When taps and fixtures aren’t used for long periods, water can sit in them and pipes can dry partially. Internal parts seize up, rubber seals harden, and mineral deposits harden in place. The next time you turn them on, they might leak, drip or refuse to move smoothly.
By running each tap for a short while every now and then – even in guest bathrooms or utility sinks – you keep water moving through the system. Seals stay moist and flexible, and any small debris gets flushed out before it becomes a solid blockage.
It’s like stretching muscles you don’t often use so they don’t lock up.