4 Dangers Of A Leaky Faucet
As a homeowner, you are most likely familiar with the various tasks and projects that it takes to keep your home in great condition and maintain its visual appeal and functional quality. Unfortunately, with some many things to keep track of as a homeowner, you might find it difficult sometimes to keep track of what is a priority and what isn’t. This can be the case especially when it comes to your home’s plumbing fixtures. A leaky faucet can be an incredibly annoying occurrence due to the continuous dripping of water. While this might seem just like an annoyance that you have to deal with until you find the time to take it apart and see what needs to be done, the dripping can actually be a sign of a serious underlying issue. To help highlight the importance of taking care of these kinds of issues right away, and not putting them off until it is more convenient, we have put together a short list of the top four dangers that can arise from ignoring a leaky faucet.
Water Waste
While eco-friendly living isn’t a priority for every homeowner, it is something that many take fairly serious. Many homeowners out there work hard to conserve energy, water, and waste whenever they are able, and while it might be surprising to hear, one leaky faucet in your home can add up to an absolutely astonishing amount of water wasted every day. For instance, a fixture that drips just 4,000 drips of water a day can actually wind up wasting a full liter of water in a single day. Over time, that wasted water can really add up, and considering that most homes have more than one leaky faucet, it can be easy to see just how the wasted water can add up.
Rust
Metal and moisture don’t really get along well in most cases. If you have metal that is exposed to excess moisture, you could quickly find yourself with a build up of rust inside and outside your metal piping. This rust can build up inside the steel pipes and plumbing lines and can clog the valves of your faucet over time. Unfortunately, rust tends to quickly grow into a larger issue if it isn’t taken care of in a timely manner. Not only will the faucet continue to leak as rust builds up, but it will also start to leak more water, and leak it more frequently as the pipe develops cracks and weak points. This can eventually result in the piping bursting, leading to significant water damage and extensive repairs.
Rot
A leaky faucet is most likely going to affect the surrounding surfaces as well. Wood shelving, cabinets, countertops, and floors are all at risk and begin to warp, crack, and rot from the continuous dripping of water. This warped and rotted wood isn’t just unappealing, but it can also be dangerous, as your cabinetry can become too weak to support the stored items, and floors can wind up unable to support the weight of you and your family. Rotting wood inhibits its basic function and can also decrease the value of your home overall.
Mold
A leaky faucet in your home can easily result in mold developing inside your home. These patches of mold are not only unattractive, but they also be dangerous to you and your family’s health. If you notice dark patches, a musty smell, or staining around your leaky faucets, or you or your family are developing breathing issues or notice you are getting skin irritations more frequently, it might be time to call in a professional for a safe mold removal.
