When you notice a faucet in your office is leaking, it’s easy to simply dismiss it and be on your way. This is a common reaction most people would have to a seemingly minor problem. However, a leaky faucet is like an iceberg, there’s a lot you’re probably not seeing.
While a faucet leak may seem like no big deal on the surface, it could be indicative of a larger problem. This is a problem that could wind up costing your business a lot of money in repairs. The next time you see a leaky faucet in the office, don’t ignore it. Keep on reading to learn why.
What Causes Leaks in Commercial Building Plumbing Systems?
Commercial facilities often use a significant amount of water because there are numerous people using the bathroom, kitchen, or other facilities over the course of a day. The more people use these facilities, the higher the likelihood of a leak occurring. Faucet leaks are one of the more common types of plumbing issues, with the culprit usually being a worn or damaged rubber sealing washer.
Rubber washers are items used to create a watertight seal in the faucet to prevent leaks. When a washer gets worn out or if it’s incorrectly sized, the seal will fail and the faucet will leak. However, there are many other more troubling causes of faucet leaks.
Faucet leaks can also be associated with problems in your plumbing. These problems can include pipe corrosion, high water pressure, clogged drains, drastic temperature changes, and more. You may not realize it immediately, but that leaky faucet could be causing your building serious damage.
What Kind of Damage Can Be Caused by a Leaky Faucet?
It may be tempting to ignore the dripping water and have it fixed when it’s convenient, but you really shouldn’t wait. Here are a few ways a leaky faucet can hurt your business:
- Expensive Water Bills: What are a few droplets of water going to do anyway? It may not seem like a lot of water right now, but think about it at the macro level. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year.” That much wasted water can cost you a lot of money.
- Building Damage: If you let a faucet continue to leak, it can put added stress on your plumbing, create clogged drains, or cause overflows. It may also lead to caulk and grout deterioration, which can result in water leaking through and causing additional damage. In some cases, a leak can cause a water stain that will ruin the appearance of your sink.
How to Prevent Leaks
The best way to prevent faucet leaks is to create a three-pronged strategy. This strategy should include maintenance, a plan of action, and emergency rules.
- Maintenance: Contact a plumbing service provider and schedule regular maintenance on your pipes. Being proactive will ensure that your pipes stay in good condition. Not only will professional maintenance prevent future headaches, but an experienced technician can also install commercial water saving faucets that can save your company money.
- Plan of Action: Accidents are unpredictable and can happen at any time, so make sure you’re prepared for when they do. Establishing a clear communication chain, creating a way to protect your data, and designating off-site work areas will allow you to respond quickly and without hesitation to an emergency.
- Emergency Rules: No matter how prepared you are, an emergency can still happen. When it does, follow the rules you’ve set in place like turning off the water in that area of the building and/or block entry into the affected area.
A leaky faucet is like an iceberg, there’s a lot you’re probably not seeing.
Complete Plumbing Solutions
If you run into leaks, call on the experts at A&G Services. Our technicians are highly trained in the field of plumbing and are some of the best the industry has to offer. From pipe blockage solutions to preventative maintenance, we’ll keep your plumbing working the way it should.
If you’d like to learn more about A&G Services and the solutions we offer, contact us today.
