Budgets are a way of life for most homeowners. And when you get a higher than expected water bill, you are forced to scramble to come up with the added cash to pay it. But what you really need to be focused on is why the bill increased. And what can you do to get your water bill back to a manageable amount. So below are the eight most common reasons for a larger water bill and how you can eliminate these drains on your wallet.
- Leaking Toilets- Your toilet consumes about 30% of the water used inside your home. And a single leaking or running toilet can waste up to 6,000 gallons of water in a single month. To see if your toilet is costing you hundreds in wasted water, you will need to use your ears and eyes. First, listen to see if you hear it running continuously or intermittently. Also, check the supply water line for leaks. If you are still not sure, try the dye test. Place a few drops of food coloring in your toilet tank. Then wait 15 minutes to see if the water in the toilet bowl is now the same color. If the water in the bowl is colored, you have a leak at the flapper. This is a simple fix and can be done for just a few bucks.
- Leaky Faucets- A single dripping faucet can waste about 20 gallons of water a day, or about 600 gallons a month. Check for drips. The most common cause of a leaking faucet is an O-ring in the handle that costs less than a buck at the hardware store.
- Irrigation Leaks- Moist areas in your yard or places where the grass is very green and super tall are signs of an underground irrigation leak. And while it might seem like a tiny issue, it could be costly. A 1” sprinkler pipe has a capacity of 13 gallons per minute. So a broken pipe that runs for only 10 minutes a day could be dumping about 100 gallons of water. These fixes usually are straightforward, and the parts will be just a few bucks.
- Lateral Line Leaks- The pipes that carry water from the city main to your home can develop cracks or loose fittings over time. And the worst part is that these pipes are always under pressure and leaking. The best fix for these leaks is a call to the pros at Metroplex Leak & Line.
- Old Fixtures- In most cases, you will not notice a sudden increase in your water bill because of old fixtures. But you might find that your bill keeps slowly climbing until you can’t afford it. This is due to old, inefficient fixtures. Modern faucets, showerheads, and even toilets are designed to use much less water than past models. The average toilet uses 3.6 gallons per flush, but a low flow model uses 1.6 gallons or less to do the job. Check out some new fixtures to save a substantial amount of water.
- Changes In Water Use- have you changes some of your water usage habits? Are you washing your new car every weekend? Do you have a new roommate who takes long showers? Do you have more people living in your home now? All of these will increase your water usage. But you can look for easy ways to reduce water waste to keep your water bill more manageable.
- New Equipment- Did you add a new feature to your home like a spa, sprinkler system, or even a fridge with a water dispenser? All of these will increase your water usage. But you could be able to reduce your overall consumption by looking at places where you were wasteful. Time your shower or inspect your home for water leaks in an effort to conserve water where you can and drop your water bill.
If you found any leaks of issues that are beyond your level of plumbing skill, call in the pros at (214) 388-4525. A licensed Metroplex Leak & Line plumber can get the problem fixed quickly and affordably to help you get your water bill back to a manageable amount.
