Did you know that homeowners in the UK waste around £697 million on water bills every year due to leaks? That’s approximately 900 million litres, a staggering amount when you consider it’s enough to fill up Wembley Stadium. When you think of water loss or damage to your home, the first things likely to pop into your head are burst pipes and clogged toilets. However, leaky faucets are a little more sinister as they often go unnoticed for long periods, costing you in the long run.
A leaky faucet may seem like an insignificant problem in the pantheon of plumbing problems, but it can result in mould and can cause rot in the affected area, leading to structural damage. The best way to avoid costly repairs and untold damage to your home is to tackle the problem as soon as possible or avoid it all together.
What Causes a Leaky Faucet?
It's always helpful to understand the cause of a problem before attempting to fix it, so before you get frustrated with the leaky faucet in the bathroom, take a moment to identify the root cause. This helps you be proactive in the future to help avoid any similar mistakes. Here are a few causes of a leaky faucet:
Temperature Fluctuations: The winter months can be gruelling on your pipes. Exposure to freezing temperatures or hot water can cause faucet components to expand and contract, leading to stress and potential damage.
Corrosion: Exposure to moisture can cause metal components of the faucet to corrode. This includes screws, nuts and valves which can weaken the metal, leading to leaks.
Water Quality: Poor water quality, such as water containing certain minerals, sediments or chemicals can cause stress on faucet components, eventually leading to leaks.
Frequent Use: While this is unavoidable, frequent use of faucets in the bathroom or kitchen (high traffic areas) are usually prone to wear and tear. This continuous use can result in leaks.
Here are a few ways you can prevent a leaky faucet:
Regular Maintenance
Like most things, your faucet needs a little TLC every once in a while. Therefore, regular maintenance is essential to keep your faucet in good condition and working properly. This helps increase the durability of your faucets and will help you detect whether any worn-out seals or gaskets need to be replaced. Do a visual inspection, looking for signs of wear, corrosion or other potential issues. Due to regular use, you’ll also want to ensure there are no loose parts on your faucets. Check for loose handles, spouts, or connections and tighten them as needed using the appropriate tools. However, make sure you don’t tighten them too much, as this can also cause damage.
Clean Your Faucets
This may seem obvious, but sometimes the most obvious things may be overlooked. Debris, dirt and other organic materials may find their way into the crevices of your faucets, especially if you have an intricate design. Exposure to this buildup of mineral deposits and debris can degrade your washers and seals. Additionally, metal or brass faucets may corrode because of exposure to moisture, minerals, and other environmental factors. Give your faucets a good scrub with mild soap or a vinegar solution using a soft cloth or brush. However, don't forget to give it a good rinse after using your cleaning solution.
Check Water Pressure
Did you know that high water pressure is a major cause of leaking faucets? This is because high water pressure puts excessive stress on the internal components of your faucet and can cause wear and tear over time. If you’re worried about water pressure damaging your pipes and faucets, you can use a water regulator to regulate the water pressure.
Fix Leaks Promptly
Even small leaks can cause significant water damage and loss over time. Unfortunately, homeowners tend to live with the inconvenience of a leaky faucet, thinking it’s only a minor inconvenience compared to a burst pipe. Unfortunately, leaks don’t fix themselves. Instead, they worsen if left untreated. What may start as a small drip can escalate into a major leak, causing more extensive damage to your plumbing system and property. The best solution is to fix these leaks as soon as possible to prevent a significant amount of damage or water loss.
Call a Licensed Plumber
Prevention is better than cure, and understanding how to avoid a leaky faucet can help homeowners be proactive. We understand leaky faucets can be frustrating, but when all else fails, call the professionals. A licensed plumber can conduct a thorough assessment of your faucets and overall plumbing system, helping you identify any underlying issues that may contribute to the leak. Additionally, they can identify potential leaks in hidden or hard-to-reach areas, such as behind walls or under flooring, and address them accordingly. Calling a licensed plumber for leaky faucets ensures that repairs are conducted professionally, efficiently, and safely, providing you with peace of mind and reliable results.
Clearpath Drainage offers quality 24/7 drainage services that’s reliable and trustworthy. We are Trading Standards Approved, giving you the confidence and reassurance that your plumbing system is in good hands.
Have a leaky faucet or blocked drain? Give us a call today for more information.