Have you been ignoring or putting off any of these common plumbing issues happening in your home?
- Dripping faucets
- Running toilets
- Slow drains
- Low water pressure
- Small pipe leaks
- Water heater noises
You’re busy, budgets are tight, and it’s not necessarily disrupting your routine, so putting off small plumbing issues and repairs can happen. But…
The harsh truth is that delaying minor plumbing repairs is like playing a slow game of roulette. A $100 fix today can prevent thousands in emergency costs tomorrow. Regular plumbing check-ups, especially before the winter, keep both your Fox Cities home and your budget safe.
Let’s explore some of the hidden costs you may experience by putting off plumbing repairs.
Higher Water Bills
Most homeowners think a small leak or drip isn’t a big deal. But it’s literally money down the drain.
A single dripping faucet can add $20 per month to your monthly bill. Over time, that’s hundreds of dollars and thousands of gallons of water slipping away without you realizing it.
We’ve seen utility costs going up in Oshkosh, Green Bay, and other areas in the Fox Cities, so finding ways to minimize waste will be more important than ever.
Mold
Over time, trapped water and moisture can soak into your drywall and flooring, leading to mold growth — especially in dark, damp areas like basements and under sinks. The longer you wait, the more severe and costly the problem can get.
According to Home Advisor, mold remediation services in Wisconsin average $800-$2,000. And the new floors or drywall? HomeGuide reports that homeowners typically spend about $1,000 to $3,000 on drywall projects.
Mold can also lead to health concerns, including respiratory issues and allergies. Kids and older adults who spend time in your home are at particularly high risk.
Structural Damage
Water and persistent leaks can weaken the structural integrity of your house over time, causing damage to your floor joists, beams, and foundation. And here in Wisconsin, we have to deal with freeze-thaw cycles that make structural problems even worse.
When water seeps into cracks, it can freeze during cold snaps. As it expands and thaws, it can cause cracks in the foundation, buckling in your floors, and rotting in wood framing and structural elements.
Repairing structural damage is something no Fox Cities homeowner wants to deal with. Foundation issues can easily cost $20,000+ depending on the extent of the damage and what needs to be replaced.
Emergency Plumbing Services
When left unchecked, leaks, clogs, and other plumbing issues can quickly become emergency situations. No one wants to deal with a burst pipe or broken water heater — especially when the bill comes. Unfortunately, those after-hours and emergency plumbing calls come at a premium rate compared to standard visits and preventative plumbing maintenance.
Our Watters Premier Club costs $99 per year to join and includes a plumbing inspection for your Fox Cities home at no extra cost. This allows us to spot potential issues before they become emergencies.
Insurance Complications
Putting off those plumbing repairs can also cause hiccups with your insurance company. While accidental damage is usually covered, some policies won’t cover damage caused by neglect. That means you could be on the hook for the full bill if your insurance company determines you ignored a leak or some other issue.
Even in the best scenarios, your premiums will likely go up and you have to pay deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs. Be sure to read policies carefully and talk with your homeowners insurance agent.
Don’t Wait: Tackle Minor Plumbing Repairs Before They Become Big Expenses
If you’re ready to protect your home and wallet, the experienced plumbers at Watters Plumbing are here to help. We offer plumbing services, inspections, and preventative maintenance in the Fox Cities area, including Appleton, Oshkosh, Green Bay and Fond du Lac.
We’ve been supporting families and homes in Northeast Wisconsin for more than 60 years.
Join the Watters Premier Club or contact us today to identify and tackle minor plumbing repairs and minimize your risk of plumbing emergencies.
Our hot water heater stopped working over the weekend. We called a local plumber we have used for years. They came out and quoted us an astronomical price. We decided to get a few more quotes. I will say all of the other quotes were much more reasonable than our first. However, Watters had a very efficient process and they were able to quote the project over the phone and had same day service availability. We had a very nice technician who had everything done in less than two hours. My husband and I were beyond impressed. Thankful we shopped around. It saved us thousands of dollars.
— Ruth Fameree
