A leaky faucet in your home can be a costly and stressful headache

Here’s how to protect yourself before you have to call a plumber for an inspection or repair

From sinks to bathtubs to shower heads, every faucet has moving parts that see daily usage. So, it’s not a surprise that these frequently used fixtures are susceptible to wear and tear over time – especially if the seals are damaged. Change in water pressure or hard water can also cause problems.

But while you might find the constant drip-drip-drip of a leaking faucet annoying, it can actually get a whole lot worse. In fact, even a low leak of one drip per minute can waste almost 3 litres of water every week* – that’s waste you’re paying for.

Todd from Cambridge was very professional, funny and did a great job fixing my plumbing!!
– Andrea B on HomeStars

9 things to check – before a major plumbing problem hits

If you have an emergency leak – in a faucet or any other plumbing – contact us right away of course. But the best way to avoid a damaging leak is to catch it early by being proactive and doing your own visual inspection and leak detection on a regular basis. Here’s what you should look for:

Inspect under all your sinks – leaky faucets sometimes leak down handles and directly to hoses or pipes.
Check in your shower or bathtub – remember, a seemingly minor leak into your tub or shower could be a bigger problem behind the tiles or within the walls. If you see a water stain in the ceiling below a bathroom where a bathtub or shower is located, call us right away!
Look for discolouration around fixtures, sinks or tiles that could be a sign of leaks.
Listen for squeaking noises when you turn your faucet on or off – it could be a sign of something amiss.
Smell the area immediately around your faucets – mouldy or rotten food-like odours could mean a leak.
Inspect all rooms with faucets or where pipes or appliances are located – particularly the ones you use less often – a leaking pipe or faucet could be lurking.
If your toilet sounds like it’s constantly flushing, a flapper could need replacing to prevent water from constantly being wasted from your toilet tank.
If water, moisture or mould is accumulating around your dishwasher or the dishwasher door, make sure the door is properly aligned when it is closed, check for a worn door seal (tub gasket), or a crack in the drain line – a dishwasher leak can do serious damage to your flooring!
Compare your water bill to the previous year’s bill, particularly the amount of water you’ve used – if there’s no obvious reason for a big increase in usage, you may have a hidden leak.

Leaks can also wreak havoc in and around your home. Be on the lookout for suspicious discolouration, dripping or clogs wherever water runs!

Who are you going to call?

A licensed Reliance Home Comfort™ plumbing expert can diagnose and fix a leaky faucet – in your bathroom or kitchen or even outdoors – as well as leaks that may affect your toilet, water heater, water filtration system and more. At Reliance, we not only fix plumbing problems, we can help you avoid them. And because we know every minute counts in an emergency, we’ll tackle your job with speed and efficiency. You’ll also receive one-year parts and labour warranty coverage.**

Plus, consider a convenient Reliance Plumbing Protection Plan. It can save you plumbing service costs over time. Our Protection Plans^‡