We’ve all experienced nagging bathroom leaks. While it doesn’t sound like much, although, over time, it could cause a small dent in your water usage and an increase in your monthly water bill. Most Americans are a little water conscious, so when they encounter a nagging leaky faucet, they want it fixed. However, if a leak goes unchecked, it could cost a homeowner anywhere between $20 to $200 annually. In other words, you could buy a new faucet with the money you saved by fixing the leaky one. Here is something to think about, if a faucet drips once every second, you will waste five gallons of water daily or 2,082 gallons a year. Water leaks are such a big waste that our government went to great lengths to set up a drip calculator so homeowners could calculate their water waste.
There Are Six Possible Nagging Bathroom Leaks
Bathroom leaks may include more than just a leaky faucet. For instance, eight fundamental areas are capable of sprouting a leak. Here are some common areas where water leaks can occur:
Shower/Bathtub:
The shower or bathtub area is one of the most common places for bathroom leaks. Leaks can happen due to damaged caulking or grout around the edges, loose tiles, or faulty plumbing connections, including a bathtub seal.
Sink:
The sink area, including the faucet, drain, and pipes underneath, can develop leaks. Loose or worn-out connections, damaged seals, or a malfunctioning faucet can cause water to leak.
Toilet:
The toilet is another area prone to water leaks. Leaks can occur at the base of the toilet, around the wax ring seal, or in the water supply line and valves. Rarely will shutoff valves get replaced unless your installing a new toilet. Some shutoff valves have never been in the off position. So when you need to turn the valve off, it starts leaking.
Pipes:
The plumbing pipes running behind the walls or under the floor can develop leaks due to corrosion, shifting foundations, or poor installation. Depending on what expert you talk to, copper and galvanized steel pipes have a life expectancy of 40 to 50 years, especially when hard water is present. Unfortunately, once your pipes wear out, they begin to leak; the only solution is to replace them. Knowing the signs is half the battle, so if you’re experiencing water leaks or low water pressure, have your pipes inspected by a licensed plumbing contractor.
Toilet Tank:
The tank on your toilet can also develop leaks. Cracks in the tank, faulty fill valves, or worn-out flapper valves can cause water to leak from the tank into the bowl. In most cases, a homeowner can replace a worn-out flapper. They’re also capable of other minor toilet repairs. However, unless you’re experienced with installing a toilet, it’s best to leave it up to your plumber.
Faucets and Fixtures:
Other fixtures like faucets, showerheads, and tub spouts can develop leaks due to worn-out gaskets, damaged cartridges, or loose connections. Most homeowners can replace a showerhead, a sink aerator, and sometimes a faucet. Although some of the faucet technologies today can be tricky to install, you may want to contact your plumber, especially if you’re installing a high-end faucet.
It’s important to regularly inspect these areas for any signs of leaks, such as water stains, dampness, or dripping sounds, to address them promptly and prevent water damage.
Recap, Recommendations & Reminders:
Shut Off Valves
If you’re remodeling your bathroom or replacing a faucet or toilet, we recommend replacing all your shutoff valves. There are several names used for these valves:
- Compression Shutoff Valve
- Angle Stop Valve
- Stop Valve
As mentioned, these valves have been in the on position for many years. We recommend lubricating the valves two or three times a year and turning them on and off to keep them loose. If the shutoff valves have been attached to a toilet or faucet for over ten years, replace them before they start leaking because “an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.”
If you’re not the do-it-yourselfer, have your licensed plumbing contractor come in and change them all at once. Big B’s Plumbing stocks them right on their trucks. You can also find them at your local home center; like everything else, you can also purchase them online.
Old Worn Pipes
Remember, if your pipes are over forty years old and starting to leak, it’s time to replace them. Don’t play Russian Rulet with your pipes. Old pipes can leak when you’re not at home, which spells disaster. Another option is to have a leak detection device connected to your pipes. The device connects to your smartphone through an app and will warn you if you experience a water leak in your home. Some devices will allow you to shut the water off right from your device. However, this does not solve the problem of a worn-out plumbing system.
Faucet Leak
Your nagging faucet leaks are either a worn seal, worn O-ring, loose parts, or corrosion of a valve seat. For any of them to wear down, chances are your faucet is very old. While the seal can be replaced, purchasing a new bathroom faucet is your best bet unless your current one is very high-end.
Toilet Leak
When our toilets leak, it’s usually the toilet flapper. This is a simple job and could save you from a service call. A toilet flapper can cost $5 to $10 at your home center, and a complete toilet repair kit can cost less than $20. Toilets are notorious for wasting water. You can complete a leak test by putting a few drops of food coloring in your tank and let sit for twenty minutes. If the coloring shows up in your toilet bowl, you have a leaking toilet.
Leaking Showerhead
Lastly, a leaking shower head repair could be as small as adding or replacing the Teflon tape on your shower head with something as big as a shower valve rebuild. On the contrary, a valve rebuild sounds intense. A better-than-average do-it-yourselfer can complete a shower valve rebuild, but for the most part, it should be performed by a plumbing professional.
Big B’s Plumbing For All Your Bathroom Leaks, We Have You Covered!
In conclusion, when it comes to addressing potential bathroom leaks in your bathroom, it’s crucial to trust a reliable and experienced plumbing company like Big B’s Plumbing. Their expertise and knowledge can effectively identify and resolve leaks in your shower, sink, toilet, pipes, and other critical areas. By relying on Big B’s Plumbing, you can rest assured that your bathroom will be safeguarded from water damage, ensuring a functional and worry-free space for years to come. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Big B’s Plumbing for all your bathroom plumbing needs.
