It’s normal for your water bill to vary month to month. From watering your lawn to filling a swimming pool, there are many causes of a high water bill. But if your bill is suddenly much higher than normal, that could be there is a problem. We look at common high water causes and when an increase could mean water damage in your home.
What Are Common High Water Bill Causes?
Water bills are rarely identical, so a few dollars more or less is normal. However, these are some of the most common high water bill causes if you have a sudden change.
- Watering Your Lawn or Garden – You use an average of five to seven gallons per square foot of lawn
- Filling Your Swimming Pool – Whether you’re filling up or just topping off, you could use tens or even hundreds of gallons of water
- Kids Growing Up – Teens and adolescents use more water than they did as a baby
- Getting a Pet – Washing pets will use more water
- Guests Staying With You – Each person can use between 60 and 100 more gallons each day
- Holiday Events and Preparation – More dishwashing and laundry mean more water
- Water Softeners and Purification Systems – These systems normally use more water, but a higher bill could mean it’s time to clean or replace the filter.
What Are the Causes of a High Water Bill That Could Mean Water Damage?
Unfortunately, a high water bill could also mean you have a water leak or damage. If you can’t think of a cause for the increase or the bill is really high, there could be a problem. Here are the most common things to check if you have a higher than normal bill.
1. Leaky or Running Toilet
If your toilet is constantly running, you could waste as much as two hundred gallons of water each day. That could double or even triple your normal water use, leading to a very high bill. If you aren’t sure you have a leak, put a few drops of food dye to the tank and wait half an hour. If the water in your toilet bowl is colored, you know you have a leak.
2. Leaky Faucets
Another cause of a high water bill is a leaky faucet. Just a slow drip can waste as much as twenty gallons of water a day. To check for leaks, but an empty cup under cup before bed. If there is water in the cup when you wake up, you have a leak. You can use this same test to check for leaks under the sink as well.
3. Leaky Pipes or Fixtures
It’s harder to detect leaky pipes and fixtures. If you can see pipes and fixtures, look for leaks, damage and water. Check visible pipes and fixtures for leaks and damage. However, most pipes are inside the walls. So keep an eye out for water stains, cracks and smells that could mean leaks and damage.
4. Supply Line Leaks or Cracks
Although rare, a supply line crack or leak can waste a huge amount of water. They are also harder to detect because the leak is usually outside of your home. The most common sign is a soggy yard. However, other signs include low water pressure and dirty in your water.
What Do to If You Find a Water Leak?
If you find a water leak, you need to make repairs and clean up the damage. The exact steps will depend on the cause of the leak and amount of damage, but these are the basic steps:
- Shut off the Water: Turn off the water to stop the leak and limit the damage.
- Clean and Dry the Water: Clean up the water, then dry out the area.
- Repair or Replace the Leaky Fixture: Either repair or replace the source of the leak.
- Test the Connections for Leaks: Turn the water back on and check for leaks.
- Rebuild the Damaged Area: Depending on the damage, you may need to install new cabinets or drywall.
Do you have water leaks or damage from one of these high water bill causes? Restoration Local will clean up and repair your water problem fast. Our restoration specialists are trained and certified in water damage cleanup and dry out services. Call 888-443-3110 now for a free in-person estimate and immediate service.
My water bill over the past 2 months has tripled, however my household patterns has not changed whatsoever! My meter went up 100 pts and we were not even here over the weekend?? My meter is running when I am using it and stops running when we are not? I have no answers?? Is it possible there is someone who has tapped into my water line and I’m paying for their usage? I’m out of answers and there is only 2 of us that live here???
Any suggestions or help would be very helpful!!!
Hi Charisse, I’m so sorry to hear about this. Without some type of water damage or another indicator of where the water is going, it’s impossible to diagnose. The only suggestion I have is to call a local plumber for an inspection. They can identify the cause and come up with a solution. I wish I could be more help. Best of luck identifying and fixing the problem.