Friday, April 9th, 2021

Why is my water bill so high? 

Water dripping from faucet

For most homeowners, the water bill doesn’t fluctuate much, unlike the gas and electric bill sometimes does, especially when the weather changes. So, when you open the water bill and discover you owe way more than you have previously, it’s cause for concern. 

When the water company raise rates, it usually results in a nominally higher bill. If the costs have skyrocketed, however, it usually means there’s a leak or another issue with your home’s plumbing. 

An expensive water bill is your cue to call a plumber. Not only can we find the issue and fix the plumbing problem so your water bill goes back to normal, but we can address the problem before it get worse and leads to a plumbing emergency.  

Have an unusually high water bill? Below are five plumbing problems that may be the culprit: 

A leaking faucet
It may surprise you, but a leak in just one faucet can cause your water bill to be much higher than normal. Consider this: a faucet that leaks just a small amount of water daily can amount to gallons of water wasted every month. So, when you see water around the base of your faucet or any leaks in your pipes below the faucet, it’s best to address and fix the problem quickly. 

A leaking toilet
Toilet problems are known to cause very high water bills. This is especially the case if the toilet runs constantly. If you hear any running or dripping sounds, your toilet flapper may not be working properly and that can lead to costly water bills. 

If you’re unsure if you have a bad flapper, we recommend putting a few drops of food coloring in the toilet. Then, check back in thirty minutes. If the water is still colored, it’s time to call the plumber. 

Hidden leaks
So, you’ve checked your faucets and toilets and everything seems to be working well. This could mean you have a leak that’s harder to detect. Quite possibly, the leak is in the plumbing in your walls, the basement, or in your home’s foundation. 

This is another time when calling a plumber is advisable.  We have the tools to find the source of the leak quickly and fix it before it gets worse. 

Broken meter
This is an easy fix, but not one a plumber can make! If you’re sure there aren’t any leaks anywhere in the home, and no other plumbing problem has been diagnosed, you’ll want to call the water department. 

Occasionally, a broken water meter is to blame for the big bill. If that’s the case, the water department can repair the meter and maybe even prorate any bills you’ve paid when your meter wasn’t working properly. 

Worried about an expensive water bill? Give the team at Allied Reddi-Rooter a call or Contact us. Our team of experienced plumbers can do a thorough inspection of your home’s plumbing and fix any issues, so you can stop pouring water down the drain.  We always come highly recommended and have earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau for our expert quality of service.  You can follow us on Facebook, @Allied Reddi-Rooter for the latest tips or to ask us a question.