A leaky loo may seem like a minor issue, but as with lots of things, a small issue can escalate to become a major problem pretty quickly! In this article we will explore what is the main cause of the leaks, a few of the impacts of a leaky loo on Housing Associations and their tenants as well as providing a solution to the problem.
What is the cause of the Leaking Toilets?
So, what is causing the problem of leaking toilets? The majority of leaky loo’s leak from either the inlet or outlet valve. The ‘Leaky Loo’ report has confirmed that ‘in toilets that were identified as leaking, 81 percent contained flush valve mechanisms’ Flush valves work by pressing a button that lifts a sealing washer off the cistern outlet hole, rather like removing a plug from a bath allowing water to drain into the pan. The constant action of raising and lowering of the sealing washer is responsible for most flush valve leaks as debris or limescale builds underneath the washer to prevent it from sealing. When this happens, water trickles into the pan and on average, wastes approx. 215 litres of water per toilet per day.
What are the Potential Impacts on Housing Associations?
Increased Water Bills
Across the country it is estimated that at any one time over 1.5 million toilets are leaking. That is enough fresh water leaking down the pan to fill over 4 million baths EVERY DAY! But instead of thinking in terms of water down the pan, just imagine it is money that is flowing unrestrained down the toilet. Housing associations typically pay water bills for common areas and sometimes even for individual units in their properties. Even a modestly leaking toilet could cost around an extra £500 a year in increased costs! Multiply this across an Associations housing stock and that small inconvenience has fast become an expensive problem! A leaky loo’s continuous water wastage will likely lead to higher utility costs, which can strain a Housing Association’s budget.
Maintenance Costs
Above and beyond the cost of water waste, there are the added costs of repairing or replacing the leaky loo itself. Repairing or replacing leaky loos requires maintenance personnel and materials. Housing associations may need to allocate resources and funds to address these issues, diverting resources away from other necessary maintenance tasks and negatively impacting on profits.
Property Damage
Another impact to consider of a leaky loo is potential property damage. Leaking toilets can cause damage to floors, walls, and ceilings that are in the vicinity of the leaking toilet. Over time, this can lead to costly repairs and renovations. If the damage extends to neighboring units, it can lead to disputes among residents and further financial strain on the housing association.
Tenant Disputes
Leaky loos can be a source of frustration for tenants who usually have to deal with the inconvenience and potential property damage that can be a direct result of a leaking toilet. Tenant complaints and disputes can be time-consuming and may require the association to mediate or take action to resolve the conflicts.
Environmental Impact
Water wastage due to leaky loos is not only a financial concern but also an environmental one. With pressure from local and national governments to reduce negative environmental impacts, having constant water leaks goes against housing associations who want to promote sustainable practices and reduce their environmental footprint.
Reputation and Tenant Satisfaction
Housing Associations aim to provide quality housing and a positive experience for their tenants; this is important in order to retain and attract tenants. Experiencing chronic maintenance issues like leaky loos can lead to lower tenant satisfaction and negatively impact the association’s image in the eyes of current and prospective tenants.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Housing associations may be subject to local housing regulations and codes. Leaky toilets that go unaddressed can result in compliance issues and potential fines or penalties from regulatory authorities.
What is the solution?
A Readymade Solution
So, is there a solution to the leaky loo crisis that works for Housing Associations? If only there was a technology that existed that did the same job as the leaky toilet valve but did not leak! Luckily, we have one… the toilet syphon! Due to its design and the way it works, fitting a toilet syphon in place of a valve will reduce the leaks caused by a valve to practically ZERO. Saving water, money, and time.
So how does a syphon succeed where the valve fails? To quote our Innovation Director ‘…through an elegant symphony of physics and engineering, aptly termed – Syphonic Technology…’ A syphon has the unique ability to cause a liquid to flow upward.
A syphon is like a miniature water lift, moving water up before gravity takes over and empties the water from the toilet cistern into the bowl to flush the waste away leaving your toilet clean and leak-free. Toilet valves lacks the water lift technology of the syphon and are prone to leaks which is the enemy of water conservation, simply put, no upward flow, no leak-proof guarantee.
Our syphon technology offers a practical solution to the infamous leaky loo problem that aligns with DEFRA’s proposed changes to water regulations. For all those involved in Housing Associations it’s time to sit up and take notice.
The future of leak-free, water-saving flushing technology is available now, it is the reliable, leak-free toilet syphon!
You can see a great demonstration of how a Syphon works in our video of the workings of the Dudley Turbo Edge Syphon:
Click Here to view our Turbo Edge Video
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