As homeowners, when utility bills are due, it’s natural to go ahead and pay, but what happens when one month, your water bill arrives significantly higher than before? Wouldn’t you be curious why it spiked up? In this article, our plumbing specialists at Five Star Dayton Plumbing have gathered a list of common reasons your water bill spiked recently.
Have You Found Any Hidden or Evident Leaks in Your Plumbing System?
There are many different types of leaks in your plumbing system that can greatly affect your equipment or go undetected for a long time. Below are a couple of examples of what leaks could spike your water bill:
- Toilet Leaking: This common plumbing issue can drive up your water bill and become huge water waste. If your toilet’s flapper is faulty, water levels within the toilet will drop and boost water usage by continuously refilling. So if your toilet is running long after finishing flushing or making humming or hissing noises, it indicates a leak or issues that need attention.
- Leaky Faucets: With how many faucets are around a home, at some point, one is bound to start leaking, especially if they’re older. Unfortunately, with each drop of water that trickles from your faucets, the water costs in your home will rise.
- Leaks in Irrigation System: Most homeowners do not walk the perimeter of their yards very often, so irrigation leaks can catch most by surprise. Beneath the ground and landscaping lie water pipes and irrigation lines. When leaks occur, they may be hard to detect; it is best to seek a licensed plumber for assistance.
- Broken Water Pipe or Obvious Leak: If there is a large amount of water in your yard, wet areas around your home, or an increase in your water bills, you may have a damaged or broken pipe. If this is the case, contact your local plumbing professionals immediately.
Does Your Household Contain Outdated Toilets or Fixtures?
As technology advances and improves over the years, the same is true for products like water fixtures and toilets. Even residential washing machines have become more efficient, saving 13 gallons of water per load, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Likewise, updating your plumbing equipment can positively affect your water bills.
Have There Been Any Changes in Your Home’s Water Usage?
If there has been a flux to the occupancy of your household, bad habits, or seasonal changes, this can heavily affect your water consumption and costs. Unfortunately, homeowners can often overlook changes in water usage. Being aware of the amount of water used in your home and making changes to use less will lower the water costs in your home.
So What Do You Do If Your Water Bill is High?
Now that you know the water bill is too high, what do you do now? Well, it’s time to take action! Start by checking for leakage in pipes or water fixtures around your home or any significant water usage. Whether you found the problem or cannot find anything at all, it is best to seek a plumbing contractor’s advice like the professionals at Five Star Dayton Plumbing. Whether you need repairs, inspections, or installations for any plumbing around your home, our plumbing specialists will handle the job quickly and efficiently the first time. So give us a call today at (937) 230-6506, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
