An unexpectedly high water bill is one of the clearest signs that something is wrong with your plumbing. Before calling your water company, check for these common causes.
1. Running toilet. A running toilet can waste 200+ gallons per day, which is over 6,000 gallons per month. Often the flapper valve or fill valve needs replacement, which is a quick, inexpensive fix.
2. Hidden leak. Leaks behind walls, under floors, or in crawlspaces can waste enormous amounts of water without any visible sign. If your bill has spiked and you cannot identify why, a hidden leak is a strong possibility.
3. Leaking faucets. A faucet dripping once per second wastes over 3,000 gallons per year. Multiple dripping faucets compound the problem.
4. Irrigation system leak. Underground irrigation leaks can waste a surprising amount of water, especially if they go unnoticed. Check your irrigation system for soggy spots, unusually green patches, or sprinkler heads that are not performing normally.
5. Water softener malfunction. A malfunctioning water softener can get stuck in regeneration mode, using hundreds of gallons of water in a continuous cycle.
6. Seasonal usage changes. Summer watering, filling pools, and hosting guests can legitimately increase water usage. Compare your current bill to the same month last year.
7. Meter reading error. While rare, meter reading errors do occur. If you've ruled out other causes, contact your water company to request a re-read.