What Are The Causes of High Water Bills?

As a homeowner, water bills are always on your mind. It’s one of those things that can drain your wallet when you least expect it. However, what you probably didn’t know is that the majority of water leaks are easily repairable—and could be going undetected for months. If a leak isn’t taken care of immediately, it can cause serious damage to your home and will increase how much you pay each month for water. Let’s look further at a few common types of leaks and how you can prevent them from happening to you. If you find you can’t resolve the issue yourself, contact an experienced plumber from Mr. Rooter Plumbing immediately.

Dripping Faucets Are Not Normal

Dripping faucets is one of the homeowners' most common causes of high water bills. A single dripping faucet can waste as much as 10 gallons of water daily, enough to fill a bathtub in just two days! If you have any drips or leaks, they should be repaired immediately to lower your water bill.

Running Toilets

Another common cause of high water bills is a running toilet. While flushing a toilet may seem simple, many people do not realize how much water they waste each time they flush their toilet unnecessarily. On average, toilets use 3-6 gallons of fresh water per flush, depending on the age of the toilet and its level of efficiency.

Pipe Leaks

If you have noticed a spike in your water bill over time and have been looking for leaks outside but can’t find anything, it might be time to look inside your home. A pipe leak will typically cause an increase in both hot and cold water usage and sound like running water when it happens at night when everyone else is sleeping.

How To Lower Water Bills

The most common causes of high water bills are leaking toilets, dripping faucets, and a faulty irrigation system. These are all easy to fix and relatively inexpensive. If your toilet runs, it can waste up to 1,000 gallons of water annually. A faulty irrigation system doesn’t just waste water but also causes poor plant growth and poor soil quality.

Turn Off the Water When Not In Use

This is a simple way to save money on your water bill and conserve water simultaneously. It is as simple as turning the water off when you brush your teeth.

Don’t Water the Lawn More Than You Need To

If you have a sprinkler system in your yard, ensure it only runs when necessary. If you do this, you can cut down on the water used by your sprinklers.

Take a Shower, Not a Bath

Showers use less water than baths because they are shorter in duration, and the temperature is not changed during the showering process. This means that less hot water is used during showering than during bathing. So take showers instead of baths to save money on your monthly water bill!

Purchase Energy Efficient Appliances

Energy-efficient appliances use less energy (and therefore less electricity) than traditional appliances. This means that they cost less money over time when it comes to operating costs, such as electricity bills and maintenance costs for them (such as filters). So if you buy an energy-efficient appliance such as a refrigerator or dishwasher, it will save money over time!

Repair Leaks

To find leaks in plumbing fixtures, use a soapy solution to find drips and follow them back to their origin. If this does not work, try wrapping the pipe in paper towels or newspaper and look for wet spots where water is leaking from the paper. Be sure to turn off all water before starting this test. In addition, check for leaks around pipes that run up through walls into attics or basements where dripping may go unnoticed for some time before it causes damage or leaks down into living areas.

Mr. Rooter Plumber For Leaky Pipe Repairs

Taking a few steps to lower your water bill throughout the year will go a long way. Water leaks can develop in many ways, so the best thing to do is pay attention to your water bill and call a dependable plumber when necessary. One last piece of advice: don’t leave your faucets dripping. If you have annoying drips in your home, you’re most likely wasting money on your water bill, so turn them off. If unsure what your next steps should be, contact Mr. Rooter Plumbing for a full plumbing inspection.