Why Is My Water Bill So High?
It can be quite a shock to open up your water bill and find that your bill has gone up dramatically. You will first want to make sure a mistake in the meter reading didn’t occur. Look at your water meter to take a reading and if you find that the number on the bill is actually more than what your water meter is currently showing call your water company. You can also compare the numbers to see how many gallons of water have been used since your last reading as indicated on the bill.
If you haven’t had abnormally high water usage, such as filling a pool or watering your lawn excessively, consider other changes in your family’s water usage. Have your guests or family been taking longer showers or more frequent baths? Are you doing more loads of laundry and dishes than normal? If you’ve ruled out all of these areas it’s time to check for a leak.
Here are some reasons why you might have a high water bill:
Leaky or Running Toilet
A toilet that is constantly running is usually the most common cause of a high water bill. Do you frequently need to jiggle the handle to get your toilet to stop running? Or perhaps the water leaking from your toilet is so minor you may not have even noticed. The rubber stopper, called a flapper, in the toilet tank can warp over time. A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons a day, which can double your daily household water use.
Leaky Faucet
Have you checked all your indoor and outdoor faucets to see if any are dripping? A leaky faucet can waste up to 90 gallons or more each day in your home. According to the EPA, one trillion gallons of water is wasted across the United States annually because of leaky faucets. Some faucets can be harder for kids to use than others. Even a small drip from a faucet valve left slightly open can raise a water bill if ignored.
Irrigation System Leaks
A leak in your lawn’s irrigation system can be difficult to notice because the water lines are buried underground. You can look for signs of a leak, such as patches that are unusually damp or areas of your lawn that are greener or growing faster than surrounding areas.
Slab Leaks
One of the most damaging sources of leaks is when pipes break underneath the slab of your floor. Even a tiny pin drop hole in the line can cause a bill increase and make an incredible amount of damage to the home. It can leak for months before anyone notices, potentially causing water damage to walls, flooring, and cabinets.
If you find any of the above problems or simply cannot figure out why you have such a high water bill, it’s time to call a professional plumber to fix these problems or to investigate what is using so much water in your home. Brevard’s Best Plumbing offers high-quality work at competitive prices. We have leak detection equipment that helps us locate the source of underground leaks. We will locate the broken pipe and repair it accordingly.
We have been serving Brevard County Florida for over 15 years and we’re ready to serve you with honest, reliable service.