Many Stroudsburg, PA homeowners ignore the slow drip that is coming from one or more faucets in their home. While that slow drip may not seem like a big deal, it can waste a lot of money over the course of weeks or months. This can result in higher-than-normal utility bills. Are you wondering how much water a leaky faucet wastes and what you can do about this issue? Let’s review this information and what homeowners should be aware of.
Leaky Faucet Waste
If you have a leaky faucet in your home that is dripping at the rate of one small drop per second, this can add up to more than 3,000 gallons of wasted water over the course of a year. This amount will vary a bit depending on whether the leak is ongoing and the amount of water being released. Regardless, this is water that should be kept inside your faucet until you’re ready to turn it on and use it. This waste increases the carbon footprint of your home and is bad for the environment. Leaks increase greenhouse gas emissions by taxing our water system and increasing the use of energy.
What Causes a Leaky Faucet?
A faucet may be leaking because someone left the water running ever so slightly. In that case, simply turning the faucet handles so the water goes off is enough to stop the leak. However, a leak that occurs despite the fixture being turned off can be caused by several things. Keep in mind that these leaks don’t just occur from the tap. They can also come from the faucet base or around the handle.
Issues With the O-Ring
There is a small O-ring that is used in the construction of the faucet handle. This O-ring provides a tight seal so that water cannot escape. If this O-ring isn’t installed correctly or is defective, water may be able to leak around it. It’s common for an O-ring to break down over time because of normal wear and tear. This is a fast and affordable replacement that will stop your faucet from leaking.
Washer Malfunction
As your water is turned on and off, the washer is forcefully pressed against the valve seat of the faucet. Over time, this friction can lead to a washer wearing out and allowing water to pass by it. There may also have been an issue with how the washer was installed, which can affect its function. Replacing the washer is another affordable repair that can save you a lot of money once a leak is gone.
Valve Seat Corrosion
A valve seat is a part of a faucet that exists between the faucet itself and the spout. If you have hard water in your area, the accumulation of mineral deposits over time can lead to corrosion of the valve seat. That results in leaks. This part can be replaced or cleaned.
The Health Hazards of a Leaky Faucet
Not only does a leaky faucet lead to water waste and high utility bills, but the problem can also be a health hazard. If your leak is leading to stagnant water somewhere in your home, this can increase the risk of bacteria growing, and if ingested, it can make a person very sick. One such example of this issue is when Legionnaires’ disease forms in contaminated water. If inhaled, Legionnaires’ causes pneumonia and serious lung issues. Contaminated water can also cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Preventing and Addressing a Leaky Faucet
It’s important that you schedule routine inspections and maintenance for your home’s plumbing system. This allows a professional to catch minor leaks early on before they become an expensive problem. In many cases, a minor repair is all that’s needed to stop the leak.
You may also want to consider upgrading your current faucet fixtures to more efficient models that are less prone to leaks from wear and tear.
If you have one or more leaky faucets in your Stroudsburg home, reach out to the team at R.J. Groner Inc. for assistance or for our additional leak detection services. We can repair any faucets that are leaky, in addition to inspecting your plumbing system and taking care of emergency repairs. We also work on sump pumps, clean drains, and install new plumbing during renovation projects. Besides that, we install, repair, and maintain heating and cooling equipment.
Contact us at R.J. Groner Inc. today to schedule an appointment anywhere in the Stroudsburg area.
