Can Kitchen Faucet Leaks Lead To Water Damage Cleanup?

Leaky faucets are a common problem for homes of all ages. A leaky faucet isn’t just an annoyance, it could be damaging your home in more ways than one. Plus it is wasteful. The United States Environmental Protection Agency suggests that on average, leaks can cause almost 10,000 gallons of wastage in a home every year, and this amount is sufficient to fill a swimming pool. Fixing these leaks can save almost 10% of a homeowner’s water bill.

Thankfully your sink is designed to handle the flow of water. However, water damage becomes a real concern if the sink or the pipes under your sink begin to leak too.

Why Do Faucets Leak?

Leaks can be a result of corrosion, mineral deposit on the internal parts, or defective gaskets. For example, a stem screw and O ring are used to hold the handle of a faucet in place. The O ring can become loose or wear out over regular use, causing the faucet to drip near the handle. Accumulation of water sediments can cause the valve seat to corrode, causing leakage around the spout area.  

Another common cause behind a dripping faucet is a worn out washer. During each use, the washer is forced against the valve seat, and this constant friction causes it to wear out. As a result, dripping is noticed around the spout. Additionally, if the washer is not installed properly or is not the right size, it can cause a leaky faucet and a more intensive water damage cleanup down the road.  

Rust

When there is a constant drip, your sink and tile can suffer wear and tear that shows up as ugly stains. Rust stains may look dirty, but it’s actually just from the clean water flowing through your pipes. Many municipal water supplies and some private wells offer water that has dissolved iron in the liquid. As this iron is exposed to the air, it collects on your sink, causing ugly rust stains.

Damage To Your Home

Rot, mold, and structural damage are all real risks of a leaky faucet. 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. Rot is common and it’s likely that all of the wood in your home is at risk if exposed for long enough. Depending on the location of the leak, structural damage is possible as well. The Faithful Disaster Restoration water damage cleanup crew will search the nearby areas for any signs of weakness or instability. 

Potential For Mold

A leaky faucet in your home can easily result in mold developing inside your home. These patches of mold are not only unattractive, but they also are dangerous to you and your family’s health. While this mold is nontoxic to humans, it can trigger common allergy symptoms in people who are sensitive to it. For these people, molds can cause nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing, eye irritation, or, in some cases, skin irritation.

For Water Damage Cleanup in Billings 

No matter the cause or severity of your flood or mishap, every minute that passes has the potential to cause more damage to your home and your valuable possessions. Choose a water damage cleanup specialist capable of answering your emergency both quickly and proficiently. When you choose Faithful Disaster Restoration, you have a 24/7, full service certified disaster recovery general contractor to help you through a complete restoration. With years of experience and training, our water damage cleanup experts will restore as many of your belongings as possible and work closely with your insurance company.