Even a slow leak at 5 drips per minute can waste up to a gallon of water a day.

There are days, weeks, and months dedicated to every kind of affliction, so why not one for plumbing problems? Master Plumber Thomas Kolton, with over 15 years under his belt, has some great tips for taking care of leaky plumbing.

The folks at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have named March 15-21 “Fix a Leak” week to get homeowners to look around the house for leaky toilets, sinks and pipes to make sure their plumbing is working properly. The EPA says a few simple checks and fixes could save homeowners thousands of gallons of water each year, lower water bills, and improve the operation of their home plumbing systems.

Just check out these numbers offered by the EPA’s WaterSense Program:

Here is a chart showing the amount of drips per minute and how much it equals in a year:

You just have to NIP THE DRIP! The first step is to listen as many leaks are audible. Next, inspect each and every faucet in the home and outside for signs of dripping – spots of water in the basin or on the ground outside.

For toilets, put a little food coloring in the tank for a short time and if color seeps into the bowl, the toilet is leaking. Toilets that run all the time typically have a broken or worn flapper or an improper float adjustment in the tank.

Some leaks are hidden; for example, water lines can be buried underground or covered by the walls of your home. If you have a municipal water supply this is what you should do next. To detect any hidden leaks, you will need to find the water meter for the house which is commonly located where the main water line enters the house. For future reference, the main water shut-off valve for your home is usually located nearby on the house side of meter.

To begin your inspection, check to be sure all faucets are off, and any water-using appliances in the home are not running. Make a note of the gallon calculating sweep hand on the water meter (it looks very much like the second hand on a watch or a small little red triangle). Wait about 30 minutes, and check the meter again. If the hand has moved on the water meter, you have a leak somewhere.

For those on a private well, follow the steps above but mark the pressure gauge and note any loss in pressure.

If you find you have a leak, you should call a professional plumber to get the problem solved.  You’ll save money in the long run by preventing further water damage and will be doing your part to save water during “Fix a Leak” Week.