Plumbing

Five small leaks to fix before they get expensive

6 min read
Five small leaks to fix before they get expensive

1The dripping faucet

A faucet dripping once per second wastes more than three thousand gallons of water a year. That is roughly 180 showers down the drain, plus the mineral buildup that eventually stains the sink basin and ruins the finish.

2The toilet that keeps running

A running toilet can waste up to two hundred gallons of water every day. Most of the time, the culprit is a warped flapper valve that no longer makes a watertight seal against the flush valve seat.

3Under-sink supply lines and the trap

The space under kitchen and bathroom sinks is dark, crowded and rarely inspected. Small leaks around P-trap slip joints or compression fittings drip slowly onto cabinet bases.

4Washing machine hoses

Washer hoses sit under constant pressure, and a failure releases a lot of water quickly. Rubber hoses age from the inside, so they can look fine while they weaken.

5Water heater connections

Rust streaks, a damp base or a drip from the relief valve pipe are all early signs. The fittings on top of the tank are the usual starting point.

When to call a pro

Most of the fixes above are simple, but some leaks deserve a trained eye. Call us if the leak is inside a wall, ceiling, or near electrical panels.

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