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Learning from the Most Expensive Leaks in History

/ Commercial, Leaky Pipes, Protection / By

From ancient roman aqueducts to the Space Shuttle, plumbing leaks have been responsible for some of the most costly disasters in history. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the top 5 most expensive plumbing leaks in history and what lessons we can learn from them.

 

Costly Plumbing Leaks

  1. The Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster – $16 Billion
    In 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster was caused by a small piece of foam that broke off during launch and damaged one of the heat shield panels on the shuttle’s wing. As a result of the damaged panel, hot gases were able to enter the wing during re-entry and cause the shuttle to break apart, killing all 7 crew members on board. The total cost of the disaster was estimated at $16 billion.
  2. The Johnstown Flood – $17 million
    In 1889, a dam located in South Fork, Pennsylvania, gave way after several days of heavy rain, resulting in a flood that killed more than 2,000 people and destroyed the city of Johnstown. The total cost of the disaster was estimated at $17 million (about $430 million in today’s dollars).
  3. The 2006 San Francisco Bayandi Oil Spill – $62 million
    In 2006, an oil tanker lost control while entering San Francisco Bay and spilled 53,000 gallons of oil into the water. The spill resulted in the closure of nearly 20 miles of coastline, as well as damaging over 500 birds and sea lions. The total cost of the cleanup was estimated at $62 million (about $76 million in today’s dollars).
  4. Hurricane Katrina – $81 billion
    In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused widespread flooding and damage along the Gulf Coast of the United States, resulting in over 1,800 deaths and causing damage to over 300,000 homes. The total cost of the hurricane was estimated at $81 billion (about $108 billion in today’s dollars).
  5. The Roman Aqueducts – Over $1 billion
    The Roman aqueducts were a system of channels and bridges that were used to transport water from springs and rivers to cities for drinking water and irrigation. The aqueducts were built over 2,000 years ago and still stand today as a testament to their engineering design and durability. However, due to their age and lack of maintenance, they are currently leaking an estimated 75% of their water. Repairing all of the leaks is estimated to cost over $1 billion.

 

Tips for Preventing Plumbing Leaks

While plumbing leaks may not always be as catastrophic or expensive as those listed above, they can still cause a lot of damage to your home or business if they’re not repaired promptly. That’s why it’s important to know how to prevent plumbing leaks and what to do if you do have one. Below are some tips on how to prevent plumbing leaks:

 

  • Check your pipes regularly for any signs of wear or damage such as cracks, corrosion, or water stains.
  • If you have an older home with galvanized steel pipes, have them inspected by a licensed plumber every 3-5 years for any signs of corrosion.
  • Never pour chemicals down your drains as they can eat away at your pipes causing them to leak.

While plumbing leaks may not always be as catastrophic or costly as those listed above, they can still cause a lot of damage to your home or business if they’re not repaired promptly. That’s why it’s important to know how to prevent them and what to do if you do have one.  If you do have a plumbing leak, be sure to contact a licensed plumber so they can properly repair it .

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