You open your water bill expecting the same amount, but it‘s suddenly much higher than usual. No visitors have come over, nor have there been any renovations in your home recently. So why is your water bill suddenly higher than expected?
This is an issue that we have seen many homeowners come to us with, and in most cases, it’s not the amount of water you’re using but rather the water you may be losing.
If this is something you are experiencing, we can help find out why. At Putman Plumbing, we track down what could be causing the sudden increase in water bill.
Hidden Leaks You Can’t See
The most common cause of an increase in your water bill is a leak; however, these leaks do not always have visible indicators.
Leakages can happen behind walls, beneath floorboards, or even underneath the property. They can run consistently without any sign of water wastage, but would contribute substantially to the monthly charges. A relatively small yet consistent leak may waste more water than imagined.
Things We Instruct Homeowners to Monitor:
- Evidence of dampness on walls and ceilings
- Odorless, moldy smell or signs of mildew
- Decreased water pressure
- Water meters continue to move even when all water supplies are shut off
When the water bill continues to go up despite no changes to daily habits, a hidden water leak is likely the reason for the problem and often requires proper leak repair to fully resolve.
Running Toilets That Go Unnoticed
Toilets are among the most common and most overlooked causes of water wastage.
There have been instances where a toilet has been leaking silently, with the homeowner completely unaware of the problem. A damaged or defective flapper can cause the flow of continuous water from the toilet tank into the toilet bowl without producing any noise.
A minor leak may not amount to much; however, a continuous leak will result in excessive water wastage. On average, a single running toilet can send hundreds of extra gallons down the drain each day.
Quick way to check:
- Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank
- Wait about 15–20 minutes
- If color shows up in the bowl, water is leaking through
It’s a simple test, and one that can save you from a surprisingly high bill.
Dripping Faucets and Worn Fixtures
The constant dripping of the tap is hard to overlook. Yes, we know, but you think there is no need to do anything about it.
But over time, those small drips can waste a significant amount of water, especially if more than one fixture is involved. This happens mostly due to worn washers or leaking seals, fittings, and old taps that just do not seal well anymore.
Problems With Underground or Outside Pipes
Sometimes, the source of the problem is not even inside your home.
We have dealt with many customers who had increasing water bills due to leaks in the main water pipeline coming from the meter to the building. This pipe is typically underground; therefore, there are some warning signs you might be able to look out for.
Warning signs outside your property include:
- Wet or damp patches on the lawn
- Green and rapidly growing grass in a certain area of your yard
- Cracks in the driveways and sidewalks
- Water running through the ground
In most cases, this indicates that something serious has happened with your home’s water and sewer lines.
When It’s Time to Call Us
It reaches a certain point when looking into things on your own isn’t enough anymore.
If you’ve looked at your fixtures, checked for obvious leaks, but your bills remain high, then it may be time to bring in a professional. If things do not make sense to you, then we will work together to find an answer and take care of any problem before it becomes bigger.
What Your Water Bill Is Telling You
A sudden rise in your water bill is almost always a sign that something needs fixing at home.
Most often, it’s a simple fix. However, there are cases where it could be an early indicator of a bigger problem. The key here is to act fast.
At Putman Plumbing, we focus on finding the real cause and fixing it the right way so you’re not dealing with the same problem again. If something doesn’t add up, you can get in touch with our team to schedule a closer look.