An estimated 12 percent of the water that supplies U.S. houses is wasted on leaks, spilling more than 775 billion gallons of water each year, according to a Residential End Uses of Water study. Cass Plumbing urges Tampa residents to take pragmatic and technological steps toward fighting the water waste and financial burden of plumbing leaks.
Water’s relative in low cost and it creates a common misperception that leaking fixtures are harmless. In fact, among the more than 23,000 houses that participated in the water use study, 10 percent were found to waste at least 90 gallons of water each day with leaks. In most cases, leaks either visibly or stealthily go down the drain or are absorbed into the ground, without damage to property. These so-perceived benign leaks are most commonly found in plumbing fixtures. But even the smallest leaks add up. A slow, two-drip-per-second leak will produce 77 gallons of water in just one week.
Leaks that don’t go directly into the drain or ground are more troublesome and also common. Leaks from ruptured supply lines or damaged pipes and fittings strike up to 8% of homes each year, according to a U.S. Housing Study. While these leaks typically get fixed upon discovery to prevent costly damage, when they go undetected, due to out-of-sight location or the resident being off-premises, they can immediately ruin property, and create a long-term environment for mold.
The total cost of home plumbing leaks is difficult to measure, but the Insurance Information Institute data confirms more than $10 billion in water loss claims are paid out in the U.S. each year. This suggests the real cost is much higher, without factoring in excessive water utility bills. Water is constantly used in a home, small drips onto home infrastructures can cause many thousands in damage within a short period of time. While leaks are the second leading contributor of home insurance payouts, our studies indicate more than half of damage-inducing leaks are never reported to insurance companies.
The Tampa plumbing pros at Cass Plumbing urge everyone to consider practical tips to find and stop water leaks:
Check the water bill: A family of four will typically use 12,000 gallons (16 centum cubic feet) per month. Usage in excess of this amount indicates a likely leak.- Check toilets: Warn-out flappers are a primary water waster. Listen for toilets that refill between flushes. Find slow leaks by dropping food coloring in tanks; if the bowl takes color without a flush, there’s a leak.
- Check interior faucets: Drips from sinks and tub faucets, and showerheads, are easy to spot, but often ignored. Repair or replace worn parts to curb water-wasting drips.
- Look outside: Outside hose or irrigation system leaks are often overlooked. Check for drips and moist ground during dry weather to find preventable leaks.
- Get leak detection: A flow-based leak detection device will detect leaks as small as a drip per second and automatically shut them off. While the primary function is to prevent property damage, it has the added benefit of flagging hidden leaks to save water and money on your utility bills.
For all your home plumbing leak needs and concerns in and around the Tampa region, call Tampa’s Best Plumber, Cass Plumbing at 813-265-9200. The plumbing professionals at Cass Plumbing have been taking care of plumbing leaks throughout Tampa for 2 decades, have earned an A+ Rating with the Tampa Better Business Bureau, are ranked as the Best Plumber in the Tampa area by Best Plumbers, and have received over 1,000 – 5 star reviews. At Cass Plumbing of Tampa Bay, we are here to serve you for all your plumbing needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
