When it comes to plumbing leaks, most people are concerned about the potential damage a leak can do to their home. Certainly, a significant leak, or sometimes even a more minor one, can do substantial damage to walls, ceilings, flooring, and furnishings. But most people don’t ever consider all the impacts that unchecked plumbing leaks have on the environment. Detecting and repairing leaks early with the help of Hope Plumbing, Heating and Cooling can go a long way to preserving the integrity of your home and our natural resources.
Water Loss and Waste
The most obvious impact of leaks is the amount of water that they continually waste. Fresh, clean water is our most precious natural resource. It’s also much more scarce than you may think, as freshwater only accounts for approximately 3% of all the water on Earth. The fact that water shortages are becoming so much more common means it’s essential that we all do our part to conserve and reduce our water usage as much as possible.
You may not think that ignoring a plumbing leak has much of an effect on our water supply in the grand scheme of things, but this is far from the case. It’s estimated that household plumbing leaks in the US alone contribute to more than 1 trillion gallons of clean water wasted, further increasing the massive strain our water supply systems are already under.
Increased Strain on Groundwater Resources
While many places get their water from rivers and lakes, underground aquifers are also crucial for many people. Underground aquifers normally recharge or replenish naturally from rain and snowmelt seeping through the soil.
Excessive water waste can lead to underground wells and reservoirs frequently running dry, forcing water to be piped or carried in from other places. This issue can be especially problematic in certain parts of the country that rely almost solely on underground aquifers to meet the local community’s needs.
Carbon Emissions and Depleted Resources
Plumbing leaks don’t just waste water, but are also a significant waste of energy and our other precious natural resources. Treating water to be safe to drink and use for all our needs requires large amounts of energy. Pumping water throughout a water system also requires large amounts of additional energy.
Most of the electricity used to treat and pump water still comes from burning fossil fuels. That means the more water we waste, the more we contribute to the dwindling supply of these fuels. Plumbing leaks lead to more water needing to be treated and pumped, which also directly results in increased carbon emissions being released into the atmosphere. Hiring Hope Plumbing, Heating and Cooling to promptly detect and repair plumbing leaks in your home allows you to lower your carbon footprint.
Soil and Water Contamination
Another concern with certain types of leaks is that they can contaminate and pollute the soil along with the groundwater and other bodies of water. Water from a leaky sprinkler system or an underground slab leak can carry pesticides, fertilizers, and other harmful chemicals into the local storm drain system. These chemicals can then enter nearby streams, rivers, and lakes.
These chemicals then pose a serious threat to fish, other aquatic species, and all wildlife that rely on the water for drinking. This type of chemical runoff can also lead to an increase in potentially harmful algae blooms that further threaten fish and wildlife. Major algae blooms significantly reduce the available oxygen in the water and can lead to fish die-offs.
Another concern is the impact of something like a leaky sewer line or septic system. This type of leak can contaminate the soil, posing major issues for local vegetation and wildlife. It’s also a health risk for anyone entering your yard and attracts pests. The sewage runoff can seep into the groundwater or get carried into other bodies of water.
Water Quality Issues
The other thing you need to worry about with underground plumbing leaks is that they can contaminate your home’s water supply and potentially make it unsafe to drink. This most commonly happens when a home’s main water line leaks, but it can sometimes occur due to an issue like a leaky sprinkler or irrigation system.
This potential issue is yet another reason why prompt leak detection and repair are essential. It’s also why you should make sure that all outdoor faucets and hose bibs have an anti-siphon valve. Anti-siphon hose bibs are designed to prevent dirty water from getting drawn back up a hose and contaminating the water in your plumbing system. Backflow preventers are essential if you have an automatic sprinkler system.
Soil Erosion
Some plumbing leaks, especially underground slab leaks, can also contribute to soil erosion. One concern is that leaks can wash away topsoil, harming the local environment’s ability to sustain plant life. Soil saturation and erosion from underground leaks can also lead to sinkholes forming, creating a significant risk for both the environment and nearby buildings.
Even if a sinkhole doesn’t form, soil erosion can still threaten your home because it can cause major damage to your foundation. This last issue is one reason why it’s essential that you watch out for leaks and contact a leak detection service like Hope Plumbing, Heating and Cooling immediately if you ever suspect your plumbing is leaking.
How to Identify Plumbing Leaks in Your Home
The best way to make sure that you’re not contributing to all of these environmental impacts is to be diligent and continually monitor your house for any potential plumbing leaks. One thing you should always do is keep track of your monthly water usage.
You obviously use more water in some months than others, especially during the middle of summer when you’re watering outdoors more frequently. Nonetheless, even a small leak in a water line or an issue like a leaky toilet that often runs can easily increase your water usage for the month by at least a few thousand gallons. A pinhole leak can waste around 100 gallons a day. A leaky toilet wastes anywhere from 200 to 1,000 gallons per day, depending on how often it runs. That’s why it’s important to call a plumber immediately if you ever hear your toilet running on its own, so you can limit the amount of water it wastes.
A leaky water line is often something you’ll notice quickly, as it can result in a large wet spot on a wall, floor, or ceiling. Bubbling paint, mold spots on sheetrock, and peeling wallpaper indicate that your plumbing is leaking. In cases of a larger leak, you may continuously hear water flowing even when your plumbing isn’t being used.
Leaks in an underground water line or a sprinkler system can be more challenging to spot. This is where your water meter can come in handy. Most water meters have a leak-indicator dial that spins whenever water is running. If the dial is spinning when all your plumbing fixtures are shut off, it’s a definite sign that a pipe is leaking.
As one of the leading plumbing companies in Indianapolis, you can trust Hope Plumbing, Heating and Cooling for help finding and repairing a leak or fixing any other plumbing, drain, or sewer issue. We have years of experience and will make sure that any issue you’re dealing with gets fixed correctly. Contact us today to get the expert help you need to overcome your plumbing problem.
