Your plumbing system is one of the most important elements within your home. Unfortunately, it's an element that homeowners tend to overlook until a catastrophic failure occurs. Minor plumbing issues should always be addressed quickly to avoid serious damage.

Some common and seemingly innocuous plumbing issues have the potential to create costly problems down the road if you don't have them fixed by a plumbing contractor right away.

1. Leaking Faucet

Many homeowners will experience a leaking faucet at some point. Constant dripping coming from your faucet can seem like a minor inconvenience, but it is a plumbing issue that could end up costing you a significant amount of money over time.

A single faucet leaking a drop of water per second has the potential to waste up to 3,000 gallons of water each year. You will see an increase in your monthly water expenses and wind up paying for all that water you didn't use. The sooner you can have a plumber fix a leaky faucet, the more money and water you can save.

2. Low Water Pressure

A lot of homeowners think that low water pressure is something they have to live with. A sudden change in your water pressure is not something to be ignored. Changes in water pressure can be indicative of a more serious problem within your plumbing system.

Hidden leaks can cause your water pressure to drop. These leaks have the potential to wreak havoc on the structural stability of your home and should be repaired quickly. Low water pressure can also be caused by clogged pipes or drains within your home. A plumber will be able to identify the cause of your low water pressure and make repairs to protect your home against more serious damage over time.

3. Lukewarm Water

Access to hot water is one of the perks of modern life. If you notice that your taps aren't producing hot water like they should, it's not something that you should overlook. Lukewarm water is usually a sign of problems with your water heater.

Several things could be causing your water heater to malfunction. Sediment buildup on the bottom of the tank can prevent the heating element from distributing heat properly. A faulty heating element can also compromise your access to hot water. A plumber contractor can service your water heater and restore your access to hot water.