Demo content · illustrative estimate · not yet verified
05 / Water · Hack #11
Fix the running toilet. It's quietly one of your biggest water bills.
A flapper valve that doesn't seal can waste a surprising amount of water every day. The part costs less than one month's difference.
“food colouring test. 30 seconds.”Potential saving
RM5–RM30 / month
≈ RM60–RM360 / year
Effort
one-time setup
Wait, what?
7 / 10
“I didn't know that”
CheapHack ratio™
DECENTsaving ÷ effort
COMMUNITY TIPDemoLast checked: 12 AUG 2026
THE PROBLEM
A toilet that keeps trickling after the flush is refilling constantly.
WHAT MOST PEOPLE DO
Jiggle the handle and forget about it.
(no judgement. we did too.)THE CHEAPHACK
Put a few drops of food colouring in the cistern. If colour appears in the bowl without flushing, the flapper leaks. Replace the flapper or float valve, a cheap hardware-store part.
HOW TO DO IT
- STEP 1Do the food-colouring test.
- STEP 2Buy the matching flapper or float valve.
- STEP 3Turn off the inlet, replace the part, turn it back on.
- STEP 4Check next month's bill.
You’ll need: Basic DIY comfort, or a plumber for a small job
THE MATH
RM15 × 12 = RM180
Per month
RM5–RM30
Per year
≈ RM60–RM360
is it worth the hassle?DO THIS NOW.(decent ratio · one-time setup)
WHEN THIS MAKES SENSE
- Your toilet hisses or trickles between flushes.
WHEN IT DOESN’T
- Toilet is fine. Check taps and the meter instead.
THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR
- Savings depend on leak rate and your water tariff.
- If you're not comfortable, a plumber is still cheaper than a year of leakage.
DO THE MATH WITH YOUR NUMBERS
Do the math ↗
You save
RM75 − RM58 = RM17 × 12
RM17 / month
RM204 / year
RM1,020 over 5 years
small. still yours.Is it worth the hassle?
DO THIS NOW.this is a very good hourly rate.
RM204 for 45 min ≈ RM272 per hour of effort.
DID IT WORK FOR YOU?
Demo state: votes are not yet counted. No fake numbers here.
RELATED HACKS
More Water →04 / Subscriptions
SAME APP.DIFFERENTPRICE.
Potential saving
RM3–RM15 / month
Effort
5 minutes
8 / 10
“eh, betul ke?”
NEEDS RECHECKDemo
08 / Banking
THE SAMETRANSFER.RM0 INSTEAD.
SAVERM0.50–RM2 / USE
EFFORT10 SECONDS
DIFFICULTYEASY
PER YEAR≈ RM75
6 / 10
“RM1 is RM1.”
NEEDS RECHECKDemo
23 / Government
THE RELIEFEXISTS.CLAIM IT.
SAVERM50–RM800 / YEAR
EFFORTREQUIRES RESEARCH
DIFFICULTYMEDIUM
6 / 10
“receipts folder. start today.”
NEEDS RECHECKDemo