A faucet is a plumbing fixture made of brass, zinc, and plastic that allows you to turn the water on and off. They are found in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, lawns. A leaking faucet may appear harmless, but continuous dripping is dangerous over time. According to research, each home with a leakage loses approximately over 10,000 gallons annually.
A leaking faucet accumulates water under the sink and produces an irritating dripping sound that keeps you awake at night. Resolving this issue is affordable and simple. To avoid long-term problems, you need to address plumbing repairs immediately. Below are reasons to fix leaking faucets.
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1. Water Wastage
Leaking taps cause immense water waste. An accumulation of each drip over time adds up to thousands of gallons. During dry seasons, people are likely to experience water shortage; thus, water conservation should be of paramount importance. High population translates to more consumption of water. Therefore, a small leak has a significant impact, and you need to repair your leaking faucet immediately to preserve these natural resources.
2. High Water Bills
A single dripping faucet wastes gallons of water monthly. If multiple taps are leaking in the home, the loss is enormous, causing excessive water bills. During dry weather conditions and low rains, there is a high demand for water resources, increasing water charges. Therefore, minimize water wastage whenever possible.
If you ignore a leak, it might damage the entire mechanism, leading to costly replacements. Normalize reading the meter when no water is being used. If you record a high unit rise, it indicates there is a leak.
3. Contamination
A leaking tap may cause low water pressure, and since there is no force, water will flow slowly. Hence, foreign bodies consisting of bacteria and viruses will get sucked into the supply pipe and travel through the sources, resulting in water pollution.
4. Environmental Impact
We ought to take responsibility for water conservation because it is an essential life commodity. Leaking faucets usually compromise the freshwater supplies. If you have a leaking tap outside the house, the surrounding area is usually damp, creating an unpleasant sight.
5. Health Hazards
Leaking faucets often cause molds, mildew, and material damage which are health risks. These problems develop unseen in the structure and house foundations and are only discovered after causing illnesses and costly damages. Mold is unattractive and emit toxic chemicals that cause skin, eye, throat irritations, hypersensitivity, nasal stuffing, and breathing problems.
If you notice a musty smell, dark patches, and staining around the faucets, call an expert immediately to remove them. Furthermore, stagnant water leads to accidents and becomes a breeding ground for insects and bacteria.
Moreover, a wet floor poses the risk of slipping, and falling causing serious injuries. The bathroom, kitchen, and laundry rooms accumulate dirt leading to bacterial manifestation.
6. Rust
When metals get excessive moisture exposure, they develop rust in and outside the pipes. The rust can clog the valves of your faucets over time if it is not repaired immediately. Thus, the faucet continues to leak as the pipe develops cracks and becomes weak. Ultimately, it may result in the pipe bursting, leading to significant water wastage and expensive repairs.
7. Property & Structural Damage
If left unattended, a leaking faucet causes wood rotting, mold formation, and dampening of walls and foundations. It may compromise the house value and weaken the whole structure. Moreover, sinks and washers are prone to wear and tear from prolonged leaks, reducing their shelf life eventually.
Take note that a leakage affects the tap and the surrounding surfaces like wood shelves, countertops, and floors, which may begin to warp, crack and even rot. The cabinet becomes too weak to store items causing them to collapse.
8. Obligation
The water supply companies often provide homeowners with terms and conditions on maintaining water facilities for smooth operations. They should abide by them, including fixing dripping taps in their homes and offices.
For those in rented houses and offices, the lease agreement prohibits them from attempting DIY repairs around the house. These rules are designed to protect the tenant and owner from potential harm. Hence, the regulations require you to call a professional for repairs like dripping taps.
The sound of a leaking tap is irritating, annoying, and destructive. Hence, schedule frequent inspections of your house to check for any leaks. Every three months, hire only knowledgeable plumbers for quality plumbing repairs. Frequent maintenance will save you from unnecessary damages and costs in the future, because the plumbing system forms a vital part of house evaluations.
