Water Bureau offers tip to save money: check your toilet

The Portland Water Bureau is asking local residents to prepare for the coming months by winterizing their plumbing and testing their toilets for possible leaks.

The Portland Water Bureau is asking local residents to prepare for the coming months by winterizing their plumbing and testing their toilets for possible leaks.

Winterizing plumbing is the act of protecting water pipes from cold weather by using caulk or insulation.

Tricia Knoll, public information officer for the Water Bureau, said that many residents are unaware of toilet leaks because the running water in a toilet tank is often silent. Without hearing the leak, a toilet tank will pump more water than it needs, extra water unnoticed by a resident until their water bill arrives, Knoll said.

According to a press release from the Water Bureau, a simple test for toilet leaks is to add several drops of food coloring dye to the tank and then check the water after 30 minutes. If the dye is gone, the toilet probably has a leak due to a faulty seal or part that should be replaced immediately.

“There are lots of calls made every winter to us about toilet leaks and frozen pipes, both of which are very frustrating, and we want folks to be prepared,” Knoll said.

For further information about toilet leaks and how to winterize plumbing, visit the Water Bureau Web site at www.portlandonline.com/water.