The Real Cost of Drips and Leaks

Did you know that if one drip from your faucet fills an 8 ounce glass every 15 minutes, it will waste approximately 180 gallons per month?  This is the equivalent of 2,160 gallons a year.  When added up, it’s almost enough water to take a shower every day for 4 months.  That might sound impossible, but plumbing inefficiencies really do add up!

The persistent drip of a leaking faucet has a variety of consequences.   First, there’s the issue of wasted water. Areas across the country are facing supply challenges, and we need to do our part to use water wisely and more efficiently.  When a leaking faucet is left to drip, the cost of that leak can add up quickly. If you have a water meter and you are billed based on usage, these drips can drastically alter monthly bills.  This is why it’s so important to quickly identify and repair leaks.

Annoying drips and costly leaks aren’t limited to faucets.  Perhaps the toilet flushes properly, but runs on and off sporadically.  Maybe it constantly runs.  These could be issues with the flapper or valve. When left unrepaired, leaky toilets can amount to over 200 gallons of water or more per day.

Slow leaks and drips can also be found in the shower.  Sometimes leaking showerheads are as simple as a lose connection, or a more involved repair due to worn threads and/or damaged gaskets.  A showerhead that continues to drip well after use can waste up to 500 gallons per year.  This is actually enough water to run the dishwasher every other day for 2 months.

Whether it’s in the kitchen, bathroom or utility room, leaks and drips should not be viewed merely as a nuisance.  Whenever water drips continuously, or runs on and off at random times, your plumbing is trying to alert you of a problem.  Sometimes, it’s a simple fix, but if the problem is ignored, that simple fix can this can easily turn into a larger, more costly repair.   The technicians at Carroll Plumbing & Heating Inc. can quickly diagnose and repair any of these plumbing issues.  Call us to fix those pesky leaks and drips today!