How Leaky Faucets and Mold Growth Go Hand-In-Hand

1/24/2023 (Permalink)

A leaking faucet can be a small inconvenience or a big problem, depending on where the leak occurs.

If you have a leaking faucet, it is important to get it fixed as soon as possible. Fixing a leaking faucet could be a simple fix or could require extensive repairs. In this article, we will discuss tips and tricks for dealing with a leaky faucet.

Timing is Everything

A leaky faucet can be a small inconvenience or a big problem, depending on where the leak occurs. A slow drip from your bathroom sink may seem like no big deal, but if it's been going on for months and you haven't done anything about it, you could have an expensive problem on your hands.

When leaks are left alone for long periods of time, mold has been known to grow in the area around the source of the leak. The longer a leak goes unrepaired, the worse the mold buildup will become — and since mold tends to go undetected until its effects become visible (such as when it discolors walls or causes ceilings to cave in), its presence can lead to further damage throughout your home.

If you find yourself with a leaky faucet, it's important to clean up the water within 24-48 hours of its onset. This is the ideal time frame for mold growth prevention. If you're not able to clean it up in this window, call a professional. The longer the water sits and drips, the more mold will grow in your home and on surfaces such as floors and walls.

Fixing the Problem

What should you do if your faucet starts leaking? First of all, turn off the water supply while working on fixing it so that there is no extra water coming out of it while working on it. If there's not enough space under your sink for you to work comfortably, then move things around so that there is more room for yourself underneath the sink.

Small Leak Can Cause Major Problems

While it's true that a small leak from a faucet can cause major problems if left unchecked for too long, it does not necessarily mean that you will develop mold in your home. Mold can grow anywhere there is a water source, but mold still needs time to grow.

Mold spores are microscopic and float throughout our environment. The spores need something damp to feed on in order to grow into colonies of mold. If this dampness is present in your home, then you may have an issue with mold development on your property. 

A leaking faucet can be a small inconvenience or a big problem, depending on where the leak occurs. If you have a leaking faucet, it is important to get it fixed as soon as possible. When you have a leaky faucet that leads to a mold problem, SERVPRO of West Hamilton/Oxford is here to help you get your Oxford home back to normal as quickly as possible. Give us a call at the first sign of mold.