Building Intelligence: Mitigating Environmental Impact through Efficient Toilet Leak Detection

According to the EPA and industry data, toilets use the most water and lose the most water. We discuss the impact leaky toilets have on properties. 

When it comes to leaks in the bathroom, prevention is just as important as conducting a timely repair. Most property owners do not have time or expertise to periodically check every toilet in their property portfolio for minor leaks or damage, so they end up paying more on water and sewer bills. As a result, many serious issues remain hidden or ignored until they become building and property disasters, and health risks. A proactive approach is to use smart water monitors to protect you from losses and complications.  

Leaks come in many forms, like dripping faucets or cracked pipes, but according to the EPA, leaking toilets are one of the most common. When that happens, the leak may be a few gallons per day or several thousand gallons per day. This problem intensifies as water and sewer rates continue to climb. Further, now the water and sewer bill losses are difficult to recover. Beyond the water bills, the damage includes mold and mildew remediation, which can be costly and dangerous to the health of those near the damage.  

Leaking toilets are often rarely reported, or your tenants just jiggle the handle until the sound goes away. It can take days for someone to determine where and how urgent the issue is, contributing to difficulty in diagnosis and effective repairs for leaking toilets. Today more than ever, it is vital to be proactive about leak detection. Water monitors that detect a leak, notify you of the location, and show its severity increase the probability of a timely repair of the worst problems, avoiding damage or loss claims and decreasing expenses for both the property owner and the insurance company. 

Part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s “Save Our Water” campaign targeted the reduction of household consumption by 20 percent through conservation measures, and suggested leaky toilets or plumbing account for an estimated 10-20 percent of total residential and multi-family consumption each year, almost 3 trillion gallons per year in wasted water alone! The reason: people do not know how much water is lost until the bill arrives and it is already gone. 

It is significantly easier to avoid a crisis once you are more aware of problems, when they happen, the severity of the leak, and their location. It saves the property owner money, protects property value, reduces risk for claims, and safeguards your health and well-being! But the number one reason to act on leak prevention is that it shows your customers and tenants how much you care about our limited resources. You care about the environment, and you care about preserving the value of your property. Caring means being proactive to find leaks — and fixing them quickly. Investing in water monitoring and leak detection solutions helps keep the property running smoothly and efficiently while proactively preventing issues before they ruin your budget.