Water is a necessity in every home. However, there are times you may get hit by a high water bill that you are tempted to start rationing water in your household. However, before taking such drastic measures, there are common plumbing issues that may be causing your water bill to skyrocket. Some of them have been discussed below.
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Leaking Faucets and Fixtures
One of the reasons you are getting a high water bill is that your faucet is leaking. When the leak is heavy, more water is wasted and, in return, a higher water bill. Let’s say your tap is leaking approximately a drip per second. In a day, you will have lost about 17 gallons of water. The good thing is that you can spot a leaking faucet easily and have it repaired. One of the common reasons for a leaky faucet is a damaged rubber washer. Fixing this is not hard, and you can DIY. You only need to unscrew the faucet handle and replace the bad washer with a new one.
A Running Toilet
A running toilet can waste about 6,000 gallons of water in a month, adding a few hundred dollars to your water bill. There are serious leaks that require no inspection to know there is a water leak. As you use the toilet, you will just hear the water leaking. Another way is by listening to whether your toilet is producing a hissing sound. This could be due to a faulty water line connection or the tank flapper. There are toilet leaks that are so subtle that you cannot notice. If you suspect that your toilet is leaking, you can do the dye test. Pour a tiny amount of food coloring in the toilet tank and give it a few minutes. If you notice dye in the bowl, then your toilet is leaking.
Irrigation Leaks
If you have installed an irrigation system on your property, a cracked pipe or loose joint can lead to water leaks. It can be hard to spot an irrigation leak, especially if it is buried in the ground. However, if you notice damp patches on your lawn or areas where the grass is lusher than others, it could indicate a faulty irrigation system. For this type of damage, it is better to leave it to the professionals. You may try to fix them and cause a bigger mess like damaging the sewer lines. When that happens, you end up with an even bigger foul odor problem and an extra cost of sewer lining repair. Therefore, get a qualified plumber to inspect and fix irrigation leaks.
Old and Outdated Fixtures and Toilets
If you stay in an older home and are yet to update the plumbing system, it may cost you a high water bill. Modern water fixtures are more efficient with improvements like water-saving showerheads and water-saving toilets with a low flow. Therefore, check the fixtures you are using and if they are too old, replace them with high-efficiency water fixtures.
A leaking Lateral Line
Another reason you are getting a high-water bill could be that the pipes that feed water to your home from the metered connection are cracked or have a loose joint. The damage could be caused by aging pipes, a tree root pushing against the pipes, seismic activity, or animal activity. The challenge with a damaged lateral line is that it may go unnoticed for a while since it is underground. To fix this issue, get a professional plumber.
By fixing the above issues, you will reduce your water bills drastically. Also, apart from the case of the water bill, it is best to call a plumber to fix any damage so that the problem does not escalate and cause you more money.