All Year Cooling knows that drippy faucets can have an impact on a home’s monthly expenses. Homeowners in South Florida are not strangers to the value of conserving water, especially when it comes to keeping those water bills low. It might seem insignificant, but that persistent faucet drip can have an impact on your monthly expenses, and affect your family in other ways.
The Costs of a Faucet Drip: The Startling Reality
A single faucet drip can seem like nothing more than a hassle caused by the constant drip-drip sound, but it’s more than a minor issue and the costs can add up quickly. The average leaky faucet drips at a rate of one drop per second. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, over the course of a year, this adds up to more than three thousand gallons of wasted water.
How much is three thousand gallons of water to the average household?
It’s the amount of water used to take more than 180 showers. It’s enough water to do more than 100 loads of laundry. It’s the amount of water that some households use in an entire month. In other words, that single drip isn’t insignificant at all.
The financial costs of a drippy faucet depend on factors such as the current costs of water, and how heavy the drip is. A slow drip might cost as little as $1 a month, but a faster drip can cost homeowners as much as $20-$30, or more, per month.
At first glance, the lower end of these estimates might seem inconsequential, but they add. Over time, a single leaky faucet can cost South Florida homeowners hundreds of dollars per year.
What Causes a Drippy Faucet
Sometimes a drippy faucet is caused by nothing more than not turning the faucet off completely, but with a consistent leak, the culprit is usually something more. Here are a few of the most common causes of drippy faucets.
- Loose or Corroded Faucet Parts: If certain parts of the faucets are loose or corroded, this can lead to leaks. Any type of corrosion can damage the threads and other components, leading to consistent leakage.
- Incorrectly Installed Faucets: If it’s a newer faucet that’s leaking, it could be that it was not installed or adjusted properly. If you installed the faucet yourself, revisit the manufacturer’s instruction guide or visit the troubleshooting section of their website. If all else has failed, it could be that the faucet is faulty. Another option is to have a plumbing professional visit your home to inspect the faucet and the installation to uncover the cause of the leak.
- Mineral Buildup: This is especially an issue for homes in South Florida where hard water can lead to mineral buildup, such as limescale and calcium deposits.
- Worn Out O-Rings or Gaskets: Over time, the O-rings and gaskets that connect the faucet to the sink or countertop can become worn out or damaged, resulting in a leaky fixture.
- Clogged Aerators: The aerator is the screen-like device at the end of the faucet spout. If it becomes clogged with mineral deposits or other debris, it causes the pressure inside the faucet to build up. The increased water pressure can cause the water to leak out from other areas.
The Larger Impact of Water Waste
Water waste isn’t just a financial concern. It’s also an environmental issue that impacts households and families in other ways. The production, treatment, and transportation of water require significant amounts of energy, which can lead to greater greenhouse gas emissions, as well as influence the overall costs that households pay for energy and water utilities.
Water pollution is another issue to consider. On a larger scale, leaks and other forms of water waste can lead to water pollution, which can pose a risk to human health and aquatic ecosystems. Will your drippy kitchen faucet pose a risk to the human health of your community? The answer is no, but faucet leaks can be a sign of a bigger issue with the plumbing system that could contribute to local water pollution.
In some areas, water is a scarce resource. While South Florida doesn’t experience the types of droughts experienced in more southwestern regions of the country, we are not immune. The first month of 2025 proved to be the 54th driest January on record over the past 131 years for Miami-Dade county.
When South Florida experiences higher levels of drought, communities need to begin looking at water conservation solutions, including limiting personal water use. A drippy faucet wastes thousands of gallons of the most valuable resource during drought seasons.
Tips for Detecting Faucet Leaks
The most obvious sign of a leaking faucet is the constant dripping sound, but not all leaks are so obvious. There are more subtle signs homeowners should be on the lookout for to ensure that neither water nor money is wasted due to a leaky faucet.
- Wetness Around Faucet Handles
- Strange Noises (Gurgling, Bubbling)
- Rust and Corrosion
- Water Sputtering
- Discoloration of the Faucet Finish
- Changes in Faucet Handle Function
- Water Meter Movement (When all faucets are off, the water meter should barely be moving, if it all)
Additional Steps for Reducing Water Consumption In Your Home
Repairing a leaky faucet is important. This might involve having a plumbing professional visit your home to diagnose and fix the issue, or having a new faucet fixture installed. Once the leaky faucet has been remedied, there are a few more steps homeowners can take to reduce the water consumption in their homes.
- Check faucets, showerheads, toilets, and dishwashers regularly for any signs of leaks. Sometimes a leak isn’t noticeable until it has progressed. Checking once a month for leaks can help catch them while the problem is still small.
- Install low-flow fixtures. This can help save households as much as twenty gallons per day in water use.
- Consider installing a rain barrel for water collection. Rain water can be used to water lawns, gardens, and other non-potable purposes.
- If drought is an issue in your area, consider landscaping with drought-resistant plants that require less water and that can survive drier water conditions.
Properly Functioning Faucets Save Money and Water
If you’ve noticed a leaky faucet in your home, don’t hesitate to have it looked at and fixed. Most of the time, repairing a leaky faucet is a quick, inexpensive, and non-intrusive process. A trusted plumbing professional can visit your home, assess the faucet and nearby plumbing to ensure the proper issue is addressed.
At All Year Cooling, we’re here to partner with homeowners in South Florida to ensure their plumbing and HVAC systems are running efficiently. If you have questions about a leaky faucet, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help.
Contact All Year Cooling today to schedule an appointment.