The Costs of Undetected Leaks

9/25/2019 (Permalink)

One faucet that drips once a minute wastes 34 gallons of water a year

There's a large number of things that could cause expensive water damage to your Gladstone, MO, business. Really cold temperatures could cause a pipe break or a failing air conditioning unit could have a slow leak that goes undiscovered. Sadly, that small water leak could potentially become as expensive, or even more expensive, than an obvious cause of flooding.

The Costs of Leaking Water

In the United States, water damage is one of the most commonly reported property insurance claims. The related costs go well beyond repairing the source of the leak. The longer water is allowed to drip down the wall and throughout the area, the more expensive the losses and repairs will become:

• Damage caused directly by water, such as destruction of drywall and carpeting
  
• Secondary damages, such as mold and rust
  
• Replacement of damaged furnishings and equipment
  
• Wasted water and higher utility bills
  
  
  

Imagine a leaky faucet. According to a government-sponsored drip calculator, one faucet that drips once a minute wastes 34 gallons of water a year. Unfortunately, a water leak, such as a broken a/c unit or a leaking rain gutter, sends a lot more than one drip per minute into your property.

How To Detect Leaks

Maybe you can't control all of the ways your business could suffer damage from water, but you can take steps to spot hidden leaks. One of the best ways to recognize a problem is to keep a close eye on your water usage. If you notice unusual spikes or even a slow increase, there may be a leak. You can also test your water meter before and after a period of two hours when the water has been turned off. There shouldn't be any difference in the readings before and after. If you're not sure how to do these tests, a local plumber may be willing to help.

Don't Put Leak Detection Off

Don't wait until you require expensive repairs from a Gladstone, MO, water damage remediation and reconstruction professional. Take action today to be sure you don't have a water leak undetected on your property.