High Water Bill Detection

Receiving a high water bill in the mail is enough to make you scratch your head, especially when you have no noticeable leaks in your plumbing. If the cause of your spiked water bill is left unresolved, you could end up wasting thousands of dollars each year and spending money on a costly repair in the future. Whether your high water bill is caused by a leaky pipe or you are just unconsciously using an excess amount of water during the warmer months of the year, it is easy to figure out the problem if you tap into your inner detective.

While some causes of a high water bill will stick out to you like a sore thumb as soon as you start investigating your water sources, some culprits are more deceiving. Here are some of the most common causes of an above average water bill:

Consider the weather. The dog days of summer bring sweltering hot temperatures and dry weather to most places and it could be that you are just using much more water than you typically do the rest of the year. New homeowners especially feel the sting of sticker shock when receiving their water bill after the first summer in their new home. Typical high-volume summer water activities include:

• Garden and lawn irrigation systems
• Swimming pools
• Hot tubs
• Sprinkler systems
• At home car washing
• Pressure washing

Leaky Toilets and Faucets. You may think that the “drip, drip, drip” you hear coming from your sink or the almost unnoticeable stream of water going on in your toilet bowl even after the flush cycle has finished is no big deal, but these seemingly little water problems can cost more than 30 gallons of wasted water per day if not properly fixed. Leaky toilets and faucets are the leading causes of simple problems you can repair at home inexpensively.

Cracked Pipes. Cracked pipes are another source of leaking water, and can be hard to detect because many water pipes are buried underground. If your water bill spikes shortly after freezing cold temperatures have subsided, it is likely that you have a cracked pipe somewhere in the water pipes leading to your home.

Billing Rate Changes. Inflation happens and it could just be that the water company is charging you more for the water you consume. To be sure, you can either contact your water service provider and ask them or compare your current bill to a previous bill to see if the rates per gallon have changed.

Depending on the location and scope of the leak, you may be able to fix it yourself. For small-scale leaks like those found in toilets and faucets, you can purchase the parts and sealants you need at a hardware store for less than $100. If you have a burst pipe in one of the main water lines, it is best to call a professional plumber who will either repair the pipe or replace it.

Should you discover that the cause of your high water bill is due to a spike in your water usage, there are several ways you can self-manage the problem and lower your bill over time:

• Cut your shower time and frequency
• Invest in a high-efficiency toilet, shower head, and faucets
• Turn off faucet when washing up and brushing your teeth
• Only irrigate your yard and gardens during the early evening hours so water does not evaporate as quickly
• Wash bigger loads of laundry
• Mind your flushes…do you really NEED to flush each time?
• Collect rain water to irrigate your plants

At Twin Home Experts we have a team of professional plumbers who will go to work to uncover the source of your water leak quickly. We are armed with the tools and expertise needed to repair your plumbing and provide you with tips and pointers to save water in the future. Our expert call service is open 24/7 so you can get a plumber to your home or business when you need one during an emergency.  Contact us today so we can help!