The water bill is a major utility in almost any city. When you spend more than budgeted on your water bill, it’s only wise to contact a plumber to help assess and inspect the problem and fix it immediately. That said, here are some of the reasons you might have a high water bill and what to do about them.
1. Leaky/Running Toilets
Did you know that the toilet accounts for approximately 30% of water use in the home? A faulty toilet can waste several hundreds of gallons of water per day. Don’t know how to check for leaky toilets? Try these methods before contacting a plumber.
First, check to see if you hear an odd hiss-like sound. If so, then you should contact a plumber to fix it right away.
Second, use food colouring or a dye. Put a few drops in the water tank and leave it for 15 – 30 minutes. If the coloured water seeps into the bowl, then you have a leak.
Before calling a plumber, check the flapper. If it’s faulty, you can fix it yourself. Walk down to the nearest local home improvement store and get a replacement. If the problem looks bigger than what you can handle, contact a professional plumber.
2. Leaky Faucets & Fixtures
Another common cause of unreasonably high water bills is a leaky faucet. The bigger the leak, the higher the quantity of water wasted, and the more money spent on your monthly water bill. A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second, if not fixed, can waste over 3,000 gallons of water annually.
The good thing about leaky faucet and fixtures is that they are easy to find and fix. All that’s required is a simple inspection of your faucet and other fixtures. It doesn’t take long to find leaks. In some case, the leak can be due to a faulty rubber washer.
3. Outdated Fixtures
Most homes use old plumbing fixtures. Unlike old fixtures, modern products are sleek and energy efficient. Today, you will find low-flow water-saving toilets, new models of aerators for faucets and water-saving shower heads. These modern fixtures hardly develop fault unless, of course, they’ve outlived their usefulness. They also reduce your water bill by using less water.
When buying a new home, remember to check the toilet fixtures to see if they are old and outdated. Ask the real estate agent or homeowner how long the plumbing fixtures have been in place. If you need to consult with a professional, Drain Rescue Plumber may be able to provide you with additional information.
4. Behaviour or Equipment Change
During the hot summer months, water usage in an average home increases when compared to the winter. Some of the causes include washing your cars, filling pools, using sprinklers, etc. If you have a large family with kids returning home from college or a distant family member visiting, then you should expect a higher water bill. If you added a few electrical appliances in the home such as an extra washing machine, you should also expect a sudden increase in your bill and therefore plan accordingly. When shopping for appliances, go for energy-efficient models. This way, you can reduce your monthly water bill significantly.
No one likes to pay bills, but they’re inevitable, especially when you own a home. By fixing leaky faucets and replacing outdated fixtures, you can significantly lower your water bill.
