Leaky faucets: the true cost of ignoring plumbing issues
Is a dripping faucet keeping you up at night, or are you counting the drips to help you fall asleep? Either way, a leaky faucet can seriously impact your bank account, home repair, and water consumption. This article explores the cumulative effects of ignoring minor plumbing issues like leaks and drips.
Why Faucets Leak
Five common reasons for faucet dripping are worn washers, damaged O-rings, corroded valve seats, loose or broken parts, and excessive water pressure.
None of them are immediately serious, and all of them can easily be repaired by a local plumbing service. Still, many people ignore the dripping despite the potential for more serious problems.
Many Drops Make an Ocean
While a millilitre of water here and there does not seem like much, over a year, an unfixed leak can cause over 37,000 litres of water to drip down the drain. That’s enough water to flood a hockey rink 50 times.
Not only is this water usage a waste of a precious resource, but it is also a waste of your hard-earned money. In Markham, for example, where the wholesale rate for water is approximately $3.28 per cubic metre, a year’s worth of drips can total around $125. That’s the equivalent of 41 loaves of bread or 82 litres of milk.
Constant Dripping Wears Away a Stone
Wasting water is not the only financial consequence of neglecting plumbing issues like leaky faucets. Ignoring leaks can lead to more serious plumbing problems, expensive home repairs, and even the need for an extensive restoration or renovation.
Plumbing Issues
Continuous water dripping can erode the valve seat that connects the faucet to the spout. This corrosion can lead to more significant leaks around the base of the faucet.
As the leak worsens, it can cause fluctuations in water pressure throughout your plumbing system. This increased pressure can strain other pipes and fixtures, potentially causing leaks or failures in other areas of your home.
Lastly, constant dripping can cause the accumulation of mineral deposits in the faucet and surrounding pipes. Over time, this buildup can restrict water flow, damage seals, and even cause pipe blockage.
Home Repair
If any of the above occurs, there is an increased risk of not only burst pipes, which will result in significant water damage to your home, but also damage around the leaking structure. Countertops, cabinets, and flooring can warp and degrade.
Structural issues can even occur when seemingly small plumbing issues are left unchecked.
Mould, Mildew & Pests
Leaky faucets can create the perfect conditions for mould and mildew to grow, thrive, and spread to other room areas. These growths can cause respiratory and other health issues and require costly remediation.
The excessive moisture created by delaying plumbing services can also attract ants, termites, and cockroaches.
Find Plumbing Services in Markham
Contact Bruce Clark & Son Plumbing & Renovation Ltd. in Markham for all your plumbing needs, from leaky faucets to full plumbing services, including installations and drain cleaning.
Our skilled technicians will promptly diagnose and address leaky faucets and other plumbing issues to restore functionality and prevent further damage.