Whether you own your home or rent, you’ll find that a basic knowledge of plumbing is necessary to keeping your household running in an orderly fashion. Plumbing has a tendency to develop problems that you don’t see coming and that demand instant attention. Water heaters can break down, pipes can freeze when winter temperatures dip far below freezing, and small leaks can suddenly become major problems. But in general, keeping a watch out for small problems can prevent them from turning into big problems that necessitate a call to the emergency plumbing service.
Leaks and water wastage
Leaks and drips are one of the most ubiquitous plumbing problems. Each plumbing system is actually two subsystems, which are separate from each other. Fresh water is brought into the house by one system of pipes, and the drains form the other subsystem that carries away waste water. Any of these systems can develop leaks, and so can faucets, showers, and toilets. Leaks are a major source of fresh water wastage, and account for as much as 13.7% of all water use, according to Plumbing Manufacturers International.
In the U.S., it is estimated that around 10% of all households have running water leaks that waste 90 gallons of water a day. Since the average daily water usage for a family is around 300 gallons, any leaks add significantly to the water bill. In water-scarce areas, they waste a precious resource that could be used for other purposes or conserved.
Fixing leaks as soon as possible
No matter where you live, it’s important to stay on top of things as far as the plumbing is concerned. This means fixing leaks as and when they are discovered, before they turn into a major problem. A small running leak can waste water and add to your monthly (or quarterly bills).
A small leak can also develop, suddenly and without warning, into a major leak that will flood your house and basement. In that case, you could be looking at serious structural damage to the walls, ceilings and foundations of your house. To keep small leaks from turning into plumbing emergencies, it’s necessary to fix them in time. In fact, they should be fixed as soon as they’re discovered.
Finding the leak
While some leaks, like a dripping faucet or shower, are easy to identify, others can be harder to locate. You may see signs, such as irregular water patches and stains on walls or ceilings, or you may notice a spike in your water bill without apparent cause. All of these indicate that you should call the local plumbing service as soon as possible to find hidden leaks and prevent major problems.
In general, it’s always a good idea to keep a number for an emergency plumbing service handy. Your nearby plumbing service probably also does emergency plumbing alongside regular services like water heater repair, drain cleaning, and of course, fixing leaks.
Even small leaks can waste a lot of water. They also have the potential to turn into a major problem forcing you to call the emergency plumbing service. Keeping tracks of water leaks, whether they’re visible or hidden, around your house and getting them fixed as soon as possible will help avoid wastage and prevent major damage.
