Advice

Detecting Leaks

To detect leaks, make sure no water is being used inside or out by sinks, dishwashers, washers, hoses, etc. Locate your water meter box and remove the cover carefully. The meter will have a leak detector indicator, most likely a small red triangle. If all water sources are completely off, and the leak detector is rotating, you may have a leak. Common sources of leaks include toilets, sprinklers, and faucets.

Fixing Leaks

Leaking toilet tanks are commonly caused by flappers which do not seal properly and are an easy do it yourself fix. You can pickup a new flapper at your local hardware store for around $5.00 and replace it.

Call Calello Plumbing if you require further assistance.

The inner workings of your toilet eventually wear out, causing your toilet to fill periodically, wasting water. These types of leaks can cause small to large increases in your water bill.

Detecting these leaks is simple. First off, you may simply hear your toilet running periodically even though it hasn’t been flushed. You can also lift the top of your toilet tank and drop in several drops of food coloring then replace the lid. We recommend red, it’s easy to notice. Wait for about an hour, making sure not to use or flush the toilet. If the water in the bowel has any red in it, you know you have a leak.

Leaking toilet tanks are commonly caused by flappers which do not seal properly and are an easy do it yourself fix. You can pickup a new flapper at your local hardware store for around $5.00 and replace it.

Disposal Jams

Small items such as silverware and other debris can find its way into your garbage disposal and cause it to jam. It may “trip” a mechanism that prevents your disposal from operating, even if the jam is cleared. In which case, you will need to reset your disposal.

Resetting Your Garbage Disposal

As a safety precaution, turn off the breaker in the main panel that controls the garbage disposal circuit.

Your garbage disposal may come with a “key” (Allen wrench) which you can insert into a slot under the disposal rotor. Use the key to move the rotor back and forth until it begins to move more freely. If you do not have a key, you can use a wooden spoon or similar device by inserting it into the sink opening and using it to move the rotor. Once moving freely, use a flashlight and tongs to clear the item from the disposal. We do not recommend using your hands as this can cause serious injury.

Once cleared, turn the breaker back to the on position. You will then need to press the reset button on the disposal unit. It will be a small red button located on the side or bottom of the unit. Run the faucet and disposal for at least 10 seconds to clear any remaining debris.

Average Water Bill

The average household will consume 80-100 gallons of water per person, per day. Based on a family of 4, an average water bill in Pinellas County would be around $80.00 per month. If your bills are exceptionally higher, there may be a problem such as a leak.

Click here to calculate your water consumption. You can visit your counties website to find rates and calculate your monthly fees.