If you’ve ever received a startlingly high or even mind-boggling water bill, then you know the sensation. Shock. Disbelief. Maybe even despair. There’s no time to waste when you get news of this kind. You need to take action the first moment possible to track down the cause of the increased water bill and, when possible, restore things to normal.
I’ll tell you about the most common causes of high water bills and what you can do about each one.
The #1 Cause of Suddenly-Higher Water Bills: Leaks
Some leaks are right out in the open so they are obvious. Others can be very hidden. They may be inside walls, in your yard or in the slab under your home. The first place to start is to quickly inspect every faucet, shower, toilet, and outside faucets (also called hose bibs or spigots). If you see any dripping faucets or if you hear your toilet running continuously or intermittently, get it fixed.
Next, turn everything off. Make sure there are no sprinklers running anywhere. Go look at your water meter and see if it shows that water is being used. If it does, call a plumber immediately and get the leak found and fixed.
The next cause isn’t a leak but it is a malfunction. If you have a water softening or filtration system, a malfunction can cause it to cycle too frequently. This wastes water. Call the company that services your system and ask them to check it for needed maintenance.
Other Reasons Your Water Consumption Could be Higher Than Usual
If there are no obvious leaks and the water meter doesn’t spin when no water is being used in the house, then consider that there might be seasonal or household reasons that water consumption is higher than usual. For example, have you just put in a garden or a big row of hedges? The increased watering demands may have run up your water consumption more than you realized.
In the summer, maybe you filled or had to top off your swimming pool multiple times. In the winter, you might have filled, emptied, cleaned and refilled your hot tub a few times.
Did you have guests in the home in the period covered by the increased bill? That will also drive up water usage for showers, laundry, dishwashing and more.
If one of these events is what drove up your water bill, set some rules for water usage for the future and pass these along to household members and future houseguests.
Methods of Lowering Your Water Bills
If you don’t have any leaks, there are still steps you can take to lower your bill.
- Update plumbing fixtures: There are new low-flow toilets, aerated faucets and more efficient shower heads that reduce water usage. Front-loading washing machines also save water.
- Irrigate wisely: Don’t run your sprinklers in the heat of the day. Set them to run early in the morning or late in the evening so there is less evaporation. You can also install a smart irrigation controller to adjust watering schedules based on weather conditions.
- Educate household members: A little education can go a long way toward reducing water usage. Get everyone on board with running dishwashers and washing machines only when they are full. Shorten showers, turn off the faucet at the sink when brushing teeth or shaving and use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.
- Install a smart water monitor: This device will monitor your water usage in real time and alert you to unusual consumption, helping you spot leaks immediately.
Of course, a jump in your water bill could be because of changes in water rates or fees from your local utility. If you have trouble understanding your costs or increases, call your water provider for clarification.
Rocketman Plumbing Is Ready to Help, Day or Night
Whenever you spot a leak in your home, you can call us and we’ll be there fast to prevent property damage and high water bills. We have decades of experience finding the right cause of a problem and fixing it promptly. Call us at (505)-243-1227 any time for help!