Terri Ramsey Beavers A dripping faucet is annoying, especially if you can hear it while you’re trying to sleep or relax after a hard day’s work. But, it’s more than just annoying, it can actually be costly.
A very simple leak, with a drip once every minute or so, that equates to approximately 7-10 gallons of water a day, which is 3,600 gallons a year and an estimated cost of $20 on your water bill.
That probably doesn’t sound too bad.
However, that’s a slow drip, the faster the pace of the dripping the more it’s going to cost you. A fast dripping faucet could use between 30-100 gallons of water per day. You’ll notice a difference of between $60 and $200on your water bill.
That’s probably enough incentive to get you calling your local plumber in Sydney. But, that’s not the only cost you need to think about.
Environmental
Environmental issues and climate concerns are moving to the front of most people’s thoughts, and for good reason. We only have one planet and we need to look after it.
Did you know that less than 1% of all the water on Earth can be used by humans? In fact, not even all of the water accessible to us can actually be used by us. That gives you an illustration of how important water conservation really is.
We need water to survive, every drop really does count.
You may not notice a direct increase in your spending because of environmental concerns, but, it will affect the environment which will ultimately impact your pocket through increased manufacturing costs. Of course, it can also affect your quality of life if water becomes scarce. For additional hints, check out Emergency Plumber Newcastle.
Other Damage
There are other, more noticeable costs attached to leaking faucets. While the water generally goes down the drain, this is not always the case, depending on the location of the leak and your plumbing system.
A leaking faucet that goes undetected and leaks onto the floor will cause damp, this will increase the likelihood of mold appearing in your home, which is not good for your health.
Damp also penetrates the fabric of the building. Over time it can cause wet rot in wood, this makes the wood soft and could cause part of your floor to collapse. At the very least you’ll have to pay for the faucet and other appliances to be removed and the floor replaced. If the damp has got into structural wood you may find that there is an issue with the stability of part of your home, that could be a much more costly repair.
Damp can also penetrate the walls of your home, damaging the decoration and causing cracks. If the leak continues for long enough damp can cause movement in your home, potentially making it unsafe to live in.
A leaking faucet may not be this extreme, but it is possible. Considering how cheap it is to get it fixed, it’s a good idea to inspect them regularly and fix an issue quickly.