Leaky taps and pipes are annoying, but did you know they are also potentially dangerous?
It’s easy to be tempted to do a ‘quick fix’ yourself, but what are you risking if the problem keeps returning because you didn’t do it right the first time?
Please contact Mott Plumbing to sort out your leak today on 8462 9844 or send us a message.
Find out the 5 reasons you should have your leaky taps and pipes fixed by a professional, as soon as you can.
1. Health Hazards
In most circumstances, it’s not so much the leak itself that can be hazardous to you and your family’s health, but the mould, mildew and material damage that leaks cause. These problems can develop unseen in the structure and foundations of your home and might only be discovered after they’ve caused harmful illnesses or costly damages.
Mould is a particular concern, producing toxic chemicals called mycotoxins that can cause allergic reactions, hypersensitivity and respiratory problems. Additionally, stagnant water can cause accidents or allow undesirable insects and bacteria to breed around your home or office. These potential problems can all be avoided by getting an experienced professional to take a look at your leaking taps or pipes when you first notice them.
2. Saving Water
A leaky tap or pipe can waste anything up to 20,000 litres of water per year! We live in Adelaide, which is the driest state on the driest inhabited continent on earth. A small leak can have a significant impact on our environment when left to its own devices.
As climate change, droughts and a growing population start to impact the environment around us, everyone in Adelaide should do their part to help conserve our precious water resources. While saving water in any way around your house is always a positive, helping to save water can be as simple as contacting a licensed Adelaide plumber to get your leaky tap fixed for good!
3. Saving Money
With the changes in climate, decreasing rainfall averages and a greater demand for water resources, charges for water utilities have risen dramatically in Adelaide. South Australians are consistently paying more than the rest of the country for our water use, and rates are continuing to rise.
Considering how much water a leaking tap can waste over the course of a year, this is a cost many families can’t afford to ignore. Even at the lowest volume charge by SA Water, this can add $100s to your water bill each year. And that doesn’t even take into consideration the other expenses that a leaking tap can create. Left long enough, a leak can damage the tap so severely that it requires replacing the entire tap system, increasing the repair cost.
4. Structural Damages
Leaky taps can also cause costly structural damage to your home if left unchecked. You might end up with damage to your foundations, walls and floors, and if left long enough, could even leave you unable to live in your home for a short time.
If you’ve ever experienced significant water damage to a home, you’ll know that it’s a costly, lengthy process with no guarantee of an easy solution. Calling in a plumber to fix your leak now, rather than dismissing the issue, is a small cost compared to potentially causing unknown damage to your property down the line.
5. Your Rights & Obligations
If you own your own home, SA Water has a Customer Charter that outlines the responsibilities you need to comply with to continue receiving water supply. While leaky taps aren’t specifically mentioned, maintaining the water usage facilities of your home is part of the obligation of continued water supply.
If you’re renting your home, your leasing agreement will most likely directly prevent you from attempting any DIY repairs to the house. The rules are designed to protect both you and the property owner from potential damages arising from financial disputes or botched repair jobs. Residential landlords are responsible for the cost involved with maintenance of a property (commercial leases vary), and they are required to do so by hiring licensed professionals in a timely fashion.
While a leaking tap might seem like a minor problem, it can contribute to many bigger issues if left unattended. We recommend getting it fixed professionally, and stopping these problems at the cause before they begin. However, if you have some experience with plumbing, you might like to see if you’re able to fix it yourself first. Take a look at our guide to fixing leaky taps yourself to see if it’s something you should attempt.
In Adelaide, there are excellent plumbers who can come to you in an emergency, and fix your leaky problem at the source. Mott Plumbing specialises in thorough, affordable service, so you can feel confident that the problem is fixed – for good.
Please contact Mott Plumbing today on 8462 9844 or send us a message.
