Water is a precious natural resource. It’s important not to waste it. And if you’re paying for municipal water, any waste means you’ve got higher bills to pay. But a drop here and there isn’t too bad, right? How much could that possibly cost you? Well, the truth of the matter is that a plumbing leak can waste a shocking amount of water. Don’t let leaks cost you money and make a mess of your beautiful home. Get a plumber in Cuyahoga Falls, OH and get that leak repaired. Here’s what you should know.
Average Use and Bills
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the average American family uses around 300 gallons of water a day. And Americans pay quite a bit for our access to clean and reliable tap water. It’s estimated that the general range of monthly water bills for American households is between forty and sixty dollars. That’s $480-$720 a year!
How Drops Add Up
Let’s imagine something very simple: just a dripping faucet. How many drips would it take to fill a gallon bucket? The US Geological Survey says that 15,140 drops of water equals one gallon. But how long will it take for your faucet to drip that many times?
We’ll estimate a pretty slow drip, just ten times per minute, or once every six seconds. And we’ll assume that your one faucet is the only part of your plumbing with a leak. You’ll end up with 14,400 drips in 24 hours. Yikes! It’s only been leaking for a single day, and already you’ve wasted nearly a gallon of water.
The Problem with Leaks
In the scenario we imagined, the water is dripping right into the sink, where it will safely wash down the drain. But many plumbing leaks aren’t just a drippy fixture. They’re happening in the pipes under the sink, and that gallon of water is leaking into your cupboard, ruining your items in storage, and soaking the subfloor. Or worse, it could be behind a wall or under a floor, much harder to spot.
The problem with leaks is twofold. First, there’s the waste and cost. You really should not be allowing water to run where it’s not needed, using up this precious resource and raising your utility bills. And second, that water goes somewhere. Water damage can end up costing you thousands, especially if it continues for any length of time, or leads to mold growth.
Leak Detection
A sneaky leak somewhere in your plumbing could lead to warm spots on walls, creeping damp stains, increased humidity, mold, trickling sounds, your water heater running when it shouldn’t, and of course higher water bills. You can also check your water meter to see if you’re going through more than you used to.
Modern plumbers don’t have to tear apart your house searching for a leaky spot. So don’t be afraid to get help if you think there’s a leak. With cutting-edge technology like infrared sensors, audio equipment, and even video pipe inspection for a real-time view inside of your plumbing, the leak can be pinpointed precisely for easy access and repair.
Contact Crown Group Ohio today with any questions about plumbing or to make an appointment.