Home leaks are costing UK households an estimated £700million every year in repairs and wasted water, so homeowners must be able to tackle the problem.
A leaky toilet alone can waste up to 400 litres of water a day, and a typical family of four uses around 550 litres of water per day, so a hidden leak could almost double a household’s water use.
With colder weather fast approaching, Affinity Water is urging homeowners to take simple steps now to protect their homes and wallets from winter water damage caused by issues such as frozen pipes.
To help customers protect their homes, Affinity Water is offering free leak visits and promoting its simple ‘Look & Listen’ test, an easy way for anyone to spot hidden leaks before they cause damage.
Affinity Water’s ‘Look & Listen’ tips to check for leaks in the home:
- Look at your water meter: If you have a meter and it is still moving even after turning off your water appliances, you may have a leak.
- Listen for drips and running water: See if you can hear leaks even when nothing is being used.
- Look at visible pipes and fixtures: Regularly check under sinks, around toilets, and behind appliances for any signs of moisture, rust, or water stains.
- Review your water bill: Keep an eye on your water bill, as an unusual spike could be due to a hidden leak.
- Use a leaky loo strip: Affinity Water provides free leaky loo strips to detect toilet leaks.
Tom Stoten, head of demand management at Affinity Water, said: “With the unpredictable weather we’re experiencing, we’re encouraging everyone to get their homes ready for the festive period.
“The snow and a cold snap can happen at any time, leading to frozen pipes causing leaks around your home. Our Look & Listen test makes it easy to detect leaks before they become big problems.
“If you think you might have a leak, book a free leak visit before the festive season so you can relax knowing your home is protected and water is flowing smoothly all winter long.”
So far this year, the average saving from Affinity Water’s leak visits is 247 litres per day, equating to around £136.76 a year in reduced water bills. There is also a growing number of people who are rolling up their sleeves and trying to fix leaks themselves.
Affinity Water’s research shows that an impressive one in five people have tried to fix a leak in the home themselves, and of those who attempted a fix, 85 per cent were successful.
To support the Look & Listen test, and free leak visits, Affinity Water has partnered with customer and local influencer Katy Towse who is sharing advice on how to spot leaks in the home, and how to prepare your home this winter.
Affinity Water is reaffirming its commitment to reduce water leakages by 31 per cent by 2030, alongside advancing broader sustainability initiatives in the Southeast.
Last year, Affinity Water fixed 16,000 network leaks and have now reduced leakage by 19.4 per cent over the last five years, saving 39 million litres of water every day.
Customers can book a free Leak Visit with Affinity Water, who will send a professional plumber to fix the problem at no cost.
To stop leaks in their tracks with the Look & Listen Test, visit www.affinitywater.co.uk/homeleaks
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