How Much Does a Leaky Faucet Actually Cost You?

A faucet dripping at one drip per second wastes about 3,000 gallons per year. That's a lot of money for an annoying problem.

The math

• 1 drip per second = 5 gallons per day = 1,825 gallons per year minimum
• Faster drips reach 3,000-5,000 gallons
• At an average US water cost of $0.005-0.01 per gallon, that's $15-50/year per leak
• If it's a HOT water faucet, you're also paying to heat the water that drips away — usually $50-150/year
• And the damage from extended water exposure to the sink finish, cabinet, etc.

Why fixing it now is cheaper than later

Most faucet leaks are a $5-20 part. Ignoring them often means the same fix gets harder as parts seize, plus the wasted water and damage. Total cost of ignoring: $100-200+ in year one alone.

DIY or call?

Single-handle faucets with a worn cartridge are usually a 30-minute DIY. Compression faucets with washers are harder. If the faucet is over 15 years old, replacement is often the better play. Call us if you'd rather not.