute, representing a remarkable savings for both the environment and the wallet – all for a small investment in the initial conservation device.
American Leak Detection encourages homeowners and businesses to contact a professional if they suspect that a water leak may be occurring in their service line or plumbing system. The longer the leak goes untreated the more damage it can potentially do to the home’s structure, which can eventually result in the need for costly repairs.
ALD utilizes specially-trained experts and quality equipment to detect leaks before they require major home repairs. The company uses its own proprietary methods and technology to ensure the most non-invasive leak detection possible. Residential and commercial leak detection services are available. For information contact: American Leak Detection at 770.436.5722 or visit www.AmericanLeakDetection.com/GA-Atlanta
