Water is a crucial resource that may be costly to maintain and manage for both homeowners and renters. A large water bill is inconvenient not just because of the financial expense, but also because it implies that valuable water is being wasted somewhere.

According to Environmental Protection Agency, leaks in residential plumbing can waste roughly 10,000 gallons of water per year, and 10% of houses lose 90 or more gallons each day.

When your water bill is higher than usual, it is critical to determine the problem and solve it as quickly as possible. With that in mind, here are the most common causes of a high water bill and what you can do about it.

10 Reasons for a High Water Bill

Toilet Leaks

The average American household consumes 31% of the water on a given day. It’s no surprise, therefore, that toilets account for a significant portion of this consumption—6,000 gallons a month and hundreds of dollars on your water bill.

There are two ways to detect a toilet leak:

  • Check for an odd sound: You may detect a leak in your plumbing system by simply walking up to your toilet and listening for a hiss-like noise. If you hear such a noise, you should thoroughly inspect the tank flapper, water line connections, and seals.
  • Use a powdery dye: The dye test can be used to detect a toilet tank leak. This involves placing a few drops of food coloring in the tank and then waiting 15-20 minutes to observe whether any dye is visible on the bowl below. If there is a leak, water will flow from the tank into the bowl, indicating that there is an incorrect seal around your toilet’s trapway.

Most of the time, these leaks are caused by a broken flapper in the toilet tank. This is a simple solution that just involves a quick trip to your local home improvement store and a few minutes of labor.

Leak Faucet and Fixtures

Leaky faucets and fixtures can cause a significant increase in your water bills. The amount of water wasted is determined by the severity of the leak and the rate at which it happens. A leaking faucet, for example, that spouts around one drop every second might waste about 17 gallons per day. A leaking faucet is simple to detect and repair; simply turn off the water while inspecting for leakage.

A visual inspection of your faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures can help you find a leak.

A defective rubber washer in the faucet handle is the most prevalent cause of faucet leaks. Shutting off the water to the leaky faucet, unscrew the handle, and removing the bad washer before replacing it with an intact one usually stops leaks.

Washing machines and dishwashers that leak

If your washing machine is leaking, it may be in your best interest to get it repaired. However, because they are frequently hidden in closets and corners, many homeowners are unaware of the leaks. So, look for any evidence of leaks beneath your equipment. Consider purchasing a high-efficiency washer; some units use up to 50% less water than previous ones.

Irrigation Leaks

Not all leaks happen indoors. If you have a landscaping irrigation system, a line break or weak junction might cause water to escape even while the irrigation system is turned off.

Finding leaks in irrigation systems is challenging, especially if the lines are buried underground. Look for parts of your lawn that are especially moist or lush in comparison to their surroundings to identify these leaks. However, keep in mind that these leak indications are comparable to lateral line leak signs.

To repair this type of leak, you may need to hire a professional plumber to locate the leak and repair or replace the damaged irrigation lines.

Lateral Line Leaks

When one of the underground pipes supplying water from your metered connection to your home has a crack or lose joint, pipe leaks or cracks can develop. These leaks are caused by a variety of reasons, including pipe age, seismic activity, tree root penetration, and animal activity.

While comparable to an irrigation leak, this issue is frequently far more serious. The amount of excess water use indicated on your utility bill might serve as an indicator when determining whether the leak is in your irrigation line or your lateral line water supply pipe.

The best solution for these leaks is to call an expert. A skilled plumber can provide you with the best remedy for your problem, which might include standard trench and replacing trenchless pipe lining, or pipe bursting.

Old Fixtures and Toilets

Many San Mateo homes have a long and rich history, and many of the plumbing fixtures reflect this. Water fixtures have seen significant efficiency advancements in recent years, including new-model aerators for faucets, low-flow water-saving toilets, and water-saving showerheads.

It is seldom an issue from the start; it is generally something with the house that causes you to pay more for water than you intended from the start. When purchasing a new property, inquire with the owner or real estate agent about whether the plumbing fixtures have been updated since the home was built.

Water consumption and seasonal changes

Seasonal changes can cause increased water consumption, especially in the summer. During summer vacation, more members of the family are active and sweat more. This means more showers, lawns, and plants to water, as well as more children at home during the day. Air conditioners may water-cool them; pools may need to be filled.

Visitors to your home

You may not realize it, but a minor adjustment in your home scenario can have a significant influence on your utility bill. As an example, consider welcoming a new guest or family member into your home. This is especially prevalent around the holidays, when children are on vacation and returning home, or when relatives or friends are staying with them.

To avoid or prevent a significant increase in water use, prepare ahead of time and budget for greater water consumption during specific months or for as long as you have that extra person in your home.

Bad Water Habits

An increase in water bills is frequently the result of overconsumption practices associated with appliances and household utilities. Some of these practices are as follows:

  • Using top-loading washing machines uses up to 200% more water than current front-loading washing machines.
  • Watering lawns excessively, using unmonitored recreational toys and equipment, and overusing potable water.
  • Showers that are longer than five minutes can result in up to 2.5 gallons of water waste per minute.
  • Using running water to defrost meats and frozen goods rather than removing them from freezers at earlier, more suitable periods.
  • Leaving the water running while brushing your teeth or shaving is a waste of water flow.

Defective Water Softener Systems

Water softener systems must be backwashed with fresh water on a regular basis in order to regenerate. However, the backwash valve might become trapped in the open position, causing water to be squandered into the sewage system indefinitely. The end result? A lot of water was wasted, and the bill was rather expensive. If you suspect a problem with your water softener system, you should call a professional or look for troubleshooting tutorials online.

Conclusion

Limiting water-wasting practices can help you save money on your water bill and improve your resource efficiency. Caccia Plumbing offers comprehensive San Mateo home plumbing repair and replacement services. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation on ways to save water, money, and your environment!