Have you ever put off a call to the plumber thinking that it will save you money just to leave the leak alone? Many homeowners don’t know that leaks can be one of the most expensive plumbing problems on the list and leaving a leak to its own devices can have costly consequences. Leaks come in all shapes and sizes. Whether you have a pipe, toilet, or pool leak, your water bill could rise substantially every month. And every day a leak is left alone, it gets worse.
How Much Water Does a Dripping Faucet Waste?
If you hear the steady drip in your sink or shower, check your faucet immediately. If tightening the handle doesn’t work, you’re already losing money. But how much exactly?
A typical leak equates to around 10 drips per minute, leaving your water loss at one gallon per day. Faster leaks can lose over 100 drips per minute. That leaves you with up to 350 gallons per month.
The cost? Upwards of $6 per month. That’s a cup of fancy coffee. That’s a bouquet for someone you love. That’s a Hulu subscription!
How Much Water Does a Running Toilet Waste?
As you can imagine, a running toilet can be substantially pricier than a dripping faucet. These leaks are a little less conspicuous than dripping leaks because they’re quieter and it takes them longer to run to the sewer line. A homeowner can flush the toilet before leaving for work and not realize the toilet is running throughout the entire day. It can become very costly on your water bill if the toilet runs for 10 to 12 hours before someone returns home to “jiggle that handle” to stop the flow.
Where a rapidly dripping faucet can waste 11 gallons per day, a running toilet can waste around eight gallons of water every hour. That can easily amount to thousands of gallons of wasted water per month! These costs can range anywhere from $50 – $100 per month, depending on your water and sewer rates. And that’s just for one toilet.
Other Damages Caused by Leaks
Leaks cost money when they waste water, but there are other ways leaks can drain your bank account. Faucet leaks generally won’t cause any damage past a hurting wallet but leaks from other appliances can lead to major damage and repair costs. The following are other places you should occasionally check for leaks:
Dishwasher
Refrigerator
Pipes
Windows
Doors
Under-sink plumbing
Roof
Even a minor leak can cause extensive damage. Besides being an unnecessary water cost, leaks can cause damage to the following areas:
Floors
Ceilings
Carpets
Health (Water damage can cause mold, which can be hazardous to your overall health.)
Housing Structure (Water damage can cause structural damage to your property.)
Schedule Your Next Service with Al Bourgeois Plumbing!
So now you know that it is, in fact, more expensive to wait to call a plumber. If you have a leak that you’ve left unattended for too long, call Al Bourgeois Plumbing! Our plumbing experts have been serving the Greater New Orleans area with all sorts of plumbing problems for over 50 years! Our expert technicians will be able to identify the source of the problem and keep your drains healthy for generations to come.