Shocked by your water bill? You may want to inspect for leaks.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), leaks in an average household can result in wasting almost 10,000 gallons of water each year—and that 10 percent of homes with leaks are wasting at least 90 gallons per day. The usual culprits are leaking valves, dripping faucets, and old toilet flappers. The good news is they are easy to fix—and yes, you can do it yourself. Danco offers plumbing replacement products that are easy to work with.

Knowing the telltale signs of leaks is the first step to being aware that there is a problem. By identifying them early on, you can make the necessary repairs or replacements and avoid further issues. Be sure to pay attention to these four signs:

Sign #1: High water bill

You might not know that there is a leak until you see a spike in your water bill. But before you panic and start searching for the seepage, check if the spike is not caused by seasonal change. Compare the current bill to the one you got for the same month last year.

If you do suspect a leak, you may want to start checking if you have a leaky tub spout or faucet and perform the necessary repairs or replacements as soon as you can. Danco offers a wide selection of products that can help you repair leaky taps or replace handles. If you’re not sure which faucet stem is right for you, use our handy Stem Selector Tool, which is designed to help you find the right parts in just a few easy steps.

Sign #2: Water meter fluctuations

Check your water meter to see if it is constantly running even if you are not using any water anywhere in your property. This is a sign that there could be a leak in your plumbing.

Make sure all the water in your home is switched off before you look at your water meter. The washing machine and dishwasher should not be running. Look at the meter to see if it is changing, which usually means a fast-moving leak. Otherwise, wait for two hours before checking again, and if you see some changes despite turning off all the water, there may be a slower leak.

The leak could be underground or after the meter. Keep in mind that the piping after your meter is your responsibility, so consider getting it fixed soon.

Aside from checking water meter fluctuations, look out for other signs that there might be a leak in your home, such as wet spots on the walls or floor, a musty smell, and the presence of mold and mildew.

Sign #3: The sound of a running toilet or running water

Check the outdoor spigots, toilet valves, faucets, and other points where water flows if you keep hearing some water running, even when you’re not using them.

Replacing the toilet flapper may be best if it keeps dislodging in the tank. Check out Danco’s FLT231 HydroStop Toilet Tank Flapperless Alternative, which should help reduce one of the most common problems in your toilet. Unlike the usual angled floating flapper, HydroStop drops solidly and vertically on the flush valve opening to make a better seal and reduce the possibility of leaks.

Danco also carries a wide selection of flappers that can suit your current toilet.

Sign #4: A leaky faucet

A leaky or constantly dripping faucet may seem harmless, but leaving it be could mean huge water bills down the line. It’s prudent to get it fixed as soon as you can. If you need help in finding a new handle, use Danco’s Stem Selector Tool to identify the best parts for replacing worn-out and damaged stems.