As a homeowner, you might take pride knowing that the bills are paid on time and that you’re generally good about keeping an eye on things. But sometimes, issues can arise that you don’t see coming. One is suddenly getting a water bill that’s higher than average. The first thing you want to do (and should do) is contact your utility company to make sure that there’s not a mistake in the calculation. If there’s not, you’ll want to figure out where the problem lies in your plumbing to avoid costly bills in the future. From an obvious problem like a running toilet or dripping faucet to a hidden leak, these are some possible explanations for an unusually high water bill and how to fix it.
Dripping Faucet
Aside from simply being annoying, a dripping faucet can cause significant water loss in a short period. On average, a faucet uses about 15% of your home’s water. A leaking faucet can waste about 20 gallons of water daily, and over 3,000 each year! That, unfortunately, translates to you losing money. To avoid (literally) throwing money down the drain, you may need to contact a plumber in Henderson to resolve the problem. But you can also try your hand at fixing a leaking faucet on your own first by tightening any seals or connections that appear to be loose. If that doesn’t help, it’s time to call the pros.
Hidden Leak
If there’s one thing worse than having a dripping faucet or leaking toilet, it’s not knowing where the water loss is coming from. A hidden leak is something that usually requires a professional. Using sophisticated technology, an expert plumber can provide accurate leak detection Henderson NV. Before contacting a plumber, it helps to see if you can find the source of the leak yourself. You can do so by checking areas where you wouldn’t usually look, such as under the sinks, in the basement or garage, behind the toilets, and the outdoor plumbing fixtures. If you see any areas of dampness, mildew, or mold growth around these fixtures, it’s a good sign that you have found the source of a leak. It’s essential to fix a leak quickly, as the broken appliance will only continue to ramp up your utility bill. Furthermore, letting a leak go unchecked over time invites mold and mildew growth, and it can cause substantial water damage. That amounts to an even more extensive repair bill!
Irrigation System and Hoses
In the summertime, it’s common for people to spend more time (and money) maintaining a lawn or an outdoor garden. If your water bill suddenly increases when the weather gets warmer, regular seasonal use may be the culprit. But if your water bill seems higher compared to the same time in previous years, there may be a problem with your irrigation system or outdoor plumbing. You can check an automatic irrigation system to make sure there aren’t any leaks or cracks in the different parts. A sprinkler valve that gets stuck open can also cause a tremendous loss in water. Another factor to consider is the timer. A timer that’s not programmed correctly can also increase your water bill. You may want to try adjusting the timer so that you use less water throughout the day.
No one likes the unpleasant surprise of getting a higher water bill. But if there’s one thing worse than having to give your utility company more money, it’s letting a problem go unfixed. Along with saving money, addressing a leak or broken plumbing fixture as soon as possible is critical. Otherwise, it can cause more significant problems down the road like water damage, mold, and mildew. If you need assistance with a plumbing dilemma, don’t hesitate to contact Service Plus Plumbing for fast, reliable plumbing relief.
